Fraps & VirtualDub: How to save disk space and enjoy good quality, small file size HD video clips
The biggest problem most of us face while recording gameplay clips with Fraps is its disk space usage. Fraps records everything uncompressed, continuously (free version is limited to 30 sec.) and sequential. Meaning from start till stop the “whole” clip is split into single 4GB files (I believe due FAT32 filesize restrictions).
The length of a single 4 GB clip depends on the resolution and the in-game scene you record it in. For example, for me a 4 GB clip has about 90 sec. worth of gameplay in 1920×1200 resolution.
Because of this uncompressed real-time recording your frame-rates drops significantly while playing. There is NO way to keep up 40+fps with Fraps running unless you have one hell of a monster system.
Imagine what happens when you want to capture a 30+ min gameplay clip. Either you buy yourself a Terabyte HDD or you use a very simple trick: recording in half-size, upscaling and sharpening. Read the whole How-To guide!
Recording in Half-screen/size
Before we start with VirtualDub transcoding, upscaling and sharpening, we first have to record our gameplay. We do not record our gameplay in full-screen/size mode, as usual, but in half-screen/size:
This means if you have a game running at 1920×1200 resolution, Fraps will record it at 960×600, or if you run it at 1280×1024, Fraps will record 640×512, etc. Which in turn translates into much more gameplay time in each 4 GB file.
Another example: While recording in 1920×1200, I only got about 90 sec. (1:30 min) per 4 GB file, recording in half the resolution (i.e. 960×600) resulted in about 360 sec. (6 min) per 4 GB file. Whole 270 sec. more!
Upscaling and Sharpening
We want HD Quality, so we’re going to upscale and sharpen our recorded clip. Start up VirtualDub, open the uncompressed file, change in “Video” -> “Full Processing Mode” and “Audio” -> “Full Processing Mode”, then set your VirtualDub according to this screenshot:
Save your settings via “File” -> “Save processing settings” or Ctrl+S, so you can simply load them in the future. Saves a lot of time!
Addendum: Regarding “Threads”; QuadCores = 6, DualCores = 3.
You’ll need VirtualDub and a codec-pack which has the H.264 codec, like the “K-Lite Mega Codec Pack“. The settings in the screenshot are the same ones like in “VirtualDub 720p HD settings for YouTube! [Good quality, small file size]“, what differs, however, is that we are also going to use the “sharpen” filter.
We call the method to resize a lower resolution (960×600) to a higher resolution (1280×720, in this case), UPSCALING (sometimes also refereed to as up-converting). For your information, 1280×720 is the Standard HD (720p) resolution. The other is Ultra-HD or Full-HD (1080p, 1920×1080).
However due the upscaling method we lose quality, which is where the filter “sharpen” comes in. Upscaling from lower to higher resolutions causes the image to “blur”. Sharpen removes the blur and, well, sharpens the image.
You’ll have to experiment with the slider in preview mode around a bit, until you find the result best to your liking. I found myself settling down between 23-30, depending on each clip.
When everything is set, start transcoding via “File” -> “Save as AVI”.
Two important VirtualDub settings you should not forget:
“Options” -> “Preferences” -> “Threading”: Set the “Video Compression Threads” to 1. This is important if you have a multi-core CPU to make use of the multiple cores and in turn speed up the transcoding process.
Since VirtualDub Version 1.9.4 there’s an option to use your GPU as part of the transcoding process. Make use of it to additionally speed up your transcoding process. “Options” -> “Preferences” -> “3D accel”, hack in the box.
Addendum 16.05.2010:
I’ve been getting mixed messages. Apparently using “3d accel” causes it to render slower than usual on some systems. I can confirm that. With 3d accel turned on, a 10min video takes about 1 hour 10-20 minutes, while turned off it takes about 1 hour max. You’ll have to experiment on your system!
Addendum 23.10.2009:
There’s currently a problem causing VirtualDub 1.9.4/5/6/7, crashing under Windows 7. The culprit is 3D accel! Turn it off under “Preferences” -> “3D accel” and enjoy VirtualDub once again!
