Skype vs. Yahoo! Messenger and How to Record Their Video Calling

Communication has always been an important aspect of life. Skype and Yahoo! Messenger are two of the leaders in this industry, and both two offer text chat and voice and video calls. In many instant-messaging systems, Skype and Yahoo! Messenger are many people’s absolute favorites. Let’s begin the comparison of them to decide which one you will choose. And then the ways will be listed to tell you how to record and save Skype and Yahoo! Messenger video calling easily.

Comparison of Features
Skype is compact and is extremely fast. It is very easy to use and hardly ever crashes. Its many features do not slow down the program at all. The call quality is excellent and is usually scratch-free. Problems hardly ever occur.

Yahoo! Messenger is loaded with features, but the program is very slow. It is fairly easy to use and is very innovative. The custom graphical user interface will cause many problems and can often make the program not respond.

Comparison of Chat Engine
Skype allows the user to chat using its simplistic chat engine. It is extremely easy to navigate through and is lightning fast. Skype Chat also allows you to chat with more than one person in the same chat window. For instance, if you and your colleagues were separated and wanted to communicate together, everyone could sign into Skype and participate in the group chat. The group chat creator can additionally send invites to certain members to include them in the chat.

Yahoo! Messenger's chat engine is more bulky and slower. However, the Yahoo! Chat engine contains many more features. IMVironments, chatting backgrounds, are exceptionally fun to experiment with. Additionally, "Audibles," animated emoticons that talk, make your chatting experience tremendously entertaining. When you are chatting, you can play games with your friend and share photos. However, Yahoo! Messenger does not support group chat.

Comparison of Telephone Service
Both Skype and Yahoo! Messenger provide telephone service, known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Skype allows you to call other Skype members for free. Video calling is enabled. Skype also lets you call telephone numbers for a small fee, using a service called SkypeOut. Additionally, Skype provides SkypeIn, a system that gives you a phone number that others can call. You can pick up the call on your computer and talk. If you are not there, the caller can leave a message in your voice mail. Conference calling is provided for free. Skype's telephone service is amazing, reliable, and very easy to use.

Yahoo! Messenger also provides free PC-to-PC telephone service. PC-to-Phone and Phone-to-PC service requires a fee. Voicemail is free, however, unlike Skype. Video calling is also included. A drawback, though, is the sound and video calling quality. Sometimes, you cannot hear the call and you have to call again. When using the video, the quality is extremely bad and it is tough to see the person. Group calling is not included.

Both Skype and Yahoo! Messenger are wonderful IM systems with numerous members. Whichever one you choose, they will certainly provide you with an excellent communication system to meet your needs. Meanwhile, you can use Camersoft Yahoo Video Recorder and Skype Video Recorder to record, save or capture both Skype and Yahoo! Messenger video calling for sharing with your friends and families later.

How to Record Yahoo! Messenger Video Calling
Camersoft Yahoo Video Recorder is a professional video recorder tool that records video on Yahoo! Messenger when you are having video chat with your friend; it records both video and audio, and saves the recorded video as AVI file so that you can replay them in the future. In addition, It provides powerful and useful software: Video Converter which can convert video files between many popular formats: AVI, MP4, WMV, FLV, MP3, AAC, OGG, etc. And you could convert the recorded AVI to many devices: iPhone, iPod, iRiver PSP, Zune, Nokia phone, BlackBerry and so on.

Here are some simple steps to record Yahoo! Messenger video call:
Step 1: Start by going to official website http://www.camersoft.com/yahoo-video-recorder.html to download it.
Step 2: There are two modes provided “Auto-Selected Region” and “Select Custom Region”. Select any mode to record after starting video calling. Finally, click “Stop” button to finish recording.
Step 3: Select the recorded video file to play. Or click “Convert” button to convert your video files to other formats you want.

How to Record Skype Video Calling
Camersoft Skype Video Recorder is a powerful video recording program to record Skype video and audio during your Skype conversation, and then encode into AVI movie files, which you could playback on your PC any time. In addition, it also provides you advanced function: Video Converter which could convert video files between many formats, such as AVI, MP4, WMV, FLV, MP3, AAC, OGG, etc. And you could convert the recorded AVI to many devices: iPhone, iPod, iRiver PSP, Zune, Nokia phone, BlackBerry and so on.

These simple steps below will show you how to record Skype video calling.
Step 1: Visit official website http://www.camersoft.com/skype-video-recorder.html to free download and install it.
Step 2: There are two modes provided “Auto-Selected Region” and “Select Custom Region”. Select any mode to record after starting video calling. Finally, click “Stop” button to finish recording.
Step 3: Select the recorded video file to play. Or click “Convert” button to convert your video files to other formats you want.

