Screencast.com News- September 2009
Lately I've been remiss updating this blog with news and my views. It's been a pretty cold summer up here in the Great Lakes, maybe that's affected my ability to type. It certainly hasn't been because of a lack of anything to write about. Back in June I mentioned that we were beginning to focus on improving the scalability of Screencast.com. I'm happy to report that our efforts have been successful and we're just about finished with some of the more significant aspects of that process. This means that we'll be turning our attention back to the fun stuff that you all have been asking for - features!
At the end of this month, we're releasing an updated version of the MediaRoll which will let everyone customize the look to match their own preferences. Here's an example of a MediaRoll in action on the Jing Blog. If you have an existing MediaRoll embedded on a Web page or blog, and you want to take advantage of the new capabilities, you'll need to re-embed the new object. Of course existing MediaRolls will continue to work just fine. At release time, we'll have tutorials available in the Screencast.com Help Center to walk you through the steps to customize your own. After our release at the end of this month, we will start work on allowing users to customize other aspects like the Library and Folder views.
We will also be releasing an updated Flash Player that will let viewers seek to a point in a video that has not yet been downloaded. This will enhance viewing experience by not having to wait until the entire video is downloaded before viewers can jump to a section that's later in the production. By itself, this is a pretty neat idea that gives the playback of MP4 content streaming media-like capabilities. However, TSC products will be able to take advantage of this feature in unique and valuable ways in the future. Imagine when lengthy Camtasia Relay (TechSmith's lecture capture software) and Camtasia Studio videos will contain tables of contents with headings that relate to points in the video that have yet to be downloaded. Jumping to those points will be faster, especially for those viewers with slow Internet connections.
We're still working on redesigning the playlist. I know that it's taking a lot of time - I wish I could just wave a wand and fix everything. What it has done is cause us to rethink how people today share their playlists, folders, and individual pieces of content. We want to make sure we're making the new playlist the best it can be while ensuring existing playlists and other shared content remain viewable. Our team has completed several brainstorming and work-flow design sessions and we are planning to test some ideas that we've developed, with help from recruited volunteers of course.
Like I said, we haven't been wasting time playing golf all summer...well...I shouldn't speak for everyone. I have a lot more to share, but I don't want to spill all the beans just yet. Besides, I need something to write about next month. Happy Screencasting!
Dirk Frazier
Screencast.com Product Manager
TechSmith Corporation
I'm getting the error message: "There was a problem communicating with Screencast." when I try to upload directly from Camtasia. I have not had this problem before. I made sure my user name and password is correct. What's going on?
Thanks,
Sandy LaCorte
Hi,
When embedding Screencast videos, I don't get a volume control (just an on/off button).
Is there a parameter to activate the volume control popup fader?
Thanks
@Sandy - It sounds like you were contacted by our Technical Support staff regarding the problem. I should remind everyone that if you're in need of technical support, our online system is much faster at getting your issue submitted to the right people. Here's the link: http://techsmith.custhelp.com
@Oliver - unfortunately there's no parameter per se that lets you turn on or off a volume slider control. However, I've submitted that to our Flash team and I think we'll see that enhancement added to the Screencast.com Flash player shortly. Thanks for the feedback!
-Dirk
Is there anyway of getting back to the black and orange flash player? The new grey and orange flash player suck and is way to chunky! I dont think this has been a good move on your part to make this change. Functionality yes by all means, but the new skin is style over substance!
Bring back the old look thanks!
Stu
I am going to agree with Stu - the new player is terrible! - The reason I chose screencast was for its ease and simple, clean player style - Please bring it back!!
@Stuart and @Kat - thank you both for the feedback regarding our new Flash player. Stuart - I'm not sure what you mean by "chunky"...can you elaborate? We're actually talking about ways to let the content owner customize the player's look. I can't say for sure when we'll have something in place for you to try, but it is a priority of ours for sure.
I'd like to hear from others regarding the new player look and feel...all comments are welcome.
-Dirk
Hi Dirk,
The actual timeline duration bar is thicker then the original orange/black flvplayer version. We like the skinny simplicity of the first player.
Don't get me wrong the new functionality is brilliant, but please please please put it back into the original player. Which BTW we are still using now since we worked out how to swap them out.
Cheers
Stu
I have to agree with the look of the old player vs. the new one. I prefer the skin on the old player. Very simple and navigation is instantly understood.
I also have a problem with consistency on my site. I have several videos that were previously uploaded that feature the old player, and newer videos that show the new player. Can I change the skin on previously uploaded videos to the new player, (or new to old) so all videos on the site look consistent?
Thanks,
Sandy
I would like to swap out a presentation with an updated one (and keep the original share url), but using the attachment method I do not get the swap icon, I only get the delete icon. It is an MP4 format video
I am going to agree with Stu - the new player is terrible! - The reason I chose screencast was for its ease and simple, clean player style - Please bring it back!!
I totally agree stuart!
I was watching this video on it:
gettysburg ghosts caught on tape and it looked much better on the old player last time I seen it.
I would like to swap out a presentation with an updated one (and keep the original share url), but using the attachment method I do not get the swap icon, I only get the delete icon. It is an MP4 format video
Regarding the missing swap icon, are you by chance trying to swap a video produced via Camtasia Studio? My understanding is that Camtasia Studio sends metadata information with the video so it's not a simple swap like if you were doing a ZIP file or JPG. Did you try contacting support at http://support.techsmith.com?
Mike Curtis, TechSmith
Dear: Sir/Madam
Hi....I would love to say that I am interest in your website due to it talking about science and technology .
I am very glad that to know your website in here right now.
Thank to you for spending a valuable time to check my command .
Best regards,
You definitely sounded busy this summer and weren't playing around too much. It is great to see what all you have accomplished. Although your comment, "Like I said, we haven't been wasting time playing golf all summer", makes me think that you did have some fun golfing. If it was so cold up there this summer, I'm surprised you didn't get away for a golf vacation at one of the Myrtle Beach golf courses. Yet, that may have cut too much into your production time!
Just saw your comment now - it looks like whatever you did worked; thank you.
I'll followup via email.
Thanks for this news, very amazing.