Screen Capture to Video File
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
I use Streamlabs OBS[^], which is built on top of OBS Studio. Not sure whether it works on Win 7, though. I am on Windows 10.
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
This one looks nice: [Free Screen Recorder - Bandicam](https://www.bandicam.com/free-screen-recorder/)
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
I use the Free Screen Recording Software from eLecta Live[^] (mine is v1.2, not sure if there is a new one) Pluses: - Successfully used in Win7 and Win10. - Only 15 Mb installer - Very easy to use, intuitive settings - It makes the video and you can record the systems sound and / or your microphon, you configure the area to get recorded. - You can record from Webcam - You can set a watermark - Works offline - Good quality video in *avi format (minus as well, I listed it below too) Negative points: - Not many options (but at least what it is there works good) - Only one output format --> *.avi, 1 hour session is around 2 Gbs (you have to convert it later to mp4 or reduce the fps in the avi format) - The keyboard shortcuts don't always work (so I stop it with the mouse and cut the last 2 seconds when converting the fps) - You can't show the key presses in the video (some other software I tested showed the key strokes as text in the right side, but I didn't like the rest, so I kept using electa) EDIT: I have seen that the key press info is important for you. The name of the one I checked where keyboard presses are listed is ashampoo snap 9 (they now offer v11), you have to register and they give you a limited free version. You need internet from time to time beacuse they check the license periodically. But... as I say, although they offer more options, I didn't like the result and I kept using electa.
M.D.V. ;) If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about? Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
Not that I've tried it for that scenario, but how close does the XBox Game recorder come? How to record your Windows PC screen using Xbox Game Bar - The Verge[^]
TTFN - Kent
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
I've used TechSmith's Jing tool for screen capture for a long time, and it includes video capture (with mic input) as well. Screen capture includes the option to draw, highlight and annotate screen captures, and integrates with screencast.com to upload screenshots for sharing (as an option), or to save or copy to clipboard. It's free and reliable... BUT it is now being replaced by a new tool from TechSmith[^] The old version of Jing is still available on the above page though, and the description of the new tool suggests it does at least everything Jing does. Jing runs the whole time with a small, discrete orange semi-circle docked to any edge of your screen; mouse over it and you get a simple graphical menu.
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
If it doesn't have to be a video but can be a slide show with where to click, psr.exe built-in. Videos are a PITA to follow anyway. Otherwise, your graphics card's software suite should be able to do the trick. I know that GeForce Experience records, among other things, the desktop (if you allow), I'm rather sure AMD got something similar. No idea about Intel's gaming ambitions though (desktop recording is oddly enough often associated with gaming).
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
Try SnagIt
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
I am surprised by your review of Flashback Express - I use it all the time without blurry results. The freeware was good enough for all my purposes, but I paid for the Pro version, because I like to support good software. I have never used any of the Pro features - the freeware is that good. The interface is a bit wonky if you only want to record the webcam, but they seem to be working all the time to improve the software. Note - they save their files as a proprietary FBR format, which seems great in terms of compression. But I use the built-in export function to change to AVI/MP4/WMV and have great control over how compressed I want the file to be. Peace.
"Qulatiy is Job #1"
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I have always used Windows Media Encoder. It just seems to work.
To err is human to really mess up you need a computer
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Not that I've tried it for that scenario, but how close does the XBox Game recorder come? How to record your Windows PC screen using Xbox Game Bar - The Verge[^]
TTFN - Kent
I tried Xbox game recorder screen capture but it is useless for Windows software because when a popup window appears it does not get recorded because you can only record one window.
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
Not a software way, but if you have the gear to do it, something really worth considering. My laptop has like many of it's era a VGA and an HDMI output on it. I also own a digital video recorder than can record from it's HDMI inputs as well as the built in tuner. I can redirect my audio via the HDMI too, so all system sounds can be sent that way, including my narration. All I do is set my "dual" monitor (HDMI + built in screen) setup in mirror mode so everything I see on the LT screen, is sent out of the HDMI, then I just set my DVR into record mode. Once I'm finished, I log into the DVR via FTP and it allows me to download the recordings from it's hard drive. The DVR is actually an old CCTV recorder box I snagged off eBay ages ago for about £20, it had no cameras, but it has 8 composite and 4 HDMI inputs. I've upgraded it and put a 2TB Sata drive in (It was originally 500gb) but it gets me a perfect recording every time. If your doing a LOT of video production like this, it's actually something worth buying.
