Student Guides and DocumentationOther TechnologiesScreencast-o-maticDownloading and Recording with Screencast-o-matic

Downloading and Recording with Screencast-o-matic

This guide will demonstrate how to download Screencast-o-matic. Screencast-o-matic is a free program that allows users to record videos from your computer that are up to 15 minutes in length.

Getting Started

Image of the Screencast-o-matic home page with an arrow pointing to Start Recording button

To get started with Screencast-o-matic go to www.screencast-o-matic.com and, click the blue Start Recording button.

Downloading the Recorder

Image of the Get Recorder Launcher button with an arrow pointing to it.

Wait for the Get Recorder Launcher button to initialize, and once it is ready, click on the Get Recorder Launcher button to download the recorder. Then once the file is downloaded to your computer, open the file to start the installation process.

Installation Complete

Image of the installation complete dialog box instructing users to go back to the webpage with an arrow pointing to the OK button.

Once the file has been installed, you should see a dialog box similar to the one in the image above appear on screen letting you know it is ready. Click OK and go back to the

Initiating the Recorder

Image of the screencast-o-matic website with an arrow pointing to the Try Again link under the Download Started button.

Go back to the open Screencast-o-matic website, and click the Try Again link underneath the Download Started button.

Launching the Application

An image of the External Protocol request in chrome with an arrow pointing to the Launch Application button

If you are using the program for the first time in Google Chrome, you will see a dialog box with the heading External Protocol Request. Click the Launch Application button to begin using the program.

Starting a Recording

Image of the recorder with the following annotations: 1.To open and close the recording preferences menu, click on the gear icon.2.Use the buttons at the top of the menu to select what to record: Screen, Webcam, or Both. When you select Webcam or Both, the software will then ask you which webcam you wish to use for recording, as well as how to position the webcam video.3.Size: Use this option to change the preset size of the recording area.4.Narration: Use this option to select which microphone to use when recording.5.Click and drag on the cross icon in the center to reposition the recording area as denoted by the white and black border.6.Use the handles on the sides and in the corners to resize the recording.7.Click the red Record button to start recording. A countdown will appear and the program will start recording.
  1. To open and close the recording preferences menu, click on the gear icon.
  2. Use the buttons at the top of the menu to select what to record: Screen, Webcam, or Both. When you select Webcam or Both, the software will then ask you which webcam you wish to use for recording, as well as how to position the webcam video.
  3. Size: Use this option to change the preset size of the recording area.
  4. Narration: Use this option to select which microphone to use when recording.
  5. Click and drag on the cross icon in the center to reposition the recording area as denoted by the white and black border.
  6. Use the handles on the sides and in the corners to resize the recording.
  7. Click the red Record button to start recording. A countdown will appear and the program will start recording.

Ending a Recording

Image of the recording controls showing an arrow pointing to the blue pause button.

To end the recording, click the blue Pause button at the bottom of the screen.

Finishing Up

Image of the recording controls with the following annotations: 1.To resume recording, click the red Record button again.2.To finish up, click the Done button.3.To discard the recording, click the Delele (trash can) button.
  1. To resume recording, click the red Record button again.
  2. To finish up, click the Done button.
  3. To discard the recording, click the Delete (trash can) button.

Previewing and Publishing a Recording

Image of the Preview player showing the following items: 1.To preview the video, use the controls at the bottom to play the video.2.Save as Video File: Use this option to save the video file to your computer.3.Upload to Screencast-o-matic: Use this option to publish the video to Screencast-o-matic (you will need an account for Screencast-o-matic).4.Upload to YouTube: Use this option to publish the video to YouTube (you will need a Google account).5.Redo: Click the Redo button redo your video.6.Cancel: Click the Cancel button to delete your video.

You will now be able to preview and publish the video:

  1. To preview the video, use the controls at the bottom to play the video.
  2. Save as Video File: Use this option to save the video file to your computer.
  3. Upload to Screencast-o-matic: Use this option to publish the video to Screencast-o-matic (you will need an account for Screencast-o-matic).
  4. Upload to YouTube: Use this option to publish the video to YouTube (you will need a Google account).
  5. Redo: Click the Redo button redo your video.
  6. Cancel: Click the Cancel button to delete your video.