When it comes to inexpensive video capture, two programs rule the arena: SnagIt for Windows and SnapzPro X 2 for Macs. These programs cost more than the other solutions here, but they're also much more versatile and are good buys if you want to capture more than just Web site videos.
SnagIt, put out by TechSmith, costs $39 and provides a simple way to capture anything that finds its way onto your screen. To grab video, select the Record Screen Video option from the main screen and click the microphone icon in the Options box to grab the audio, as well. When you've got your chosen video in place, click SnagIt's big, red record button. The SnagIt interface then disappears and you're prompted to drag a rectangle across the area you want to save. Press the Start button in the pop-up window and then start your video. When you're done, finish recording by pressing the program's hot key (PrintScreen, by default). You'll then return to the SnagIt interface where the program prompts you to save your creation.
Ambrosia Software offers two versions of SnapzPro X 2, but you'll need the more expensive $69 version for movie capture. The controls can be a bit confusing at first, but read through the included PDF manual and you'll have it in no time. SnapzPro is set to launch at start-up and run in the background by default. You can activate it by pressing the default hot-key combination, which is Ctrl+Shift+3, unless you change it. Click the video button, place the outlined capture square over your video, and then customize the video settings. Be sure to select Mac Audio Track if you want to include the sound. Double-click within the video-capture area to start recording, then press play on the video. When you're done, press the hot keys again to stop recording.
You'll be prompted to set the audio- and video-compression information before the program creates your video. We like the degree of options, although we wish the program allowed users to name the file at this point. As is, it creates a default name based on the program it captures from.
For tips on converting video for your MP3 player, check out our Insider Secrets feature on video conversion.
