Support from FASE's Education Technology Office

3.3 Decide what video recording and editing software works for your project

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This guide helps you evaluate which tool is most suited (there are benefits and drawbacks to each) to both record and edit your videos. This often involves evaluating editing features, exported video formats, what is able to be recorded, and compatibility with certain platforms. If you are looking for how to record content, see this guide on how to self-capture (and share) course content. If you have course content or are looking to record content that needs to be edited, consider participating in the remote editing process.

There are many video editing software with capabilities ranging from basic editing to a full editing suite. This guide looks at the following four options to both record and edit videos:

  1. PowerPoint
  2. QuickTime Player
  3. Microsoft Photos (replaces Windows Movie Maker)
  4. TechSmith Snagit (Recommended)
  5. TechSmith Camtasia

The tools on this table are what we are describing as "light" editing options - if you're looking for more robust options, or have a particularly complex project (or are just really into video editing), you may want to consider Adobe Premiere Pro or Da Vinci Resolve. You might also consider a software tool that is intended for live streaming, but can also work as a recording option, Open Broadcaster Studio, OBS.


QuickTime Player

Microsoft Photos TechSmith Snagit
TechSmith Camtasia
Tool in brief Part of your Office 365 subscription, provides ability to record audio over slides as you are presenting Screen, audio, webcam recorder with basic video editing functionality Basic video editor with a wide selection of  basic post processing tools.  Screen recorder that offers some basic video editing functionality Light media editing suite that can screencap your display, record audio and video, and provide editing tools for post production.
Editing capabilities None - can record audio over slides Trim, split, cut, copy, paste, delete, mute, flip Trimming, cutting, splitting, basic video effects, basic audio manipulation, transitions and text overlays 
Trim, cut Trim, split, cut, copy, paste, delete, mute, stitch, annotations, transitions, animations, audio manipulation
Cost Included with U of T’s Office 365 subscription; login using Utoronto.ca email required Free Free, part of Windows’ built in photo viewing tool (Replaces previous Windows editing tool, Windows Movie Maker) Licensed for all staff/faculty and students (Download SnagIt) $234.91 CAD for education pricing
Ideal for: Recording slides with narration, annotating over slides Quick edits, splicing clips together, cutting clips Basic video creation with simple effects, transitions, and text overlays  Quick screen recordings, cutting clips

Screen, audio, and video recording, in-depth editing (annotations, transitions, animations, audio manipulation)

Not ideal for: Editing videos, recording anything outside a PowerPoint window Audio manipulation, annotations In depth manipulation of audio, visual effects, and animations, synching audio and video  Splicing multiple clips together, audio manipulation, annotations Users with very little editing experience who want to make quick edits
Set-up effort Low Low Low Medium High
Difficulty to learn Low Low Low Low Low - High (depending on how in-depth you wish to edit)
Supported file formats Almost all image, audio, and video formats Almost all video and audio formats Almost all image, audio, and video formats  Almost all video formats Almost all video, audio, and image formats (supported formats on Windows)
Exported file formats MPEG-4, WMV MOV, M4V, MPEG-4 MP4 MP4 MP4
Webcam recording Picture in picture Standalone webcam, picture in picture No Toggle between screen and webcam Standalone webcam, picture in picture
Microsoft Streams integration Yes, able to publish directly to Stream No; requires upload to Stream No; requires upload to Stream No; requires upload to Stream No; requires upload to Stream
Compatible platforms Windows, MacOS Windows (no editing capability, no longer supported by Apple), MacOS Windows Windows, MacOS Windows, MacOS

If you are looking to just record narration over a slideshow presentation, with the ability to annotate the slides as you present, recording your slideshow in PowerPoint might include all the functionality required. For more information on how to set this up, visit Microsoft’s guide on how to record a slideshow with narration and slide timings.

Previous Article 3.2 Select your screen recording and video editing software
Next Article 4.1 Review tips for creating effective instructional videos
Still have questions? Contact the FASE EdTech Office