How to Create a Screen Capture Video Using A MacBook Air

Do you want to record screens on your MacBook Air and are looking for ways to do so? One of the ways is to use the QuickTime application that comes pre-installed on Mac computers.

QuickTime application features a screen recording tool, allowing you to fulfill your basic screen recording needs. However, when it comes to screen recording for professional purposes, you need a complete screen recording solution.

In this article, we will explain the Mac screen capture method using QuickTime and a powerful alternative as well. So let’s get started.

How to capture video with QuickTime application on Mac

Apple has an extensible multimedia framework, QuickTime. It comes pre-installed on Mac computers. If you need a Mac to capture video, you can use the QuickTime application.

Here’s a step by step method to capture video with QuickTime on Mac:

1. Launch QuickTime and select New Screen Recording

The first thing is to launch the QuickTime application on your Mac computer. Also, open the presentation, game, or whatever you want to capture in screen recording. After opening both applications, go to the QuickTime application and select New Screen Recording from the File tab in the menu bar.

2. Select Microphone

When you select New Screen Recording, a mini control center will appear on the screen having the Record button and other options. Right next to the recording button is a down arrow; click on it to view audio options. You can enable or disable audio input through built-in microphone and mouse click sounds. Also, you can adjust the volume bar to control the voice playback of your voice while you’re recording.

The top audio monitor shows how strong the input volume is from the microphone.

3. Hit the Record button and Select Screen Size

Now, you should hit the record button. The moment you do this, you’ll be able to choose between recording the entire screen or a selected area. You can select a specific portion by dragging the borders of the rectangle or clicking in the middle to start capturing the full screen. These instructions appear in the rectangle, enabling you to execute the steps easily.

Once you start recording, you’ll see a Stop button in the top right corner of the screen.

Now, open your presentation, game, video, or whatever you want to record and keep recording for as long as you want. Hit the Stop button whenever you want to finish recording the screen and save your video to your preferred storage location.

Recommendations for Producing Your Screen Capture Videos

As with any video, your screen capture efforts will be more successful if you plan ahead. This includes reviewing any clearly defined requirements for the video and setting goals.

Here are some recommendations for producing your screen capture videos:

● Decide how long the video should be

A video that is too short or too long can cause the viewer to lose interest, disengage and leave. A short video can seem too simplistic; a long one can seem like wasted time.

When you're creating a screen capture video, keep each video under 5 minutes in length so that people can consume and retain the information without getting bored. You can always create several shorter videos instead of one long one if your process has multiple parts. This allows people to come back at another time to learn more or share the different parts with their friends and colleagues, increasing your exposure and reach in the marketplace.

● Decide how much detail you want to include

The best way to approach this step is by determining your target audience.

For example, in a video created for new customer orientation, you might keep it simple and not mention notation features or how to create charts, graphs, and pivot tables in Excel because they are not immediately necessary for users to get started with your software product. If you have multiple audiences, prepare separate videos — one for beginners and another that includes more advanced techniques.

If you don’t have a dedicated team of producers and editors, limit the length of each topic covered in your videos to around three minutes or less so that the content does not become stale and lose viewers' attention.

● Prepare a script before recording

It is very important that you have a script that includes all of the steps of your process, whether you will be reading it or not. Having a script will help you order your thoughts and use language that is easy to understand.

DemoCreator

While you can record your Mac computer using its built-in recorder or QuickTime application, you might need a more comprehensive solution. In that case, Wondershare DemoCreator comes out as a great alternative. It’s a powerhouse when it comes to screen recording and video editing – a complete solution for content creators.

It’s ideal for beginners and professionals alike that’s why it is a popular tool used by many people worldwide. It can be used to record how-to videos, lectures, marketing videos, gameplay, and so much more.

Wondershare DemoCreator comes with a screen recorder, animation video maker, and an online screen recorder for your browser.

You can record your screen with Wondershare DemoCreator by following the below-mentioned four steps.

Step 1: Launch the software and select recording mode

Firstly, you need to visit the Wonderhsare DemoCreator website to download the setup for your Mac or Windows computer. Install the software after downloading it on your device.

Once installed, you need to launch the program. You can see a variety of options available in the interface.

When you choose Select a Record Project, you can adjust everything as per your requirements. The Record Screen option has some predefined settings to capture the entire screen.

Record Game option can be used when you need to record your gameplay.

Step 2: Adjust the screen size

When you click Start a Record Project, a dropdown menu appears; select Capture Area.

Now, set dimensions of the screen record area according to your requirements – drag the frame inward or outward from its edges.

Step 3: Set up Audio and Camera Settings

DemoCreator records the system sounds and microphone sound by default. You can choose to disable them using the toggle switch – or select a microphone of your choice. Y

Also, you can enable WebCam recording to include your facecam video in the recording.

Step 4: Start recording

To start screen recording, click the REC button. The recording will begin after a countdown of three seconds. You can also press the F10 key on your keyboard to begin the recording.

