Comparison of Video Capture Programs in NS2

ScardyBob

<b><!--sizeo:4--><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#FF8C00--><span style="color:#FF8C00"><!--/coloro-->INTRODUCTION<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
In search of the best video capture program for recording videos in NS2, I've gone and tested seven different popular programs used in gaming. In particular, I wanted to compare the in-game drop in FPS, file size, and video quality of the programs when used in NS2. My personal preference is the program with the least performance impact (which is how they are ordered below), but I've provided both the file size, price, and video quality (in from as close to raw video as possible uploads to youtube so you can compare and make your own decisions. Further details are below on the program settings and benchmarking conditions.

<a href="http://www.fraps.com/" target="_blank"><u><b>FRAPS</b></u></a>
Performance = 1st
File Size = 7th
Price = $37 USD
Quality = <a href="http://youtu.be/WNB3eqssdYo" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/WNB3eqssdYo</a>

<a href="http://www.bandicam.com/" target="_blank"><b><u>Bandicam</u></b></a>
Performance = 2nd
File Size = 2nd
Price = $39 USD
Quality = <a href="http://youtu.be/ARvEqVjaM_A" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/ARvEqVjaM_A</a>

<a href="http://event.msi.com/vga/afterburner/overview.htm" target="_blank"><u><b>MSI Afterburner</b></u></a>
Performance = 3rd
File Size = 3rd
Cost = Free
Quality = <a href="http://youtu.be/r0YTYVu7HRo" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/r0YTYVu7HRo</a>

<a href="http://dxtory.com/" target="_blank"><u><b>Dxtory</b></u></a>
Performance = 4th
File Size = 6th
Cost = 3,600 JPY ($46.41 USD)
Quality = <a href="http://youtu.be/zHIkIlsxHIE" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/zHIkIlsxHIE</a>

<a href="http://www.playclaw.com/" target="_blank"><u><b>Playclaw</b></u></a>
Performance = 5th
File Size = 4th
Cost = $29.95 USD
Quality = <a href="http://youtu.be/q49KJw_Hnew" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/q49KJw_Hnew</a>

<a href="http://www.d3dgear.com/" target="_blank"><u><b>D3DGear</b></u></a>
Performance = 6th
File Size = 1st
Cost = $32.95 USD
Quality = <a href="http://youtu.be/4GCjApHKoN0" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/4GCjApHKoN0</a>

<a href="http://www.softpedia.com/get/Multimedia/Video/Video-Recording/Gregion.shtml" target="_blank"><u><b>Gregion</b></u></a>
Performance = 7th
File Size = 5th
Cost = Free
Quality = <a href="http://youtu.be/AZMnrNrgq1M" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/AZMnrNrgq1M</a>

<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#FF8C00--><span style="color:#FF8C00"><!--/coloro-->CONCLUSION<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
<b>If you only care about quality:</b> <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->FRAPs<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
- None of the programs, with the exception of Gregion, had quality I'd find unacceptable, but FRAPs recorded much crisper video with deeper colors than the others. If you want the best looking NS2 videos, I'd stick with this workhorse.

<b>If file size is a concern:</b> <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->Bandicam<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
- Several of the programs kept file size under the 500MB/min level, but Bandicam was the one with the least performance impact. If you're concerned about hard drive space (especially if you using a lower capacity SSD), then Bandicam is a good compromise.

<b>If your broke or just like free things:</b> <!--coloro:#00FF00--><span style="color:#00FF00"><!--/coloro-->MSI Afterburner<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
- Afterburner is commonly known as the GPU overclocking software by MSI, but they've recently included a video recording component. Frankly, its not bad for a free video capture program.

