iShowU 1.76 beta

iShowU is a nice program, which allows you to capture any portion of your desktop.

The first time I opened the application, it gave me the impression that it was a complex screen-capturing program. Later on, I realized I was right.

In the main window, you find all kind of settings, which you can use in order to customize the video output file. The program offers various presets, but you can modify the working parameters for every preset. You can also add your own presets, so you won't lose any of your previous settings.

I like the fact that you can chose the audio source between the built in microphone and the audio system. You can also use a mix of those two audio sources. You can adjust the record volume and the audio quality. Unfortunately, you don't have any choice when it comes to the audio file codec. There are several video codecs supported. Among them, you can find the H.263 and the H.264 video codecs. You can also customize the video quality, by changing the number of FPS or the resolution of the captured area.

There are some options available that you can use when optimizing your capture. You can slow the frame-rate and limit the FPS when you are not moving the mouse. If you don't like to limit the recording only to a predefined recording area, then you can also follow the mouse while recording.

The 'Preferences' panel has some options that you don't use when setting the parameters of the recorded files. You can also find there a variety of options, which you can to customize the program's behavior.

Pluses: is a full featured screen capture program with the possibility to set all kind of settings of the output file.

Drawbacks / flaws: the encoding activity when capturing requires high CPU processing power. Therefore, a fast machine is required when running this application.

In conclusion: if you need a decent screen capture program, this one is a very good option.

version reviewed: 1.25