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Pack and Show

This option allows you to package your video for easy one-step distribution to your users. Pack and Show creates a Windows-executable file that users can simply double-click to unpack the file, install the TSCC codec and Camtasia Player (if you have included them) and play the movie.

Note: The TSCC codec is now built into the Camtasia Player. This means that you do not need to install the TSCC codec on the host machine in order to view the video with the TSCC if you are using Player for playback.

You have the options to include the TSCC codec and Camtasia Player in the package, so that they will be automatically installed on the user's computer.

When users receive the .EXE file, they simply double-click it to unpack it, install TSCC if desired, and show the movie.

There are two advantages to Pack and Show:

• Users get everything they need to view a TSCC-encoded movie.

• The packaging process may reduce the size of files to be distributed without affecting the movie quality. For example, when the movie contains uncompressed audio, the audio quality will be unaffected by packaging.

Instructions for using Pack and Show

Note: Depending on which type of video you select to package, the second Pack and Show Wizard screen explained in Step 2 below, will be different than the one shown in this particular set of instructions. This is because each type of video (SWF, AVI, WMV, etc.) has it's own set of unique options that will need to be set during the Pack and Show packaging process.

Note: The example shown in this set of instructions walks you through the AVI Pack and Show process. This is because this option contains many more options than either a SWF or WMV video file which typically will only have one or two options to choose from. Therefore, when creating a Pack and Show file, use these simple instructions substituting the wizard screen that is shown here in Step 2 with the one shown for your specific video type. After you have completed the second wizard screen, choose Next to continue with Step 3.

Step 1: Creating a Pack and Show File

Choose File > Pack and Show. The following Pack and Show Wizard dialog box displays.

In the Movie File Name field, click on the Browse button to browse and select the desired video.
The name of the executable file and its path is automatically populated in the Executable File Name field based upon the name of the video that was chosen. It is stored in the same directory as your selected video. You can accept the default entry or enter a new file name and/or path.

Once these fields are filled in, choose Next.

Step 2: Selecting the Pack and Show Options

Note: At this time, depending on which type of video you selected to package, the wizard screens will be different from the one shown. This is because each type of video has it's own set of unique options that needs to be set during the Pack and Show process. Therefore, substitute the wizard screen that is shown here in Step 2 with the one shown for your specific video type. Each file format Options screen will have instructions for selecting the desired options. After you have completed your second wizard screen, choose Next to continue with Step 3.

The Pack and Show Options dialog box is displayed for your specific type of video file format.

In this example, the TSCC AVI Options dialog displays for packaging an AVI video that has the TSCC codec built into it.

If you would like to use the default player that is on the host PC instead, then select the Use default player option. If desired, check the Include TSCC codec installer option.

By default, the Use Camtasia Player option is selected. The TSCC codec is built into the Camtasia Player. This means that you do not need to install the TSCC codec on the host machine in order to view the video with the TSCC if you are using Player for playback. Select the desired Player options. (Each of these is described in the following table.)

Player Options Description Table

The following table describes each of the Player options that can be included in your Pack and Show video.

Step 3: Select Package Video Options

The Package Video dialog box displays.

Enable the Package another movie option to package another movie using this wizard.

Enable the Run movie after packaging option to play the video after it has been packaged.

Step 4: Finishing Up

Choose Finish to start the packaging process. The packaging will begin and a status bar will display to alert you to the progress.

After the packaging process is complete, the video file is now packaged into an executable file and stored on your computer. If you opted to play the video after packaging, it will automatically begin playing.

To distribute the video, simply ship the file with the .EXE extension, instructing the recipient to double-click the file to open and play it.

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