WinCAM Overview

 

Recording

 

Easy recording with WinCAM Recording Wizard

Screen Recording Options:
- Recording a Full screen
- Recording a specific window frame
- Recording a custom size
Music/Sound Settings:
- Background Music
- Narration
- Event sound
Other Settings:
- Pause screen recording/Stop recording setup

 

Editing

 

Award-winning, Easy to use interface
Various Object Editing Tools:
- Lines, Line Rectangle, Line Oval, Rectangle, Oval, Round Rectangle, Rectangle Caption, Oval Caption, Title Box, Title Boxes and Custom Image Files
- You can input custom sound files as Narration
Strong Frame Editing Tools:
Set Delay, Cut/Copy/Paste/Delete Frames and Delete Previous/Next Frame

 

Exporting

 

WCM: WinCAM's own file format
EXE: This is a self-executable file format that the viewer can view WinCAM 2000 movies without any other programs or players
AVI: With WinCAM Video CODEC, you can create world's smallest AVI file with 0% loss in quality. (See CODEC page for detail)
SWF: Macromedia Flash file format. *Only on WinCAM Special Edition

ASF:* Only on WinCAM Special Edition

WinCAM Features

 

WinCAM Movie CODEC

 

You can export WinCAM movie file into World's smallest AVI file format with 0% loss in Quality this our screen recording CODEC.

 

Patented ICC Technology

infoStrider-Mirion Systems' Patented ICC (Intelli Comparing and Capturing) technology is incorporated into WinCAM 2000, it can compresses screen recording files up to the ratio of 1000:1.

 

World's First Interactive Feature

Developed for tutorials, online training manuals and presentations, WinCAM 2000's interactive feature provides users with an innovative multimedia experience. WinCAM 2000 Interactive Multimedia Service Edition includes features providing users to participate interactively with the presentation program.

 

Intuitive Interface

 

WinCAM 2000 captures everything on your computer screen in full motion, and records it as a movie file. Adding narration, background music and sound effects are very simple using the Recording Wizard.

 

Audio Support

 

All wave sound files are supported for background music, narration, event sounds and custom sound effects.

 

Power To Edit

The world's most powerful editing features are incorporated into WinCAM 2000. Each frame or frames can be cut, copied, deleted, moved and manipulated for custom requirements. The intuitive editing interface provides you with a low learning curve allowing you to be more productive in creating contents.

 

Custom Objects

 

A multitude of visual and audio objects at are your disposal, which can be inserted into your custom movie files. Lines, shapes, captions, highlights, narrations and sound effects are some of the tools available.
Clip-arts Images Over 1000 image files, sound effects and background music files are included with WinCAM 2000. Since WinCAM 2000 supports a multitude of graphic and sound files, custom files or downloaded files from the Internet can be easily incorporated into your movies.

 

On-line Help

WinCAM 2000 provides an on-line multimedia help tool. This multimedia help tool will aid users with answers to their questions.

 

Auto-Update

 

The Auto-update feature will check current system information and receive updates and patches automatically as they are required. Straight and simple, you do not have to worry about upgrading; it is all done for you automatically.

 

WinCAM 2000 Editions

 

There are different WinCAM 2000 editions to suit your personal, corporate needs: Professional and Special Edition. No matter what your target market might be, a small classroom or the world, there is a perfect WinCAM 2000 version available for your needs.

 

WinCAM Editions

 

Features	Professional	Special Edition	Professional Trial	Special Edition Trial
Recording Time Restriction	1 Hour	1 Hour	1 Hour	1 Hour
Logo Editing	Yes	Yes	No	No
Frame Editing	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Object Editing	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
WCO, EXE file Export	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
AVI File Export	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
WinCAM Movie CODEC (AVI)	No	Yes	No	Yes
ASF File Export	No	Yes	No	Yes
SWF File Export	No	Yes	No	Yes
ASI File Export	No	Yes	No	Yes
Interactive Features	No	Yes	No	Yes
Technical Support	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Suggested Retail Price(Electronic fulfillment)	$149	$249	-	-
5 User License (Electronic fulfillment)	$495	$899	-	-
10 User License (Electronic fulfillment)	$899	$1699	-	-

WinCAM Tutorials

 

First of all, for the most cases, use WinCAM Producer for both recording and editing. WinCAM Recorder is only for the quick recording.

