dan, No

dan, use Audacity.

Rick Martin,

With Ashampoo, if you're on their mailing list & patient, everything goes on sale for rock bottom pricing sooner or later. Recently I've been seeing lots of 70% off sales from Ashampoo, including in partnership with a couple of other sites.

DawkinsDog,

"There is free software that does the same thing..."

Politely disagree... While there are plenty of ways to take a simple screenshot, including the feature built-into Windows, Snap lets you record video *using your choice of codecs*. That's rare. Most all others force you to use whatever video format comes with the software, and it's very often crap. With Snap I can record decent 1080p AVC using the x264 VFW codec.

"I installed their Backup 2020 from here and it repeatedly refused to even allow me to log in, saying there was an "Error 999" and to try again later."

Perhaps their site, or a portion of it were off-line, or unreachable for you -- error 999 seems to be more of a catch-all rather than something specific. I know I didn't have any problems. Regarding support, my guess is that Ashampoo just doesn't have the level of support that you find at a few other companies -- not that you were dissed because you had a GOTD version. I was curious so I Googled on Ashampoo forum when I didn't see it linked on their site. I found that there isn't one, but I also found queries regarding problems with their software in all sorts of other forums. *To me* that says that there's not a good way to get answers from Ashampoo directly.

mike, Just want to jump in and say that I've used their office suite for years and support has always responded to any problems I've had with the software. I must add I've only had problems a couple of times, and they were very minor issues.

So I went ahead and downloaded today's offering and it is indeed exactly the same version we saw nearly a year ago (no minor update at all) with a build date of 2.5 years ago. Not installed today as I still have the one from last November.

grangehearts, Ashampoo have been giving software away for years.when they release a new version the older versions are usually available either directly from Asghampoo or from sites like thegiveawayoftheday and other free sites. you can find most of their older versions of various softwares over on Falmid.

They are a reputable German company. all you need is a free account with them to be able to install and register the software.

Personally I moved away from my paid for screen and video capture software when they wanted almost full price just for a minor upgrade. I've used Ashampoo in conjunction with windows own snipping tool ever since . I also use their DVD ripping and backup software as well as other stuff from them. As with most German stuff, its well made and works well. Thanks Ashampoo.

Louis,

It's FREE, download it and see if you like it?
If you don't uninstall it.

Louis, see
https://www.ashampoo.com/en/usd/pin/1724/multimedia-software/Ashampoo-Snap-9

It describes in marketing terms what it can do.

Personally I use FastStone Capture, because I find it simpler to use.

BaldEagle, I suggest thinking before commenting.
Do you know when my next webinar is ?
Did you consider that I would have to then TEST it on a mission-critical recording ?
I think not.
OBVIOUSLY that's not an option in my specific case - do you think I would have asked that question if it was ?
Did you scrutinise their website, as I did, before commenting, to see if they have an answer ?
I doubt it, because it does not in fact contain an answer.
Hence, in that regard, it's a perfectly legitimate question asked of the DEVELOPER.
Are you the Developer ? I didn't think so.

onderzoeker, I did check that specific website of the Developer before posting my question, but couldn't get a clear answer.

However, if the software you mention can do it, I will use it - I need to be sure though that it won't fail me, hence I can't test it on these kinds of recordings.

Appreciate the link !

Louis, Are you familiar with how the GOTD website and comments work? If not, let me explain. ON this website, it is not reasonable to criticize someone for giving a standard response of trying something first, when you haven't explained that you have specific needs before you install a free product, offered from an organization that checks the safety (WOT) before the download is offered. Also, you did not clarify that you asked the question of the developer. Not having this information, I would have responded exactly the same as Bald Eagle did. Please look over exactly what you wrote, and think about how others, not with your understanding of our situation would respond.+

Louis, If you have mission-critical needs, I suggest you spend the money and buy software like Camtasia or Screenflow. They are designed for just this purpose and have been in commercial use for years. Daniel

Daniel, Thanks for your suggestion, I may well end up doing that, since freeware options are unreliable.

Though of course, this isn't freeware, this is commercial software, also seemingly having been in use for years.

I've already looked at Camtasia, but it's too complex for my needs, and not user-friendly. I'll take a look at ScreenFlow though, after I've checked out FastStone, which sounds like an option.

Louis,

Sorry if you were upset - not sure why?

I've had over 40 years in the IT industry and tested many systems programmes.
Of course I would not expect you to "test" it on a mission critical recording.
The very nature of TEST implies that you would use a test recording.
What one person considers ideal another person will not like it indeed that is the entire point of Give Away of The Day.

To be honest I would not be using free software for a MISSION CRITICAL recording and buy a professional system.

But once again sorry that I have upset you so much and I will hold my suggestions.

Louis, I have used FastStone Capture to record a BBC Player replay of a TV programme I had missed. It worked for me.
I have also used it to make a video instruction for someone helping me with my daily blog on giveaways.
And i have used it to record YouTube videos.
See https://www.faststone.org/FSCaptureDetail.htm

Louis,

"I regularly have to watch tax training webinars (video & sound), and want a simple, user friendly software to record it."

1st I'd ask if you can record audio playing on your speakers or headphones? If unsure you just need to check Windows Sound Control Panel, and on the recording tab you should see something like "Stereo Mix" with the notation that it's ready [if it doesn't say ready, sometimes you can turn this feature on in the Stereo Mix properties]. If you don't see or have something like that, you'll probably need recording software that includes a virtual driver [Ashampoo does not include one], or install a separate virtual audio driver -- there are a few that are free.

Assuming that you can record audio -- that either your system lets you do it or you installed a virtual driver -- Ashampoo Snap would work fine. I would suggest checking out available video codecs at videohelp[.]com, installing & using one that best meets your needs, balancing quality, file size, and CPU requirements. Alternatively, depending on the streaming format used, you might find tools at that same site to simply save the streamed video file, so no recording was necessary.

onderzoeker, thank you, that does sound like what I would need !
Word erg waardeer !

Hey Louis, I don't mean to seem obvious, here, and I'm not trying to be a smartass, but you could pull up any YouTube video or even a webinar that you previously recorded and play one of those to test the software. Unless it's DRM protected, as someone else mentioned, it just records whatever you see on your screen. I've not used Snap, but most of these screen recorders are similar enough. As you said, some are easier to use, some are more reliable than others, some allow more control, etc. Good luck. I hope you find something that works well for you.

mike, Thank you for the info & the link, if there's a Windows problem, it'll be helpful - at this time I'm running on a Realtek HD sound driver.

What you wrote, about simply saving a streamed video file through software at that website, is a new concept to me - I'll be sure to check it out, much appreciated.