VodBurner does this to minimize CPU usage when recording, so that call quality is not affected. VodBurner does not use standard compression (e.g. WMV) during the actual call, partly because this can use up valuable CPU time, which could cause quality problems in the call. (NOTE: VodBurner does use WMV to compress the finished video after editing).

However, as of version 1.0.3, VodBurner provides options to allow you to reduce the disk space required to record calls.

(NOTE: These options are available only to VodBurner subscribers and people who have purchased a lifetime license).

To see the options available to you, click the “Disk Space” tab in the main VodBurner window:

VodBurner Disk Usage

There are some basic options for convenience, and some advanced options if you need more control.

To see the advanced options, click the “Advanced” radio button:

VodBurner Advanced Disk Usage and Quality Settings

There are two ways to reduce disk space usage: “Set frame rate” and “Compress frames”. “Set frame rate” has a trade-off in recording quality (but not call quality). “Compress frames” has no trade-off on most PCs, but may affect call quality on older less powerful PCs. “Compress frames” uses proprietary VodBurner lossless compression, so the actual frame quality is not affected, and CPU use is kept to a minimum.

You can use a combination of the two, and choose whether to apply to both sides of the call, or just one side, depending on your needs.

To find out what will suit you best, start recording a video call. Click the “Disk Space” tab and you will see information regarding your call:

VodBurner Disk Usage and Quality Information

Look at the disk space usage per minute, and see whether this is acceptable for you. If you have plenty of disk space you may be happy to leave the settings as they are, and be assured that your calls and recordings are the best quality possible.

However if the disk space usage is a problem for you, click the “Advanced” radio button. Then reduce VodBurner’s disk space usage by clicking both of the “Compress frames” options. Keep an eye on the call frame rate though, to make sure that this is not lowered. If it is lowered, you will need to decide whether to accept a lower frame rate during calls.

By doing this you will usually reduce disk space usage by a ratio of 2:1 to 3:1 or more. If this is not enough, or if there is an unacceptable impact on the call frame rate, try reducing the recording frame rate. This will affect the finished video, making it appear more jerky, but rates of around 15 frames per second are quite suitable for many needs.

Move the sliders and watch the effects on the disk space usage and frame rates stats. You may need to experiment with this over the course of a few calls, so that you can see the effect on the finished video.

(Hint: If you think your viewers will be more interested in the interviewee than they are in you, you might want to make the “This Side” frame rate low, while keeping the “Other Side” frame rate high).

All of the options described above can be changed at any time, either during a call, or before, after and between calls. Find the combination that suits you best and VodBurner will use those settings for all calls.

If you have problems with, or questions about the features described above, please contact VodBurner Support.

You can easily disable this option so that you have the option to record Skype video calls manually (you do this by hitting the “Record” button).

To disable the “Start recording automatically when each call starts” option, do the following:

Click on VodBurner >Options tab (shown below):

VodBurner Options Tab

Click on the ‘Configure’ button

VodBurner Options Recording Tab

There you have it. If you have any questions, please contact us.

1. Double-click on the VodBurner icon in your system tray to launch VodBurner:

2. In VodBurner, click on the Options tab, then click on the Purchase/Activate VodBurner button to launch the VodBurner Licensing Wizard

3. In the VodBurner Licensing Wizard, click Activate Now (with serial key previously acquired) and click Next.  

4. Enter in your serial key and click Next.

5. VodBurner should then notify you that it has been activated.

If you are having trouble with your VodBurner serial key, contact us and we’ll sort it out for you.

CallBurner Call Recorder: Crisp, clean recordings of Skype calls

Crisp, clean recording of Skype calls with an interface that’s easy to use.
Supports MP3, WAV and WMA formats.
Features anti-drift, option for each side of a call to go to separate file, conversion of voicemail to MP3.
Free 30 day trial. After that, still free if other side also has CallBurner, or purchase a lifetime license.

Free Download at www.callburner.com

Skylook for Microsoft Outlook & Skype: Premium Integration

With SkyLook you can use Skype to call Microsoft Outlook contacts,
record calls, and have voicemails delivered to your inbox.

Records Skype calls to MP3, WAV and WMA formats.
Features anti-drift, option for each side of a call to go to separate file, conversion of voicemail to MP3.

Free Download at www.skylook.biz

Or, click here for direct download link.

Having trouble downloading VodBurner?

Lean more about the new VodBurner Compression options.

(NOTE: VodBurner is a Windows only product and does not run on Macs).

Top up your Skype Credit Balance

Purchase a SkypeIn Phone Number

Activate a Skype Calling Subscription – no long-term contract required

Get a new Skype Webcam for clearer video

Get a new Skype Headset for clearer audio

Follow the steps below and you should be up and running in less than five minutes.

1. Run the installer when prompted by your browser.

2. Follow the instructions in the installation wizard.

3. The VodBurner licensing and startup wizards will be displayed.

4. Follow these installation instructions to ensure that VodBurner can properly connect to Skype:

Which version of Skype do you have installed?

I have Skype version 4.2 or later
I have Skype version 4.0 or later
I have Skype version 3.8 or later
I have Skype version 3.6 or earlier
I’m not sure – how do I tell?

Installation instructions for Skype version 4.0 & 4.2 or later.
Skype should show an “Allow access” button near the top right hand side of the main Skype window. Click it to allow VodBurner to connect to Skype. (NOTE: If the right-hand panel is hidden in your Skype, Skype will instead pop up a separate window for you to allow access).

