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Essential Guides & Tutorials

Tallon

This forum is essentially for the discussion of all video game recording equipment, programmes and how to go about doing them.

It is not restricted to one game type, any game can be discussed, it's the focus on How to record the games that will be discussed

It is also not restricted to one console.
Everything can be recorded, from your NES, megadrive or gameboy, to your Xbox360, PS3 or PC

The questions I get asked most are:

How do you record video games?
What programmes can you use to edit them after they are recorded?
How do you add voice (Commentary) to a video?
What quality can I record in?
How much does the equipment cost?
How long should I be recording each clip?

I will do my absolute best to answer as many questions as I can, but as I have found out over the past few months, there are already a lot of people on Boards.ie recording gameplays and have been for a long time. I am sure they can answer all your questions too

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Tallon

PC
(This will also include emulators for things that don't have a video out connection like a gameboy, Nintendo DS or PSP etc)

If your using a PC and want to record your gameplay you don't need any equipment, just software. Some of this software is free and will produce excellent results, some of it cost money but returns the same result so it make sense to use the free one.

Massive thanks to TheChrisD for writing this up for me

For recording PC gameplay, there are several options available, which will generally depend on what you are playing, and how you're playing it.

There are several programs available for capturing gameplay.

XFire (http://www.xfire.com/) - a very popular gaming program that can record gameplay and upload those videos, or other gameplay videos, directly to the XFire website. XFire also tracks your gameplay hours, allows in-game chat with your friends, shares your PC rig information, allows you to download games, and can also be used for live streaming in conjunction with Livestream.com. Highly recommended for general un-edited gameplay videos, and for streaming.
FRAPS (http://www.fraps.com/) - a very powerful video benchmarking tool that can be used for recording gameplay with or without commentary (that function limited to Windows Vista/7), or to an extent, anything else on your PC. Requires a one-time license costing $37. Highly recommended for recording gameplay for montages, or for Let's Play style commentaries.
WeGame (http://www.wegame.com/) - a program that can automatically share gameplay videos on the WeGame website.

Note that general "screen recording" programs such as CamStudio, Camtasia, WebcamMax, VHScrCap etc. can NOT record full screen games - but can possibly be used if the game is set to run in windowed mode.

Some games may also feature their own in-game recording function which can be used, such as:

Source Recorder (most Valve Source games) - a function inside most Valve Source engine games that can render in-game demos, for editing to be made into gameplay videos, or montages.
Battlecast (C&C3, C&C4) - a function inside the newer Command and Conquer games, which automatically record replays of your multiplayer matches. Several sites, such as gamereplays.org, specialise in showing these replays.
Battle.net (Blizzard games) - a function inside most of the newer Blizzard games which allows gameplay to be recorded, or replays to be shared. (Unsure about this!)

For emulators, most of the dedicated game recording programs won't work, as they don't have the emulator program listed in their databases and/or decide not to support it. To record games like these, you can use any of the afore-mentioned screen recording programs, or another program with the same functionality - or provided you run at least Windows Vista with Aero turned on, you may use FRAPS if it is set to "monitor Aero desktop", in which case it will record your full screen, which will require editing to crop.

Two good screen recording programs are Camstudio, and Camtasia (licence required).

Consoles
Anything that plugs into a tv. (NES, Snes, megadrive, master system, N64, gamecube, xbox, xbox360, Playstation 1, 2 & 3 etc)

You will need some sort of capture card to retrieve the audio & video signals and send them to your PC to record. I have put together a list of the top well known ones and the price/quality they all provide:

Cheapest option is:
Easycap €9.99 from ebay

It will record in SD (Standard Definition) and uses composite / svideo.
I use it to record everything, from my Nes, megadrive, xbox to VHS and converting old video camera movies for relatives

You will need three y female RCA splitters and two RCA to RCA cables which can be bought on ebay for very cheap or your local AV shop for a bit more expensive

This is the best way to set it up so you can play on a TV while recording

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-Q1DxJozZc

next on the list is:
Dazzle €70+ ebay

dazzle works in the same way as the easycap, but a lot of people hate them and the software leaves a lot to be desired. (I recommend the easycap for the same quality but a cheaper price)

Here is how to set it up

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqwAfWyD81o

And at the high end is:
Hauppauge HD PVR €200 (Official site - here in Ireland)

This is my baby, I love this thing.

