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Current Version

New! ScreenFlow 3.0.3 available
Download now | Release notes

Previous Releases

ScreenFlow 2.1.11 | Release Notes

For access to previous versions of
ScreenFlow, please contact support.

Purchase Assistance

Need assistance with a previous purchase?

If purchased before August 26, 2008, email us at: desktopsupport@telestream.net

If purchased after August 26, 2008,
click here for instructions on how to:

Re-download your product
Print a receipt
Obtain your serial numbers
Access your order history

ScreenFlow Frequently Asked Questions

Requirements & Capabilities

Am I eligible for a free upgrade to version 3? How do I get it?
If you purchased ScreenFlow 2.x between March 15, 2011 and August 10, 2011 you are eligible for a free upgrade to version 3. If you did not receive your free coupon via email, please contact support and we'll send it to you.

I'm getting the message: "You're up to date!" even though I don't have ScreenFlow 3.
ScreenFlow 3 requires Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.4 or higher. If you are running a previous operating system, ScreenFlow will not prompt you to upgrade to version 3. You can either update to the latest version of 2.x from our download page (under "Previous Versions). Or you can update your Mac OS to enjoy the new features of ScreenFlow 3.

I purchased ScreenFlow from your website. Can I convert my license to the Mac App Store version?
Unfortunately, the license is not transferrable, however, the version you have through our web store will have access to the updates about a week before the app store purchases will because of the time it takes for the update to be approved by Apple.

We also provide upgrades to the latest version for a fractional upgrade fee, whereas we cannot guarantee that will be the case for future upgrades on the Mac App Store

What are the differences between buying on your website versus on the Mac App Store?
Releases: If you buy from our website, you will often get software updates sooner. We have more control of releases on our website. When we have a new release/software update, we will generally upload it to our website immediately, and also upload it to the Mac App Store. However, the App store has an approval process that is out of our control. We have found that it takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for our app to be approved once uploaded.

Software bundles: We have more flexibility on our website, and may sometimes offer bundles for a discount. The app store does not give us the flexibility of doing that.

Future upgrades: The cost of future upgrades still needs to be determined. On the Mac App Store, it will depend on what Apple allows when that times rolls around. Currently, paid upgrades are not possible on the Mac App Store, so upgrades may end up being full price there, whereas on our store we can control the price. Just know that we never want to create a disincentive for people to purchase from the Telestream web store.

Pricing: On our website, the price of ScreenFlow is USD $99. Our web store has a process that converts that USD price to local currencies daily. On the Mac App Store, we choose "Pricing Tier" 60 for our application, which is $99.99 USD. The App Store then converts that to local currency also.

Licenses: Licenses purchased on our site allow for 2 activations. Those bought on the Mac App Store allow you to use the software on any Mac you use.

Update notifications: One of the advantages of using the App Store for many people is the ability to consolidate all app purchases into one location, which makes it easy to see when updates are updates. If you purchase from our website, your ScreenFlow application will alert you when there is an update when you open your app.

I bought ScreenFlow on the Mac App Store and the version number is not the same as on the Telestream Website; am I running the latest version of ScreenFlow?
Yes, we will always have the latest version of ScreenFlow on the Mac App Store. Due to different licensing models, it might not be the same version number as the ScreenFlow on the Telestream Web.

Does ScreenFlow support Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard, Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger or 10.3 Panther?
ScreenFlow requires the unique Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard features, and does not run on older versions of Mac OS X (such as Leopard, Tiger or Panther). The latest version of ScreenFlow 2 does run on Leopard, but we recommend that you update to ScreenFlow 3 for updated features and functionality.

Does ScreenFlow support Mac OS X 10.7 Lion?
Yes, ScreenFlow 3 supports the Lion operating system, and takes advantage of many of the Lion features such as automatic save, version control and overlay scroll bars.

Do you have any plans to offer ScreenFlow for Windows?
Telestream has no plans to develop ScreenFlow for Windows at this time. We recommend using Parallels or VMWare to simulate a Windows environment. However, some features may not work in a simulated environment.