If you don’t see the button, go to Tools > Options > Advanced and click “Manage other programs access to Skype” near the bottom of the page. If VodBurner appears in the list, click it and click the “Change” button to alter permissions.

If VodBurner is not in the list, reboot your PC and try again.

If you still don’t see it, it is possible that security software is getting in the way. For example, Auslogics has an option to disable the Skype public API. Turning this option off (or similar options in other products) should resolve the issue.

Installation instructions for Skype version 3.8 or later.
a. When VodBurner connects to Skype for the first time, a balloon will above your Windows system tray. Click on Click here to accept/deny.

b. The Skype Client window will appear. Click on the text VodBurner.exe.

c. The Skype security window will appear (as pictured below). Select the Allow this program to use Skype option and click OK.

Installation instructions for Skype version 3.6 or earlier.
When VodBurner connects to Skype for the first time, you will see a standard security dialog that Skype shows for all third party applications that use Skype. It is designed to stop unauthorised software accessing Skype. You must click one of the “Allow…” options in order for VodBurner to operate. If you accidentally click OK before setting the option correctly, you can follow these instructions to allow VodBurner to access Skype.

How to tell which version of Skype you have installed
a. Double click on the green Skype icon in your system tray, or open Skype if it isn’t already running. Click on the Skype Help Menu, and then click About (as pictured below):

b. The version of Skype you currently have installed is shown (in bold):

7. Click here for a full list of VodBurner Prerequisites.

For other calls, some features are free and some require you to purchase a license ($99.95 USD one-off payment, or $9.95 USD per month):

Click here to see how to purchase

Questions? Click here to contact Support

1. Turn down the speaker volume in your Windows settings (NOTE: Don’t alter your Skype volume setting unless you want to change the actual volume of sound in the recording itself).

2. If you still hear an echo, or if the volume is now below a comfortable setting for you to listen to the call, try using a headset, or alter the positioning of your speakers if possible to be directed away from the microphone.

The caller can leave you a message, and you can listen to the message on your PC within the Skype application.

An additional use of Skype Voicemail is that you are able to send someone a voice message without actually calling them. You right-click your contact in Skype, choose the “Send Voicemail” option, then Skype records your message and sends it to the contact. This is useful if you don’t want to disturb the other person or if you don’t wish to start a conversation with the person at this time.

Skype Voicemail Prerequisites

To use Skype Voicemail:

• You need a PC with broadband internet access.
• You need Skype installed on the PC (this is a free download and you can see how to install it on our Skype page).
• Either you or the other person need a Skype Voicemail subscription or a SkypeIn number If you want to take messages from normal phones, get a SkypeIn number – Voicemail comes free with that. To see pricing for a SkypeIn number, and to buy if you wish, click here. To see pricing for a Skype Voicemail subscription, and to buy if you wish (not needed if you buy a SkypeIn number) click here.

Setting up Skype Voicemail

Once you have everything as described in the list above, follow these steps to start sending and receiving voicemail messages on your PC:

• In Skype, go to Tools > Voicemail… on the main Skype menu.
• Make sure the box Send unanswered calls to Skype Voicemail is checked.
• Click the Advanced settings link to the right of the “Send unanswered calls to Skype Voicemail” checkbox to tell Skype when you want Voicemail answering to take calls for you.
• Click OK in the Advanced Settings window and in the main Options window.
• If you wish to have Skype Voicemail sent to your Outlook inbox, click here for further instructions.

Skype Voicemail features

After you have followed the steps above, this is what Skype will now allow you to do:

• If you don’t answer a call within the number of seconds specified in the Advanced Settings dialog above, the caller will hear a recorded message and will be able to leave a message for you.
• If a call comes in and you click the Hang Up button, the caller will hear a recorded message (same message as above) and will be able to leave a message for you
• If your PC is switched off, or if you are not logged into Skype when a caller tries to call you, the caller will hear a recorded message (same message as above) and will be able to leave a message for you
• If you make a call to someone else and they are unavailable, you will be able to leave a message for them (even if they haven’t purchased a Skype Voicemail subscription themselves).
• If you want to leave someone a message, even if they are available (i.e. you don’t want to talk to them right now but you do want to send them a voice message), you can right-click their contact details in Skype and choose the Send Voicemail option.
• If you want to record your own message (rather than use the standard Skype recorded message), you can do so via Tools > Voicemail…. (Click the Record button near the bottom of the window).

Integration with Outlook

Skylook is a powerful software integration with Skype & Microsoft Outlook which is developed by the creators of VodBurner. Skylook offers you these additional voicemail features if you use Outlook 2000/2002/XP/2003/2007. To find out more, click on the links:

• Voicemail messages in your Outlook inbox.
• Automatically forward Voicemails to any email address.
• Convert Voicemails to MP3 for manual forwarding and permanent storage.
• Manage follow-up for Voicemails.

Alternatives

Skylook offers an alternative that has some advantages and disadvantages in comparison to Skype Voicemail.

This alternative is an answering machine built into Outlook. Depending on what you want to achieve, you may find that the Skylook Answering Machine is a better fit for you, or you may find that you can make use of both Skype Voicemail and the Skylook Answering Machine.

Click here to download VodBurner.

Click here to download VodBurner.