ScreenFlow is hands-down the best application for recording a "screencast," or a video of your Mac's desktop. Pretty much all you have to do is hit Record and go for it. And now with version 4, developer Telestream has filled ScreenFlow with new features that make it even better.
None of the additions in version 4 affect ScreenFlow’s recording ability: the resulting videos are smooth and stutter-free, as always. The changes are nearly all in the app’s editing section, making it more attractive and powerful so you won't want to edit your footage in another app.
A large timecode now graces the editing interface, making frame-accurate cuts a breeze. Further, as you resize clips, a floating menu lets you clearly see how many frames you’re altering it by. The same applies when moving clips around your edit. Introducing the traditional J,K,L navigation keyboard shortcuts is merely icing on the cake.
An incredibly useful addition is the ability to nest clips together, similar to Compound Clips in Final Cut Pro X. This allows you to simplify your edit by collapsing a group of clips on multiple layers into a single selectable item in your timeline. That way, you can apply the same effect to them at the same time or add a transition to a complex group of clips. This nest is still fully editable: double-click on it to open it in another tab on your timeline. Any changes you make there will be reflected in your project’s main tab.
ScreenFlow's audio and video filters can also be altered over time by combining them with existing Actions. One of these new effects is a Chroma Key tool that allows you to cut out a background and, for example, bring a presenter right into the middle of your recording. For a filter with so few customizable options, it works remarkably well, as long as you’ve set up the lighting properly when recording the presenter.
The media section is greatly improved, too. You can view clips in a list rather than just as icons, and organize them based on type, name, and duration. There's even a handy search field if you still can’t find the clip you’re looking for.
ScreenFlow 4 even lets you add subtitles. The process is relatively straightforward if somewhat lacking in finesse: you can only alter a caption’s duration via keyboard shortcuts, instead of just dragging its edges like you can with video and audio clips in the timeline. There’s also no obvious way to change the font, size and alignment, and you seem to be limited to a single caption layer, so although you can set the caption’s language, you can’t add multiple ones to cater for international audiences.
The bottom line. All the changes introduced in this new version make an already impressive app even better. If you’re serious about recording your desktop, ScreenFlow 4 is the only app you’ll need to create impressive, high-quality screencasts.
of 5
ScreenFlow 4.0.1
OS X 10.6.6, Intel Core 2 Duo or later
Better-organized media section than earlier versions. Frame-accurate editing. Nesting, industry standard keyboard shortcuts. Video and audio filters (including Chroma Keying). Captioning. Screen recording ability still excellent.
Transitions haven’t been touched in this version and are not as impressive as they used to be. The caption feature is very useful, but somewhat limited.
Steve Paris
January 19, 2013 at 1:48am
The bells and whistles are what make this app so worth it, especially if you're a professional screencaster. Admitedly, it's overkill for a casual, one-time need, but right now, you can't beat ScreenFlow for screen recording prowess.
mmdrsmr
January 17, 2013 at 1:46pm
Use Quicktime and Soundflower to do a Screen record either with mic audio or with internal audio. No bells or whistles but this is free. Enjoy!
