For various reasons, you may need to record what is happening on your screen. Perhaps you want to record a video tutorial or are trying to create your own machinima video. Here's how you can do it.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using QuickTime (preinstalled)
Step 1. Start QuickTime Player
It is located in the Applications folder, which you can navigate to by pressing the keyboard shortcut Shift-Command (⌘) -A, then pressing the key Q.
Step 2. Open a recording session
On the menu File QuickTime Player, select New Screen Recording.
Step 3. Click on the red dot in the middle of the "Screen Recording" window
Step 4. Determine the size of the screen recording area
You can click to start recording, or first define the area of the screen that you want to include in the recording. To do this, click and drag with the mouse cursor. For this article, we have selected a small area of the screen for recording.
- Remember that the larger the screen area, the more disk space the final result will take up. Include only the desired portion of the screen in the area.
- When you're ready to record, click on the "Start Recording" button in the middle of the recording area.
Step 5. Wait a few seconds
It will take a few seconds before recording starts. When you see the recording timer, you can proceed with the actions you want to record.
Remember: The Recording Control Panel will not be included in the final result
Step 6. Finish recording
When you decide to stop recording, click on the Stop button on the recording control panel, as shown in the illustration.
Step 7. You can interrupt the recording at any time by simply closing the recording control panel window
You will be asked if you want to keep the recording file or delete it.
Step 8. That's it, screen recording is complete
Your video file will be located in the "Movies" folder, where you can watch it, edit it or even show it to your friends!
Method 2 of 2: Using Jing (Free Download)
Step 1. Find out what Jing is
Jing is a free image grabber that comes in both Mac and PC versions. In terms of its functions, it is very similar to QuickTime, with a number of additional features. We'll take a closer look at Jing's screen capture capabilities.
Step 2. Download Jing
You can do this by going to TechSmith.com
Step 3. Install Jing
Jing's setup wizard works on a move-and-paste basis. Just move the application to the Applications folder, then launch it.
Step 4. Start Jing
Once launched, Jing will appear as an image of the sun at the top right of the screen. You can install it in the menu bar as well. Hovering the mouse cursor over the image of the sun will bring up a menu on the screen.
- The illustration shows the Capture function. There is also a function Historywhich keeps a history of all your entries, and the button Morewith which you can access the settings.
Step 5. Determine the capture area
After selecting the "Capture" option, two crosshairs appear on the screen, as well as the dimensions of your screen.
Step 6. Click and drag
This will allow you to define an area for either screen capture or recording.
- In the menu below the selected area, click on one of the 4 buttons:
- Capture an Image
- Capture a Video
- Redo Selection
- Cancel
Step 7. Click on the Capture a Video button
A countdown begins, and the recording area is framed by a yellow film frame.
Step 8. Click on the Stop button when done
The "Stop" button is a yellow square button at the bottom left of the screen. Click on it when you decide to end the recording. A window will appear with a video that you can view and rate.
- The 4 buttons at the bottom of the screen have the following functions:
- Post the result to Screencast.com. This option will allow you to share videos or screenshots you take with anyone on a service that, as you might have guessed, is called Screencast. You can send the resulting link to anyone you want.
- Save to disk. This option will save your video file or screenshot to your hard drive in the location you choose.
- Cancellation. This will undo the entry and delete the result.
- Change the view. This option will allow you to change exactly which buttons will be shown.
Step 9. That's it, screen recording is complete
Advice
- Jing has built-in additional features that relate to defining an area to capture.
- Hold down the key while moving the area. Shift and the capture area will change while maintaining the 16: 9 aspect ratio of the widescreen.
- Hold down the key while moving the area. Control and the capture area will maintain the standard 4: 3 aspect ratio.
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While moving the area, hold down any of the keys Shift or Control, then hold down the additional key Option and you will see all standard capture sizes in 16: 9 or 4: 3, respectively.