Broadcast tools
Webcam Max
Manycam
Xsplit
This is a brief product review of the three mainstream programs that allow any webcam and computer to be turned into a "green screen" or "whiteboard" environment complete with delivery tools. Most are simple with intuitive use for moderately skilled computer users. I like the low learning curve aspect. Because as we know having an assignment or project due and a learning curve to accomplish it often forces the learning curve to take front stage.
Webcam Max although I used it on a PC I felt that it worked best on my Apple product. Prior to writing this I did load it to my Mac and yes it was a smoother feel using it in the Apple environment. Webcam Max out of the box is the easiest to use (no doubt about it) the interface is a bit more family friendly; it actually felt less like a broadcast tool and more like a toy. It offers an array of options starting with the ability to broadcast video with mic support along with picture in picture. This feature allows your mentee to follow along in both instruction and visual mode. Webcam Max also boast a Capture Screen tool which is pretty robust with its built in options (follow the cursor, specific window selection which works with picture in picture too and a specific area tool that allows you to work with in a window or full screen), the PnP or pitcher in pitcher is what you expect it to be you can move it about the screen in each quadrant at will you can even adjust the size of the PnP. I suggest leaving it at the default settings.
The folks at CoolWareMax the makers of Webcam Max give you a bevy of effects from funny faces to frames for your webcam to be displayed IF I had to pick one that I preferred above the many selections I would choose the basketball themed choice. An additional nice feature for the effects section allows you to place multiple effects within one another and be allowed to PnP it along with screen capture. Not that you would have a legitimate need to do that specific thing at any given time but it is available to you as desired. One feature that does take a lot of skill to pull off is the background. This is for the advanced user. It allows you to take a photo from your selected photos and place yourself in the foreground as it is being projected on a green screen. Cool concept but unskilled users will become frustrated with this feature and more advanced users have a simpler way to deal with making it happen.
I will post notes on the other two programs at another time. Feel free to check out WebCam Max from CoolWareMax at the website http://www.webcammax.com/
Thanks for reading
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