FRAPS problem

[Saunders1953]

Hi all:

I haven't used FRAPS since before patch 4.1, but recently decided to do some more guncam footage. I downloaded FRAPS version 2.6.2, but am now experiencing a problem that I never had before. After saving an .ntrk (or .TRK--same problem) I replay it, and take several captures with FRAPS, but when I try to replay them (.avi format), I can only play back, on average, about 1 capture out of 3.

It doesn't seem to make a difference what type of player I use either. I get a message from the Window Media Player something to the effect that it can't find or my comp doesn't have the "proper codec." (I'm at work now, can't check exactly what it says.) But then I'll be able to play the very next one from the same track with no problem. Anyone know what might be happening here?

Thanks.

P4-3gig,
1gig RAM,
Nvidea 6800pro

[clint_sanders]

could you be exiting the program too fast? (Not fraps, the one you're recording) Video mode switching plays havoc on vid-capture programs.

[Saunders1953]

Well, I stay in the track, hit capture, "unhit"
capture when done, stay in track, watch the plane flying around until the next bit I want to capture, then hit/unhit for that capture, so I don't think so. Then when done, close the track, go into FRAPS "library" and start reviewing the captures.

Also, never had the problem before I d/l 2.6.2 and patch 4.01. Frustrating.

Oh, IIRC, the FRAPS capture used to be a max of 30 seconds long. Now, it goes longer, but the problem I'm having happens to the over and the under 30 sec clips. Some of the longer ones playback just fine.

[deepo_HP]

hi saunders,

which windows you got on your pc?
there has been some nasty behaviour of the 'explorer' in winxp-sp1 and older (maybe was already fixed in sp1, can't remember) with large avi-files: 'explorer' tried to gain file-information as soon as a file is marked - in case of large avis it had to search all file for that (due to distribution in avi-structure), which resulted in freezes, 'corrupted file'-errors or 'can't open'-messages.
however you should try to open the file from within 'virtualdub' ('file'->'open' doesn't use 'windows explorer', but internal). if the files play within 'virtualdub' by opening that way, the error is not caused by the avi-captures. probably 'explorer' or 'windows media-player' then - for to find a solution, make notes of the 'file information' ('virtualdub')of the problematic files, and save them just by 'direct stream copy' ('virtualdub' will restructure the information layout slightly without changing the video-stream). try to play the files with 'windows media-player' and check again the 'file information' (given by 'virtualdub') for comparison to the original capture (at least the overhead should have changed).

however, make sure, you are running the 'wmp10 build_3802' or later. besides some nasty bugs in earlier versions, there is no need to download the 'win-media codec'-pack anymore. disable the automatic codec-download in 'wmp10' then (disable all is best).
in general, never install so-called 'codec-packs' offered by various sites. whenever a file demands for special codec, go to the author's homepage and get information (and, in case there is really a need, get the latest version).

many codec-packs install absolutely unnecessary, even high-problematic things (which are only needed for encoding experiments or exotic system-configs). nevertheless many codecs register for a lot of different formats, which (besides the overall confusion) often makes 'win-mediaplayer' just lock the file (and offering remote-support http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif)

fe, nearly all 'mpeg4'-decoders are able to play nearly all others ('ffdshow', 'xvid', 'divx', 'wm9'). if you are really interested, get some neutral player, which offers sufficient information/configuration:
- 'zoomplayer' fulfills every wish with excellent support about system-setups, but maybe confusing with all the options - though he has very safe 'reset'-functions http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

- else 'bsplayer' is a good choice also...
- both don't change anything in your system! there is no need (!) for 'divx player' or such things.
- the already always installed on every winxp-system, old 'win mediaplayer 6.4' is a lot more tolerant to other formats. you can find it under 'c:\programs\windows media player\mplayer2.exe'

good luck!

[Saunders1953]

Deepo, very detailed response. I'll try my best to follow it--I'm a computer luddite.

Salute to you, Sir!

[vanjast]

I presume you have XP or NT running....if not you're having video driver problems.
If you have the above, you're probably having codec problems or have not upgraded you're WMP. Version 10, I think is the latest.

The biggest problems lately with video, are the codecs and Media Player versions. Rather upgrade the Media Player versions before you overload your PC with video codecs. This helps elliminate erratic Windoze problems

Good luck
Van

[Saunders1953]

Thanks Van, I'll check it out. I haven't upgraded WMP in a long while.

[Joe-90]

there has been some nasty behaviour of the 'explorer' in winxp-sp1 and older (maybe was already fixed in sp1, can't remember) with large avi-files: 'explorer' tried to gain file-information as soon as a file is marked - in case of large avis it had to search all file for that (due to distribution in avi-structure), which resulted in freezes, 'corrupted file'-errors or 'can't open'-messages.


Deepo! so thats why I get that problem sometimes, cheers. Thought I had some bugs in my system, but it is a common thing then.

And the next question.....erm, how do I sort it? I have SP2 and all the latest updates. My only workaround has been to zip the files so they don't appear in as avi files in the explorer window.

Any help appreciated as it is really a pain in the *** when these clips are around and explorer says 'sorry I need to shut down, if you had work in progress, tough titties!' http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_mad.gif

[deepo_HP]

hi joe,

the problem is in windows' 'avi file-handler'. avi-files are scanned by windows explorer as soon as you click/mark them - in the case of large avi-files (like 1+gb) and some specific codec-configuration this keeps the shell quite busy. this behaviour is found in winxp/win2k, it will even prevent you from deleting those files ('used by another application').

it shouldn't occur, when searching/opening the files from within an application, which doesn't use the windows explorer (but it's own, most players for example or virtualdub).
it happens usually with specific codec-configurations (one more reason not to install codec-packs), seems to 'confuse' win-explorer http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

you can get rid of it by deregistering 'shmedia.dll' (windows system-file) by typeing in 'run':
regsvr32 /u C:\windows\system32\shmedia.dll

by doing so, you won't have thumbnails of video-files in explorer anymore and lose some file-information gathered by windows explorer.
you can easily restore functionality of 'thumbnails' by registering the dll again:
regsvr32 /i C:\windows\system32\shmedia.dll

[Peckens]

if u have the registered version tell fraps support that u are having problems with the new update and they will give u a link to the previous 1