Demo Faq

BlueNovemberBlueNovember hax Join Date: 2003-02-28 Member: 14137Members, Constellation
edited January 2012 in Recorded Demos
<div class="IPBDescription">Your questions answered</div>Edit: I am still active. Feel free to pm; I'd love to edit this with new content. --Jan 2012
Additions and queries welcomed! Would like information on the use of Fraps from a more experienced user.

<b>Guide Aims</b><ul><li>Obtain information on the editing of demos</li><li>Obtain information on suitable applications for the above</li><li>Link to all the demos posted here/ other demo download sites</li></ul>Here goes...

<b><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green"><!--/coloro-->The basics<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b>
=======================
<i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->Recording a demo<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i>
Execute the command "<b>record filename.dem</b>", where "filename" is the file name of the demo to be recorded. (Note that the although ".dem" extension is optional, omitting it is not recommended. Avoid filenames with more than one period. Ie, "my.demo.recording.dem".)
This can be done via the console or a bind (see <i>More advanced demo recording</i>)

The demo is then written on the fly to your NS directory, ie:
[your steam dir]\SteamApps\[your account]\half-life\ns\filename.dem
("C:\Program Files\Steam\" is the default location for steam installation)

Alternatively, you can use the command <b>appenddemo <demoname></b> to record a demo and appends it to the existing demo specified in "demoname".

<i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->Playback<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i>
There are 2 commands that can be used to do this:<ul><li><b>playdemo filename.dem</b> will not give you access to VCR controls</li><li><b>viewdemo filename.dem</b> gives you the VCR controls (See <i>In-demo controls</i> below)</li></ul>(Note that the ".dem" extension is once again optional. However if you choose to play a demo with a name containing one or more fullstops, (eg 'my.demo.dem') HL will not add .dem extension automatically, but it will still play. Edit: Wait, so what's the problem? I'll investigate this later.)


<i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->Advanced Playback<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i>
Playing demos from outside HL: <a href="http://www.sk-gaming.com/skplayer/" target="_blank">SKPlayer</a> (Enter settings, find demo, then runs HL)
See also <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=89309" target="_blank"> this thread</a>.


<i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->In-demo controls<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i>
For basic playback manipulation you can hit escape to use the self-explanatory VCR controls.

For more precise control, you can use the following comamnds: [**Thanks Wey! Need to test these though**]<ul><li><b>dem_speed <1;2;0.5;...></b>: Sets the playback speed. (1 is normal speed, 2 double speed, 0.5 half speed, etc.) Do NOT set this one to 0; it freezes HL. See below for pausing. </li><li><b>dem_pause <0|1></b>: Pauses the demo. (1: pause, 0: play as normal)</li><li><b>dem_jump <time></b>: Jumps forward/back in the demo. You need to enter the time in seconds; negative values for time causes a backwards jump</li></ul>(Note that these also work whilst viewdemoing an HTLV demo.)


<b><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green"><!--/coloro-->More advanced demo recording<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b>
=======================
Speaking as an admin on a server, I find that there are many occaisions where I'd like to record demos at the touch of a button. This can be accomplished easily using the basic script:
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->bind x "record suspected_cheater.dem"
bind y stop<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->...where x and y are keys of your chosing. (Filename is set as such as this is what the demo is typically for. Set it to what you wish.)

However, there are occaisions where you have already recorded (and completed) "suspected_cheater.dem", and wish to record another demo. Pressing your "y" key again will over-write the first demo, which is obviously undesireable. To fix this problem I've come up with a simple application of a cycle script:
<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->bind x "makedemos"
alias "makedemos" "demo1"
alias "demo1" "record suspected_cheater1.dem; speak one; alias makedemos demo2"
alias "demo2" "record suspected_cheater2.dem; speak two; alias makedemos demo3"
alias "demo3" "record suspected_cheater3.dem; speak three; alias makedemos demo4"
//you could add more lines here if you feel you are likely to record more than four demos at a time
alias "demo4" "record suspected_cheater3.dem; speak last; w; w; speak one"
bind y stop<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->Replace x and y with your desired keys for recording and ending recording respectively.

This allows you to record 4+ (expand to suit your needs) separate demos without risking overwriting. When you exit half-life, you can then move them to a different folder and rename them to something more informative. If you'd prefer to give them names before you record, then use the below script.

<!--c1--><div class='codetop'>CODE</div><div class='codemain'><!--ec1-->alias demo "demo_prompt"
alias demo_prompt "messagemode record; alias demo demo_stop"
alias demo_stop "stop; speak exit; alias demo demo_prompt"
bind x "demo"<!--c2--></div><!--ec2-->
Replace x with demo record key.

