How do I capture runs on my PC?

2005-04-03 09:35:49 pm

How do I capture speed runs on my PC? I've heard talk of something called a capture card. Could I hook up my PC in such a way as to use a TV for a monitor and tape runs from a VCR?

Thanks everybody.

Thread title:

VorpalEdge

Edit history:

VorpalEdge: 2005-04-03 10:09:00 pm

2005-04-03 10:08:03 pm

welcome to the machine

If the run is actually played on the PC... get a program such as fraps or camtasia. Fraps isn't free, and I dunno about camtasia.

And be sure to have many free gigs worth of harddrive space. >_>

If you want to tape from a console such as the PS2, you can use a capture card or you can just tape it onto vhs and mail it to nate.

Sir VG

2005-04-04 12:36:22 am

Fucking Weeaboo

Camtasia to my recollection isn't free either. But there are always ways around that. <_<

If you want to record PC runs on your VCR, you'll need an S-Video output. Some video cards have this, some do not. They do make VGA -> S-Video/Composite Video adapters, but I always have a hard time finding them. You'll also need a male 1/8" headphone-to-dual male RCA cable for the audio.

BTW, if you do have a video card that has S-Video out but your VCR doesn't have an S-Video in jack, you can get an S-Video to Composite Video cable, or get one of those video switcher boxes.

And yes, for console games, if you want to capture them on your PC, you'll need a capture card or box (depending on your PC configuration.

Being in the computer business, I sell capture cards/boxes. Just PM me if you're interested in purchasing one.

saxman52

2005-04-09 09:36:48 pm

I'm taping my FF7 run and I was wondering how the footage is going to be transferred to a hard drive. Can I send in my tapes and have the footage transferred, or should I do it by myself?

Could someone explain the process of how a tape gets put up on the site?

Thanks Smiley

saxman52

2005-04-09 09:55:33 pm

I'm primarily concerned with when each segment will stop and start, because there are a lot of saves and obviously a segment won't be made for each little save.

Radix

2005-04-09 10:54:57 pm

I'm addicted to games

Yeah most people just mail the tape to Nate.
As for saves and stuff. For really short things, you shouldn't rewind at each failure. Wait at least 20 minutes... it's all right to just leave the failures. Also be careful when rewinding and starting to record that you don't overwrite the end of the previous segment.

saxman52

2005-04-09 11:34:55 pm

Thanks for the advice, but what do you mean by "wait 20 minutes"? Also, does recording over failures affect the quality of the footage?

Radix

2005-04-09 11:42:52 pm

I'm addicted to games

I mean you should have at least 20 minutes of failures before you decide to rewind. The quality would eventually get bad if you record over too many times but if you're using a new tape, you're fine.

saxman52

2005-04-10 12:30:08 am

Ahhhh. Thanks again.