Ashampoo Snap 14 : A ‘limited-comparative review/test’

[jasonX]

C. CAPTURE VIDEO / SCREEN RECORDING

Note: 

The actual output captured video / screen recording of all applications used (Ashampoo Snap 14.0.2, FastStone Capture v9.7, Snagit 2020, Screenpresso PRO v1.11, Ashampoo Snap 11, and ShareX Portable v13.7) will show the text “end-result” (e.g. Snap 1402 Video Recording End-Result.wmv ) to differentiate it from the actual video tests which are all recorded via FlashBack Pro 5. 

All videos (actual video tests) recorded via FlashBack Pro 5 will be marked an “FBP5_filename.xxx”  (e.g. FBP5_Snap 1402 Video Recording Test.mp4 ) to connote filenames of the “actual” test videos. 

Actual captured video “end-results” are far better in terms of "rendering" than ones seen being played in VLC Player inside the actual video tests (recorded via FlashBack Pro 5). Some “actual video tests” may show “video lag” or "elevated pitch sound". That "identified difference " may be a result of two (2) screen recorders and two (2) video players running at the same time. In the end it is the recorded application “end-result” that should be weighed.

YouTube has also tagged some of the videos with "Copyright claim". They (YouTube) say that the "claimer" is allowing the use of the radio-cut soundtrack in the tagged videos but will show ads that will go to the "claimer". Hmmm....almost every day, music and etc. are being used and re-produced and YouTube just found a way to monetize such usage. Personally, (I think) "Smash Mouth" would not mind the usage of just an excerpt of his hit "I'm a Believer". Next time around I will ask for specific permission from the record company and contest this with YouTube.



In this review I made a short video specimen -- Halloween video to be used as sole element for recording use with all the apps. The specimen video is below. 
 

Snap 14 Review Specimen Video

Ashampoo Snap 14
Snap 14.0.2 video recording was an improvement from last Snap 12 review. There were no issues with the sound element. All went good and the recording is good including the rendering (default recording is in .wmv). See video recording end-result below. 
 

FBP5_Snap 14.0.2 Video Recording Test

 

Snap 14.0.2 Video Recording End-Result

Ashampoo Snap 11
Snap 11 video recording was also an improvement from last Snap 12 review. There were no issues with the sound element. All went good and the recording is good including the rendering (default recording is in .wmv). See video recording end-result below. 

 

FBP5_Snap 11 Video Recording Test

 

Snap 11 Video Recording Test End-Result

FastStone Capture
FSCapture’s video recording was also good with good rendering also but you will have to set the video quality at “Good” because “if” it set at “Best” there will be “pixel discoloration” at the top of the recorded region. This is like increasing the "sharpness" of a video. The pixel discoloration ís evident in the FSCapture end-result which had "Best" as video quality. See image of “Pixel Discoloration” below. 
 

FSCapture Pixel Discoloration



FSCapture Video Quality setting

So as mentioned, the video quality should be set at “Good” for a good render in the end-result (default recording is in .wmv). The end-result of the FSCapture test when played in VLC Player differs from the actual recording end-result. The FlashBack Pro 5 test recording proper shows high pitch noise (see again "Note" in C. CAPTURE VIDEO / SCREEN RECORDING). The actual FSCapture video recording end-result is better.  

 

FBP5_FSCAPTURE Video Recording Test

 

FSCAPTURE Video Recording Test_End-Result

Snagit 2020
Snagit 2020 does not have a "desktop" recording option (or I may have just missed it) anyway, thus I used the “Region” (only two are given (1) Region and (2) Window). All went good and the recording is good including the rendering. See video recording end-result below. 
 

FBP5_Snagit 2020 Video Recording Test

 

Snagit 2020 Video Recording Test End-Result

ShareX Portable
ShareX Portable has additional settings and pre-requisites for a good screen recording. One is that you have to download the (1) “ffmpeg.zip” and (2) install additional recording devices. If the user will not do this chances are his recording will not have any sound. I see a lot of issues pertaining to "no-sound / no-audio" issues in ShareX in the internet and most workarounds that are posted do not work anymore in version 13.7. See settings (I used) below. 
 

ShareX install recording devices

ShareX screen recording all went good and the recording is good including the rendering (default recording is in .mp4). See video recording end-result below. 
 

FBP5_ShareX Portable Screen Recording Test

 

ShareX Portable Video Recording Test End-Result

Screenpresso PRO
Screenpresso PRO also requires additional files to be downloaded so audio and video can be merged properly. An “ffmpeg64_20211103.zip” is to be downloaded HERE and then said "zip file" should be extracted to “C:\Users\xxxx\AppData\Local\Learnpulse\Screenpresso\FFmpeg”. 

Screenpresso PRO will not continue the recording if the needed file is not in the path stated above. It (Screenpresso PRO) will cancel the recording pending the presence of the extracted file. After meeting the requirement, video recording will go through. All went good and the recording is good including the rendering (default recording is in .mp4). See video recording end-result below. 
 

FBP5_Screenpresso PRO Video Recording Test

 

Screenpresso PRO Video Recording Test End-Result