How good is the MultiCam Capture "Lite" in 2019?

[RobCom]

Pre-Upgrade VS2019 question, here is a quote from the product page: "MultiCam Capture Lite. Capture videos and audio in a single click and edit them together seamlessly with multi-camera editing."

I know the "Lite" version of anything just gives you enough to be dangerous but, how is this one limited?


How good is this version of MultiCam capture "Lite" that is included with VS2019? Is it fully functional?

Is it limited on the amount of video sources? Limited on any tweaking tools/settings? watermark?? what's different?

Also Can it be "reasonably" upgraded to a non-"lite" version and still work the same with VS 2019?

thanks, and I hope these questions are not too goofy.
RC

[asik1]

It's too early to tell.
Are you in need for such program?
How often do you think you'll use it ?
I think OBS is much more popular.

[RobCom]

I have tied OBS, I don't like it. No offense, it's just not for me. And I know there are other ways to do multi-cam but this solution looks very simple....and I am all about simple. I watched some videos on the version for Pinnacle, and, IF it's the same, it looks like a very nice app.

I "might" use it and use it frequently, if it's seamless with the editing and production of VS. That's why I'm wondering how it works.


Thanks for the feedback asik1, I do appreciate it.

[iNate]

It's too early to tell.
Are you in need for such program?
How often do you think you'll use it ?
I think OBS is much more popular.

It's useful for recording desktop and webcam in different streams, which is really good for tutorial videos. For anything more advanced, you need to upgrade for more streams.

I think Logitech Capture is free and if you have a Logitech Webcam you're probably better off just using that. It has hardware encode support, so you can capture even demanding applications without affecting performance.

OP should consider OBS. You only learn things once, and shying away from something just because it's is a bit harder to learn does nothing but leave you in a position where you cannot take advantage of the fantastic solutions that exist, which allow you to accomplish so much at so little cost.

Once you learn how to use OBS, even at a basic level... other software with somewhat high learning curve becomes easier. It's how those of us "nerds" increased out computer literacy and proficiency with software...

OBS is probably best the best and most widely documented recording and streaming solutions on the planet... It's only hard to use if you don't know how to read.

[RobertOZ]

Let's be honest here, unless you need MultiCam features, the program is as useful as an ashtray on a motor bike, for most users LSC is all that is needed, it is very user friendly and reliable and for Corel to have removed LSC is just plain ridiculous.

[RobCom]

Thanks for the input guys, I'm picking up a second webcam this week, this one is going to be a "Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam – Full 1080p HD Camera" with background replacement. (I guess I can download software from the Logitech site, I'll look for Logitech capture and give it a try, if its free)

And like I said, I have nothing personal against OBS, I have used it a few times for quite awhile actually, had a lot of problems with audio, used the forums, waited for updates, it's a VERY powerful program, it's just not for me at this time.

I have watched some videos on MutliCam capture and I really like the way it's laid out and tied into the video creating software, although it was Pinnacle it's the same capture app.

I have NO aversion to reading or trial and error, I am just time starved right now and looking for something simple and convenient.

I picked up the 2019 upgrade on sale (or discount), and so far I'm really enjoying it, and like Nate said I will only need to upgrade if I want more streams.

thanks again for all the input.

[iNate]

Thanks for the input guys, I'm picking up a second webcam this week, this one is going to be a "Logitech C922x Pro Stream Webcam – Full 1080p HD Camera" with background replacement. (I guess I can download software from the Logitech site, I'll look for Logitech capture and give it a try, if its free)

And like I said, I have nothing personal against OBS, I have used it a few times for quite awhile actually, had a lot of problems with audio, used the forums, waited for updates, it's a VERY powerful program, it's just not for me at this time.

I have watched some videos on MutliCam capture and I really like the way it's laid out and tied into the video creating software, although it was Pinnacle it's the same capture app.

I have NO aversion to reading or trial and error, I am just time starved right now and looking for something simple and convenient.

I picked up the 2019 upgrade on sale (or discount), and so far I'm really enjoying it, and like Nate said I will only need to upgrade if I want more streams.

thanks again for all the input.

Make sure you get Logitech Capture. It's free from their website. You may not need anything more than that

Don't install that Chroma Key software that's bundled with the camera (forget what it's called). It's bad. Logitech Capture does all the Chroma Keying and stuff (it's Logitech's new screen capture and webcam software), and it has HW Encoding for Intel and Nvidia (maybe AMD, but I don't have an AMD machine to test it on).

I use the Pro Stream, as well. I love the desktop Tripod they give you with it!

The microphones are useless, though (low bit rate, tons of reverb, etc.), so I'd get some sort of desktop microphone as well and just never use the one in the Web Cam.

[Davidk]

I am with Robert on this one. LSC was simple, intuitive and easy to use and effective - and until MCCL came along, I did not appreciate just how good (a gem!) LSC is.
Comparatively:
- the basic LSC go/stop/full screen or custom window is always 'on top" - that is, displayed over whatever program image was on your screen: start a new program, and the LSC UI appears on it automatically, within a second. Being small, you could move it around to be out of the way of your main image whilst setting up the capture you wanted. Always "on top" is a standard windows function that can be called by the program code: but programmers have to use it.
- MCCL is not "on top" unless it is the last program you started.
- LSC works with the resolution of your screen: you cannot get more resolution than the screen will provide, eg 1440x900, but any capture program should give you whatever image is displayed there.
- MCCL does a resolution test on it's first start, and usually tells you that the hardware you have will only be good for a choice of 3 resolution sets, and (usually) defaults to the lowest. In my case, something like 800x500 - only a little more than half what the screen was capable of. The capability of the CPU (eg 5 core high clock rate lots of RAM) does not seem to matter. For a screen capture program, that's ludicrous.
- when LSC is started, you can see the screen that you want capture.
- when MCCL is started, it's program interface basically blocks out the whole screen. Getting a custom capture - like the preview window of YouTube - is an exercise in finger acrobatics using various function and control keys. It's not intuitive, there is no doco - no mention of it in the 2019 user guide - and it's basically a case of 'find out for yourself'. If you start it on a laptop, the image presented in the program interface on screen is what your webcam is seeing - you, probably. So the first thing you would need to do in capturing an image from the net or anywhere else is to turn that off.

MCC was apparently designed as a multi-camera capture and control program. MCCL is the lite version, supposedly for screen capture. Corel calls this "award winning software", and removed LSC in it's favour as part of 2019. Beyond ludicrous, I call that a travesty. Comparing the two packages for screen capture - MCCL is over engineered, under performing and ugly to use.

If you have VS2018 or earlier and like LSC, the only way to avoid MCCL is to either not buy 2019, or not remove the old VS version you have, so that LSC is available to you. You can have more than one version of VS installed, the only constraint is that only one can be operating at the time.

Updated
Alternatively, use one of the freeware/shareware capture programs that have been discussed.

[lata]

As a screen capture I have no problems in using MCCL

Two panels open which defaults to capturing the full screen although we can select a capture window or user defined area
Hit F9 and the large panel disappears leaving a panel looking like the 2018 LSC

I cannot comment on multi camera captures, have not tested that
however using a laptop with web cam does show but can be easily preselected with a click of the mouse
The scan is a load of rubbish and should be ignored, maybe Corel will fix that?

it's new, a bit of a learning curve, as a screen capture it does work, at least I do not have a problem

[Davidk]

Note that I didn't say it did not work: just that compared to LSC, it was rubbish bin material, best avoided if possible.