Does ScreenFlow work with Parallels or VMware?
Since ScreenFlow captures everything on your monitor, both Parallels and VMware are supported (including Computer Audio output). However, ScreenFlow cannot use the Callout features as these are dependent upon unique information provided by Mac OS X.

Telestream has run ScreenFlow with Parallels in all modes (Coherence, Window, and Full Screen) without issue. In fact, using Parallels / VMware, some users have reported ScreenFlow to produce smoother output while using less CPU than native Windows screen capture applications.

What kind of graphics card should I use?
ScreenFlow requires a Quartz Extreme-capable graphics card. If you are unsure if your graphics card is supported, please download our evaluation versions; ScreenFlow will notify you if it is not supported. You can expect most Mac hardware made in the last five years to fully support Quartz Extreme graphics cards.

ScreenFlow uses video RAM (or VRAM) during the recording process, so it is important to have a graphics card with at least 64 MB of VRAM, but we recommend 128 MB. The amount of VRAM necessary to record smooth video depends on your display resolution and whether or not other applications are simultaneously using VRAM. If you have insufficient VRAM, the recording will drop frames and the video will appear to be skipping.

Does ScreenFlow support audio interface or mixing devices?
ScreenFlow does not support audio interface or mixing devices. However, many of these devices will work with ScreenFlow if the audio is routed properly. The two most common settings issues can be resolved by setting your device to 44.1 kHz and Channel 1. If you are having trouble with your mixer, we recommend posting your issue on our forum .

Does ScreenFlow support closed captioning?
ScreenFlow does not support closed captioning. This process is performed following video production in a separate application specifically designed for closed captioning.

What are the limitations of ScreenFlow in demo mode (prior to purchase)?
All features of ScreenFlow are fully functional in demo mode. The only limitation to ScreenFlow prior to purchase is that it watermarks exported video.

What media formats can I import into ScreenFlow?
ScreenFlow supports video and audio file formats and codecs that QuickTime Player can play back in Mac OS X10.6.x or higher.

The current list can be found on Apple's site: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3775

Can I use ScreenFlow to record the output of a projector?
Yes, it is possible to set up a projector output as you would a dual monitor. However, we have received some reports of crashing or artifacting when attempting to record a projector in a 'dual monitor' setup. If this happens, try changing your projector resolution to one of the following displays: 1280 x 800, 1600 x 1024,1344 x 1008 or
1280 x 1024.

Please also refer to Can I change my display resolution while recording?

Operations

I exported my video, but it looks fuzzy or blurry. What can I do to make it look better?
When using ScreenFlow, it can be difficult to record your entire display at full resolution then compress that data into a low-resolution video while still retaining your necessary level of image clarity. Here are a few things you can do:

1) Export using the Lossless setting. Lossless is an uncompressed video format. As long as you do not lower the resolution, it is identical to the original recording, but results in a large file size. This is ideal if you require additional editing or reformatting outside of ScreenFlow before publishing it.

2) Reduce your display resolution before recording (in System Preferences/Displays). By reducing your display resolution before recording, you require less compression later in your workflow. We recommend that you decide what size you want your video to be in advance. Then, lower your display resolution as close to that as possible, but no smaller. If you use a smaller resolution than your output, you will lose image clarity.

3) Use the scale and zoom functions in ScreenFlow. If you do not want to reduce your display resolution or export to a large, uncompressed format, your best option is to use Video Properties > Scale or Callout Action > Zoom. These functions allow you to increase the visibility on a specific portion of the recording which can be valuable for maintaining clarity in a heavily compressed video.

4) Keep in mind that text is the hardest object to reproduce clearly in digital video. Digital video was not designed to recreate detailed figures like text. It was designed to map color spaces, so the thin lines of text can be particularly difficult to recreate. If you have text in your project, it is best to use the Scale feature or to increase the text size before recording.

How do you designate a recording area?
Although many screen capture programs function by designating a recording area, ScreenFlow does not. ScreenFlow captures the entire screen and all of its contents. This enables you to make use of the entire screen during the editing process in post-production.