The only additional thing you will have to buy is a Component cable for whatever system you are planning on recording (Although it does have a normal RCA / composite connection)

It records through component so you can get HD (720p & 1080p) quality. the files are much larger in comparison to the cheaper capture cards, but the quality is amazing

Check out my youtube if you want to see the quality

This is how you set it up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTWcDMjwlmQ

Lastly, you can go for:
BlackMagic Intensity Pro €200 Official site

This is the highest quality you can get as it inputs and outputs HDMI.
The only drawback with this is it has to be PC installed and unlike the others, can't be used on a laptop.
The quality is unquestionable though but again, what it has in quality it lacks in mobility

This is how you set it up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzzt3d3QXhw

Some people use a camera on a tripod pointing directly at the TV, and although this method works, it doesn't have a clear of quality picture or sound as straight recording as detailed above. But as always, it's about your own personal preference whichever way you want to record

Any more questions please ask

Tallon

The programme i started off using was Windows Movie Maker for three reasons:

I was already familiar with how to use it as i have mode some home movies with it before
It's free
It's automatically installed an nearly all Windows PC's by default so no need to Download or anything

WMM will allow you to import your videos and add effects to them, split them to make them shorter, or commentate on them using a mic. It's very easy to use and does the job just fine for what is needed editing wise.

Here's a video on how to use it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZXK68NS7gU

Next on the list is the industry favourite, Sony Vegas Pro 9. It cost's quite a good bit but is definiatley worth it as the stuff you can do in it is amazing. It's not as easy to use as WMM but after a few days of using it you will get the hang of it.

I personally use it and I love it, I would only recommend it if your serious about recording and editng HD files as WMM does pretty much the same thing.

The dazzle, easycap, HD PVR and Black magic Intensity pro all have their

Here's a tutorial I watched that made me better at editing. It's 40 mins long so grab a cup of tea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDJLb3sDgog

own respectful editing programmes free when you but them, but they all seem to have some flaw somewhere where as Sony vegas has everything you need all in one package.

As always, any questions please ask

Tallon

The first thing you need to do commentary is a mic (I know it sounds stupid, but I get asked quite a lot)

Any mic will do, anything, an in-build one on a laptop or PC screen, a headset you use for skype, or even your xbox - PS3 ones if your PC supports them.

To record, all you do is plug in your mic, then open your video clip in your editing software and click record voice. the video will play while you talk so you can discuss whats going on in the video.

Here's how to do it in WMM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2n8NeghC8c

And here's how to do it in Sony Vegas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_8Rp0YtTKE

A lot of people don't know this, but people generally record their voice after the game rather than over it as it distracts too much from playing. a lot of the lets play games you see on youtube are recorded while playing but I've only ever seen it being done on a PC. I have recorded live video commentary and then sync'd it with the gameplay after, but it was really hard to talk and play at the same time.

here's a video of me doing it and you will see that it's hard to hold a conversation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFfOoveURs0

Basically, once you have the video and the game recorded, it's just a case of opening both video files in your editing programme and ajusting them until you know the are playing in sync. i do this by zooming in on the sound waves and lineing them up with eachother as typically you will have loud peaks at the same times in both videos.

Tallon

It depends both on the hardware your using and the software.
the easycap & dazzle are the cheap option for recording, and the drawback is that it's in Standard Definition, but with tweeking the settings in the provided software you can achieve a pretty good clear picture.

