To create a screencast video using Zoom, you can follow these steps:
1. **Download and Install Zoom**: If you haven't already, download and install the Zoom client software from the Zoom website (https://zoom.us/download).
2. **Sign in or Create an Account**: Launch the Zoom application and sign in using your Zoom account credentials. If you don't have an account, you can create one for free.
3. **Start a New Meeting**: Click on the "New Meeting" button to start a new meeting session. You don't need to invite anyone else to the meeting since you'll be recording a screencast video.
4. **Adjust Settings**: Before you start recording, you can adjust some settings for optimal screencasting:
- Check your audio and video settings by clicking on the up arrow next to the microphone and camera icons at the bottom left corner of the Zoom window. Ensure that your desired microphone and camera are selected.
- If you plan to include audio narration, make sure your microphone is working correctly.
- Disable your webcam if you don't want your face to appear in the screencast video.
5. **Share Your Screen**: Click on the "Share Screen" button located at the bottom center of the Zoom window. A pop-up window will appear.
6. **Select Screen and Options**: In the screen-sharing pop-up window, choose the screen you want to capture. If you have multiple monitors, select the one you wish to share. You can also enable options like "Share computer sound" if you want to include audio from your computer in the recording.
7. **Start Recording**: Once you've chosen the screen and options, click on the "Share" button. Zoom will begin sharing your screen, and a toolbar will appear at the top of the screen.
8. **Start Screencasting**: To start recording, click on the "Record" button on the Zoom toolbar and select "Record on this Computer." The recording will begin, capturing your screen activities.
9. **Perform the Screencast**: Carry out the actions you want to record in your screencast video. Whether it's demonstrating software, presenting slides, or any other activity, Zoom will record everything on the screen.
10. **Stop Recording**: When you've finished recording, click on the "Stop Recording" button on the Zoom toolbar. Alternatively, you can use the hotkey Ctrl + Shift + R (Command + Shift + R on Mac) to start and stop recording.
11. **End Meeting**: Once you've stopped recording, you can end the meeting session by clicking on the "End Meeting" button at the bottom right corner of the Zoom window.
12. **Access the Recorded Video**: After the meeting ends, Zoom will convert and save the recording locally on your computer. By default, it is stored in the "Documents" folder in a subfolder named "Zoom." You can also access the recordings by clicking on the "Meetings" tab in the Zoom application, selecting the "Recorded" tab, and locating your recording.
That's it! You've successfully created a screencast video using the free version of Zoom. You can now edit or share the recording as needed.
