Screen Capturing Skype/iChat Interview at DVinfo.net

Chris Christensen · January 21st, 2010, 12:22 PM

I couldn't figure out which category to post this, but I am using FCP so here we are.

What I am trying to do is record an interview over skype or ichat by basically having our host have a conversation with the guest which we will record in studio, but I also want to screen capture the guest's video feed so that I don't have to point a camera at the screen! The only thing is that when I capture it (using ishowu HD) it has a lot of lag.

I am guessing this is a frame rate thing, but can't figure out what settings to use to make it look good. I am going to basically try everything, but thought I would see if anyone here has tried this already and knows how to make it work the best. Thanks!

Robert Lane · January 21st, 2010, 01:14 PM

There's only 2 programs I can think of that can pull this off well:

Either Screenium:

Synium

or Snapz Pro X:

Snapz Pro X | Ambrosia Software, Inc.

Christopher Drews · January 21st, 2010, 01:52 PM

I do this kind of stuff all the time and have found that *any* software will bog down the system for screen capture.

If you can invest in it, the Matrox MXO 1 is the best option.
It allows you to send your desktop screen to another capture card via HD-SDI / SDI and Component HD, allowing you to capture real-time without the hiccups of software.
Audio is sent Analog from your headphone output.

The flip side is you need the MXO 1 and another capture card (AJA, BlackMagic, ect) and of course two computers running Host/Record.

-C

Robert Lane · January 21st, 2010, 01:54 PM

Chris D is right: Any software-based screen-capture app is going to slow down refresh rates when loaded on the same system, but the two apps I recommended have the least amount of overhead and the highest frame-rates possible for the operation you want.

Robert Turchick · January 21st, 2010, 04:13 PM

iShowU HD is what I've used for a while now and it doesn't seem to bog at all.

Craig Parkes · January 21st, 2010, 06:53 PM

I have a lot of success using Screenflow, but don't know what sort of overhead/problems it might cause in this specific situation.

Screencasting Software - ScreenFlow Overview - Telestream

Chris Christensen · January 25th, 2010, 12:40 PM

Thanks for all the replies guys. I am going to explore all of these options, starting with the cheapest ;)

Robert, Ishowu HD is what we have, what are your settings for this? If I can get it to work, even if I have to tell them not to MOVE, that would be great!

Robert Turchick · January 25th, 2010, 01:00 PM

I change it quite often due to different client requirements. So no one setting has proven better than the others. I usually use Apple intermediate codec or animation codec. I also capture 30fps with sound and mouse movements. One thing that does matter is the speed of your computer. I'm on an 8-core 2.66 macpro. If you're on a slower computer, you might have to drop the frame rate a bit if it starts bogging. Just looked at my last settings and I captured 3840x2400 30fps AIC. Allows me to scale in FCP or AE without losing resolution.
Hope this helps!

Chris Christensen · January 25th, 2010, 01:11 PM

ok that makes sense, I have been trying it on a macbook pro. My Mac Pro is in a different building from the studio, so now I will have to be really creative to make this work. I will try lowering the frame rate.

January 21st, 2010, 12:22 PM	#1
Chris Christensen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 29	Screen Capturing Skype/iChat Interview I couldn't figure out which category to post this, but I am using FCP so here we are. What I am trying to do is record an interview over skype or ichat by basically having our host have a conversation with the guest which we will record in studio, but I also want to screen capture the guest's video feed so that I don't have to point a camera at the screen! The only thing is that when I capture it (using ishowu HD) it has a lot of lag. I am guessing this is a frame rate thing, but can't figure out what settings to use to make it look good. I am going to basically try everything, but thought I would see if anyone here has tried this already and knows how to make it work the best. Thanks! __________________ Chris/Final Cut Pro Certified/Apple is my life. Canon XH-A1, SGpro

January 21st, 2010, 04:13 PM	#5
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	iShowU HD is what I've used for a while now and it doesn't seem to bog at all. __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

January 21st, 2010, 06:53 PM	#6
Craig Parkes Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 444	I have a lot of success using Screenflow, but don't know what sort of overhead/problems it might cause in this specific situation. Screencasting Software - ScreenFlow Overview - Telestream __________________ www.afterglow.co.nz

January 25th, 2010, 12:40 PM	#7
Chris Christensen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 29	Thanks for all the replies guys. I am going to explore all of these options, starting with the cheapest ;) Robert, Ishowu HD is what we have, what are your settings for this? If I can get it to work, even if I have to tell them not to MOVE, that would be great! __________________ Chris/Final Cut Pro Certified/Apple is my life. Canon XH-A1, SGpro

January 25th, 2010, 01:00 PM	#8
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	I change it quite often due to different client requirements. So no one setting has proven better than the others. I usually use Apple intermediate codec or animation codec. I also capture 30fps with sound and mouse movements. One thing that does matter is the speed of your computer. I'm on an 8-core 2.66 macpro. If you're on a slower computer, you might have to drop the frame rate a bit if it starts bogging. Just looked at my last settings and I captured 3840x2400 30fps AIC. Allows me to scale in FCP or AE without losing resolution. Hope this helps! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

January 21st, 2010, 01:14 PM	#2
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	There's only 2 programs I can think of that can pull this off well: Either Screenium: Synium or Snapz Pro X: Snapz Pro X \| Ambrosia Software, Inc.

January 21st, 2010, 01:52 PM	#3
Christopher Drews Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 628	I do this kind of stuff all the time and have found that any software will bog down the system for screen capture. If you can invest in it, the Matrox MXO 1 is the best option. It allows you to send your desktop screen to another capture card via HD-SDI / SDI and Component HD, allowing you to capture real-time without the hiccups of software. Audio is sent Analog from your headphone output. The flip side is you need the MXO 1 and another capture card (AJA, BlackMagic, ect) and of course two computers running Host/Record. -C

January 21st, 2010, 01:54 PM	#4
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,823 Images: 15	Chris D is right: Any software-based screen-capture app is going to slow down refresh rates when loaded on the same system, but the two apps I recommended have the least amount of overhead and the highest frame-rates possible for the operation you want.

January 25th, 2010, 01:11 PM	#9
Chris Christensen Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 29	ok that makes sense, I have been trying it on a macbook pro. My Mac Pro is in a different building from the studio, so now I will have to be really creative to make this work. I will try lowering the frame rate. __________________ Chris/Final Cut Pro Certified/Apple is my life. Canon XH-A1, SGpro