How to Record a Web Seminar Without a Camera

Download or record web seminars with software, not videotape.

Attending a seminar or training session used to require leaving your home or office and meeting with an instructor and a group of students in some classroom or conference space, but remote training and meetings are now possible with the Internet. Training sessions can be viewed in video format on sites like YouTube or on corporate websites, and live seminars can be watched in real time. However, you might want to refer back to the videos or webcasts to refresh your memory on the topics covered, and this can be done with the help of free websites and software utilities available on the World Wide Web.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Web browser

Instructions

Download Prerecorded Videos with Zamzar

1. Open your web browser, surf to Zamzar.com and click the "Download Videos" tab.

2. Enter the web address of the video seminar you would like to download in the space beneath "Step 1."

3. Drag down the "Convert file(s) to" menu under "Step 2," and choose the video format to which you would like your web seminar to be converted (such as .wmv for PCs or .mov for Macs).

4. Enter your email address in the empty box under "Step 3," and click "Convert" under "Step 4." Click "OK" when the dialogue box pops up to confirm your request.

5. Peruse the progress bar as it shows the length of time needed to complete your request. Check your email address once the conversion process has completed, and click on the link provided to download your newly converted video. View the video on your computer using the native software included with your computer (such as Window Media Player on PCs or Quicktime Player on Macs).

Download Prerecorded Videos with YouConvertIt.com

1. Open your web browser, surf to YouConvertIt.com and click on the "Online Video(s)" tab.

2. Enter the URL of the web seminar you would like to download into the space provided, and click "Download It."

3. Click the "Convert File(s)" tab to convert the web seminar video into a form viewable on your computer. Click "Select it," browse your computer to find the video you have just downloaded and then click "Open."

4. Click the pull-down menu beneath "Convert to" and choose the type of conversion you would like (.wmv for PCs or .mov for Macs are useful choices). Enter your email address in the provided space, and click "Convert It." View your web seminar video once the conversion is complete by using your computer's native software.

Record Streaming Video Seminars with Jing

1. Open your web browser, and surf to Techsmith.com. Drag down the "Products" menu and choose "Jing."

2. Click the "Free Version" link at the top of the screen, and click the "Download" button to begin the installation process. Choose between the Windows or Mac version.

3. Surf to the URL showcasing the web seminar live streaming video you would like to capture. Start the Jing program by double-clicking its icon on your computer. Click the round Jing symbol at the top of your screen, and click the "+" sign. Then click and drag over the area you would like to capture, making sure to include the streaming seminar video.

4. Click the "Video" button at the bottom left of the capture area to begin recording. Click the "Stop" button when you are finished recording.

5. Preview the recorded video, enter a name for the video in the "Name" field and click the "Save" button to save your video in the .swf format.

6. Surf to a file conversion site such as Zamzar.com or YouConvertIt.com, select the .swf file and convert it to .wmv for PCs or .mov for Macs. View the video using the native software that came with your computer.

References

• Zamzar
• YouConvertIt
• TechSmith: Jing

Resources

• Windows: Windows Media Player Download
• Apple: Quicktime Player Download