Using Microsoft Expression Encoder with GoToMeeting v5.4

With the release of GoToMeeting v5.4, some of you have run into issues editing your new recordings in Microsoft Expression Encoder, here is the reason and solution.

Some changes made to the GoToMeeting codec in v5.4, this was done to add compatibility with Windows 8. MS Expression Encoder is having issues with the new codec which is why it cannot play/edit your new recordings.

GoToMeeting will be fixing this issue with the release of v5.5, but until then we have a new codec that you can download and install separately on your PC. If you are not comfortable following these steps, please call GoToMeetings toll free Support and one of the Support Representatives will connect to your PC and install the codec for you.

1. Download the GTM codec from here: https://citrix.sharefile.com/d/sb7d9ea8e2614c998  

2. Move the codec to your Desktop if it wasn’t saved there automatically.

3. Click Start > Programs > Accessories and then right click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator

4. In the Command Prompt type: CD \Users\yourname\Desktop (Where it says yourname enter your Windows login name i.e. if you login as Brian enter brian, if you login as Brian.Wilson enter brian.wilson), then hit Enter

5. In the Command Prompt type regsvr32 C:\Users\youname\Desktop\G2MCodec.dll then hit Enter

You should then see the following:

After you’ve successfully registered the new .dll, open Expression Encoder and re-encode the recordings you were having issues with earlier, Expression Encoder should work normally to convert the recordings.

3 Ways to remove the GoToMeeting codec from your recording.

As you may already know (or have just discovered), when you record a GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar or GoToTraining, a codec is applied to the WMV file.  The codec is used to compress the size of the recording, but unfortunately it can get in the way when you try to edit the file.

The good news is that you can always remove the codec from your recording, here are the 3 methods:

Method 1

Configure the GoToMeeting Recording Preferences to automatically remove the codec at the end of the session.  This is handy because it’s an automatic process but the down side is it ties up your PC right after your session.

Method 2

Use the free Expression Encoder from Microsoft as documented here to remove the codec and edit the recording.  The benefit of this method is it lets you remove to codec whenever you want plus you can edit the recording.  The downside is the free version of this application does not let you convert the recording from WMV to another format, but there are other free applications you can use to achieve this.

If you are having trouble with this method, it may be due to changes made in GoToMeeting v5.4.  Please see this new post for a solution: http://glenndcitrix.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/using-microsoft-expression-encoder-with-gotomeeting-v5-4/

Method 3

The 3rd method is actually a version of the 1st method, and comes to you via a very talented co-worker @GoToDane.

Dane has written a batch file that uses the built in transcoder installed with GoToMeeting, to remove the codec as it would normally do if you followed method 1. The benefit being you can do it whenever you want, rather than have it automatically start at the end of your session.

It’s quite straight forward:

1. You simply download this batch file on to a Windows PC that has GoToMeeting installed on it.
2. Drag-n-drop the WMV file onto the BATCH file.
3. Enter the GoToMeeting build number and hit enter. To find out your build number simply right click the GoToMeeting icon in your System Tray and select About.

Please note: 

1. GoToMeeting must be installed for the BATCH file to work.
2. The BATCH file should work on 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7. It has been tested on Windows 7 x64, Windows Vista x86, and Windows XP x86.
3. Trans-coding video is a big job, so exit all unnecessary applications on your computer before you start.  If you computer is struggling for resources during the conversion process, it can result in corrupt files and trans-coding errors.
4. Shorten the file name and remove any special characters, they can cause issues when trans-coding.
5. Make a back up copy of the original recording, in case something goes wrong.

I would like to thank everyone who have left comments, and shared their own helpful tips!

Record GoToMeetings on your Mac using Screeny.

I won’t lie to you, I found out about this great free application from Lifehacker one of my all time favorite blogs.  I’ve posted before about using QuickTime on your Mac to record your desktop and GoToMeeting sessions, it works but you’re forced to capture your entire desktop.

The release of a free new Mac App called Screeny now makes it even easier to record on you Mac.  Screeny gives you the ability to record part or all of your screen, plus automatic uploading of the QuickTime file when you finish.  It will record the audio from your Mic but depending on your Mac hardware you may still need to use a loop back cable to route the speaker audio to your Mic input, as detailed here in my original post.

Update 10/4/2011: It appears Screeny was only free for a day.  An alternative is Jing which has a free version or you can follow my original guide and use the built in feature of QuickTime.