SurClaro Flight Simulator Resources

[jaeger52]

For those Videophiles amongst us who have FSX installed, I've been wondering whether or not FSX has the same Flight Video Recording utility that FS9 has?

Has anyone noticed if there has been any new features incorporated which might allow it to work "better" with 3rd party video software like FRAPS or GAMECAM?

Jaeg-

[Behrentzs]

As far as I know, FSX has the same kind of Flight Video Recording Utility that FS2004 has (.flt files).

However FSX also has a "secret" video recording option, that isn't known by many...I'll post up the document when I've found it again.

[mel wilson]

Behrentzs wrote: As far as I know, FSX has the same kind of Flight Video Recording Utility that FS2004 has (.flt files).

However FSX also has a "secret" video recording option, that isn't known by many...I'll post up the document when I've found it again.

Hmmmm......... Be interested to read that.

Mel.

[Behrentzs]

http://www.guild-metus.com/xflightx/Recording_FSX_Videos.zip


NOTE: This is a direct download link. RD

[mel wilson]

That's a very informative document Behrentzs, thanks for the link...... I will try, and see what results I get.

Although it should be something that with a little common knowledge we should all have figured out, I bet there are lots who have not even pursued it.

I'm sure this will help most everyone.

Mel.

[mel wilson]

Interesting findings on this topic, I set mine up as per the documentation, all worked fine, and there is no visible deterioration in the video, however, as per the doc, 45sec of recording left me with a file size of 2.29gb in AVI Format, also I had no sound, but maybe that was due to setting this thing up in a hurry.

I then ran Windows Movie Maker, imported the video, and then re-saved it in WMV Format, again, no loss in quality, and a file size drasticly reduced to 1.69mb, I did find that it ran at twice the speed, but found if I selected "Slow" in the playback option, it then ran at normal speed....... Still with no sound.

I'm sure with a bit of maniplution, paying particular attention to the sound side of things, these minor problems can be ironed out.

I will investigate this further, and come back with a finished procedure.

Hope this is of some use to you all.

Mel.

[mel wilson]

Behrentzs wrote: http://www.guild-metus.com/xflightx/Recording_FSX_Videos.zip


NOTE: This is a direct download link. RD

With regard to Behrentzs direct link, plus RD's pefectly acceptable and understandable warning, this is a safe download, it's a pdf instruction file,

Mel.

UPDATE: I recorded a second vid, and repeated the same procedure, this time, the vid ran at normal speed, I dont know why the first one was running at double speed. The sound side of things, does seem to be a problem, I investigated all sorts of options, but could not seem to get it.

If anyone wants to work with me on this, then please do so, the results so far are much, much better than Fraps.

[Behrentzs]

Mel, great to hear that you're trying it out! Keep us updated.

And sorry, I thought that you would see that it was a direct link, should have stated it. It's from my server, holds no viruses and is just a zipped .pdf file with instructions.

[mel wilson]

Behrentzs, yep, I did notice it was direct, as did RD, maybe a good idea for the future to indicate it's a safe link, I scanned it with Norton before I attempted the download......... and as you say, it's 100% safe.

I hope your lead to this results in some forward steps, at least for FSX vids anyway. Good topic, well done.

Mel.

[rd]

The only reason I made the comment that it was a direct download, is I and some do not want a direct download link. I would prefer a link to the page, and see what it is exactly I might or might not want or download.

As for the worry of viruses or trojans or whatever, I do have good faith in that you/others would not purposely compromise my/others systems.

I/we would like a little more info from the site itself, so we can make that call to get it or not.

Your fine Behrentzs, no problem.

RD

[mel wilson]

I agree totally RD, I fully understand your concerns in this, I too fear direct download links, I like to see what I about to download, and be given an option. No worries.

Mel.

[rd]

OK....

I played with it for a couple hours. I never got the sound to record. Just like it is with FS9.

However....

While I was flying and activated the camera, my framerates dropped from 35 to 11, and stuttered the whole flight while recording. When I shut it off, it went back to a smooth flight. I tried changing the recording timings to see if I could get it to smooth out. Nope. The only way to stop the stuttering was to really lower my graphic settings. And you know what, I didn't like it, so I reset the settings.

BUT....When I did the same flight (a/c, a/p, time of day, etc) I did record it with FRAPS. The video from FRAPS was exactly as it flew. Smooth AND with sound.

As for default, it is fine if it doesn't slow you down, or you don't mind adjusting your settings. Most will add music to it, so having no engine sounds is not a biggie.

