Record PC problems as a video

What you need: ocam; Any version of Windows (XP to 10) Time required: 25 minutes

InIssue 485, we explained how to take screenshots of anything on your PC screen (see page 58). Another way to illustrate a problem you’re having with your PC is to record it as a video, then send this file to someone who can help you. ocam is a great free screen-recording program with several useful options. You can add animated effects to show mouse clicks and create your own keyboard shortcuts. It also lets you add a narration to your recording so you can describe your problem in more detail.

STEP1

To download ocam, go to www.snipca.com/ 21866, scroll down and click the EXE Download button at the bottom right. Run the downloaded setup file to install the program, then close the website that opens. When ocam opens, you’ll see a green border 1 on your screen. This defines the area you want to take a screenshot or recording of. Click and drag the cross symbol 2 to reposition the area or click and drag the small squares 3 to resize it.

STEP2

We’ll now show you how to customise the program for better results. Click Resize 1 to see options to resize your recording area. The best resolution for recording is HD (1280x720) 2 . The options below that 3 provide higher quality results but won’t work unless your monitor supports those resolutions. Alternatively, you can record your entire screen 4 or record only what you do within a particular program 5 .

STEP3

To see ocam’s other features, click Tools 1 , then Options. Video recordings always include your cursor. Click Sound 2 , then select your PC’S mic in the dropdown menu (to record your audio). By default, your cursor is not included in any screenshots you take. To include it, click Capture 3 , then tick ‘Include the cursor’ 4 . Click Hotkeys 5 to see the default keyboard shortcuts to start recording, pause the process and take screenshots. To set your own keyboard shortcuts, click inside the relevant field, then press the key combinations you want to use.

STEP4

The program also lets you add an animated effect whenever you click your left or right mouse button while recording (these won’t be visible while you’re recording, but you’ll see them in the finished video). Click Effect on the left, click the ‘Left-click effect’ tab, then tick ‘Add a mouse left click effect’. To customise this animation, click the Style dropdown menu and choose from two effects (Rings 1 or Star). You can change the effect’s colour 2 and how long it lasts 3 , and modify its overall size and width 4 . Click inside the preview field 5 to see your animated effect.

STEP5

Similarly, you can add an effect whenever you right-click your mouse 1 . To add a light glow around your cursor to make it more visible while recording, click the ‘Highlight effect’ tab, then tick the box at the top 2 . You can change its colour, size, the definition of its edge and its transparency 3 . Check to confirm you’re happy with it 4 . Click the ‘Cursor size’ tab 5 , then drag the ‘Cursor size’ slider to make it bigger or smaller.

STEP6

To change the default location where your screenshots and video files are saved, click Save on the left, click the three dots next to the ‘Output path’ field 1 , then select a folder on your PC. You can also change the default Output file naming format by clicking the three dots next to the Filename field 2 and selecting a naming format 3 . You’ll see an example of how your files will be named 4 . Click OK 5 to apply the changes you’ve made (from Step 3 onwards). Alternatively, click Reset 6 then Yes to revert to the default settings.

STEP7

Click Capture 1 in the program’s main window to take a screenshot of your selected area. To record PC problems as a video, click Record 2 . You’ll now see options to pause the recording, take a screenshot while recording and stop recording. Screenshots and recordings are automatically saved to the folder you specified in Step 6. To access this folder, click Open 3 , then email the relevant files to whoever is helping you. If your screenshots and recordings are too large to email, then use a cloud-storage service (such as Onedrive, Google Drive or Dropbox) to share them. ●