Video Capture and Conversion

Every now and then someone or something wants you video supplied in a format other than the one you recorded it in.

They've all got their own little ways.

Well, a personal hunt a while back brought these two application to my attention and I thought I'd share them with you...

STOIK Video Converter

This program comes in a Lite and a Professional version. The Lite version is free for home use.

It converts a whole bunch of source video types and is fairly simple to use. The best thing is that it is free. It is getting harder to find truly free software these days.

Debut Video Capture Software

I needed this software because my default webcam imaging software doesn't work. I wanted a way of capturing streaming video from my webcam to my computer for upload to the web.

When I got the NCH Debut software I found that it will also capture motion from your computer desktop i.e. movies of your screen, mouse movements etc. and other video inputs. So that's a bonus!

I haven't used all the features yet, so can't advise on how well they work. But, again, this is a free tool (make sure you download the "Lite" version of this one).

It comes with a bunch of "extra features" that can be selected at installation time. I suggest you untick them all unless you know what you are doing. For example, the CD burning option could replace your current favourite CD burning program as the default burning program.

• Capture video directly to your hard drive
• Record video in many different file formats including .avi, .wmv, .flv, .asf .mpg, .3gp, .mp4, .mov and more
• Record from your webcam, screen or video input device (eg. VHS recorder)
• Record almost anything - anything you can see on your monitor can be recorded
• Record video and audio simultaneously
• Create photo snap-shots at any time
• Add your own text captions or time stamp your video
• Change color settings and video effects before recording
• Adjust the video resolution, size and frame rate for capture
• Ability to burn directly to DVD with Express Burn Disc Burner
• Works with BroadCam Video Broadcast Software to stream over the internet