Record from a Webcam

Do you need to record a video message to send to colleagues, friends or family? Or do you want to upload and broadcast a video file over the Internet? You can make a video recording in a number of ways on either a PC or a Mac. In this article, you'll find methods for recording from a webcam on a PC using Debut Video Capture software or Windows Movie Maker. You'll also find a method for recording video from a webcam on a Mac using QuickTime.

Steps

Record from a Webcam Using Windows Movie Maker

  1. Check your webcam to make sure it's plugged into a USB port if you're using an external camera. Point the camera toward you, and place the camera as close to you as possible for the best audio quality.
  2. Adjust the input volume to maximum. Make sure that the Mute button is off.
  3. Open Windows Movie Maker. In the "Home" tab menu, click on "Webcam Video".
  4. Start capturing yourself by clicking the "Red/Record" button. If you want to save your video just click the "Blue/Stop" button. Rename your captured video and Save it on your "My Videos" library.
  5. The video that you have recorded earlier will automatically appear on your video timeline. You can have a preview of your video by clicking on the "Play" button. In this area, you can edit your video. You can add themes or whatever you want to add creativeness on your video.
  6. Save your work by clicking "Save Movie" and choose what type of video resolution and size you want.
  7. A dialog box will appear to a final step of saving your video. [1]

Record from a Webcam on a Mac Using QuickTime

  1. Open QuickTime. Under the File menu, select "New Movie Recording."
  2. Adjust your camera view on the pop-up screen. Select the red button to record your video, and press Stop when you are finished.
  3. Export or share your video. You can either export the movie to iTunes, iMovie or the Web. You can share the movie using a number of social networks.

Record from a Webcam on Your PC Using Debut Video Capture

  1. Download Debut Video Capture software.
    • Click on the Download links found on the page. Choose "Run" when asked whether you want to Run or Save the file.
    • Click "I agree" to the End User License Agreements. Unclick any "Related Software" suggestions on the next screen and click "Next".
  2. Wait for Debut to detect your webcam. Then, if you wish to record sound with your video, the software will ask you to configure your audio settings. Once this is complete, you will see the Debut main interface and you are nearly ready to start recording.
  3. Select the format you wish to record to. Debut allows you to record to the following formats: avi, wmv, asf, mpg, 3gp, mp4, mov and flv. You can also choose from various encoder setting for each format.
    • If you choose to record to the MPEG4 (mpg4) format, Debut features preset encoding options for portable devices such as iPods, PSPs, Xbox 360s and more.
    • If you are recording to burn to DVD choose .mpg (MPEG2) and the encoder settings will default to DVD quality.
    • To change the encoding settings click the little icon next to the drop down box to open a settings dialogue.
  4. Adjust the brightness and contrast as needed. Click the little sun icon on the small tool bar (adjust video effects). In this dialogue box, you can also choose to add a text caption to the video.
  5. Select the output folder where your video will be saved. Click the Settings button on the main toolbar. Then, click the Output tab in the settings dialogue box. You can set the destination folder, and you can also adjust the output file name. Click OK when you are done.
  6. Click the Record button on the bottom left of the application. Alternatively, you can use your keyboard to start recording using the F5 key.

Online Using niaveo.com (without specific installation)

  1. Create a new account (free).
  2. Click on left menu "record". Recordings are limited to ten minutes.
  3. Add title and validate the video.
  4. Share and/or download recorded video in flv/mp4/mov format.

Tips

  • Check your lighting. Place a lamp on top of your desk or table and cover it with a sheet of paper. You can also shine a light indirectly at a wall to soften it and to create good video quality.
  • To keep your video file size to a minimum, record against a simple background. A moving background may look more dynamic, but your file size will be much larger and will consume more bandwidth when you export it.
  • Turn off any background noise such as a radio or television. Your webcam's microphone will pick up the noise and exaggerate it.

Warnings

  • Brightly patterned or striped clothing can distract from your face while you're making your recording. Red is the hardest color for cameras to reproduce, and blue is the easiest. If you wear white, your skin will look darker; if you wear black, you skin will look lighter.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://washburnlaw.edu/technology/howto/webcam.php
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Record_from_a_Webcam&oldid=297283"