Jing Pro lets you make a high-definition video recording of what you see on your PC, which you can then email, Twitter, send to Facebook, Flickr, or YouTube. It’s brilliant. But, there’s a catch. There a free versions (which does most everything) and a premium version.
So, if the free version is so good, should you upgrade?
There are some limitation and restrictions on Jing Pro.
Jing Pro Limitations
Here’s a few to start with.
Tip: Complete list of features is here.
1 It doesn’t let you edit proxy settings within the JING application. So, if you are behind a firewall or need to reconfigure on the road, it may get tricky.
2. You can’t use it as a standalone app without connecting to Screencast.com.
3. You need to be online as it’s web-based. Fine at work but not much good when you don’t have web access or if the web goes down.
4. When it does go down, you need to re-enter your username and password again. This became such a pain for me that I stopped using it and went back to SnagIt.
5. There is still a 5 minute limitation. So, if you’ve video is more than this, you’re out of luck.
Jing Pro Advantages
The Pro version is fine if you don’t want to upgrade to Camtasia Studio but want an easy-to-use video-capturing software, for sharing videos on YouTube/Facebook.
Jing is very good at what it does and for $15 per year is not so expensive.
For light-weight users, the Free version should be fine. You can take nice screenshots, small videos and upload to Screencast.com which also offers 2 GB of storage space.
On the downside, the Free version support only SWF format while Jing Pro supports SWF ands MPEG-4 video, which is required for YouTube HD.
Should you buy the Pro version?
No.
Of all the limitations the 5 minute restriction is the biggest barrier. Actually, this is the main reason I have not signed up. If this was raised to 15 minutes, then yes, I’d signup. But 5 minutes is too short!
Simon makes this point on the blog: “In the above “94 Comments” 5 min is mentioned over 50 times … I think that you should listen to the user group and as I stated before: “drop the time limit on the Pro version and you will make conversions of people from free version to Pro version, and at the end of the day some $$$”
Matt adds “great job with the Jing project. The idea for allowing users to cut down videos to 5 minutes is a good alternative. The problem you may face is losing the beauty of simplicity that Jing offers and still leaves the 5 minute constraint.”
But the bottom line is that the 5 minute time limitation is a show-stopper.
Leonardos Bardelotto says that “5 min is bad, but they want to sell the Camtasia for bigger time and much more money.”
I agree.
This is the real limitation on this product. I‘ve flagged it on their site. Most others seem to agree and have encouraged them to make it free to get more market share.
There are so many free apps out there that charging for this – and the overheads that go with it – don’t seem to justify this decision.
But, it’s they’re product.
What do you think? Have you tried it yet?
PS: here is a quick list of the key features
- Screenshots directly to Snagit where you can edit the image.
- Publish it Screencast.com where you can store, file, organize and track the videos.
- Edit Jing created screencasts in Camtasia Studio. You can also combine multiple videos into a single video, or string several together with a table of contents.
- Create different Jing folders on Screencast.com, by topic/project/client.
- Adjust the video’s size to fit your blog or website.
- Centralize conversations and comments with the new commenting feature.
- Annotate captured images with arrows, callouts, text and highlights to add emphasis
- Narrate Jing-recorded screencast videos for even greater clarity before sharing
- Generate HTML code to so you can embed it on your blog or website
- Customize the sharing buttons so those they use most are only a click away.
- Screencasts are delivered in HD-quality video for the Web
- Jing logos and links are removed from the start and end of newly-recorded videos.
- Publish directly to YouTube, Vimeo, Viddler and MSN Video, Flickr
- Jing Pro produces MPEG-4 AVC video files for Flash delivery with H.264+AAC compression.
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I'm using this software application and it's very useful for whose wanna save their time….
Hi Raja,
I find it great for taking quick screen movies, especially when we’re doing testing and I want to show people what’s happening onscreen. Saves me time instead of having to write up what’s happening.
The only downside is that when my browser crashes —and it does— I lose my settings and have to re-install it again. Sometimes it times out if the web is slow or down, which can also be problematic.
Camtasia is an alternative though not as nimble as Jing.
Regards,
Ivan
I'm using this software application and it's very useful for whose wanna save their time….
Hi Raja,
I find it great for taking quick screen movies, especially when we’re doing testing and I want to show people what’s happening onscreen. Saves me time instead of having to write up what’s happening.
The only downside is that when my browser crashes —and it does— I lose my settings and have to re-install it again. Sometimes it times out if the web is slow or down, which can also be problematic.
Camtasia is an alternative though not as nimble as Jing.
Regards,
Ivan