This will be the first screen if you double click "WinCAM Producer". From here, you can select either you want to record a new movie or edit an existing (pre-recorded) movie. Please note that this tutorial was created based on WinCAM 2000 Special Edition; some features may not be available in Professional Edition.

Let's choose "Create a New WinCAM File" and click OK.
 

  This Recording Wizard will help you to set up recording options faster and easier.  

 
In step 1, you have 3 different recording options which are:
Recording a Full screen
Recording a specific window frame
Recording a custom size

We will choose the last option "custom size" for now
 

  In step2, you can set up audio options. WinCAM allows you to insert background music, sound effect and narration in all different layers.
If you want to set these up after recording, you may skip this Step2.  

 
If you want to add sound effect (ex. each time you click the left mouse button, or typing), check off the box beside "Event" and find the sound file
If you want to add background music (you also can change it later on), check off the box beside the Background Music. This dialog box allows you also hear the sound before you decide.
 

  If you choose the narration option, you will see this dialog box. You can set up the narration quality. The other narration option we recommend is that inserting pre-recorded narration WAVE file into the movie after the recording as sound effect. If you found that narration is too long, you can set delay on frames so that movie can keep up with narration. You can reduce file size, and you can also reduce editing time.  

  In step 3, you can set up the Stop Recording option. In this step, you can also setup Pause options as well as Slide Mode options. Once the Slide Mode is selected, WinCAM doesn't record computer screen, but captures computer screen when you press PrintScreen key from the keyboard.  

  You will see all the information you have chosen from this confirmation windows.  

  If you have selected the Custom Size recording, you will see this dialog box saying that recording will begin if you select an area by dragging

 

After the recording, you will see this recorded file information.    
This is WinCAM's editing window.
All the recorded frames are displayed as slides (called Slide browser) and selected frame is displayed in the middle of this window.
Let's add some effects on this movie.
 

  I've just added an object called "Title box" You will notice from the slide browser that this box is displayed in whole movie. If you want this box to be displayed for just few frames, select the last frame and click the "Show/Hide object". This box will disappear after the frame.  

      From the slide browser, you can see that the Title box is displayed for the first 3 frames.
I've added another caption and typed "e-mail". You can change these captions' size, color and font. You will also notice that I highlighted Microsoft Outlook with blue rectangle.  

  I've added another caption but in different shape, and typed "MP3 player". I also highlighted WinAMP with different color. You also can import graphics files into this movie.  

 
After the editing job is done, you can export your movie into EXE, WCM, AVI and ASF format (ASF format only available with Interactive Multimedia Service Edition and Distance Learning Edition.)

This is AVI conversion dialog box. After this dialog box, you will be able to choose CODEC for the conversion which will reduce the file size. For more information about CODECs, please visit CODEC page.
 

  If you would like to use WinCAM Video CODEC, Select WinCAM Video Codec from the Compressor options.  

  This is EXE/WCM file conversion dialog box. If you have converted to EXE format, your clients don't even need to install WinCAM Player to view the files.  

  This is ASF Conversion screen. WinCAM 2000 DLE edition also come with ASF Wizard which will help you to upload your ASF file to the web and set up HTML pages.
For more information about this ASF conversion, please refer to WinCAM manual.  

 
You can also export files into SWF file format with WinCAM 2000 Special Edition. If you would like to export to more formats, refer to our Edition page to find out which version is right for you.

If you still have some time, feel free to browse this web site. You can also download the full manual.
You can download our 15 days evaluation version from our website, it has full features but restricted for 15 day use.
If you have questions or need more information, don't hesitate to contact us.
 
Thank you very much
Best Wishes,
infoStrider Inc.

WinCAM 2000 Special Edition features

 

AVI Codec with Mirion Systems' WinCAM Video CODEC

To convert your WinCAM files *.wcm to an AVI file format, select Convert File to AVI from the File menu. As soon as a dialog box appears, select the appropriate options for frames per second, screen size and sound.
A dialog box will appear prompting you to enter a new name for the AVI file to be saved under.
Once the file has been given a name, a dialog box for compression and bandwidth will appear. There are 2 Streams to this configuration. One is for the Video and the other is for the Audio.
First, chose the video compression stream by selecting Video Data from the drop down list and click Options.
Under the Compressor drop down menu, select WinCAM Video Codec and press OK. This will enable you to export files with zero percent loss in quality and the smallest AVI File size. See picture below.

