So, I've always sworn by Boats Animator, a free program developed by BiM user BoatsAreRockable, and downloadable here: https://www.charlielee.uk/boats-animator/ , and is vouched for by many brickfilmers in the community. However, this doesn't allow the option to play recordings while animating, but has reached build 0.11.1, going through many revisions and updates, so it's very reliable at least.
Actually, though, the one I've been using for the past several months, and is increasingly becoming more useful, is a beta build program that was announced right here on the forums, and while initially I only downloaded it to give feedback (which I still have shamefully not posted), I found it was really high quality. It's called Arlo, and the forum post for the program is right here: https://bricksinmotion.com/forums/topic … rs-needed/
It seems to have everything you're looking for, but bear in mind that it's still a beta, and while it's completely on the level, with no viruses or anything, it will be fairly janky at times.
I hope this helped you find an alternative to a $305 dollar program, and while Dragonframe is really high quality, I've actually always felt it was pretty unnecessary, as there are a ton of cheaper and even free programs that can achieve the same selection of tools and result, and personally, I believe that the most useful aspect of Dragonframe is the professional aesthetic you can use to impress any clients for commissioned work, not any actual spectacular benefits to your film. That's just an opinion though, and I'd be happy to hear something different. Good luck, God bless and brickfilm on!

Puskov