Documenting Gameplay Sessions
Documenting Gameplay Sessions
Hey guys, this is probably a really noob question but I was wondering what some good ways are to capture gameplay just for myself, not necessarily streaming. I started doing a bit of research but most of the solutions I found were software based and I feel as though that would affect my actual game play. I know capture cards exist and Nvidia has some of their own solutions but I’m on an AMD rig right now so I’m not sure where to go. Any suggestions on where to start? Thanks!
The Elgato HD60 would suffice. A software capture method would also be viable.
You have two choices. You can obtain a physical capture card, which you simply connect to your system or install it into a PCIe slot. Alternatively, you can use software, though the best option depends on personal preference. I usually rely on OBS (Open Broadcaster Software), which is easy to use and free. Keep in mind that recording software can consume a significant amount of hard disk space, so be mindful of the size of your recordings.
Have you noticed any decrease in frames per second while using OBS or similar programs?
I use OBS and usually experience only a slight slowdown, though it's uncommon. In reality, the program is open source and free—just test it and assess how it works on your setup. You can find Open Broadcaster Software here: https://obsproject.com/. Be sure to adjust the settings, choosing "File Output Only" instead of "Live Stream." For optimal local recording quality, refer to this guide: https://obsproject.com/forum/resources/h...rdings.16/. There are many YouTube tutorials, but focus on the tips above to achieve clear recordings with minimal storage impact. For instance, recording at 1920x1080 at 60FPS for 15 minutes yields just 2GB, dropping to about 1GB at 30FPS and around 600MB-700MB at 1280x720. That’s quite impressive for high quality.
Bandicam offers native AMD VCE and can record 1080p60 smoothly without much system strain. dxTory can also run AMD VCE with the OpenEncodeVFW codec. OBS provides an AMD VCE option too, though it tends to have issues. OBS supports x264 and QuickSync, making it flexible for your workflow. Since you're capturing locally, increasing the bitrate can work well with QuickSync, but using a powerful CPU will limit x264's performance.
Yes, though it's not as intense as drops you'd experience in... Fraps, for instance. Typically 2-6 frame drops, similar to what @ DEDRICK mentioned.