FAQ

What kinds of applications can be shown in a screencast?
Practically any computer-based application or task may be 'captured' for delivery in a clip. These can include full-motion video and high quality audio narration.

How long does it take to develop custom clips?
Every project is different in scope, size, and complexity, however we pride ourselves in turning around custom clip projects in days or weeks, not months.

Can you record Mac based applications and workflows?
Yes. We use TechSmith Corporation's Ensharpen codec for Macintosh and PC, allowing us to create Quicktime videos. We use screen capture tools to capture Mac content natively, with Ensharpen to encode the video. The file size is low and the image quality is excellent.

How long is the average clip?
In the YouTube world, attention spans are short. We suggest computer-based training clips work best running between three to five minutes.

How much do custom clips cost?
Various factors (SEE FACTORS on Services Page) come in to play when determining the cost of a custom screencast project, but the price ranges upwards from $480/clip. Contact us for a precise quote on your project.

What format are the clips?
The format depends on the delivery requirements of each client. For example, if clips are to be viewed in a browser, we suggest Flash (.SWF or .FLV). Other options are available, including Windows Media (.WMV), QuickTime (.MOV), and/or .AVI for CD-based delivery.

Are your custom clips SCORM-compliant?
Not directly. The screencasts can be included in a SCORM-compliant wrapper such as Adobe Captivate, or Trivantis Lectora, or others.

Do the screencasts you create allow captions?
Yes, depending on your environment, we can include closed-captioning and other factors to make your project more accessible to viewers with disabilities.

Are the screencasts hosted on your site, our site, CD or what?
Generally clips are delivered to a client on CD-ROM or DVD and are hosted on the organization's own server. We do not offer hosting services for screencasts directly although we can arrange these if required.

Do you need to be onsite to record custom clips?
No. In most cases we can capture the video via a web browser using remote control software or VPN access. We see there is value to the editing process if a Subject Matter Expert can be available during the 'local capture'.

What is the exact process involved in producing custom clips?
Good question. Please read the Process page for more information.

Are the clips interactive?
Screencasts create a "let-me-show-you-how" video, and optionally include surveys and link to evaluations. We can do either/both.

Do you any sample clips we can view?
Certainly do.

Will you accept Purchase Orders?
Of course. We also accept PayPal and other options.

How are future changes or modifications handled?
Each screencast project is created with the idea changes may be needed in the future. Modifications can be made with minimal cost based on an upfront quote worked out at hourly rates.

Can we edit the clips after purchasing?
We produce most clips using Camtasia software. If you own Camtasia, you can modify your clips on your own.

Are there experiences of others using screencasts, or some ongoing feedback-evaluation of the time and cost-benefit?
Surely is. Take a look at the following links...

What are other uses of screencasting?
Screencasts for product demos

Microsoft - over 200 screencasts to teach programmers about their new tools
Atlassian's JIRA uses screencasting to show walk-throughs alongside their feature lists and a live webinar
ResolverSystems show their ResolverOne Excel-beater with 8 screencasts, mixing user-interface and Python/.NET coding to give you a thorough walk-through
Zotero's beautiful demo quickly shows how and why their product can help a researcher replace their traditional pen-and-paper note-taking tools
Firefox Web-browser "A picture really is worth a thousand words" (via slashdot), this screencast shows an impressive list of new features within 4 minutes

Screencasts for tuition

Lynda.com is famous for offering graphics-application tutorial screencasts
ShowMeDo offers Python programming, Inkscape, OpenOffice and other tutorials by screencasts
ScreencastsOnline specialises in Mac tutorials
VTC has a wide range of tutorials
Ubuntu Operating System demonstrations by advocates

What do you need from me in order to come up with a detailed fixed quote?
The following information is a good start (and helps you think it through too!):

Exactly what workflow (that's the number of steps and sequence of software processes) is needed to present in the videos so that we can assess relative complexity
The key and secondary information that needs to be conveyed
The level of detail desired in covering these features
Whether you will script the clips, or need us to do it
Any extra sound production desired, such as background music or sound effects, sound design or multiple voice talent etc.

Screencast.com.au

FAQ