Looking for a solid codec to capture gameplay? Dxtory is a great option.
Looking for a solid codec to capture gameplay? Dxtory is a great option.
You're just starting out with this stuff. You mentioned you don't want to spend a lot right now—just buying a CPU for around $500. Your current setup includes an I3 4130 processor, 8GB RAM, and a Hitachi HDP725050GLA360 SATA drive. You're planning to record two games: BF4 (possibly hardline) and GTA V (if it's released). You're aiming for around 30 FPS at 720p, up to 15 minutes of gameplay, and want a final file size between 700MB and 750MB. You're aware that video files will need compression, and you're using HandBrake but have had poor results. You also heard about H.264 as a good codec and AMD DVR but found it problematic. It seems like you're looking for a balance between quality and file size while staying within budget.
Consider alternatives like OBS paired with Intel Quick Sync instead of DxTory.
Bandicam offers AMD VCE x264 (GPU capturing/encoding) support, which could be more suitable depending on your CPU performance. Handbrake proves highly capable after learning how x264 functions. EDIT I think you might also be able to use AMD VCE with dxTory.
You lack the CPU power to process x264 and QuickSync at low quality settings. You'll need to record at a higher bitrate before compression if you want QuickSync to work. For better performance, consider using Lagarith or UT Video on a faster drive instead.
Regarding H.264, lossless options like Lagarith are available but require more processing time. A 15-minute file at 20GB suggests high quality—consider your compression needs and available resources.
H.264 is the standard codec for broadcasting, while x.264 offers an open-source alternative. For compressing Handbrake, using x.264 works well—it’s free and powerful once you grasp how to apply it. Adobe Media Encoder is user-friendly but not free; it includes Premier but may also be available as a standalone tool.