Video resources

Linden Lab is aware that File menu > Start/Stop Movie to Disk is not guaranteed to work, depending on various factors like your make and model of computer, the video codecs you have installed, etc. Generally speaking, it works for "some" Residents but not others, and work hasn't been done (or deemed high-priority enough) to improve the built-in movie recorder — this is in part because there are a selection of 3rd-party tools which, while not necessarily free, offer more power and control than SL's own.

This page's purpose is to provide a list of those alternatives with anecdotal experiences, and maybe include workarounds/fixes for getting the built-in recorder to work correctly.

Movie recording programs

Windows

Fraps (US$37, has demo) - This is probably the most popular video capture utility. With low CPU usage and a mature history of development, it's used by a number of notable Residents to make machinima. One disadvantage is that it doesn't have high compression options, so whatever you record will consume a lot of disk space and need encoding later. Torley Linden uses this to record raw material for Video Tutorials and video bug reproductions.

Mac

iShowU (US$20, has demo) - Anyone have experience with this?

Snapz Pro X (US$69, has demo) - Generally regarded as the Mac equivalent of Fraps in terms of its popularity with Residents, it's a tad on the pricey side but very elegantly-designed.

Linux

Any recommendations? Please add them using the above formatting.