How to Capture/Record Anything on Computer Screen

The screen capture is a neat function that really doesn't get used enough by the average person. It can serve a number of different purposes for both fun and function. On the fun end of things, you can save a conversation that's on your screen in order to go back and look at it later. You can also do regular screen capture shots of a particular part of your computer, such as your desktop, just to have a sort of online scrapbook about what's changed over time on your computer. But the screen capture is more often used for more functional purposes. For example, web writers sometimes find that their content has been stolen and placed online. A screen capture can be done of the work on the site that stole it in case the issue goes to court. That way, even if the thief deletes the material from the site, the proof is there. Other similar situations occur for many professions and legal situation so the screen capture can be a really useful thing to know how to do just in case an issue like that ever comes up in your life.

Actually, it's really easy that you can capture and save anything on the screen you see with screen capture program like Camersoft Screen Recorder. Here are the steps that you need to take to capture anything on your computer screen:

Part I: Download and Install Camersoft Screen Recorder
You could free download it from the official website:
http://www.camersoft.com/screen-recorder.html
Then install it into your PC and run this screen recorder.
Note: This screen capture program provides 3 recording types for you to record any area of your screen and desktop, including "Fixed Region", "Custom Region" and "Full Screen".

Part II: Record Anything On Screen:
1. Start the recorder and just click the “Full Screen” button to begin recording，you could see the time elapsed showed on the bottom of the main UI.
2. Click "Fixed Region" button to record a fixed region. The size of the region is fixed (Width: 320px; Height: 240px). You only could drag it into the position and click it to start recording, but couldn't change the size.
3. Click "Custom Region" button to select your custom region. Then you should draw the arbitrarily-sized region which you want to record. While, if you put the mouse on the corner of the region, you may drag it into new position.

Part III：Play and Handle the Video After Recording.
The recorder will save video as AVI files automatically. After stop recording, the file will be displayed in a list. You could double click the file name to play it, and you could also click the “Open Folder” button to find out the recorded files in the folder and then play what you like. The default folder to save the files is: C:\CamersoftOutput. You can click the "Change Folder" button to set another directory as default.

Now you could see that Camersoft Screen Recorder could help greatly to record anything you see on the computer screen, including the entire desktop, windows, menus, cursors even video with sound. Demonstrate a product, create a presentation with our own audio narration, make a tutorial, or walk through a web site review.

How to Record Your Webcam for Work/School/Entertainment or Upload on the internet

Do you need to record from a webcam to send a video message to colleagues, friends or family, to record a video presentation for work or school, or to upload and broadcast a video file over the Internet? This is a quick and easy way to record and send video captured from your webcam with Camersoft Webcam Recorder. Also, you can share your photos with Facebook by taking quick pictures.

This webcam recorder is a powerful and professional webcam capture software and works like a DV or VCR to record videos for you, only a webcam (could support internal camera, USB webcam, or other cam devices) connected to your PC is needed. It will record webcam video into AVI files and you could play them on your PC whenever you want. It could also enable you to change your webcam effect, add more effects to your webcam video recording.

Follow the steps below to record your webcam:

Step 1: Free download and install Camersoft Webcam Recorder from: http://www.camersoft.com/downloads/camersoft-webcam-recorder.exe

Step 2: Run it and select source webcam by “Select Webcam” button. Click “Record” button to begin recording and finish it when you want by “Stop” button.

a. You can take snapshot if you like the current image during record video.
Just click the button, the image will be saved and you can click the "Open Folder" button to open your picture.
b. You can add effects to your webcam with “Effect Mode” button. This recorder provides many of fantastic effects on your webcam.
For example, if you want to add "Butterfly", you may select "“Animations" and click "Butterfly" picture, then the effect will be added.
If you want to change a scene, you could select "Senses", and click the picture which you want to have, then the sense will be changed.
On the other function, if you want to delete the effects, you may select one and click “Delete” button or Click "Clear All" button to clear all of effects.
c. You can doodle on your webcam by “Paint Mode” button.

Step 3: After recording, you could handle the files freely: play with video players which have been installed on your computer. You just need click the "Open folder" button and the folder will be opened. The default save path is C:\CamersoftOutput. But you can click the "Change Folder" button and select a location on your computer for the output video files.

Once completes the video recording, you can upload your video clips to YouTube or other video websites. Camersoft Video Converter can help you to convert your recorded videos between all popular formats: MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV, FLV, MP3, AAC, etc. Now, visit its user guide from: http://www.camersoft.com/how-to-use-video-converter.html to finish your converting easily.

