I had a bit of a saga trying to figure out how to get a split-screen recording for some video interviews I wanted to do via Skype. To save you some trouble, I thought I would share with you what I learned.
The first thing you need to know is that Skype on its own does not render a two-person video call at equal size, side by side. Only group calls of three or more people work like that on Skype. Instead, what you will see on a two-party video call is the other person in the larger, primary position and you will be in a much smaller video inset.
That’s fine if you are just having an informal video call. But that doesn’t work if you are wanting to record a formal video interview that you want to share with others for one reason or another.
Third-Party Software Needed
In order to record a two-person split-screen video call where both people are on the screen side-by-side at the same size, you need some third-party software. These are the two I recommend:
PC Users: Supertintin ($29.95)
Mac Users: ecamm Call Recorder ($19.95)
Both of these softwares create the dual-screen, side by side video for your interview style format and will record both the audio and video all in one. You won’t need any other equipment or software and they are so completely quick and simple to figure out how to use and operate. You won’t need a phD to use them, lol.
How to Use Supertintin
Supertintin is super easy to use. Here’s a quick video to help you get going quickly with your split screen video call recording:
Other Tools
Below are a couple more options that will give you split-screen recording. These are more expensive because they do a lot more than just split-screen recording, which is probably overkill if all you’re trying to do is obtain a simple one-on-one video call recording. Their interfaces are also a lot more complicated so it will be more time-consuming learning how to use them.
Free Tools
There are lots of services out there that will faciliate video chats. You will find several listed on our Free Software page.
Oovoo is one I’ve used a few times to get that two-person, same-size, side-by-side, split-screen video recording for interview purposes. Personally, I don’t prefer the format, I found it a little glitchy and unstable, and the free version is a little restrictive as far as functionality. However, it will do in a pinch until you are able to get one of paid tools listed above.
Hope that helps!
Thanks Danielle…
It’s always so much better if someone shares this kind of stuff and you don’t have to waste hours researching it.
Much appreciated.
Barbara
Thanks Danielle, this would be a great tool to have when interviewing with clients. You can use it as a schooling tool of do’s and don’ts during the course of a video interview. I believe we can all remember a face-to-face interview we would have liked to do over after thinking about it later. Good looking out!
Kaye
Oh, you can use recorded video interviews for all kinds of things. One use I recommend is to do a testimonial video with a client where you ask him/her questions about what it’s like working with you, how their business was before and how it has improved once they began working with you and getting your awesome administrative support. HUGE credibility boost and trust builder.
Danielle,I had’nt thought of that, great idea. However I’m still working on getting my website built due to the fact I can’t afford to pay anyone to do it for me “Whew” it’s soooo hard but I’m loving the hands on factor. I have the About Me, Service Offered, and Contact Info pages- it’s the Home page I’m having a problem with. I even have my web template and pictures figured out. Once I finish is it possible to have you check it out prior to my going live?
Thanks much,
Kaye
Hi Kaye 🙂
What I try to do is create products to help people with those things. As you can imagine, I’ve got my hands full with my own business and clients and the work I do for industry via the ACA and my blog here. So when folks want my personal support, I have to charge for that time. You can get scheduled for one of my laser sessions for a website review/analysis/makeover here.
Or, you can purchase my Articulating Your Value guide which helps you figure out what to say and how to say it in your marketing message.
Hope that helps!
Thanks very much for sharing these resources Danielle. SuperTintin looks just what I need to get started – I appreciate the video too 🙂
Glad it was helpful to you, Louise!
Danielle, what a helpful post, thank you! I’ve been searching for exactly this tool for a while and have played with screen recordings and whatnot to get it right, very frustrating. Thanks again and have a great day!
Danielle, this is exactly what I have been looking for for soooo long. I want to start doing video interviews for my blog but couldn’t figure out how people do the split screen videos. I’ll check out Supertintin. Thanks so much!
Do you know of any other way to show the caller & receiver on one screen in Skype? We don’t need to record, but need to see what our camera is transmitting to the other end, ie, presentation materials, color boards, etc. Is SuperTinTin required to make that happen, and will it work when not recording? Thank you!
Thanks Danielle. You saved me some searching and dead ends. Much appreciated!
That was a great tutorial!
Is there a way to switch from a two shot (you and your guest side by side) to a one shot (only you or your guest) during the recording?
This would create that TV style interview look.
Many Thanks,
michael
Hi Michael 🙂
Yes, it has a variety of display options. If you go to their product page, it gives you screenshots. I highly recommend you purchase (I get nothing to say that; I just know it’s a fantastic tool because I use it myself).
Loved your tutorial… I have been looking for the right program to record my Skype Voice lessons with my students. But voice lessons go from 30 minutes up to two hours… And supertintin only records for 5 minutes?
Now, I feel $29.95 for only 5 minutes of recording each time is to much money for what the program offers. I would buy it if I could record the entire lesson each time.
I will keep looking around. Thanks your tutorial was very useful.
Ohhhh now I get it… You must buy it to be able to record longer sessions…. I didn’t hear well the first time I ran the video. Thanks again!
Thanks Danielle,
But how do i connect a microphone into my PC for a skype interview. Cheers, Greg
Hi Greg 🙂
That really depends on your set-up. If you’re using your webcam, it already has a built in microphone. Or, you might use an external microphone such as the Blue Snowball, which is what I have. You’d just follow the directions for its set-up and go into your webcam admin settings and tell it which microphone to use.
Thank you sooo much! After installing and uninstalling 3 programs I was THRILLED to come across your site that so easily explains everything along with the perfect recommendation. Thank you!
Thanks so much for the helpful info! very much appreciated!
After finding out that Call Recorder, that was recommended to me, was for mac only, I went searching for something for the PC. I found this article and video tutorial that was very helpful. Thank you! I’m going to take your recommendation and get Supertintin for the interviews I need to record. Again, thank you very much for this.
Thank you, this was helpful!
Hi Danielle,
Thank you for this information. Is this still the case with Skype that you need third party software for side-by-side images to be the same size?
Thanks Danielle – very helpful, wish I’d found this earlier!