 

 
Slide Mode Recording

In Step 3 of the WinCAM Producer Recording Wizard, you will see the last option is called Slide Mode. Instead of continuously recording, this new Slide Mode feature allows the user to take screen shots and arrange them as a slideshow. Each time you press the Print Screen key, your screen will be captured. Since you will not record the whole procedure of what you are making, this feature will help you capture only what is most important. One of the greatest advantages of this feature is that the file size produced is very small.
In order to make use of this feature, check the box called Slide Mode and then press Next.
 

Note: Once this option is selected, WinCAM will not record your computer screen.

 

SWF Conversion

Select "Convert File to SWF" menu in order to convert the WinCAM movie file into SWF (Flash movie) format. It is highly recommended that you set your screen resolution and color quality down to16 bit and lower resolution as low as possible. Due to Flash files' attribute, it is also recommended to make movie less than 10 minutes.  

 
Interactive Feature
 

  Select Insert Mouse Click Event (Interactive Feature) from the Object drop down menu or right click on the main editing window to select.
You will see a Translucent Rectangle with grips around it. To resize this rectangle, click and drag the grips, and reposition the rectangle as shown in picture below.
 

 
Select the rectangle and right click to select Object Properties. You can set other Interactive features like Right Click, Double Click, Drag & Drop or Keyboard stroke from there. Please visit download manual for Interactive feature.
You can download our 15 days evaluation version from our website, it has full features but restricted for 15 day use.
If you have questions or need more information, don't hesitate to contact us.
 
Thank you very much
Best Wishes,
infoStrider Inc.

WinCAM FAQ

 

File Conversion
Q . I'm interested in WinCAM and would like to know which output formats are supported?
Q . I've converted to AVI file, but the size is too big.
Q . Is there any way I can export my narration to a separate file?
Q . I played the exe file I converted on other computer, but I could hear the narration.

Sound Questions
Q. Narration sound quality is so low.
Q . Is there any other way to insert sound (narration)?
Q . I can't record my voice

Recording Questions
Q . Will any of the windows or menus be cut off when I make recordings?
Q . How long can my WinCAM 2000 Movies be?
Q . Can I record DOS mode screen in Windows 2000?
Q . I've recorded a movie played on my computer screen, but I see a black screen when I played.

Editing Questions
Q . What is the best screen resolution for recording/editing?
Q . I have been building a file and I copied and pasted screens. Now the screens never inserted in the screen viewer at the top, but when I play the video it has them included.
Q . Can I merge more than 1 WinCAM movies?
Q . Can I get rid of the WinCAM logo or replace it with our own logo?

General Questions
Q . Is there an annual license renewal fee?
Q . Are there any secrets for creating professionally looking Movies?
Q . Once we have purchased a version of your software, is there an option to upgrade to a higher version in the future? We currently have the professional addition.
Q . Do you support Windows XP?
Q . Why I can't use the interactive feature?
Q . I downloaded your evaluation version to try it out. If I'm interested in purchasing your professional edition, will I be getting a different set of installation files?
Q . I want to create videos and link them in with Microsoft PowerPoint presentations so that when you click on something they get launched. Then I want to distribute these presentations with minimal fuss
Q . When I enter my registration key, it says ¡ entered wrong key
Q . Where can I upgrade my WinCAM Player?
Q . I had error massage saying that couldn't create direct object.

Player Questions
Q . I need my clients (including any web user on dial-up connection) to be able to play my tutorial without any installation on their side.
Q. Are there MS-DOS command options for WinCAM 2000 Player? How do you execute a WinCam (.wcm) file from the command prompt of Windows?
Q . May I know how to play the produced file with file extension WCM if the pc don't have WinCAM 2000 player.

 

---

 

File Conversion

Q . I'm interested in WinCAM and would like to know which output formats are supported?
A . You can export your WinCAM movies to WCM, EXE, AVI, RM, MOV, SWF and ASF format.