If you are using the HD PVR or the black magic then you are at the high end of the scale, being able to record in Full HD. However, for video games, Full 1080p video is not need as most people upload to youtube and the difference between 720p and 1080p on youtube is not much. plus it takes up a lot more disc space, takes a lot longer to render and takes a lot longer to upload.

I record my games in 720p as it's fine enough quality for me and is still HD quality.

Again, with some tweaking in the software you can get them to record in lower or higher definition depending on what you want

Tallon

Thats covered above in How do you record video games? but here's a quick breakdown of it:

Cheapest option is:

Easycap €9.99 from ebay

Dazzle €70+ ebay

Hauppauge HD PVR €200 (Official site - here in Ireland)

BlackMagic Intensity Pro €200 Official site

Tallon

Again, this is something people don't really think about until after they have recorded 6 hours of gameplay and are left with a 100GB file that they can't manage

Basically it depends on a few things.

What type of game you are recording?
what you are doing with the video after?

What type of game you are recording

The type of game is important, for example, if you are recording street fighter, it's best (for manageable files) to record each game (3 rounds) and then click stop, and start again for the next round. that way the files are small and you have individual games to work with. If it's Call of Duty games it's best to do the same and record one match then start and stop.

If you click stop recording, it stops straight away and you don't need to save or render the file, you can click start straight away again and record the next one.

If you are recording full gameplays for walkthroughs or whatever, it's best to limit them to about 10-15 minutes and click stop and start just so that you don't have one big massive file. You can always click pause on the game

what you are doing with the video after?

If you plan to upload it to youtube, please be aware that they only allow you 10 minutes officially (Which is actually 11) and if it's over that it wont tell you until it fully uploads and the fails :mad:

Bear in mind that if you have a 10m 59 game and you ad your intro to it then you are over the limit. I found out the hard way

Bonavox

Thanks for the voiceover guide Tallon, much appreciated!

EDIT: I actually enjoyed your live commentary, you're a bit of a waffler but I gotta say, that's the best part. :P

Sabre0001

Nice guides...Any planned (as comprehensive) for streaming media?

Columc

Extremly helpful. Would suggest maybe renaming the thread and sticking it!

Tallon wrote: »

Battle.net (Blizzard games) - a function inside most of the newer Blizzard games which allows gameplay to be recorded, or replays to be shared. (Unsure about this!)

From what I am aware, the MAC versions of World of Warcraft games have ingame recording. The PC version does not.

For Starcraft 2 All games played are recorded, and at the end of the game there is a option to save the recording. Unsure at the moment with formating and editing of the actual matches recorded but should be able to tell you later on tonight.

Sabre0001

Going to sticky this because there is a lot of helpful info. A lot to read too but at least there's some nice videos to distract in the middle

Tallon

Thanks Sabre

NooB 2 recording

hey guys i couldnt start a thread it kept asking me to sign in and i was but it wouldnt work so i will state my problem here im a teenager who wants to record xbox 360 games free of lag with good quality im wonderin where can i get a capture card around the dublin area im willing to pay 40 to 60 euros to get it i dont have a credit card and my mam and dad dont have one either plz reply asap

thank you NooB out :pac:

DemoniK

Excellent thread Tallon..

I've the Intensity Pro card as well - looking to change to the H264 recorder Pro when it comes out

I did the following vid for some lads in my clan on how to do the hardware setup of the Intensity Pro for HDMI recording on the PS3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM1WKd4PmP0

IrishWelshCelt

youtube now allows 15min vids!

Tallon

IrishWelshCelt wrote: »

youtube now allows 15min vids!

Just to touch on this, it allows a lot more now

Doctor DooM

Tallon wrote: »

Just to touch on this, it allows a lot more now

The new limit is 3 hours.

However if your account loses too much standing (using too many copywritten songs, pirated film footage etc) it's apparently returned to 15 minutes.

Tallon

True, i must get the full details on that and post them

Doctor DooM

Here's the offical post from yt, including a link to the rules which must be obeyed:

http://youtube-global.blogspot.com/2010/12/up-up-and-away-long-videos-for-more.html?

