From month to month, we are re-trying to create screencasts of our products, and user guides under Ubuntu, instead of Windows. Finally, we've managed to do it pretty easily.

Our screencast records a window session, and we prepend them with a simple static page where we introduce what the video will be about. To achieve this we use the following workflow:

Create the video

After several applications, we have settled with gtk-recordMyDesktop. We have tried XVidCap as well, but could not manage to have the sound recorded together with the video. With recordMyDesktop we have two annoyances. First, it does not have a proper area selection tool, only the small screenshot on its gui. Second, it creates ovg files, that later steps in our process can't use, so we need another action to convert its output to avi. Anyway, we are rather happy that it exists at least, and can be used smoothly.

Record the front page

To record the front page use gtk-recordMyDesktop again. First, create a simple slide in OpenOffice Presentations, and put it full-screen. Then start recordMyDesktop, and with this still image, record an introduction to your video.

Convert the files to avi

The simple command

mencoder-idxinput.ogv-ovclavc-oacmp3lame-ooutput.avi

converts our ogv file into avi.

Resize the front page

It's likely that you would like to capture only a portion of your screen for the screencast, but you capture the whole screen for the frontpage. To merge these two files you should first resize them to a common size.

We resize the fronpage. First, you should find out the output size. Open a video in Avidemux, and check out its properties under the File/Properties menu. Note down the sizes. To resize a video, open it in Avidemux, and change the Video and Audio modes to MPEG-4 ASP (XVid) and MP3 (lame) respectively. After this, you will be able to select filters from below the Video setting. Choose the MPlayer Resize filter, add it to the Active Filters list, and set the resize parameters as needed.

When you save the file, it will be resized as set up. Open you new file, and follow the merging as described below.

Merge the files

Open your first video in Avidemux, cut it as needed. Then Append your second video using the File/Append menu. Finally, save your work, and exit.

That's it. We only need these four steps to create a neat screenshot, that can be easily shared on the net.

Save your gtk-recordMyDesktop settings

gtk-recordMyDesktop creates a hidden file ~/.gtk-recordmydesktop to save your preferences. It's a good idea to save this file somewhere, for future use.