<b><!--sizeo:5--><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#FF8C00--><span style="color:#FF8C00"><!--/coloro-->DETAILS<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--></b>
Full list of the programs and their comparative performance impacts and raw file sizes are given here:
<a href="http://imgur.com/l7Tuh" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/l7Tuh.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

Benchmarking was done using FRAPs fps benchmarking ability on the hardware below:
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Intel i5 2500k @4.5GHz
Asus P8P67 Pro
AMD Radeon HD 6950
16GB DDR3 1333
Recorded to 2TB Samsung 7200RPM HDD<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
In-game settings include:
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->1920x1080
Fullscreen (where possible)
All graphic options set to minimal or disabled except for multicore rendering<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The benchmark conditions where:
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->B224
Local server
12 bots added (six per side)
ns2_summit
Aliens spawn in Flight Control, Marine spawn in Sub Access
Aliens have infested and captured Flight Control, Crevice, Atrium, and Crossroads
Skulk completing an approximately 60s loop through all the exterior tech nodes, starting in flight control, using celerity, carapace, and leap<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Settings for each video capture program where:
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><u>FRAPS</u>
- Version: 3.5.0, Build 14948
- File: AVI
- 60 fps
- Full-size
- Record Win7 sound – stereo

<u>Bandicam</u>
- Version: 1.8.4.282
- File: AVI
- Video: MPEG-1 (VBR), Full Size, 60.00fps, 80q
- Audio: MPEG-1 L2, 48.0 KHz, stereo, 192kbps

<u>MSI Afterburner</u>
- Version: 2.2.4
- File: AVI
- Video format: MJPG compression
- 50% quality
- Frame size: 16:9 1080p
- Framerate: 60fps
- Multithreaded optimization: automatic
- Enable audio capture
- Downmix multichannel audio to stereo

<u>Dxtory</u>
- Version: 2.0.119
- File: AVI
- Lagarith Lossless Codec
- Framerate: 30fps
- Key Frame Rate: 15
- Quality: 100
- Data Rate: 0
- File Format: Avi
- Scaling: 100%
- Audio: PCM 48000 Hz, 16 bit, stereo

<u>Playclaw</u>
- Version: 3, Build 2065
- File: AVI
- Encoder: MJPEG
- Video file FPS: 200
- Compression threads: 4
- Mix sources in one track

<u>D3DGear</u>
- Version: 4:15, Build 1516
- File: AVI
- Framerate: 30
- Video codec: Windows Media Video 9 Codec

<u>Gregion</u>
- Version: 3.1
- File: AVI
- FPS: 60
- Lagarith Lossless Codec
- Audio: PCM, 24.000 kHz, 16 bit, Stereo
- MP3, 64 kbps, 24000 Hz, Stereo
- MP3 Encoding Mode: Fast<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

TychoCelchuuu

Awesome! Thanks for this! I just use FRAPS for everything but it's good to know maybe there's a reason to :P

antacid

Do people honestly use anything that isn't Fraps?

I mean I know it makes huuuge files, but it does a good job at recording. I suppose the MSI price point is fair enough though.

Regnareb

Did you really had such FPS drop? It's HUGE!

I really do not have that kind of results myself. When using MSI afterburner for example, my max FPS loses 1 to 5, but not really much. Same thing with Fraps, but I get a little more impact on FPS, like -10 FPS.
For the quality test, did you used the default settings, or at the max quality? (you can say from 0 to 100% quality in some softwares). If you have one software at 75% and another at 100% who makes bigger files, it's less representative.

antacid > Did you tried others at least? Fraps is no longer the number 1 since a long time.

Peacefulwarrior

I use Mirillis's Action! A nice recording program that allows me to record in good quality with very little fps drop. Price point $29.95.

ScardyBob

<!--quoteo(post=2004155:date=Nov 1 2012, 03:30 AM:name=Regnareb)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Regnareb @ Nov 1 2012, 03:30 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2004155"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Did you really had such FPS drop? It's HUGE!

I really do not have that kind of results myself. When using MSI afterburner for example, my max FPS loses 1 to 5, but not really much. Same thing with Fraps, but I get a little more impact on FPS, like -10 FPS.
For the quality test, did you used the default settings, or at the max quality? (you can say from 0 to 100% quality in some softwares). If you have one software at 75% and another at 100% who makes bigger files, it's less representative.

antacid > Did you tried others at least? Fraps is no longer the number 1 since a long time.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The actual level of drop wasn't as important as its comparison with other programs. I purposely tried to make the conditions harsh (i.e. adding 12 bots to a local server is going to cause performance issues even when not recording), so I could get a good idea how these programs perform under high load conditions, when you want the least fps drop while playing.