How to Record/Capture Skype Video Call/Conversation

If you're one of the millions of people using Skype to make free or cheap international phone calls, you've probably wanted to be able to record those calls at one time or another. Recording Skype calls on your PC is super easy to do. This article gives you step-by-step instructions for recording Skype calls using Camersoft Skype video Recorder. It’s a powerful video/audio recording program for you to record Skype video and audio during your Skype conversation, and then encode into AVI movie files, which you could playback on your PC any time. In addition, it also provides you advanced function: Video Converter, with which you could load to review the recorded files, and convert them into other format you want, such as video to iPod, iPhone, MP4, WMV, FLV, MOV, AAC, etc. This will help you greatly to share your record videos with your family and friends.

For this, you'll need to install Skype. To make audio calls you will need a microphone and for video calls you will need a webcam. And now, this guide will show you how to record Skype video call easily with Camersoft Skype Video Recorder.

Step1: Free download and install Camersoft Skype Video Recorder from:

http://www.camersoft.com/downloads/camersoft-skype-video-recorder.exe

Step2: Record/capture Skype video call/conversation
Run Camersoft Skype Video Recorder and select your region to start recording Skype video. There are two modes “Auto-Selected Region” and “Select Custom Region” for you. It will identify your Skype calling window automatically by “Auto-Selected Region”, but couldn’t change the size. If you don’t want to record the whole window, you could just click “Select Custom Region” button and draw the arbitrarily-sized region which you want to record. When you put the mouse on the corner of the region, you may drag it into new position. In addition, the black box on the bottom of UI will show the recorded time. Finally, click “Stop” button to finish your Skype recording. Then the recorded video will appear in the list.



Step3: Play and Convert
After recording, you may double-click one file in the list, and then the file will be opened by the default video player on windows, or you could click “Open Folder” button to select one video file you want to play.



Next, you could convert your video files during all popular formats you want. so that you can enjoy the video easily and create the video to replay any time you want with your iPhone, Blackberry, Nokia, Zune, PSP, iRiver, iPod, Youtube and so on.
You need to click “Convert” button followed by the pop-up window of Camersoft Video Converter. And then you should select the video files you want to convert by “Add File” button and choose the format for your output files. Finally, click the “Convert” button to start to convert your file checked.
Then, you could edit the video with the function buttons: Options, Crop, Effect, and Trim
a. Options: If you want to customize the output video’s quality, you can click the "Options" button to open the settings window and set video resolution, video bitrate, audio channels, and audio bitrate. Also, if you do not set them, the software will use the default setting to convert.
b. Crop: This function helps you cut off the undesired area from your movie video and choose your favorite clips to convert.
c. Effect: If you want to get special effect movie, please click this button. You could tune the Brightness, Contras, Saturation and Volume. In addition, you can select gray effect or Negative effect.
d. Trim: This function is to get a part from one title or chapter. It is easy for you to set the "Start Time" and "End Time". And this is often used to get some music sections from an entire movie.



The Skype makes it easier to stay connected with the people and communities you care about. Comparably, Camersoft Skype Video Recorder could help you record and convert your Skype video calls easily. It works as a common video converter software and convert your video between all popular formats. That means once you purchase this Skype Video Recorder, you will get the full Video Converter tool at the same time. It’s absolutely wise to select Skype with Camersoft Skype Video Recorder together to enjoy your video calling.

How to Record Skype Video Calls with Camersoft Skype Recorder

Skype is one of the most popular and easier way for video calling with others across the globe for free so that many people use it to keep in touch with their friends and families, even start conference call in business. But is lacks the ability to record video calling. This will be a problem if you for some reason need to keep a video call on record for later use or if you want to create a home video out of your video chat. However, Camersoft Skype Recorder can help you to record Skype video calls with ease.

Features of Camersoft Skype Recorder:

1. Simple and elegant user interface
This Skype call recorder is very easy to use even for novice users. It makes recording Skype call as easy as only a few mouse clicks.

2. Capture the original video data and record with best video quality
When you recording Skype call, both your webcam video and your friend could be recorded and saved into separate AVI files with high quality.

3. Display the time escaped when recording
The time recorded will be display on the main UI and the window icon flash to remind you the recording procedure.

4. Easily to find and play the recorded video files
After recording Skype, just double click the list item to play the Skype video files. Or click the "Open folder" to find the file with convenience. Of course you could easily change the directory to save the Skype video recording files.

Here are some easy steps to record Skype video calls with Camersoft Skype Recorder:

1. Download and install Camersoft Skype Reorder on your computer from official website: www.camersoft.com/skype-recorder.html
2. Launch Skype and log in to start video calling.
3. Run Camersoft Skype Reorder to select one of the two recording modes to begin recording.
4. Click STOP button when finish the recording process, then the recorded video file will be saved as AVI format and appear in the list.

