Welcome to OpenTech Media's DEMO capture guidelines page.
You have reached this page because you have contracted OpenTech Media, Inc. to provide you DEMO recording and post-production services.
If you have not contracted us yet, it is never too late to do so :-) Call us at 408 877 6760 or send us an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This page is meant for Subject Matter Experts / Product Mangers to enable them to create a recording of the demo. This demo will be edited and integrated in a branded console along with slides and other content and will be delivered as a complete package.
To enable you to record the demo, you would need to download two files.
- CamStudio: A tool which will capture your screen and create an AVI file which will be used as an input source for the final DEMO production.
- Codec: A codec to retain the quality / resolution of the capture and compress the AVI file in a lossless manner.
Installation:
CamStudio:
To install CamStudio on your desktop / laptop follow the following steps.
Step 1: Download the file here. If the link does not work, cut and paste the following link in your browser address bar (http://www.opentechmedia.com/camstudio/CamStudio.2.5.zip).
Step 2: Unzip the file in a separate folder. The default folder structure is included in the ZIP file. On unzipping it should create a folder called CamStudio.2.5. It does not matter what this folder is called so far as it is a separate folder. This folder will have 18 files and a sub-folder called controller. The controller sub-folder will have 12 files. Windows Vista shows the total size of the CamStudio folder to be 9.09 MB (9,534,541 bytes).
Step 3: You are DONE! To make sure that the software has been unzipped properly, double-click on "Recorder.exe" in the main folder. This should open the CamStudio interface in a window.
Troubleshooting: If double-clicking "Recorder.exe" does not open the software, make sure that you have downloaded the file correctly and unzipped / extracted it correctly. Send us an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more help.
Codec:
Step 1: Download the file here. If the link does not work, cut and paste the following link in your browser address bar (http://www.opentechmedia.com/camstudio/CamStudioCodec14.exe).
Step 2: Install the CamStudioCodec14.exe
Step 3: Now go back to the folder in which you had extracted CamStudio. Run "Recorder.exe" again.
Step 4: In the CamStudio interface, you will see a menu on the top. Click on "Options". Select the first item on the drop down menu which is "Video Options". Under the first drop down menu called "Compressor" you will see a drop down. Click on the drop down and select " CamStudio Lossless Codec v1.4" . Click on "OK".
You are now all set to record your demo.
Recording:
Step 1: Before you start recording, please read the best practices given below. Especially make sure that all other software programs are closed. This is not the software's requirement, but you do not want to have your friends IM pop-up in middle of the recording or some auto-update to tell you that such and such software can be upgraded. Also make sure your screen resolution is set to 4:3 aspect ratio (that is 800X600 or 1024X768). Open ONLY the software application you want to record and maximize the window for this tool / software application.
Step 2: Go to your CamStudio folder. Double-click "Recorder.exe". This will open the CamStudio software.
Step 3: On the top menu, select "Options". The second grouping in the options drop-down menu is for enabling the audio recording from the Microphone. The default is "Do not record audio". Select "Record audio from microphone". IMP: Unless you do this the audio portion of the recording will not be enabled.
Step 4: On the top menu, select "Region". This refers to the region or area of screen you want to capture / record. Select "Full Screen". Now you are set to record everything on your computer screen.
Step 5: Click on the red record button on the CamStudio interface and minimize CamStudio window. This would now appear on your Notification area.
Step 6: Use your software like you normally would. Run through your demo script. Speak slowly and clearly in to the microphone. If you are using your laptop, make sure that you have located the position of your microphone and speak in to the microphone.
Step 7: REPEAT if necessary. If you are not happy with what you said or did, repeat that whole step. Say that you were not happy with the earlier step and start from a logical point in that step.
Step 8: After you are done or want to pause in between the demo, locate the CamStudio icon in the Notification area. This is normally close to the audio (speaker) icon on the lower right hand corner of the screen. Right click on it. You will see four items in the pop-up menu. Record (should be grayed out if your recording started correctly), stop pause and exit. Click on the Pause option if you want to pause or click on Stop to stop the recording.