When using a program which designates a recording space, you may unexpectedly move outside of this space due to a menu option or pop-up. If your recording space is preset, there is no way to recover this lost information. With ScreenFlow's reliance on post-production editing, you can move outside your area of focus when necessary.

If you are recording a small video area and you are concerned that a full screen recording will take up unnecessary disk space, ScreenFlow's adaptive recording method captures minimal information on parts of the screen where there is no action, so this has very little effect on file size.

How do I use ScreenFlow to record my iPod/iPhone/iPad?
ScreenFlow cannot record these devices directly, but can record demonstrations using the XCODE simulator on Mac OS X.

Can I export Flash from ScreenFlow?
Yes, ScreenFlow can export to F4V, a Flash format. It cannot export to FLV or SWF. If you would like to modify the behavior of your Flash file, this can be done manually with knowledge of Flash code.

Will ScreenFlow automatically turn off the ScreenSaver when it records?
ScreenFlow does not automatically turn off the screen saver. If you are planning to record a long Screencast without using the keyboard or mouse, go to System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver, click the Screen Saver tab, and set the slider to Never until your recording is complete.

If your desktop is set to sleep when inactive, this can interfere with your recording as well. To disable sleep, go to System Preferences > Energy Saver and move the sliders to Never.

How can I share my screencasts?
ScreenFlow features the option to upload your screencasts directly to YouTube or Vimeo directly from within the program.

How do I record a conversation on Skype?
Recording a Skype conversation requires proper configuration of your settings in both ScreenFlow and Skype. For detailed instructions, please review Recording Skype interviews on our ScreenFlow blog.

Can I change my display resolution while recording?
No. Changing your display resolution while ScreenFlow is recording will cause distortion and other possible problems. We recommend you set your display resolution before starting to record, and don't change it. If you discover you need to change the size of your screen, you can do so in post-production, or you can reset your display resolution and try to re-record your screencast.

Note:
Plugging in certain projectors can cause your computer's display resolution to automatically change. If you want to use ScreenFlow on a computer plugged into a projector, we recommend you plug in your projector first, then start the screen recording.

Technical Problems

I purchased ScreenFlow years ago, recently updated, and now it says that I'm not licensed. What happened?
ScreenFlow has three different licenses based on current and prior models of the application. The original Vara license (version 1.2.1 and earlier) can be identified by its use of all lower-case letters. If you are using this license, please contact desktopsupport@telestream.net and you will be issued a version 1.5 license.

The ScreenFlow 1.5 license can be identified by the VMSF001 prefix. If you are using this license, it will only work for ScreenFlow 1.5.x. If you would like to upgrade to version 3.x, there is a $49 upgrade fee. Go to ScreenFlow > Preferences > Licenses and click Upgrade License.

If you have any problems, please contact support.

My USB microphone and iSight camera are out of sync. What should I do?
If the audio and video are out of sync, try using the audio input on the computer (not the USB input) as there can be a latency problem between USB input and the iSight camera. This is particularly evident when recording a "talking head." Use a mic that utilizes the audio input into the computer.

Why is my CMYK graphic file showing up as blank in ScreenFlow?
CMYK files are designed primarily for graphic printing; ScreenFlow does not use CMYK files. It is best to use RGB color profile when working with still images.

I recently upgraded Flip4Mac and tried to export to Windows Media, but I get a Parameter Out of Range error message. What can I do to fix this?
When using Flip4Mac WMV Studio to export Windows Media Videos from ScreenFlow, you may encounter a Parameter Out of Range error message. Prior to upgrading to WMV Studio, you were able to preview configurations only supported by WMV Studio Pro or WMV Studio Pro HD using Flip4Mac in demo mode. To avoid this error when you export to WMV, select Export/WMV/Customize and choose one of the presets from the Profiles pull-down menu.

