Online Video?

[Ameila]

How do you capture a video of an online game such as POTCO?
Without YouTube? And, if possible, free?
I don't need to know yet how to show it on the forums, just how to capture one, without lagging up my computer.
Thanks!

-Am

[Maximvs]

You need to use a Video Capture Program such as Fraps or Camtasia to 'lock' onto the POTCO Screen and capture the game.

Though I don't use Fraps, I do hear it is easier to use than Camtasia. Capturing Video also takes a bit of practice, so be prepared to put a bit of work into it.

For the full scoop Heres My Complete Video Tutorial...

Good Luck

[Ameila]

Thank you, Maxx!
Are either of them free?

{Sorry if I missed anything, Im such a blonde!}

[Maximvs]

Well, not really...

Fraps can be had for free - but it can only record 30 seconds of footage at a time and it puts its website name at the very top of the footage (not big, but noticeable). Not sure on the cost to have it all...

Camtasia is fully functional for 30 days - then shuts down (read the entire tutorial to get around this, for at least a while ) Camtasia is not cheap by any means...

[dangerousden]

There is a free utility called Screenhunter. http://www.wisdom-soft.com/sh/sh_free.htm

I have not used it so I have no idea what functionality it has.

There is also Camstudio which is Open Source so free again. http://camstudio.org/

A quick google for free screen capture brought up a few freebie softwares

[Maximvs]

Good finds there Danger - Got to be careful though as you have to look at the specs...

Screenhunter cannot capture Video in the Free Version, only Images (which you can do with F9 in the Game) - so this one is out.

CamStudio may have some promise though... I'll actually try this one out and if it works well update my Tutorial to include it. I'm in the process of making a video now and need to get some screens later this week, so I'll try CamStudio out then

[dangerousden]

I'm at work right now, but I may try these out for guild training vids or funnies.

Look forward to your report Maximvs

[Maximvs]

So I took 10 minutes to install CamStudio - once you 'tweak' its settings it is very impressive!

Install took only seconds, and once installed I was able to quickly capture a vid. My first test vid though was very 'grainy' when moving... though fine when standing still.

I then had a look at the options for CamStudio and found where it was using the Codec for encoding the avi files. A slide bar was showing 70% Quality as the default... once I changed it to 100% and did a second test it was VERY nice

I'll be using this program to do some more captures later this week and can easily add it to the tutorial should these good finding continue. MUCH easier to use than Camtasia, this should allow more people to make easy vid captures - and ya gotta like free!

[dangerousden]

Thanks for the info Maximus. and glad I could be of help

[Maximvs]

No prob danger - I'l be sure to list you in the Credit section of the Tutorial