In effect, it's some of the benefits of partnership with some of the restrictions.

DipStick McSwindler

This post has been deleted.

Tallon

feeney92 wrote: »

Tallon, your cheapest item option is the one i bought a couple of weeks ago, the reason it is so cheap is because it only supports pal 50, its called easycap dc60, to be able to record pal 50 you need a dc60+ which is around 30 euro, u should update the cheapest option thing because its newest game that it can record is cod3, i fell for this and dont want any1 being dissapointed like i was

Not true, I bought my D60+ for €9.99

You need to shop around, or click the link I have in the post

DipStick McSwindler

This post has been deleted.

sinbad269

Youtube now allows up to 10 hours in a single video.

Check out the 10 hour nyancat video! :O

Ciaranmc2k10

I have a Dazzle didn't get Pinnacle with it

and I use AVS Video Recorder (Very Good) And it is like 400mb + for an 8 minute video and what I wan'tto know is how could I delete bits of the video then send to my editor?

Should I sell my Dazzle and go up to the HD PVR?

Doctor DooM

Ciaranmc2k10 wrote: »

I have a Dazzle didn't get Pinnacle with it and I use AVS Video Recorder (Very Good) And it is like 400mb + for an 8 minute video and what I wan'tto know is how could I delete bits of the video then send to my editor?

Should I sell my Dazzle and go up to the HD PVR?

Um... editors are used to cut stuff from your footage, that's why they're called editors

I use Mpeg streamclip if I just want to do some quick editing. It's not what the programs really for but it does it quick and dirty.

As for your other question- well, it comes down to this- are you willing to pay 200 euro to upgrade to HD?

If so, go and buy a Hauppage!

Ciaranmc2k10

Doctor DooM wrote: »

Um... editors are used to cut stuff from your footage, that's why they're called editors

I use Mpeg streamclip if I just want to do some quick editing. It's not what the programs really for but it does it quick and dirty.

As for your other question- well, it comes down to this- are you willing to pay 200 euro to upgrade to HD?

If so, go and buy a Hauppage!

Yep I am

What I mean is though, It took me 7 hours to get to 50% on a 364mb vide uploading to youtube so myeditor could get it.
What I wan't to know is there anyway I can download something which will cut parts out of my video which are not needed?

The videos are MPEG.

DemoniK

Got myself one of these now

(putting intensity up for sale soon).

Nice device - but early days I think in terms of firmware - a few issues in first rev, and some updates over the last few weeks to fix some blockiness, etc.
I posted a 1080p60 vid of some wipeoutHD here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4GgKVUAEK4
Some blockiness just behind the ship..

And here's a Shift2 Compilation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPGKnJbiQrI

Again some screen tear issues, and dropped frames here and there.. I think both are configuration issues which I hope I've now sorted.

records at 1080p60 20Mbps H264.. Quality pretty nice in full screen..
Now to do some GT5 recording

Tallon

How much will you be selling the BMIP for?

DemoniK

Tallon wrote: »

How much will you be selling the BMIP for?

emmm... can't advertise here

But think somewhere around 50% of new price...

I'll have it on adverts soon - just need to take a few pics of it.

Tallon

Send me a message when you do if you don't mind

Doctor DooM

DemoniK wrote: »

Got myself one of these now
(putting intensity up for sale soon).

Nice device - but early days I think in terms of firmware - a few issues in first rev, and some updates over the last few weeks to fix some blockiness, etc.
I posted a 1080p60 vid of some wipeoutHD here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4GgKVUAEK4
Some blockiness just behind the ship..

And here's a Shift2 Compilation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPGKnJbiQrI

Again some screen tear issues, and dropped frames here and there.. I think both are configuration issues which I hope I've now sorted.

records at 1080p60 20Mbps H264.. Quality pretty nice in full screen..
Now to do some GT5 recording

How much does that cost? Looks tiny compared to a Hauppage, might be a good replacement for it in my portable recording kit.