Updated on 2024-01-06
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5min read
CamStudio is a simple, free, no-nonsense screen recording tool available for Windows 7, Vista, and XP users. Using CamStudio Screen Recorder, you can record anything on your screen, including your desktop activities, live streaming videos, web meetings, and so on.
If you are considering CamStudio Screen Recorder, follow along to learn about CamStudio’s feature set, advantages, and drawbacks. You will also find step-by-step instructions on how to install and use the CamStudio program. And hey! In case you do not like CamStudio, there is an alternative program that does pretty much everything CamStudio does and even runs on Windows 10/11 and macOS.
Part 1: What is CamStudio
CamStudio is a free, open-source screen recorder with an outdated interface but gets the job done for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 7 users. It can record the entire screen record a fixed region or window. Besides flexible screen recording options, CamStudio also lets you include both system and microphone sound; plus, you can adjust the frame rate and choose the desired compressor codec for the audio. The entire audio section is divided into three primary sections, i.e., Microphone, Speakers, Audio, and Video Synchronization.
CamStudio is also strong on the cursor options. You can either hide or show the cursor. And choose the cursor type and color, and adjust the cursor size.
You can also show real-time keystrokes if needed. Other than that, CamStudio has a built-in video editor. You can use it to compress the recorded videos, trim and remove unwanted sections, or add some elementary effects. And while there aren’t any real-time annotation tools, CamStudio does present a rudimentary annotation feature to draw on the videos during post-production. Beyond that, there is an option to add your custom watermark on the videos and personalize them. CamStudio also includes an Auto Scheduler.
Part 2: CamStudio Key Features
Here’s what CamStudio has to offer for Windows 7, Vista, and XP users:
Simple User Interface:
CamStudio is outdated, even for Windows 7 standards. Still, it is clean and simple. Everything is arranged in the main menu. Under each section, you will find options and settings to customize the screen recording.
Flexible Screen Recording Settings:
You can record the entire screen, partial screen, or a specific window using CamStudio recorder.
Audio Management Settings:
Given the pre-customization on the Microphone, Speakers, Audio, and Video Synchronization levels, you can manage every aspect of the audio.
Editing Tools:
During post-production, you can annotate the video using arrows, lines, and pencils. You can also compress the videos. You can also trim the videos.
Scheduler
Set the start time, end time, choose the format, recording area, and export format, and CamStudio will capture the screen for you. But there is no option to auto-end an ongoing screen recording operation.
Saving formats:
AVI and SFW.
Compatibility:
- CamStudio is available for Windows 7, Vista, and XP.
- CamStudio is NOT available for Windows 8, 10, and 11.
Note: There are multiple sites claiming CamStudio version for Windows 8, 10, 11, but all of them are shady and malicious. So, download at your own risk.
Part 3: How to Install and Use CamStudio Windows?
As mentioned, CamStudio is available on Windows 7, Vista, XP. So, if you are still with the older variants of Windows, follow along to learn how to install and use CamStudio for Windows.
Step 1. Go to the Official CamStudio website. Choose the Windows version to start the download.
Step 2. Open the program, choose the Region option from menu options. You can also move to Options and change the audio settings. Go to Tools to access the Compressor and other settings.
Step 3. Click on the Red button to start the recording. Click on the Pause (||) button if you want to interrupt the recording. And select the blue icon to end the recording.
All recordings will be automatically saved to AVI format. You can change to SFW format beforehand. But there is no other extension option to save the recording.
Part 4: What is Better Than CamStudio to Record Screen?
As indicated, CamStudio is a decent screen recorder. But CamStudio is useless to record a sophisticated video, given it lacks editing tools. If you are looking to use more editing tools and need advanced recording options, you will need a video-making program. And while there are several screen recording and video-making apps out there, one that matches the simplicity of CamStudio but offers way more features and customizations is Eassiy Screen Recorder (Ultimate).
1. Eassiy Screen Recorder
A powerful yet easy-to-use screen recorder, Eassiy Screen Recorder Ultimate helps you create professional videos without having to be an expert. You can capture anything happening on your desktop screen, including mouse movements and keystrokes. You can personalize the recordings, edit them using its built-in video editor, and share them with the rest of the world via any prominent social channel.
You can use the real-time annotation tools in Eassiy to draw on the videos and highlight specifics. Its audio management system gives control over the audio levels. Plus, the advanced options let you complete the job efficiently. Not to forget, the simplistic user interface and the customizable nature allow you to personalize the program.
In a nutshell, be it online tutorials, gameplay, commentary, or business meeting, Eassiy is the ultimate screen recording and video-making tool to show the idea, spread the word, and share your knowledge with other people creatively and artistically.
Eassiy Screen Recorder Key Features:
Unlike CamStudio Windows program, Eassiy is available for all major OS. And Eassiy also presents a lot more options than CamStudio Recorder. Here’s a brief look at the feature-set of Eassiy Screen Recorder:
1. Flexible Capture Any Area of Your Screen
Record the entire Windows or Mac screen, customize the recording area, or a specific window.