If you want to pause/resume the recording, press the F9 key or use the pause button on the control panel. Click the Stop button or press F10 to stop/cancel the recording.

Once you stop the recording, it opens in the DemoCreator editor, where lightweight video editing can be performed.

How to capture video on Mac with DemoCreator

Wondershare DemoCreator is available for both Windows and Mac computers. You can use its screen recording option to capture video on your Mac computer.

Here, we will explain a step-by-step process to capture video on Mac using Start a Record Project. It’ll enable you to create a customized recording where you can record your screen, webcam, and audio.

Try It Now - It's Free!

Secure Download

Try It Now - It's Free!

Secure Download

Let’s dive into each component to help you learn how to capture video on Mac with DemoCreator.

Customize Recording Area

Wondershare DemoCreator lets you select a recording area of your choice. You can do this by dragging the border of the frame.

You can also opt for Full screen, HD, or Select a window.

When you select Full screen, DemoCreator will record your entire screen. You can also choose Select a window to target a specific window so no activity outside that window is captured in the recording.

Screen Drawing Tool

DemoCreator has a screen drawing tool that can be used during recording for a range of purposes. You can enable it from the recorder window or status menu.

With the help of the screen drawing tool, you can draw shapes, add text, highlight a portion, and do much more. The use of screen drawing makes your content easier to understand and consume. It can be used for impactful presentations, lectures, and more.

Set Input Device (Microphone/Camera)

DemoCreator lets you choose input devices for face recording and audio. By default, DemoCreator uses Mac's built-in microphone and FaceTime camera to add your voice and overlay your facecam video.

You can select from the dropdown list under each device and select an input device of your choice.

Start/Stop Recording

Once everything is set, you can start recording your screen by clicking the Start Capturing button or you can hit the shortcut key Shift+Cmd+2. You can use the same shortcut key to stop the recording.

Once you initiate the recording command, DemoCreator will start capturing the screen recording after a countdown of 3 seconds.

Pause/Resume

You can pause/resume the recording by clicking the red recording button on the status menu or control center.

Also, you can use the shortcut key Opt+Cmd+2 to pause or resume the recording.

How to Cut, Crop, Trim, Split, and Merge video on Mac with DemoCreator

DemoCreator Video Editor allows you to do some basic editing with ease and efficiency. You can use these editing tools to fine-tune your videos and make them professional.

Let’s show you how to use some of the common editing tools in DemoCreator Video Editor.

Cut

When you open the recording in DemoCreator Editor, you can use the Cut tool to get rid of the unwanted parts.

• All you need to do is place the marker at that instance you want to cut.
• Select the Cut tool from the bar just above the video timeline.
• Select the area and click OK.

Trim

If you want to trim a specific portion of the video, you can use the Trim tool.

• Open the video and set the cursor to the edge of the clip in the timeline.
• Drag the cursor and select a specific length of the clip in the timeline to Trim that part.

Crop

You can crop your video easily to remove something unwanted from a specific frame.

• All you need to do is select your clip and click on the Crop button just above the timeline of the video.
• A window will open where you can resize the visible area. Keep that area out of the markers that you want to remove.
• Then, click OK to crop the video.

You can add custom dimensions as well.

Split

You can easily split a clip in DemoCreator.

• Open the video in DemoCreator Editor.
• In the timeline, move the marker to the position where you'd want to split.
• Then, click on the Split button.
• After that, rearrange the clips.

Merge

It’s very simple to Merge two or more videos in DemoCreator.

• All you need to do is to add the videos to your timeline.
• When you have them added to the timeline, the video clips are merged into one.

You can add a transition between them as well

How to add captions, annotation, stickers with DemoCreator

After completing your screen recording, you can edit the video in DemoCreator Video Editor. It lets you do a wide variety of editing to make your videos more engaging and appealing.

Below are some of the video effects you can add to your content:

Add captions

It’s easy to add captions to your content and make it more professional. DemoCreator offers four types of captions (text overlay). The four types of caption include Opener, EndCredit, Subtitle, Lowerthird.

You can use caption templates available in the “Caption” tab. Select a template from the four types of captions and drag it to the timeline where you want to put it in. You can see a preview of the caption template in the preview window. To customize the text, double-click the text area and write the text you want to show.

Add your annotation

If you want to point to something specific on the screen, make something easy to understand, or stand out from the rest of the content, annotation is the way to do it. DemoCreator lets you annotate your recording in the editing phase. From the sidebar, select the “Annotation” tab and choose one of the many options available in the Annotation panel.

Add stickers

If you want to add a call to action to your presentation recording or want to hide something in a cool way, then use DemoCreator’s Stickers collection.

From the sidebar, open the “Sticker” menu and select the one you want to use.

Conclusion

Mac screen capture is easy to do with the QuickTime application if you need to record a little task. However, some users may need to record for an extended duration and create highly engaging content for their audience.

Wondershare DemoCreator for Mac is a great solution for its screen recording and video editing capabilities. We explained the use of DemoCreator’s screen recorder and video editing tools in this guide and we hope you find it valuable.