Adobe Captivate versus Flash Video Recorder

Adobe Captivate is a nice tool that does what it is supposed to do. However the question that always seems to come up is the cost. You should definitely buy if money is not a concern.

How does Adobe Captivate measure up against Flash Video Recorder? The answer is not really straight as forward as you may think. It depends on the user. Video editors would find recording and editing straight video files much easier with Flash Video Recorder. However, Adobe Captivate would appeal to users skilled in Director or Flash. Now, if we are talking about power then Adobe Captivate has a solid edge. However, if you want to quickly create a software demo or a presentation to post online it is easier with Flash Video Recorder. On the other hand when creating interactive demos, training software with quizzes, and complex software demonstrations Adobe Captivate is the choice. Adobe Captivate has much more flexibility in editing, in creating recordings in multiple formats off a single recording, and in handling different input sources.

Flash Video Recorder

Adobe Captivate differentiates between full motion recording and various recording modes. Users can select training or assessment simulation, or demonstration to customize the finished product. Full motion recording records the input regardless of what is happening on the screen, as if the engineer had taken a camcorder and held it against the screen to take the recording. When recording is complete, Adobe Captivate has one file.

Also, there, are certain functions where one product excels and the other either doesn’t perform or performs poorly. Flash Video Recorder excels at capturing streaming video and this is where Adobe Captivate does poorly. The situation reverses if you’re creating a quiz, where Adobe Captivate offers a much richer toolset.

Adobe Captivate

In fact, the more time you spend with both tools, the more you begin to realize that if you’re creating a range of training, demonstration, and presentation projects, you probably need both tools.