iPad Screen Recording
There are a few options for recording your iPad screen. The easiest is to use a document camera or webcam. The advantage of this - you fingers can be seen in the recording, showing where you tap or drag. Below are three software solutions for recording the iPad screen. All three of these use a computer program with the iPad connected to the computer either through a cable or over a wireless connection.
iTools
- iTools is a free product from our friends from Hong Kong. It does mirroring and more. Recording a video with audio is an option - though not very well documented.
- Both Windows and OSX version are available, however we've had some problems getting the OSX version to work properly. iTools works best when iTunes is updated and working properly. If you have problems getting iTools to work, I've found that reinstalling iTunes will frequently solve the problem.
- Run iTools by connecting your iPad directly to your computer via a USB Sync cable and turning on your iPad. There is a slight delay when using your iPad and viewing the screen in iTools. Click the Desktop button on the left and then Live Desktop. It is common for the edges of the mirrored image to be truncated. I haven't found a solution to this yet.
- To record - click the red circle on the blue button on the bottom of the screen. You may need to resize the screen by clicking on the edge of the mirrored image and dragging in order to see the record and other buttons.
- When recording - your voice, along with your screen actions will all be recorded as an AVI file.
Reflector and AirServer
- Reflector ($12.99) and AirServer ($11.99) are both great programs which must be installed onto your computer. Many teachers use these programs as alternatives to the Apple TV for mirroring and projecting their iPad screen to a projector via their computer.
- Both programs allow iPad recording, however AirServer's site says that recording only works with the OSX version. The Reflector program saves video as MP4. There is no truncation or delay between what is done on the screen and what is displayed or recorded.
- Both programs connect from the iPad to your computer wirelessly and can be quirky to get working 100% of the time on some networks. When working they are awesome programs well worth and trying out. Note: In order to work properly, the programs may need certain network ports to be open, which means getting your technology folks involved.
- Reflector - records with all operating systems and it allows the user to set a frame around the iPad (white or black) so it look more like an iPad. In addition, the displayed image with Reflector seems to be crisper than the AirServer displayed image.