Q . I've converted to AVI file, but the size is too big.
A . When you're converting to AVI file, you have to choose the CODEC to reduce the file size. For more information, please visit www.wincam.net >download>CODECs Read ME

Q . Is there any way I can export my narration to a separate file?
A . Click File menu > Options > check off the box beside 'Save narration as file'

Q . I played the exe file I converted on other computer, but I could hear the narration.
A . When you convert the file, only select 'Save font image' and 'Convert to EXE file'

Sound Questions

Q . Narration sound quality is so low.
A . You can have better sound quality with standing microphone than head set. Don't forget to install the latest version of DirectX for your operating system.

Q . Is there any other way to insert sound (narration)?
A . The best way is inserting pre-recorded narration sound file (wave file) as sound effect. You don't have to re-record whole narration if you made mistake while recording, and this is very efficient way in size wise.

Q . I can't record my voice
A . Test your microphone using 'Recorder' which came with Windows. (Click Start >Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Recorder)

Recording Questions

Q . Will any of the windows or menus be cut off when I make recordings?
A . That will depend upon which method you use to take your recordings. Normally, if you use "Full Screen" mode, you will not encounter any problems. If, however, you are using the "Custom Size or Specific Frame mode, just make sure that everything you want to include in the Movie fits.

Q . How long can my WinCAM 2000 Movies be?
A . We have set the maximum recording time to 1 HOUR per WinCAM 2000 Movie file. You may however cut and copy frames from one file and paste it in another, but we recommend NOT doing this. The files will be very large and viewer will lose interest and become tired viewing long presentations.

Q . Can I record DOS mode screen in Windows 2000?
A . In Windows2000, run program called 'vmware' first, and set screen size to custom size (640*480).

Q . I've recorded a movie played on my computer screen, but I see a black screen when I played.
A . Minimize the hardware acceleration. (Right click on background > Properties > Setting > click Advanced tab > Trouble shooting)

Editing Questions

Q . What is the best screen resolution for recording/editing?
A . You have various options for this and your choice will depend upon your audience's needs, your target application's requirements, and related issues. However, we suggest that, when possible, you set your monitor's resolution to 800 x 600 in 16 Bit Color to increase the effectiveness of the playback engine and to accommodate smaller monitors. Set screen resolution to 1152*864 while editing for the perfect fit.

Q . I have been building a file and I copied and pasted screens. Now the screens never inserted in the screen viewer at the top, but when I play the video it has them included.
A . If you open any WinCAM movie files to edit, you will see an editing window. You will see slide browser which shows you all the recorded frames. Between menu bar and the slide browser, you will see short cut icons. At the end of the short cut icons, you should have "View Slide" box. Click the down arrowhead to see all the available options, and choose "All Frames".

Q . Can I merge more than 1 WinCAM movies?
A . You can copy & paste frames between two different movies only if they are recorded under the same size, color bits and resolutions.

Q . Can I get rid of the WinCAM logo or replace it with our own logo?
A . Not many people are happy with the WinCAM logo that appears on the movie they created.
Once you Register, you can get rid of the logo, AND you also can customize the logo, which means, you can replace the logo with your own.

Here's how:

From WinCAM's Editing Window

Click File menu > Options > Click Stop Button & Logo Tab > Uncheck the Custom Logo box to get rid of the logo.

OR Browse your own logo to replace it.
You can customize the logo from there.

General Questions

Q . Is there an annual license renewal fee?
A . There is no annual license fee, the WinCAM 2000 package includes a one time End User License Agreement. Please carefully read the terms and conditions of the License Agreement. The Licenses are based on per machine.