When I use the Callout Action to highlight the Foreground Window, it does not focus on the Foreground Window - what can I do?
First, make sure the recording for which you are trying to highlight the foreground window, was recorded using ScreenFlow. Also, there is a known issue with Chrome and using this function. Try recording using a non-Chrome browser. Thirdly, as a workaround, in ScreenFlow 3 you can use Freehand Callouts to manually highlight your foreground window.

Why are my chapter markers not placed correctly when viewing my screencast in QuickTime X or VLC?
These applications expect a chapter marker on the first frame of video. If there is no chapter marker, it will move your chapter markers to compensate. You can circumvent this problem by creating a chapter marker on your first frame of video.

I opened my ScreenFlow version 2.x project in demo mode of ScreenFlow Version 3.x, and now I can't open my project in ScreenFlow 2.
Because of the autosave feature in Mac OS X Lion, it's possible to open a ScreenFlow 2.x project in a demo version of ScreenFlow 3 and unknowingly have it save in ScreenFlow 3 – thereby making it impossible to open again in ScreenFlow 2. If this happens, please contact Support, and we'll help you access your project.

I tried recording a video in DVD Player/iTunes/QuickTime, but all I get is a white and gray checker pattern. What happened?
With the introduction of OSX 10.7 Lion, Apple added security measures to prevent copying content from these applications. Since this is applied on the OS level, this is not something that we are capable of circumventing.

When I try to publish to Vimeo, I get an error that says, "401 Unauthorized – Invalid timestamp." How can I get around this error?
This is a timestamp discrepancy error resulting from your system time being at least a few minutes off from the Vimeo server. Go to System Preferences > Date & Time and make sure that your time is synced to Apple.

For more information, see Vimeo's community forum.

Why do I get a -49 error when I export from ScreenFlow?
This is caused by a conflict with Time Machine's snapshot function and it affects QuickTime-based media applications like iMovie or ScreenFlow. This affects the following export options: Lossless, Web – High, and Web - Low. This does not affect exports that don't depend on QuickTime: iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, iPod, or the "publish to" options.

To fix this issue, you must disable Time Machine's snapshot function during export. You can then re-enable it after export. This can be done using Terminal commands from the Terminal application located in Applications/Utilities.

NOTE: Be extremely careful when using Terminal. It is a direct command-line interface into UNIX, the underpinning of OSX. Unlike the Finder, there are few protections against making a mistake, which can cause untold damage.

After launching Terminal, you should see a prompt that looks like this:

<ComputerName>:~ <user name>$

The following commands must be entered exactly as written to be effective. You must hit Return or Enter after typing the command to activate it.

To turn Snapshots ON: sudo tmutil enablelocal
To turn Snapshots OFF: sudo tmutil disablelocal
To make a Snapshot: tmutil snapshot

For these first two commands, you will see a warning message, and asked for your Admin password (which won't be shown as you type it). Press Return again. There will be no confirmation message; just another prompt. Quit Terminal after use.

Notes:
If you turn snapshots off (or turn Time Machine OFF via the Preferences panel), all existing Snapshots will be deleted (that may take a while).

You cannot enable or disable snapshots on a specific volume. This command effects all volumes, but they will be made or deleted independently, according to the space on each volume.

For more information: http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/30.html

I'm getting a "screenflow executable modified" error. What do I do?
The "executable modified" error message means that something else on your computer has invasively removed vital ScreenFlow components on your system. Most often, we see this error being caused by clean-up software such as MacKeeper or Clean My Mac. If you have these programs, you should add an exception for ScreenFlow to prevent this from happening again. Excluding ScreenFlow from their search and reinstalling the most updated version of ScreenFlow usually resolves this issue.

If you are unaware of such a program on your system, or are still getting this error, please contact us and we can help find what program may be causing the error.

Hinted tracks not supported
The hinted video track feature is not supported in ScreenFlow. Unfortunately we cannot remove this option from the UI because this feature is within QuickTime and cannot be modified. If you need a hinted video track, you can process the videos in QuickTime Player 7 or Episode.

Known conflicts with ScreenFlow:
There is a known conflict with FinderPop that causes ScreenFlow to crash. Try updating FinderPop, or if that doesn't work, disable it.

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