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I am trying to record some screens, with mouse movements and keyboard input, and microphone input, as in "...*Put the cursor here like this and enter xxxxxxx yyyyyy like that, and then move the cursor over here, and click the zzzzzzz button*..." The freeware I have encountered so far has been a major impediment. I (naively) thought it would be a few clicks and go. My education continues. [[[[...Opinions // Suggestions // Advice...]]]] are welcome. I have tried these with these recorders with these results... --- - **OBS Studio** - Won't execute (Windows 7) --- - **FlashBack Express** - Records, an interface I can (barely) handle, and I like it, but it gives blurry results --- - **Debut Video Capture** - Non-commercial use only; this probably won't work, and I don't want to find out later. --- - **ShareX** - So far the best as far as a resulting image that the user can see and understand; stupendsously complicated, but I'm barely making it work; but I'm worried about keeping stuff here at home; the thing is just so complicated that it is honestly scaring me. --- - **Screencast-O-Matic** - Requires internet connection; and that's a major stopping point --- - **Apowersoft Free Online Screen Recorder** - Also requires the internet; not acceptable ---
Flashback Express should be relatively customizable and should be supporting your requirements.
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I am surprised by your review of Flashback Express - I use it all the time without blurry results. The freeware was good enough for all my purposes, but I paid for the Pro version, because I like to support good software. I have never used any of the Pro features - the freeware is that good. The interface is a bit wonky if you only want to record the webcam, but they seem to be working all the time to improve the software. Note - they save their files as a proprietary FBR format, which seems great in terms of compression. But I use the built-in export function to change to AVI/MP4/WMV and have great control over how compressed I want the file to be. Peace.
"Qulatiy is Job #1"
David Carta wrote:
I am surprised by your review of Flashback Express - I use it all the time without blurry results.
Your response made me wonder if I was doing something wrong; indeed I was asking too much. What I'm currently trying to record, for others to see, is this piece of code that... - Waits for the press of a few magic keystrokes - Does strange and weird things with the screen resolution - Keeps the screen in this new mode and does his wowee-zowee stuff - Waits again for another set of magic keystrokes - Returns the screen to its preexisting settings. When I use other (nicely behaved) apps, FlashBack Express is durn neer perfection made better. I still need a way to record this weirdo app that ruins the screen for everyone else.
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Not a software way, but if you have the gear to do it, something really worth considering. My laptop has like many of it's era a VGA and an HDMI output on it. I also own a digital video recorder than can record from it's HDMI inputs as well as the built in tuner. I can redirect my audio via the HDMI too, so all system sounds can be sent that way, including my narration. All I do is set my "dual" monitor (HDMI + built in screen) setup in mirror mode so everything I see on the LT screen, is sent out of the HDMI, then I just set my DVR into record mode. Once I'm finished, I log into the DVR via FTP and it allows me to download the recordings from it's hard drive. The DVR is actually an old CCTV recorder box I snagged off eBay ages ago for about £20, it had no cameras, but it has 8 composite and 4 HDMI inputs. I've upgraded it and put a 2TB Sata drive in (It was originally 500gb) but it gets me a perfect recording every time. If your doing a LOT of video production like this, it's actually something worth buying.
Can you record your screen going into weird screen resolutions; then coming back out ? i.e., if a windows app... - Starts off in the regular screen resolution - Switches to another one - Does some wowee-zowee stuff in the weird mode - Then exits and returns the screen to normal ...Will your scheme accurately capture it in both modes, and allow the [MP4/AVI/WMV/Whatever] file to present, to the viewer's eyes, the same thing on his screen that you saw on yours ? i.e., will he see what you saw ? That's what I'm not getting with this weird app; he's confusing the video capture of other apps when he fiddles the screen resolution.
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David Carta wrote:
I am surprised by your review of Flashback Express - I use it all the time without blurry results.
Your response made me wonder if I was doing something wrong; indeed I was asking too much. What I'm currently trying to record, for others to see, is this piece of code that... - Waits for the press of a few magic keystrokes - Does strange and weird things with the screen resolution - Keeps the screen in this new mode and does his wowee-zowee stuff - Waits again for another set of magic keystrokes - Returns the screen to its preexisting settings. When I use other (nicely behaved) apps, FlashBack Express is durn neer perfection made better. I still need a way to record this weirdo app that ruins the screen for everyone else.
I'm not sure that it is possible to capture the screen correctly while the resolution is changing. For something as oddball as this, I would probable go old school and capture the screen externally, using my phone as a video camera.
"Qulatiy is Job #1"