Q . Are there any secrets for creating professionally looking Movies?
A . Here are some good suggestions to get you started: Don't put too much text on a single shape or object. If you must, clone the object and continue explanations on the cloned object. Use basic themes and wallpapers when recording Movies. Make sure your target application is maximized to fill your entire screen (when using Full Screen mode to make recordings) to avoid making recordings with distracting background images. Use the caption object to point to the next cursor position or pop-up menus BEFORE the cursor moves to prepare the viewer for the up coming frames. Do not show shapes and objects on every frame. Make sure your Movie contains balloons, notes, and effective cursor movement. The viewer's eye will naturally follow the cursor when it should be focused on the text explanation. Include a Title Box that contains a note with a brief introduction about what will be covered in the Movie. Follow this (in the "body" of your Movie) with the actual demonstration. Finish up with a frame that contains a note summarizing the main points that were covered in the Movie. Experiment with the timing of your Movie by changing the reading speed, time delay, interactive events, etc. to make sure the viewer can effectively follow the pace of the Movie during playback. The viewing length should be kept to a minimum to retain viewer's attention. After you create your Movie, check the file size. A good target size is under 4MB per MINUTE for MULTIMEDIA MOVIES (Movies that include sound effects, background music, narration, Objects, interactive events and imported images). Preview your Movies. If necessary, fix typos and correct poor grammar. Make sure a viewer can follow the pace of your Movie during playback. Remember, every good Author proofs their OWN work before presenting it to an audience.

Q . Once we have purchased a version of your software, is there an option to upgrade to a higher version in the future? We currently have the professional addition. We originally had interest in your multimedia service edition, however, the pricing and availability was not listed under your store on your web site. Is there an option to upgrade to this version? What would be the costs involved?
A. If you upgrade from Professional to Interactive Multimedia Service Edition within 6 months, we will refund the full amount of the Professional Edition.

Q . Do you support Windows XP?
A . WinCAM 2000 is 100% compatible with Windows 95/98/ME/2000/NT4/XP

Q . Why I can't use the interactive feature?
A . Interactive features are only available with WinCAM Special Edition and DLE.

Q . I downloaded your evaluation version to try it out. If I'm interested in purchasing your professional edition, will I be getting a different set of installation files or will I be basically using the files that I have already installed on my system but with all features unlocked?
A. Once you enter the right serial number, it will unlock the restricted features.

Q . I want to create videos and link them in with Microsoft PowerPoint presentations so that when you click on something they get launched. Then I want to distribute these presentations with minimal fuss at the other end setting up or installing things.  I also want to keep the size down.  What is the simplest way to do all this?
A.
1. Convert your WinCAM movie file to EXE format and save them into the same directory where the PowerPoint file is.
2. Open the PowerPoint file (editing mode)
3. Select the frame where you want to insert WinCAM movie
4. Click Insert menu > click Object
5. >From the Insert Object dialog box, select Create from file, browse the right EXE file, and check off the box beside Display as Icon.
6. You will see the icon on the screen, right click on it, and select Action Settings.
7. >From the Action Settings dialog box, select Run program and browse the same file you selected before.
8. Play the presentation file

Q . When I enter my registration key, it says I entered wrong key
A . Try to enter the registration key from WinCAM's editing window. (Click Help menu > Register)

Q . Where can I upgrade my WinCAM Player?
A . You can download the latest version of WinCAM player from our website. It is freeware.

Q . I had error massage saying that couldn't create direct object.
A . Install the latest version of DirectX

Player Questions

Q . I need my clients (including any web user on dial-up connection) to be able to play my tutorial without any installation on their side.
A . It is possible. Export your movie to EXE format. Your clients won't need to install additional software on their computer.

Q. Are there MS-DOS command options for WinCAM 2000 Player? How do you execute a WinCam (.wcm) file from the command prompt of Windows?
A. One of the most frequently asked question is if there are any command line switches available for WinCAM player.

These are all the available switches:

q: Auto exit(WinCAM Player) after play back
p: Auto play
l: Repeat
h: Minimize the WinCAM player while playing
o: Play on original coordinates
nc: Play without caption(title bar)
st: Set up timer for play back (1/1000 sec)
et: Set up playback Time (1/1000 sec)
tx: Set up x-coordinates for stage
ty: Set up y-coordinates for stage
sx: Set up x-coordinates for control
sy: Set up y-coordinates for control

All switches are case-sensitive and no spaces are needed between switches.

Example)

winplayer.exe test.wco /p /q /tx:100 /ty:200 /sx:450 /sy:500

Q . May I know how to play the produced file with file extension WCM if the pc don't have WinCAM 2000 player.
A . You have to install WinCAM player to view the WCM files, however, you can convert to EXE format which you can watch without installing any additional software.