Step 9: CamStudio will now ask you for the name of the file and the location you want to save this in. Please make sure that you retain the .avi extension. Please make sure that you know the folder in which you are saving he file. Read Best Practices below.
Step 10: CamStudio is now going to render the file and save it. The longer the recording, the longer it will take to save the file. Please let CamStudio finish saving the file properly.
Step 11: Your OpenTech Client Manager would have sent you details of a FTP server. Using an FTP client of your choice ( we like FileZilla), and the credentials provided, upload the avi file(s) created during the above process.
That’s it. You are done. Now OpenTech Media specialists will work on this and send you your finished demo in a few days.
Best practices:
Installation:
1) Unzip / extract : Most Windows computers now-a-days can extract from a Zip file by right clicking on the Zip file. They typically show you the folder / directory in which they are going to dump all the files. Make sure that you make a note of that directory. If you have downloaded the file in your temp directory, chances are that Windows will create a folder in the temp directory and unzip it right there. You might want to provide it with another path which will be easier to find.
2) If you have problems during installation, in most cases it will be because the file did not get downloaded properly or was corrupted during the download process. Download the file again and if you continue to have problems, write to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
3) The entire installation process should not take more than 15 minutes. If it is taking longer, you are doing something wrong - so go back to the top of this page and start again.
Recording:
1) Preparing Windows: Make sure you have your screen resolution to 4:3 aspect ratio (that is 800X600 or 1024X768) . Close all the programs before you start recording. All of them - your email client, your browsers, everything other then the stuff you want to record. MAKE sure that you have closed all software from Windows task bar - like Yahoo IM, Google Chat, Skype, AOL and all other instant messengers, Live updates from Norton, McAffee or any other anti-virus software you may be using. LEAVE THE ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE ON. You never want to lower the defenses of your system - just the ability to update the software. Java has an updater, even hardware vendors now have software which gets updated.
You do not want to waste a perfect recording because of some unwanted pop-ups.
2) Power: Laptop users - Make sure that your battery is fully charged AND that you are connected to the power supply. REMEMBER - CAM STUDIO SAVES THE FILE AT THE END.
3) Microphone: Try to use a good quality external microphone. With a stand so that you do not end up holding it with one hand and driving the mouse with another. Laptop microphones do not produce the best quality audio recordings.
4) QUITE please: Try to record when the ambient noise is the lowest. Recording during lunch hour is a bad idea. Recording late in the evening after most people have left in a quite conference room is the best. Air-conditioners make a lot of noise. Might not be audible during normal times - but try to listen extra carefully to see if the room you are recording in has hissing sounds from the AC vents. Kids, dogs, cats are great but do not make the best recording companions.
5)Try before beginning: Run through a test recording. Make sure that the audio is getting recorded properly. Make sure that you have enough space on the hard drive. Make sure that the AVI files created can be opened and are running properly.
6) Break it up: It is OK to break up the demo in to multiple parts. In fact, it is advisable to do so. Chunk your demo into logical sections. Record one section and make sure that the file is saved. Go on to the next section. Be mindful of your energy level. We tend to be very upbeat (loud and energetic) during the start and slowly taper off as we run out of wind. Try to pace yourself and record at an even note.
7) File naming: Please name the files appropriately. Recording1.avi is not very explanatory. "Intel_itk_clip1_030508.avi" tells us a lot more. Define some simple file naming convention such that the clips get sequenced automatically by the file name. The name or your company / stock symbol, name of the project and recording date are other facts which are nice to have in the file names.
8) Record as many times as you want. If you are not sure about which clip to use, send us all the clips and we will review them and use the best one.
Help us in creating a professional quality demo of your product. Questions? Call us at (408) 877 6760 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Happy recording!!