Now, you can play your recorded Skype video calling at any time. Overall, this Skype recorder is very easy to use.

How to Record Skype Video Calls with Camersoft Skype Recorder

Yahoo! Messenger is great for making and receiving a high-quality voice and video call to a friend. However, there is no way provided by Yahoo! Messenger to record our voice or video call. Fortunately, by downloading a video recorder program, we can record our voice or video call easily.

Camersoft Yahoo Video Recorder allows us to record video call professionally.
Step 1: Start by going to official website www.camersoft.com/yahoo-video-recorder.html to download it. Install the Yahoo video recorder after downloading and reboot the computer after installing.
Step 2: Run the Yahoo video recorder. There are two modes provided Auto-Selected Region and Select Custom Region. Select any mode to record after starting video calling. Finally, click Stop button to finish recording.
Step 3: Select the recorded video file to play. And, it will be saved as AVI format by default.

Camersoft Yahoo Audio Recorder allows us to record voice call easily.
Step 1: Start by going to official website www.camersoft.com/yahoo-audio-recorder.html to download it. Install the Yahoo audio recorder after downloading and reboot the computer after installing.
Step 2: Run the Yahoo audio recorder. Click Record button to record voice call after starting Yahoo! Messenger voice call. And then click Stop button to finish recording.
Step 3: Play the recorded voice file. And it will be saved as MP3 format by default.

It’s so easy to finish recording voice or video call with these two recorder tools. But how to play these recorded files with iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Nokia, Zune, PSP, iRiver, iPod, YouTube, and so on. Camersoft Video Converter will help us to solve this problem. It could convert our video files during all popular formats: MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV, FLV, MP3, AAC, OGG, etc.

Camersoft Video Converter allows us to convert audio and video files.
Step 1; Start by going to official website www.camersoft.com/video-converter.html to download it.
Step 2; Import the recorded file to convert by Add File button, and preview it.
Step 3: Edit the file with the function buttons: Options, Crop, Effect, and Trim
Step 4: Select output file format compatible with our player and start to convert after clicking Convert button.

With these three powerful tools, we can record our voice or video calls much easily now and share our recorded files with anyone by mobile phone and other play devices, even upload it onto some video sites like YouTube.

How to Record/Save/Capture Streaming Videos from the Internet with High Quality

Many websites like YouTube use a Flash Video format that enables highly-compressed streaming video to effectively play in most browsers. However, the inconvenience with this type of format is that you will not be able to download it by using your Save target option. If you're a regular YouTube viewer, you've probably experienced the frustration of trying to save your favorite videos. So, how to record/save/capture streaming videos from the internet with high quality? Generally speaking, there are three common ways available to record /save/capture streaming videos online to your computer.

1. Using download-helper websites

KeepVid and YouTube Downloader are download-helper websites that allow users to provide them with the video’s URL.

KeepVid is completely browser-based, so there's no software to download. After you've found a video you want to save, enter that video's URL at KeepVid, then select its originating site from a pop-up list. KeepVid works with a wide variety of video sites. You can reuse its sites list to discover new places to surf for videos.

YouTube Downloader is a simpler option that only works with YouTube. In this site, you enter the URL of the page with your chosen video and click "Get Download URL." You'll then create a URL for the video itself. Click that new link to download the video file. You shouldn't need to add a FLV suffix, but it's a possible fix if you have problems. Again, you'll either need to convert this file or download a FLV viewer to play it.

2. Capture the video using a Firefox extension

Mozilla Firefox is a web browser that allows you to grab online videos with its additional Video Downloader extension. Certainly, you should install Mozilla Firefox firstly. When Firefox's installation is complete, you can download the Video Downloader extension.

3. Save the video by using commercial softwares

There are lots of commercial screen recorder softwares are available online that require installation. They can be used to download the streaming videos to your computer. Some have the option to convert your FLV format files into AVI files. Like Camersoft Screen Recorder. It is a professional and powerful screen recording software to record full screen, any area of the desktop screen, your chat video and you can record all audio and mouse cursor's movement. And then, this screen capture can help you save your recorded videos as AVI files automatically. So, you can certainly record/save/capture high-quality streaming videos online to your computer with this screen recorder software. Even record movies from TV card or live streaming video, record DVD, RM, VCD, MPEG, or other video medias, and make slide-show training documents or video demos easily. Here are the example of recording a video from YouTube.

Through comparison of these three ways, the most effective and easy way to record/save/capture streaming videos from the internet with high quality is to choose recorder software obviously. And these commercial softwares will usually provide free trial version to see if it’s good for you. So, just try this easy way immediately after finding your favorite software.