Fraps Vs. Game Cam?

[SHAKER214]

Hello all!
Well, I've been gathering Tech. data and expanding my tiny brain until I think it's gonna' explode in preparation for my first movie. Here's my question.. Fraps or Game Cam? I know that most people out there use Fraps, but I'm actually seeing a frame rate advantage in Game Cam (un-registered at this point... so no sounds available) I'll have to do some testing with Fraps and the sound disabled to give an accurate analysis. I have to say though, I'm seeing many GUI features in Game cam that I like. Does anyone have any more input on this? Pros and cons? I do know that Game Cam is half the cost of Fraps, but they are both reasonably priced. Any input is appreciated
Thanks
SHAKER

[SHAKER214]

I think I may have answered my own question, it looks like Fraps will capture in higher resolutions than Game cam.
One thing I am running into though... I have been experimenting around with trying to compress the AVI files with Virtualdub, and am so far having no luck. when I try to use the DivX codec, it doesn't work...possibly because I don't have the full version of DivX. But I can't even get it compressed into an mpeg.. Any ideas? Thanks in advance
<S!> SHAKER

[jarink]

I've had no problems editing clips created with the free version of FRAPS in VirtualDub. No problems with DivX, either (again, the free version). Maybe you could try removing and reinstalling the DivX codec?

[deepo_HP]

hi shaker,

could you post a screenshot of the list of available codecs, when you set the desired one in 'vdub->video->compression'. are you doing one- or two-pass-compression (take care of the log-file location in 2-pass... and of cozrse use the same footage-file for 2nd pass http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif happened to be mistaken by me several times in the heat of compressing)
maybe also a screen of filters used (if used) - watch the size be dividable by 4 or even better 8 (to be sure when using 'qpel' in 'divx-settings)
what are the settings in 'divx' you have chosen?
which audio-compression do you use (well, think you said, you edit without audio...)?

mpeg-compression is not possible in 'vdub'.
'tmpgenc' can be used for very good quality mpeg1/2-encoding in that case. you will need the regarding codecs though...

[SHAKER214]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by deepo_HP:

could you post a screenshot of the list of available codecs, when you set the desired one in 'vdub->video->compression'. are you doing one- or two-pass-compression (take care of the log-file location in 2-pass... and of cozrse use the same footage-file for 2nd pass http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif happened to be mistaken by me several times in the heat of compressing)
maybe also a screen of filters used (if used) - watch the size be dividable by 4 or even better 8 (to be sure when using 'qpel' in 'divx-settings)
what are the settings in 'divx' you have chosen?
which audio-compression do you use (well, think you said, you edit without audio...)?

mpeg-compression is not possible in 'vdub'.
'tmpgenc' can be used for very good quality mpeg1/2-encoding in that case. you will need the regarding codecs though... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Oh man!! I think I'm in over my head here Deepo!! All I was trying to do was select which compression in virtualdub, and when I went back to check file properties, it always showed up as being a Fraps codec. I Must be missing something ...... especially based on what you're asking me. As for the screenshot... I can get one, but do I upload it to the forums directly?.... Sorry for my ignorance on all this http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif
SHAKER

[SHAKER214]

Well.... I'm confused now. No matter what I do, I can't seem to get Virtualdub to compress a movie. Deepo, Here's a screenshot of the available codecs you asked for: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v208/SHAKER2112/VdubScreenshot.jpg
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks
<S!> SHAKER

[SHAKER214]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jarink:
I've had no problems editing clips created with the free version of FRAPS in VirtualDub. No problems with DivX, either (again, the free version). Maybe you could try removing and reinstalling the DivX codec? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<S!> Jarink
I may be down to that Jarink. I'll see how things go, but that may be the solution... But I'm probably just missing something in the operation of the software. BTW... Great Movie! Definitely in the spirit of Iron Eagle! A long time ago, I read a book called "Fork Tailed Devil" It was about P-38's (A lot of times, Germans referred to the P-38 as the Fork tailed Devil. I gotta say Jarink.... you wear it well dude!
Go Check these out http://www.feightstudios.com/rosie.htm
http://www.ffbooks.co.uk/x0/x3669.htm
SHAKER

[deepo_HP]

hi shaker,

well, a bit crunchy to read the list in your screenshot, but it looks like it should so far http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
so just to be sure everything is alright, you could run a short test to see how the procedures of 'vdub' are working:

just record a short sequence from a track (let's say you start recording, then use 'f3' for a nice flyby, after which you stop recording)
then close all other applications (free up ressources), open 'vdub' and load the sequence. play it in 'vdub', and go to the very first frame where the flyby starts (for later work: always use the buttons with the yellow keys to determine a keyframe (full frame) for start/end of cuts - your footage now has only keyframes, but compressed footage will have only every 2nd/3rd/10th/whatever one). when you found the start of flyby, click the button 'â"*Â�'... do the same for the very last frame of the flyby and click 'â"*'' for that.
you determined the start/end-points of what 'vdub' will export.
let's keep audio-procedures beside, and go to the 'video'-menu.
if you had recorded in half-speed, you may change the 'frame-rate -> source rate adjust -> change to (2x)' (which does nothing, but let players play the video at the desired framerate... audio will stay at original length though)
'video -> select range' is what we have done with the slider before (you can type in values here).
'video -> colour depth' is for special purpose, should be ok at default.
'video -> filters' opens an empty box, where you can add filters of many use to the source. this is a very powerful feature of 'vdub'. it is important to get the order right, they are working from up to down in the list you may create. two basic rules: cropping should be done first, resizing always last.
for the test load 'null-transform' (does nothing) just to crop some lines from top and bottom (fe to get rid of the chat). for later compression keep the both aspects dividable by 4 (better 8). you can crop in a preview-window to see the result at any frame.
now for 'video -> compression':
chose 'divx' as you have done in the screenshot. press 'configure to see the configuration-menu of the codec. there is lotsa possibilities to test (the 'divx'-site has some good manuals explaining the stuff). the compression normally should be done with your very final movie, also compressing in 2 passes gives best results. for now chose '1-pass', keep the 'profiles' and the 'speed' at standard and set a bitrate for general quality/size ratio (just try '850kbs' for 640x480 for example). under the 'video'-tab you may change 'scene-detection' to '65%' (don't go higher) and close the configuration by clickin 'ok'. close the 'compression'-menu in 'vdub' also by 'ok', make sure that 'video -> full processing mode' is checked and start the dubbing/compression by 'file -> save as avi...', chose a location and give the video a different name (!). press 'save' and watch some neat pop-up with data from the codec at work.
when done, close 'vdub' and play the compressed video to see if all is like you wished it to be.

this is of course only a test to show, if your 'divx' and 'vdub' are installed correctly. but for trying different settings of 'divx' or if you want to use new filters in 'vdub', you should always test it with short sequences like that. that will spare you a lot of time, mostly when you have to decide about the size/quality compromise of some finalized movie.

[SHAKER214]

<S!> Deepo!
Well Deepo, I don't know where to start...Thank you very much for taking the time to help me out. I haven't been able to try out anything you mentioned yet, because I've been working on helping THEPRO with his movie and.... well, it just got too late to mess with my own project http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
But you can bet I'll be trying it tomorrow night after work. VERY Good information you listed for me, and I will let you know how it works out. That's all I'm trying to do right now, is test my abilities and limitations as far as the available software goes. I am definitely hooked on this movie making project though.... I find myself thinking of scenes and dialog/ music relating to the movie while I'm at work!!! You sir..will definitely have a space in my credits as Technical Advisor http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/11.gif
All I can say now, is the pressure is on to do you proud! I'll keep in touch... Thanks Again Deepo
SHAKER

[SHAKER214]

[QUOTE]make sure that 'video -> full processing mode' is checked and start the dubbing/compression by 'file -> save as avi...', chose a location and give the video a different name (!). press 'save' and watch some neat pop-up with data from the codec at work.
when done, close 'vdub' and play the compressed video to see if all is like you wished it to be.

this is of course only a test to show, if your 'divx' and 'vdub' are installed correctly. QUOTE]

<S!> Deepo
Hi Again Deepo, Well, I tried all the stuff you were talking about, and what I got when I tried to save as an AVI file was that Vdub wasn't able to perform requested operation because the Source file image format is not acceptable. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but it always gets stuck here. When I took my Vidcap in Fraps, I was using full screen, and 640 X 480 resolution at 32bit color depth. 640 and 480 divides by 4 or 8 like you were saying, and I was trying to render at 850 Kbps / single pass
I'm still confused..... http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif
SHAKER

[deepo_HP]

hi shaker,

which sound-settings have you set in 'il2'?
can you playback the captured avi after recording it, before you load it into 'vdub'?
which versions of 'fraps', 'divx' and 'virtualdub' do you use? you may consider compressing with 'xvid' instead of 'divx' (which is in my opinion the far better codec in speed and quality... the interface is not as neat as in 'divx'. you can get it for free at all, the most useful binary can be found at
koepi xvid (http://www.koepi.org/)
get the last stable version, imo v1.03)
could you check 'file -> file information' in 'virtualdub' directly after you load the footage, maybe you can show a screenshot of the info-window.
furthermore 'virtualdub' tries to write a 'crashdump.txt'-file before it shuts down. pls have a look if you can find it.

i am a bitty tired, so it may not the order of probability, but this is what comes to my mind.
even if most common codecs are well and clean programmed, the more you have installed/uninstalled, the more it may happen that old windowsy grabs for some bytes with sharp teeth (which really gets on one's nerves to find out http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif)
but before tasking a cleaning-procedure it could be good to know the reason.

pls have a look for indices of the crash like in the points mentioned above.

ah, if you got time, run all tests in 'dxdiag', the directx-diagnostic tool (type 'dxdiag' in the windows 'start -> run' command). it is not probable to find something, but i for myself always forget to check it. that is, btw, related to some filters in 'vdub', not the game.

another 'aah':
you may search for 'virtualdubmod', based on 'vdub' and offering more audio-and output-options... though not as 'pure' as 'vdub' (but sometimes more forgivenable http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif)

[SHAKER214]

Once again, Thank you for the info Deepo.... I think I found a solution though...... (I don't know if it's right or not, but it works). If I first save as a mpeg 4 format, then I can go back and re-compress into DivX. I can adjust bitrate and all the nesessary stuff.... I also have Studio plus that allows other editing features..... I think I can actually start recording some usable shots now. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-very-happy.gif
Now all I need to do is figure out the sound, and I'm on my way! (I intend to use a lot of dubbed in sounds, but I would still like to use some of the in-game sounds..(in-cockpit sounds etc...). I need to figure out how to de-interleave the sound portion of the captured source file, and edit it back into the finished video after frame rate adjustment.
I'll get there eventually!! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
Thanks again Deepo!

SHAKER