Q&A with Stepok Image Lab about Screen Anytime product
Stepok Image Lab is a technology-focused company with extensive experience in the field of image processing, boasting an array of products catering to diverse customers, ranging from everyday photographers to business users. One of their standout creations is the product “Screen Anytime“. This innovative tool utilizes a unique video compression algorithm, specially designed for recording screen activities, enabling users to seamlessly capture and store every window session as video files for future use.
You might wonder, why would anyone need to record all screen activities? What are the benefits of such an approach?
SourceForge had the opportunity to have an interview with Qi Chen, the founder of Stepok Image Lab, to gain insights into how their product “Screen Anytime” can be advantageous to users like you.
Why Record All Screen Activities?
In the realm of computer and server monitoring, the conventional approach involves maintaining various text logs, and numerous IT monitoring products are available in the market to fulfill this purpose. However, despite the thoughtfulness of text-based solutions, there are always events that may slip through the cracks and remain uncaptured. Administrators often wish for a tool that allows them to retrace specific moments and witness precisely what occurred on the screen. They seek a means to track user actions, such as button clicks, displayed messages, feedback, and the real-time status of relevant software.
The crux of the matter is that unforeseen details can only be thoroughly investigated if all screen activities are meticulously recorded for every user on all computers and servers. Whether it’s a Windows session facilitated through RDP/TS, VNC, or remote APP.
Consider it similar to having a security camera surveillance system in your workplace; just as you need it to oversee your physical surroundings, Screen Anytime serves as your digital watchman, diligently covering all computer screens to provide a comprehensive record of activities. By doing so, it empowers administrators to delve into the minutiae of any past event and gain valuable insights for improved efficiency and security.
Why does Screen Anytime solely focus on screen recording instead of offering a full IT monitoring solution?
There are three key reasons for this strategic choice:
- Diverse Customer Needs: Our customer base spans a wide range of industries and requirements, from server RDP activity tracking to employee monitoring and educational content filtering. Providing a single solution to meet all these diverse needs is impractical. By focusing on exceptional screen recording as a standalone feature, each customer can benefit according to their specific use case.
- Complementing Existing Solutions: Many of our customers already have established computer monitoring systems in place. By offering Screen Anytime as an additional tool, we prevent feature duplication and potential conflicts with their current setup. This seamless integration ensures a smoother monitoring experience.
- Emphasis on Simplicity: We prioritize simplicity to offer a user-friendly product. Concentrating on screen recording allows for easy comprehension, quick learning, and straightforward maintenance, saving valuable time and costs for our customers. We then enhance this core functionality with valuable features such as search options, export capabilities, and centralized management. In essence, Screen Anytime’s specialized focus on screen recording caters to diverse needs, complements existing solutions, and ensures a simple yet feature-rich experience for our customers.
Would recording all screen activities for all users consume significant resources?
Yes, recording all screen activities for multiple users can result in considerable data size and resource usage. Let’s take an example of a company with 32 monitored computers, each operating at a desktop resolution of 1920×1080, with users working for 8 hours a day involving various text, images, and videos. Using the standard H264 video format, the file size for 32 PCs could be as large as 30GB per day. Additionally, the video compression process itself can significantly strain CPU resources.
To address this challenge, Stepok Image Lab has dedicated efforts to research and develop a specialized codec, known as Stepok Screen Codec (currently at version 3.0), designed specifically for compressing screen activity videos. This codec offers distinct advantages, running faster and generating much smaller output compared to standard video compression algorithms, especially for screen-related content.
With the Stepok Screen Codec, the typical file size for 32 computers in a day can range from 3.2GB to 10GB (approximately 100-300MB per computer per day), depending on the users’ on-screen activities. Notably, data-heavy activities like streaming videos on platforms like YouTube and Instagram may result in larger file sizes. Additionally, the CPU usage for the compression process remains modest, usually under 1%.
For typical office work scenarios, where text and graphs dominate, the file size can be as small as 50MB per computer per day. Furthermore, the codec offers customization options, allowing users to fine-tune the compression efficiency according to their resource utilization concerns.
What can I do with the recorded files?
With Screen Anytime’s recorded files at your disposal, you can:
- Replay and Review: Easily access and replay any recorded file, organized by computer, user, and time, for thorough examination of past screen activities.
- Keyword Search: Quickly find specific moments using the convenient keyword search feature, based on text within the windows’ titles.
- Export and Share: Effortlessly export selected video clips in formats like mp4 or avi for seamless sharing and collaboration.
- Time Statistics: Gain valuable insights into user computer usage over time, making it useful for monitoring employee productivity.
- ‘Wall of Screens’ Function (Server Edition): Get real-time visibility into ongoing activities with the ‘wall of screens’ feature in the server edition.
- Audio Recording: Capture audio from the microphone along with screen activities, providing a comprehensive understanding of each recorded moment.
Is the license a permanent one or a subscription?
The license for Screen Anytime is a permanent one. Upon purchase, you only need to make a one-time payment, and you can use the software as long as your hardware supports it. The license does not expire, providing you with continuous access to the product’s functionalities.
- Support and Service Duration: With your purchase, you’ll receive three years of support and service, including free upgrades during this period. After the initial three-year duration, you can continue using the version you have indefinitely, even if you choose not to renew the support and service package.
- Free Trial and Discounts: If you are uncertain about how Screen Anytime can benefit your business, you can take advantage of the 60-day full-function free trial to evaluate its capabilities. Additionally, if you require multiple licenses or plan to place an order as a reseller, you can reach out to us for a quotation that may include special discounts.
For further information or to get in touch with us, please visit our website. We eagerly await your inquiry and the opportunity to assist you with your screen recording needs.
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