This will bring up a messagemode "record:" input box, into which you can enter your desired demo filename.


See scripting forum for more help with scripting.


<b><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green"><!--/coloro-->Demo Downloads<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b>
=======================
<a href="http://console.gaming-tv.com/demos" target="_blank">Console Gaming</a>
<a href="http://isogames.com/downloads/exigent-vs-terror-cal-finals.rar" target="_blank">Cal Finals: Exi Vs Terror</a>. A *MUST* see.
<a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=65&t=91727&st=0#entry1450399" target="_blank">Gorge Rushing</a> in all its glory. <3 SDJason and all the guys at NSArmslab

Additionally, if you require Demo hosting, Kali has offered unlimited hosting <a href="http://www.naturalselection.pexgames.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. (Only for Demos!)

<b><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green"><!--/coloro-->Frag videos<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b> (made from Demos)
=======================
<i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->Related threads<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i>
<a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=89040" target="_blank">Ns Demos & Videos, Some questions about recording demo/vids</a>

<i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->Summary<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i><ul><li>Record the demo using the methods described above</li><li>Convert the demo to a series of BMP files</li><li>Convert the BMP files to an AVI file</li><li>Edit as appropriate</li><li>[Hosting details here?]</li></ul><i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->Converting the demo to BMP<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i>
Execute the command "<b>startmovie <filename> <fps></b>", where "filename" is the file name of the demo to be converted to BMP files, and FPS is the number of frames to be captured from the demo file in a second. The recommended setting is 25.
Ie;
<b>startmovie my_frag_video.dem 25</b>

<i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->Converting BMP to AVI<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i>
[**looking for a more detailed tutorial from someone who uses one of these programs**]
<!--QuoteBegin-Wey+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wey)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->You can convert to avis via Virtualdub, Videomach or bmp2avi (VirtualDub is open source, I can recommend it)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


<b><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green"><!--/coloro-->Useful applications<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></b>
=======================
[**I need more information on these; I've never done any of this myself. The wey quotes are all the information I have. They will be replaced by prose in the final version.**]

<a href="http://games.softpedia.com/get/Tools/Fraps.shtml" target="_blank"><i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->Frapps<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i></a>
<!--QuoteBegin-Wey+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wey)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Some people also like Fraps ... I don't. Just because it takes a very good HDD to record without framedrops and on a high resolution. And it compresses the movie a bit (not lossless), so you will never get the same image quality as you would get with startmovie. As long as you can (hl, hl2, all quake engines), you should stick to the game internal commands.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Discussion on the use of Fraps <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=89332" target="_blank">here</a>

<a href="http://neuron2.net/www.math.berkeley.edu/benrg/huffyuv.html" target="_blank"><i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->huffyuv<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i></a>
<!--QuoteBegin-Wey+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Wey)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I use huffyuv which compresses between 40% and 60% and is very fast (40fps on a 400mhz machine as far as I remember)<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<a href="http://virtualdub.sourceforge.net/" target="_blank"><i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->VirtualDub<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i></a>
High end app

<a href="http://www.downlinx.com/proghtml/283/28359.htm" target="_blank"><i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->bmp2avi<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i></a> - Unofficial site, main one appears to be down.


<a href="http://www.gromada.com/videomach.html" target="_blank"><i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->Videomach<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i></a>


<a href="http://www.sk-gaming.com/skplayer/" target="_blank"><i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->SKPlayer<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i></a> - Download without the need to register <a href="http://www.cstrike-planet.com/files.php?dl=5" target="_blank">here</a>
Useful utility to play demos outside of HL

<a href="http://www.demofreak.com/" target="_blank"><i><!--coloro:orange--><span style="color:orange"><!--/coloro-->Demofreak<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></i></a>
Provides a heap of information from a HL demo file

<b><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'><!--coloro:green--><span style="color:green"><!--/coloro-->Credits<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--></span></b>
=======================<ul><li><a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showuser=16910" target="_blank">wey</a> - Information quoted</li><li><a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showuser=11889" target="_blank">kavasa</a> - VCR controls pointer, mentioned in another thread</li><li><a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/index.php?showuser=31682" target="_blank">bmdavll</a> - Neat "messagemode record" script addition. </li><li>Other posters in this thread. (See below)</li></ul>Additions, criticisms and queries welcomed!

