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Advice for Let's Play of Old Game

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ZeldaQueen Since: Jul, 2009
#1: Aug 4th 2012 at 8:45:49 PM

I recently acquired a computer game from 1995, and I became interested in making a Let's Play or video walkthrough of it. The trouble is, when I try to use my screen-recording program (Hypercam), the game records oddly. The screen is splotchy, with characters and objects not being "filled in". That is to say, the outlines of them are there, but there are big patches of black inside, instead of the complete image.

I was advised to try Fraps, which I am looking into, but I was curious as to whether or not there was some other technological issue I should be aware of.

The computer I am running the game on, incidentally, is a Windows XP. The game, I believe, runs via a 256 color palate.

Any help would be appreciated!

RocketDude Since: May, 2009
#2: Aug 4th 2012 at 8:48:44 PM

Is it a DOS-native game? Try emulating it with DOS Box and then recording. If it still doesn't work, try another recording program.

edited 4th Aug '12 8:49:08 PM by RocketDude

ZeldaQueen Since: Jul, 2009
#3: Aug 4th 2012 at 10:11:43 PM

If you mean did I download it from somewhere, no. I installed it from the original CD-Rom.

Okay, thanks! I'll try that. :)

OdieEsty Why would I write that? Since: Mar, 2012
Why would I write that?
#4: Aug 4th 2012 at 10:20:53 PM

Hypercam

You're already so far in the wrong you should burn everything and try again.

edited 4th Aug '12 10:21:13 PM by OdieEsty

Remember! Hyperbole is an exaggeration made for comedic effect, and shouldn't be taken literally!
0dd1 Just awesome like that from Nowhere Land Since: Sep, 2009
Just awesome like that
#5: Aug 18th 2012 at 1:34:38 PM

What game is it?

And yeah, if you're using Hypercam, you're already Doing It Wrong™.

edited 18th Aug '12 1:35:15 PM by 0dd1

Insert witty and clever quip here. My page, as the database hates my handle.
Filby Since: Jan, 2001
#6: Aug 18th 2012 at 1:35:52 PM

I know Raocow uses Camtasia... might look into that. I don't know if it's free or not.

ZeldaQueen Since: Jul, 2009
#7: Nov 10th 2012 at 9:48:06 PM

@0dd1 - The game is titled Legends & Myths, and the production companies that made it were Opportune Press/Firefly.

@Filby - Camtasia was one of the programs I tried, but I had no luck. I did use a trial version, so it could be that I just didn't have access to some feature I would have needed. I don't know. I can look again.

mrsaturn Youkai Serious Since: Jan, 2001
Youkai Serious
#8: Nov 15th 2012 at 7:58:58 AM

If you use Hypercam, be sure to register it. There are many jokes about someone named "Unregistered Hypercam 2" putting their label on videos.

They assed first. I am only retaliating in an ass way. -The Dead Man's Life
ZeldaQueen Since: Jul, 2009
#9: Jan 25th 2013 at 12:09:21 PM

I'll be sure to do that. Thanks!

ShadowHog from Earth Since: May, 2009 Relationship Status: Healthy, deeply-felt respect for this here Shotgun
#10: Jan 25th 2013 at 12:48:49 PM

Watch Retsupurae. While their admitted goal was just to have a good time at the expense of really awful L Ps and not to be the bastion of proper LP technique, the fact remains that it is mocking really awful L Ps, and as such showcases everything they do wrong. Having an idea of what not to do would help considerably with figuring out what to do.

Moon
Filby Since: Jan, 2001
#11: Jan 26th 2013 at 6:45:12 AM

Basically, just point a camera at your computer screen, show yourself setting up the game, eat some potato chips while playing, and make sure your pet, if any, is in view at most times, and you should be fine.

ShadowHog from Earth Since: May, 2009 Relationship Status: Healthy, deeply-felt respect for this here Shotgun
ZeldaQueen Since: Jul, 2009
#14: Apr 13th 2013 at 8:51:52 PM

Yeah, I've seen enough L Ps to know not to do that sort of thing. :/

Nettacki Since: Jan, 2010
#15: Apr 13th 2013 at 10:58:14 PM

If you're gonna use a camera to record your tv, at least make sure it looks as seamless and near-indistinguishable from direct screen capture as possible. Use some kind of camera stand, or stack a bunch of stuff underneath it, zoom the camera so that the tv screen fills the camera view directly with no angle, and fiddle around with the color and focus settings and turn off autofocus to minimize distractions.

ZeldaQueen Since: Jul, 2009
#16: May 4th 2013 at 10:16:59 AM

@ Nettacki - I actually don't have the equipment needed to play the game on my TV, or to record it with a camera. Given how things have been working out though, I may have to try that route...

If it helps at all, incidentally, I took a screencapture of the start-up menu to show what the problem's like. You can see it on a post I did, here:

http://zelda-queen.livejournal.com/133623.html

Again, it only does this for screencaptures or recordings. When I'm actually playing the game, it looks just fine.

edited 4th May '13 10:17:53 AM by ZeldaQueen

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