WELCOME TO JAKSTA SCREEN RECORDER FOR MAC


With Jaksta Screen Recorder for Mac, you can capture streaming videos from any site or even create your own video screencasts.

main interface

Using Jaksta Screen Recorder for Mac is as easy as playing a video and clicking Smart Record button. Jaksta Screen Recorder for Mac will then find the video playing on your screen, setup borders, and begin the recording. Audio is recorded through SoundFlower, which is installed alongside Jaksta Screen Recorder. Soundflower allows Jaksta Screen Recorder to record directly from the system audio rather than the speakers, so you can record perfect quality audio along with your video.

OVERVIEW AND USE

Jaksta Screen Recorder for Mac is an easy, yet powerful way to capture video from your Desktop or web browser. Since Jaksta Screen Recorder is a screen recorder, you don't need to worry about the source of the media - anything within the recording boundaries will be recorded. These files can be transferred to smartphones or tablets, burned to a CD or DVD disc, or incorporated into other programs like Keynote or video editors.

RECORDING MODES

Jaksta Screen Recorder for Mac provides you with 5 different screen capture options. Here's how they work:

 Smart Record:

Smart Record auto-detects the video window and records automatically.

  • Automatically detects the video playing on your screen and snaps to the capture area to the videos boundaries. You can adjust these boundaries if necessary by clicking the unlock button.
  • Automatically starts recording and stops when the video stops.

 Click n Snap:

The Click n Snap method is similar to Smart Record, but uses manual recording rather than automatic.

  • Easily adjust the capture boundaries if necessary.
  • Click the record button to start recording.

 Region:

  • Drag the capture canvas around to define the capture region. Adjust the boundaries as necessary.
  • Click the record button to start recording.

 Full Screen:

  • Sets the capture canvas to the full screen.
  • Click the record button to start recording.
CAPTURE TOOLS

When you select one of the 5 capture methods, simply move your cursor over the playing video window. Here are your options:

  1. Record button: Click this to start recording manually. To stop recording, choose the stop recording button from the top menu bar or from the small interface that appears while recording.
  2. Cancel button: Click this to cancel setting up your canvas and return to the main interface without recording.
  3. Loupe Zoom button: Use this to accurately position the capture canvas for pixel-perfect recordings. This tool also includes a grid option. Toggle it on for grid-line guides.
  4. Lock/Unlock button: Unlock this to re-size the canvas using the small white arrows at the top, bottom, and corners.
  5. Timed: Set it and forget it. Enable this option and set the number of minutes that you'd like your recording to be. It will stop at that set time.
  6. Delay Start: Enable this option and set the number of seconds you'd like to delay the start of your recording.
  7. Audio: Select the audio device that you'd like Jaksta Screen Recorder to use when capturing. In most cases you'll want to choose Soundflower. Soundflower allows Jaksta Screen Recorder to record directly from the system audio rather than the speakers, so you can record perfect quality audio along with your video. Learn more about setting up Soundflower for Jaksta Screen Recorder below. You can also select to record from your microphone. This is super-handy for screencasts and demos.
  8. Canvas sizing handles: Drag these to match the area of the window you'd like Jaksta Screen Recorder to record. For pixel-perfect sizing, use the handy Loupe Zoom tool referenced in #3 above.
RENAME YOUR RECORDINGS

By default, Jaksta Screen Recorder names your recordings with the date and time. If you'd like to change this to something more meaningful, simply click in the Name field of the recording title you'd like to change. A blue box will appear around it. Type your new name there.

Note: If you would like to view the file in Finder and rename it there, simply right-click on the track in your list and select Show in Finder.

PLAY YOUR RECORDINGS

There are many ways to play your recorded files. Here are a couple:

  • Hover over a recording and click the play icon. Or,
  • Hover over a recording and click the  icon. This will reveal the file in Finder.
SEND FILES TO ITUNES
  • Hover over a recording and click the send to itunes icon.
DELETE RECORDINGS
  • Hover over a recording and click the deleteicon. You'll be asked to confirm that you want to send the file to the trash. Or,
  • Hover over a recording and click the  icon. This will reveal the file in Finder. Drag the file to your trash.
TRIM RECORDINGS

Jaksta Screen Recorder includes a handy tool that lets you trim your recordings. Cut out those unwanted parts easily. Here's how:

  1. Hover over a recording and click the trim icon. The trim window opens:
  2. From here you can preview and trim your recordings. the trim controls should appear automatically, but if they don't, click the Show Trim Controls to display them.
  3. To trim your recording, click and drag the yellow handles at each end of the timeline to set your in and out points. When you trim your recording, only the trimmed section (between the yellow handles) will be saved.
  4. Click Save to create a new video from your trimmed section.
PREFERENCES

From the Jaksta Screen Recorder menu bar, select Jaksta Screen Recorder, then Preferences. Here's what you can configure:

General Preferences

  • Show Mouse Cursor in video: By default Jaksta Screen Recorder does not capture your mouse cursor. But there may be occasions where you would want the cursor recorded. Comes in handy for screen demos. Switch this on to record the cursor.
  • Hide main window while recording: This hides the main window so that it stays out of your way while recording. You can use the controls in the menu bar to stop recording.
  • Auto open recorded videos in Quicktime; If enabled, your finished recordings will open in Quicktime immediately after stopping.

Advanced Preferences

  • Select audio device when recording: Select the audio device that you'd like Jaksta Screen Recorder to use when capturing. In most cases you'll want to choose Soundflower. Soundflower allows Jaksta Screen Recorder to record directly from the system audio rather than the speakers, so you can record perfect quality audio along with your video. Learn more about setting up Soundflower for Jaksta Screen Recorder below. You can also select to record from your microphone. This is super-handy for screencasts and demos.
  • Set canvas color: Change the color of the transparent canvas to whatever you like. We picked orange, but you might like something different.
  • Set canvas transparency: The default value is 75% but you can change it here.
  • Show recording region outline: This is an easy way to recognize the region that is recording. You can switch the outline off, change its color or width here.
  • Delay Smart Record start: You can set a delay here by entering the number of seconds you'd like Jaksta Screen Recorder to wait after clicking the start button before it actually starts capturing.
  • Reduce quality for slow computers: Got a relic? Ease up on the required processing power by enabling this option.
CONFIGURE SOUNDFLOWER

Audio is recorded through SoundFlower, which is installed alongside Jaksta Screen Recorder. Soundflower allows Jaksta Screen Recorder to record directly from the system audio rather than the speakers, so you can record perfect quality audio along with your video.

When you first open Jaksta Screen Recorder you'll see this window:

If you'd like to hear the audio while Jaksta Screen Recorder is capturing, follow these instructions:

  1. Open the Soundflowerbed configuration app. You'll find it in Applications > Soundflower.
  2. Click on the Soundflower icon in the menu bar. Set Soundflower (2ch) to Built-in-Output.