I also tried to set the video quality to the highest possible, but I can't be completely sure I had the settings right for all the programs. I primarily use FRAPs myself, so if you could suggest settings for the others to maximize quality, minimize performance drop, file size that would be great.

Kouji_San

I don't quite get the "If you only care about quality" bit. DXtory is much crisper and has less artifacts than Fraps, even on the DXtory codec at "Low Quality". If you use any of the higher quality settings it simply blows Fraps out of the water...

Also in terms of performance, are you using the "Low Quality" option and using more (2/4) CPU threads in DXtory? That is actually more then enough, even too much for YouTube. If you're using the RGB setting, DXtory is bound to have lower performance because of the data write bandwidth it needs. But again "Low Quality" is not low compared to the other options out there. Heck it's actually pretty damn high quality ;)

If you have a 4 core CPU, set it to use two threads (default thread 0 and 1) and set NS2 to use 2 and 3. In all of my tests DXtory completely blows all the other stuff out of the water in terms of performance, options and quality... So I find it quite odd that you're coming to this conclusion. Especially since my old C2D @3.2Ghz had much better recording performance with DXtory, 2500k eats FPS for breakfast compared to that one though :P

ScardyBob

Here's my Dxtory settings (set to using all four cores):
<a href="http://imgur.com/S2PgI" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/S2PgIl.png" border="0" class="linked-image" /></a>

I'll admit, I didn't fiddle with them much before benchmarking. Mind posting your settings? As for quality, I find it mostly subjective with fraps still having the cleanest video. However, pretty much all of the other programs (except Gregion) had good enough quality for youtube.

Kouji_San

<ul><li>DXtory set to 2 Processing Threads on the green (chip) tab (which would be core 0 and 1 by default)</li><li>NS2.exe set to core 2 and 3</li><li>Dxtory Video Codec set to YUV410(4x4) - Low Quality (which is still insanely high for YouTube purposes :P) Anything other than "RGB True Quality" which requires insane bandwidth</li></ul>

Talesin

I would recommend giving XSplit a shot as well; while primarily oriented toward livestreaming, it has the option to record to disk as well. I was having fps-drop issues running it in user-mode, but switching it to run as Admin resolved a majority of that and seemed to make the FPS drop nearly negligible. Quality is decent (though limited to 25fps and 720p recording on the free version) and quite good if paid. Unfortunately it's a time-based license rather than a one-time purchase, as with the others listed here.
But at $15 for a three-month, it's definitely worth a shot.

Apocalipsus

Msi afterburn has an option where it doesn't compress the video (making a huge file) wouldn't it had a video quality similar to fraps?

Im really not that at making movies, since my internet is very slow to upload stuff and I don't have anyone to share them with, so I may not know what im talking about.

ArcL!ght

BTW while we are at it, this seems to be popular everywhere (even for Twitchers and casters and casual recorders).

<a href="http://www.avermedia.com/product/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=571" target="_blank">http://www.avermedia.com/product/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=571</a>

Has anyone actually tried it himself?

Kouji_San

<!--quoteo(post=2030364:date=Nov 20 2012, 07:46 PM:name=ArcL!ght)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ArcL!ght @ Nov 20 2012, 07:46 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2030364"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->BTW while we are at it, this seems to be popular everywhere (even for Twitchers and casters and casual recorders).

<a href="http://www.avermedia.com/product/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=571" target="_blank">http://www.avermedia.com/product/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=571</a>

Has anyone actually tried it himself?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think Wasabi has that card, it should relieve the stress on the CPU, making it possible to even stream NS2 on a C2D ~3.0Ghz with a negligible impact on FPS since it has it's own processor and also records from the video and audio out (on the back of your case). So the CPU is completely excluded from the encoding process.