2. Record Video and Audio (Internal and Microphone)
Advanced audio management system to control the audio levels of internal and microphone sound. Limit background noises and enhance microphone sound. And more audio management settings.
3. Record Webcam With/Without Screen
Record webcam or as a webcam overlay to increase engagement and help viewers connect with your content.
4. Dedicated Game Recording Mode
Eassiy lets you record 2D/3D games with audio, voiceover, webcam in high-definition. There are even live-editing tools to draw shapes, show keystrokes, and mouse effects.
5. Scheduler
Set the start time, end time, choose the format, recording area, and export format, and let Eassiy Screen Recorder capture the screen for you. You can also auto-schedule to end a recording automatically (with Shut down options).
6. Live Annotation Tools
Use texts, lines, arrows, and other real-time annotation tool. Create your own logos or watermarks and brand the recorded videos for professional use. You can change your mouse cursor color in advanced, or make in invisible.
7. Save As Multiple Formats or Share to Social Channels
You can save the recorded footage in any format, including MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, FLV, ASF, etc. Or, share the recorded and edited footage to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo,
8. Locked Window/Application Recording
No notifications, no pop-ups, and no annoying sounds; choose an application or window and lock it for recording it uninterruptedly.
9. Follow Mouse and Around Mouse Recorder
Unheard in the screen recording tools, let alone CamStudio Recorder, Eassiy includes advanced recording options like Follow Mouse Recorder (to record a selected area with mouse movements), Around Mouse, and so on.
10. Advanced Screenshot on Windows/Mac
Apart from simple screenshot options, Eassiy allows you to take window-specific screenshots, scrolling screenshots to capture chat messages, a webpage, and so on. You can edit the screenshots and share them with others quickly.
Compatibility:
Eassiy Screen Recorder is available for both Windows and Mac users. You can also record on iPhone and Android via screen mirroring function.
- macOS 10.10 or later versions.
- Windows 11/10/8, and 7. (No support for Vista and XP users like CamStudio Windows application).
How To Use Eassiy to Record Mac/Windows Screen?
Eassiy, unlike CamStudio Screen Recorder, is available for both Mac and Windows users. Plus, it is available for newer versions of Windows, i.e., Windows 8/Windows 10/Windows 11. The build of Eassiy for macOS and Windows is similar, so you can follow the below-mentioned steps and record the screen conveniently.
Step 1. Download and Install the Eassiy Screen Recorder program on PC or Mac. Open the Eassiy program. Choose Video Recorder.
Note: On the main interface of Eassiy, click on the triple bar (≡) icon from the top-right corner to access the Preferences.
Under Preferences,
- From Hotkeys, you can customize the Hotkeys. You can enter your own personal keyboard shortcuts.
- From Mouse on the left pane, you can change the mouse cursor color or make it invisible.
- From Output on the left pane, change the output settings.
- Click on Camera, you can change the Camera settings like resolution, and so on.
- From Sound, access the advanced audio management settings.
Step 2. Under Video Recorder interface, choose the Full Screen to record the entire desktop screen. Choose Custom to specify the recording area. Choose the Resolution and Aspect ratio.
Note: You can access the Advanced Recording options like Follow Mouse and Around Mouse from right pane of the interface.
Step 3. Click REC button to start recording the screen as desired settings.
- Use real-time annotation tools to draw shapes with arrow, lines, pencil, and more.
- You can add text in any font and color by click on the T icon.
- Click on the Camera icon to capture a screenshot during live recording the Mac or Windows screen.
Step 4. Click on the Stop (||) icon to end the screen recording. (Or, use the custom created keyboard shortcuts to stop the screen recording.
- Preview and edit the screen recording.
- After saving the recorded footage, Eassiy lets you edit via trim, watermarks, and more such editing tools.
- You can access all previous recordings via the Recording History folder. You can share them to social channels directly.
And that’s just a quick introduction to Eassiy full capabilities. You can do many things. For instance, you can click on Schedule Recorder to record automatically. You can also end an ongoing process automatically. And so on. Put simply, Eassiy not presents a simple and more modern interface than CamStudio but truly gives all the tools one needs to create professional-looking videos.
CamStudio FAQs
1. Is CamStudio Free?
CamStudio is absolutely free for Windows 7, Vista, and XP users.
2. Is CamStudio Worth it?
If you are looking for a basic screencast tool on older Windows version, then Yes! However, if you want to create sophisticated videos, it is best to use modern tools like Eassiy.
3. What is CamStudio used for?
Record the screen, include audio, and save the recording.
Conclusion
CamStudio, as mentioned, is a no-nonsense tool. CamStudio Screen Recorder represents many things a typical user might need from a screen recording tool. You can capture live streams, record the desktop, and include voiceovers in desired frame rate and compressor codec. But that is all there’s to it. There is no option to record the webcam. Plus, you do not have any real-time annotation tools. And that’s where powerful yet simple-to-use tools like Eassiy Screen Recorder come in with advanced recording options. But don’t forget, Eassiy, unlike CamStudio Recorder, is not just a screen recording tool. It is very much a video-making tool with numerous advanced editing and annotation tools to give your videos a professional polish easily.