Not a review per say, but my experience with the default.

RD

[Behrentzs]

Quote: Your fine Behrentzs, no problem.

Pheew...! Ma but's saved for this time! :lol: :wink:

I get your point of view guys, and I fully understand it. I have it the same way.

As for the inbuild recorder vs fraps I still perfer Fraps. I just thought I would prove that FSX HAD an inbuild video feature :wink:

[mel wilson]

Been messing around some more, and it looks like I am coming round to RD's train of thought, sound is not possible, and yes the frame rates do drop, with FSX being so greedy, I really dont think this avenue for recording flights is an option......... I will not be doing any more testing on this subject. But have to admit, I enjoyed the challenge, thank Behrentzs.

You dont know untill you try, something else we have all learned.

Mel.

[jaeger52]

OK,

We've just discovered that FSX indeed has a more robust video recording feature that allows us to actually save a recorded video in a format that most video editing programs will recognize. This is definitely a big leap forward!

Mel reported no loss in quality when importing to Windows Movie Maker, and no loss in quality when saving the file to WMV format. I was especially encouraged by this bit of news, although it seems that Mel had better overall frame rates than did RD? Am I mistaken about that?
Mel wrote:
"....the results so far are much, much better than Fraps."

This is REALLY encouraging news!!! Mel, please clarify more clearly how and why this is better than Fraps? This is obviously a topic of interest to many. A "SurClaro Members Review" of sorts about this particular feature of FSX. Meaning, more in-depth specifics whenever possible.

It's very interesting to note the differences being reported and experienced by Mel and RD.

Mel wrote:
UPDATE: I recorded a second vid, and repeated the same procedure, this time, the vid ran at normal speed, I dont know why the first one was running at double speed. The sound side of things, does seem to be a problem, I investigated all sorts of options, but could not seem to get it.

If anyone wants to work with me on this, then please do so, the results so far are much, much better than Fraps.

RD wrote:
OK....
I played with it for a couple hours. I never got the sound to record. Just like it is with FS9.

However....

While I was flying and activated the camera, my framerates dropped from 35 to 11, and stuttered the whole flight while recording. When I shut it off, it went back to a smooth flight. I tried changing the recording timings to see if I could get it to smooth out. Nope. The only way to stop the stuttering was to really lower my graphic settings. And you know what, I didn't like it, so I reset the settings.

BUT....When I did the same flight (a/c, a/p, time of day, etc) I did record it with FRAPS. The video from FRAPS was exactly as it flew. Smooth AND with sound.

As for default, it is fine if it doesn't slow you down, or you don't mind adjusting your settings. Most will add music to it, so having no engine sounds is not a biggie.

Not a review per say, but my experience with the default.

Then, sadly, Mel reversed his position a little bit to coincide with RD's post by subsequently reporting a loss of frame rates. Why didn't you report this finding sooner than you did, Mel? I leave it to you to investigate this anomoly.

What we must now strive to ascertain is whether or not the recording feature in FSX supports audio (and in what formats)? Is there some official documentation or readme or PDF that explains all this? Either on the FSX CD Documentation(s), or at Microsoft Gaming Division?

Whom among us [was] among the beta test team? I admit that I've forgotten now. Perhaps that person could disclose some insight into these matters?

But, let's also not lose sight of the fact that FSX was "overwritten", and designed to keep us all guessing and striving for better performance for some years to come. Of course this is all about upgrading to Windows Vista and DX-10 and purchasing new Mobo's, hyper ram, video cards that will soon be forthcoming and you-name-it's. There may also be a new generation of Keyboards, Joysticks, Mice and others coming down the road. My spyglass is somewhat fogged over just now by a brace of ships to seaward of this isle whom are engaged in blasting out a smokescreen designed to obscure my/your vision ahead.

Perhaps the only noticeable deficiency is whether or not FSX can record audio associated with its video capability. Is it not possible that this feature could yet be forthcoming, if in fact it is already encoded and we just haven't figured it out, yet?

That FSX apparently allows one to record and save a video in AVI format is somewhat encouraging. Especially when AVI formatting stands for "Audio Video Interleave".

Audio technology might be about to take another leap forward and FSX has been thusly coded?!

All in all, FSX gaurantees us many years of bickering and bantering, arguing and resolving for a long time to come.

Imagine the alternative?

"It's the cat's ass or the seashore!"

Jaeg-