Xplit has support for it, not sure if FFsplit has it (the freeware program I'm using). The quality is a bit lower compared to the programs listed above, such is the nature of the cheaper hardware encoders. But it is way more then enough to stream or for YouTube usage :)

ArcL!ght

<!--quoteo(post=2031531:date=Nov 21 2012, 10:21 PM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Nov 21 2012, 10:21 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2031531"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->such is the nature of the cheaper hardware encoders<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

This is anything but cheap :) it's around 250$ range and from what I saw in specs it can do up to 15Mbit for video rates. But still if it takes up to 10% of CPU instead of 50% it is worth the price.

Of course compared to the "real" capture cards in 1000$ range it is cheap for an average Joe :)

peregrinus

Need some advice on uploading to youtube after recording with fraps.

What's the best format to convert the fraps avi files to?

Does recording half size or full screen make much difference in game performance wise?

ArcL!ght

<!--quoteo(post=2032098:date=Nov 22 2012, 12:40 PM:name=peregrinus)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peregrinus @ Nov 22 2012, 12:40 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2032098"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Need some advice on uploading to youtube after recording with fraps.

What's the best format to convert the fraps avi files to?

Does recording half size or full screen make much difference in game performance wise?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

try using super to encode it to mkv, that's atleast what I do

Kouji_San

<!--quoteo(post=2031934:date=Nov 22 2012, 06:29 AM:name=ArcL!ght)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ArcL!ght @ Nov 22 2012, 06:29 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2031934"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->This is anything but cheap :) it's around 250$ range and from what I saw in specs it can do up to 15Mbit for video rates. But still if it takes up to 10% of CPU instead of 50% it is worth the price.

Of course compared to the "real" capture cards in 1000$ range it is cheap for an average Joe :)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
So it is indeed cheap or rather consumer grade :P

It is of course still way beyond acceptable for what YouTube and especially Twitch uses. But it does tend to have minor artifacts from the footage I've seen compared to the "lossless" recorders mentioned above, especially with fast moving or twitch movement in some games.

TychoCelchuuu

<!--quoteo(post=2032098:date=Nov 22 2012, 06:40 AM:name=peregrinus)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peregrinus @ Nov 22 2012, 06:40 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2032098"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Need some advice on uploading to youtube after recording with fraps.

What's the best format to convert the fraps avi files to?

Does recording half size or full screen make much difference in game performance wise?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I encode it in x264 using VirtualDub.

ScardyBob

<!--quoteo(post=2032098:date=Nov 22 2012, 03:40 AM:name=peregrinus)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peregrinus @ Nov 22 2012, 03:40 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2032098"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Need some advice on uploading to youtube after recording with fraps.

What's the best format to convert the fraps avi files to?

Does recording half size or full screen make much difference in game performance wise?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I just use Windows Live Movie Maker to convert Fraps files to a more manageable size for uploading to youtube. AFAIK, half vs full size only affects the video quality and file size, but not its impact on game performance (though, I haven't tested it).

Mrop

has anyone tested OBS?
Open Broadcast Software (is like Xsplit, but free)

ive been recording some NS2 but my cpu can barely handle NS2 over 20fps, so recordings are like:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Buaf4LcB-0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Buaf4LcB-0</a>

im getting new hardware next month so i hope my fps gets 25+ ;)

ArcL!ght

<!--quoteo(post=2051392:date=Dec 26 2012, 06:03 PM:name=Mrop)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Mrop @ Dec 26 2012, 06:03 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2051392"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->has anyone tested OBS?
Open Broadcast Software (is like Xsplit, but free)

ive been recording some NS2 but my cpu can barely handle NS2 over 20fps, so recordings are like:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Buaf4LcB-0" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Buaf4LcB-0</a>

im getting new hardware next month so i hope my fps gets 25+ ;)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

You will benefit much more with Live Gamer HD capture card then with new hardware.

I'll be getting it in next few days so I can write down a full report on it in this topic :).

Tickrate

Fraps -38%
Playclaw -46%
Strange
Playclaw is lightweight than Fraps most of the time.

ArcL!ght

<!--quoteo(post=2052313:date=Dec 28 2012, 04:02 PM:name=Tickrate)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tickrate @ Dec 28 2012, 04:02 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2052313"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Fraps -38%
Playclaw -46%
Strange
Playclaw is lightweight than Fraps most of the time.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

If you play with core affinity and set playclaw to use only 3rd and 4th core (since it rarely uses all 4) drop in framerate is much lower then 46% but depends on situation and ofcurse game progress.