Comments

  • adi0adi0 Join Date: 2004-10-07 Member: 32142Members
    edited March 2005
    nice!

    i think u should note there is no need to type .dem extension manually
    record my_demo
    viewdemo my_demo
    will rec/play my_demo.dem

    *but* if you choose demo name with one or more fullstops, 'my.demo' for example, hl won't add .dem extension automatically. it will playback correctly, but different extensions can be quite confusing, if you're not using it on purpose <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->


    oh, and fyi this is videomach homepage: <a href='http://www.gromada.com/videomach.html' target='_blank'>http://www.gromada.com/videomach.html</a>
  • TrakenTraken Join Date: 2004-11-14 Member: 32797Members
    I've found that "viewdemo" gives you the VCR dialog box thing however voice is screwed up (?).

    Then there's "playdemo" which doesn't give you the VCR thing however voice_chat is correctly played.
  • BlueNovemberBlueNovember hax Join Date: 2003-02-28 Member: 14137Members, Constellation
    Thanks for the info guys!
    I'll update accordingly.

    W00t stickied. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • DepotDepot The ModFather Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7956Members
    Good post BlueNovember. Perhaps you could add <a href='http://www.sk-gaming.com/skplayer/' target='_blank'>SKPlayer</a> and <a href='http://www.demofreak.com/' target='_blank'>DemoFreak</a>, which are 2 good demo utilities. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • aonomusaonomus Dedicated NS Mastermind (no need for school) Join Date: 2003-11-26 Member: 23605Members, Constellation
    I know its not that hard to convert a demo into a *.avi, but I'm not quite sure how to extract the sound. I have software that can sync it up with it regardless of timing, but I still can't get the sound from the demo, is there a command?
  • adi0adi0 Join Date: 2004-10-07 Member: 32142Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-aonomus+Mar 2 2005, 08:29 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (aonomus @ Mar 2 2005, 08:29 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I know its not that hard to convert a demo into a *.avi, but I'm not quite sure how to extract the sound. I have software that can sync it up with it regardless of timing, but I still can't get the sound from the demo, is there a command?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    www.fraps.com can rip avi with voice straight from game or demo.

    there's also massive set of tools like total recorder that can dump all u can hear to a soundfile. check this:
    <a href='http://vivisimo.com/search?query=%22total+recorder%22&v:sources=MSN,Netscape,Lycos,Looksmart,FindWhat&sourceid=Mozilla-search' target='_blank'>http://vivisimo.com/search?query=%22total+...=Mozilla-search</a>
  • BlueNovemberBlueNovember hax Join Date: 2003-02-28 Member: 14137Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Traken+Mar 2 2005, 01:12 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Traken @ Mar 2 2005, 01:12 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I've found that "viewdemo" gives you the VCR dialog box thing however voice is screwed up (?).

    Then there's "playdemo" which doesn't give you the VCR thing however voice_chat is correctly played. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I investigated this (after a tip off) and it's not actually correct. Sound plays fine in both modes. Perhaps a fault/bug on your system?
    --

    Thanks Depot, added.
  • BlueNovemberBlueNovember hax Join Date: 2003-02-28 Member: 14137Members, Constellation
  • weywey Cineastè Join Date: 2003-06-01 Member: 16910Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation
    Thats weird ... a few weeks ago I sent two pms to you with detailed explanations about Fraps and VirtualDub. But according to the forum, i have never written them. I guess you never got them? <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • BlueNovemberBlueNovember hax Join Date: 2003-02-28 Member: 14137Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-wey+Mar 31 2005, 02:14 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (wey @ Mar 31 2005, 02:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Thats weird ... a few weeks ago I sent two pms to you with detailed explanations about Fraps and VirtualDub. But according to the forum, i have never written them. I guess you never got them? <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Correct
    :S
  • snakpaksnakpak Join Date: 2002-11-22 Member: 9634Members
    Hi,

    if you were a pub player then you dont know who i am.

    I am [Pandas]Snakpak. A member of one of the first teams to form during/after first day beta release.

    anyway,

    I have almost all of my old demos from NS competitive days. I also have the first international competition demos that we played against new zealand and korea.

    as well i have demos from other players during those same matches. I also have Charlie's demo from the New Zealand match. I have PUG demos. I have Pub demos.

    Pandas Versus:
    Co
    cX
    DG
    F&L
    nG
    xp
    psy
    EPX
    GoM
    sYn

    Let me know if you would be interested in them. I am more than happy to upload them to a central server for people to download and watch to see how it was done in the first days of competitive NS.

    Cheers.

    Snak
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