I get solid 50-70 FPS with everything on max and FullHD except AA during early, 35-60 FPS during lategame. When recording it's not 1st person but commander view and you get much more detail so I get 45-60FPS early and 25-45 during late game.
When I do my casts I get around 14-45FPS depending on situation and game state, which is more then enough for casting purposes.

ArcL!ght

After getting a Live Gamer HD capture card I have to say that I get no frame drops what so ever.
The Capture card takes everything on it and there is not a single frame flicker or drop of any kind.

Streamer or caster and if you can afford a 200€ card I would advise it but do check card inputs so it supports your video options.

Streidominating

I was wanted to add something to this thread, if You have no free slot for the card, maybe take a look at: Elgato Game Capture HD Not sure if its better or worse than the Avermedia Live Gamer HD or just an alternative, but reviews are very good. Not able to test myself though.

Koruyo

There is also this thing: Avermedia Live Gamer Portable

Zugdud

Greetings! Please excuse my intrusion into this thread, I'm working on some video capture software which some of you folks might find handy. If it sounds interesting feel free to contact me for a version of the current beta build

EpicRewind is video capture software that has a key differentiating feature: RAM RollingBuffer mode. This works like an on-demand instant-replay: a game is hooked and the video is continuously buffered in system RAM, when something cool happens the user can save the buffer contents with the press of a hotkey. So rather than saving video from your entire gaming session you can just save the good stuff after it actually happens. In addition, EpicRewind provides some nice performance benefits over traditional capture software: video processing, encoding and writing to disk only happen when you choose to save a video clip. During video buffering, the contents of the framebuffer are just being copied to system memory X times per second based your specified capture FPS.

Key advantages of the RAM RollingBuffer:

- You don't need to pre-plan a gaming video, you can just play the game without thinking of the video at all. If something interesting happens you can always choose to save it after it's happened.
- Ideal for MMOs and Multiplayer games where 99% of the gameplay isn't worth sharing and the interesting stuff can happen at unexpected times.


Added benefits:

- One of the best benefits is that it saves you time by eliminating the need to dig through all your saved gameplay footage to find the good stuff.
- Saves disk space by not writing countless hours of video to disk your just going to throw away later after you dig out the highlights.
- More efficient use of system resources by not processing and encoding video the entire time your gaming.
- Select Xvid or DivX MPEG-4 output video encoding, or if you prefer, no video encoding at all! The "RAW BMP Frames" output option will produce an enormous yet flawless output video.

You can find more information about EpicRewind here on our website along with some demonstration videos:

http://epicrewind.com

We are at the point now where we have a usable beta build and are looking for more folks to try it out. If this sounds interesting to you feel free to send me a PM and I’ll get you signed up, alternatively you can also email me at:

contact@epicrewind.com

If you really like the idea, we've just launched a Kickstarter for the project here:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/848170399/epicrewind

Anyway, thanks for reading!

Xao

That hard sale.

Can Scardy check out OBS and Xsplit and do all the hard work and thinking for me too there? Great post.

It's Super Effective!

I've recently entered the realm of streaming. I use OBS, and I dare say it's better than xsplit, it's free, launches faster (no login and validation) and works on twitch.tv and even youtube live events. Check it out. You can check my stream quality on my twitch.tv channel.

For all my regular youtube videos, I use Dxtory. My machine is a beast, so no lag here, and I have an entire 3TB of hd storage available for recording, so file size isn't a problem. But one thing Dxtory might have over Fraps, is the ability to record multiple audio inputs, and keep it on a separate tracks while on the same avi file. Look it up, it's the rawcap option on Dxtory.

It's Super Effective!

Actually rawcap is for writing on multiple drives for performance

TychoCelchuuu

I recently switched to Dxtory too. I like it more than FRAPS for the reasons you mention and because it lets the game run at a higher FPS than you are recording at, which means it's easier for me to play while recording. Afterburner's video files looked too terrible, and I haven't really tried out other programs much at all (I demoed Bandicam once for like 5 minutes).