Update 22.03.2010:
Updated Setting Screenshots
Related posts:
- VirtualDub 720p HD settings for YouTube! [Good quality, small file size]
- Real-Time Screen capturing/recording easily done with VirtualDub and VHScrCap
- Fallout 3 goes into the Pit – “The Pitt” HD game play clips!
- The Hillbillies invade Fallout 3 – “Point Lookout” HD gameplay clips!
- ‘Dismembering for Dummies’ by X-Men Origins: Wolverine [HD gameplay clips]
Tags: 720p, fraps, good quality, HD, high definition, high quality, high resolution, HiRes, how-to, HQ, screen capturing, screen recording, settings, Software, transcoding software, tricks, vdub, video editing, virtualdub, youtube
THATS TRUE AND AFTER THAT YOU CANB JUST CONVERT IT IN WINDOWS MOVIE MAKER AND IT WILL BE JUST 15 MB
how big are 2-3 minute clips created this way? I’m having trouble getting clips below 200MB, which is way too big for me.
Depending on quality settings about 200mb for 5min.
A kind of useful knowledge
Hey, great article! You may want to add a note about multi-threading regarding the H264 settings. You show in your H264 settings screenshot “6″ in the “threads” field but I assume that’s because you have a quad-core. It wasn’t until I watched your video on youtube that I realized my threads should be set at 3 because mine is a dual core. Anyway just an FYI, thanks again for sharing this info!
Yes, that’s covered in this article:
http://www.donsalva.com/virtualdub-720p-hd-settings-youtube/
Hey Don I’m curious about this, I saw on your youtube page that you cap in Fraps at 29.97 fps. Just wondering why you cap at that framerate instead of just 30fps say. I understand 29.97fps as it relates to NTSC standards but just wondering you are capturing video that won’t be played on a tv at that fps?
Force of habit. Because of NTSC
. Don’t have to be 29.97. Can be 30 even 45. Usually I go with 30 fps.
Got it, thanks for the quick response.
I have just installed VirtualDub, and I am following your directions. I created the resize filter, but there is no sharpen filter, along with other filters in the screenshot that are also not there. I have installed the full K-Lite codec package, which I was already familiar with. I would provide a screenshot for proof, but can’t.
Also, I do not see the list of codecs in VirtualDub after I have installed and restarted Windows 7 64-bit. I have restarted, and I am getting nothing.
I’m sorry, I mean after installing K-Lite and restarting Windows.
Then you must’ve a different version because those filters I showed are an integral part of VirtualDub.
I’m guessing you’re using the 64-Bit version of VirtualDub? I’m not, perhaps the 64-Bit version hasn’t got the filter because they aren’t 64bit compatible?
Try using the 32Bit VirtualDub. If you ARE using 32Bit VDub, then I’m at loss too.
Yes, I was using the 64-bit. I’ll try the 32-bit when I get the chance.
Nope, they are not there. I see Divx, Cinepak, Helix, Xvid, and other, but not the x264 that you are using.
Looks like I got it now. I had to choose “Lots of stuff” in the K-Lite install. There was no “mega” option.
Where exactly did you get your H.264 Codec? I’ve installed the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack and I still do not show the codec under my Video Compression settings.
Brandon, you have to select it manually:
http://www.abload.de/image.php?img=greenshot_2010-04-11_1ucz9.png
Ok, ok. But you can try the other way. It is like this:
To select half-size, and disable sound recording. The video will be around
5 mins. – 800MB. Then you can put in Movie Maker, and add some music. If you
do not want – you do not need. I just made a proposal! And now I will try with Virtual Dub. I hope it’s better!
[...] encoding my recorded raw footage into acceptable size and quality. The guides I wrote can be found here and [...]
Hi,
great tutorial, processed videos are awesome and of small size – really great.
But I’m having problem to upload them on YouTube – I’m always getting “Failed” error due to unrecognizeable format – any help, please?
Thank you.
Yes, I’m guessing you’re using the Mega K-Lite Codec Pack 6.1.0? If yes, go back to 6.0.4 if this error still appears try 6.0.0 or even 5.9.0.
Apparently 6.1.0 has a faulty h264 codec. 6.0.4 works for me, but for some it doesn’t.
Thanks, I’ll give it a try and will report back.
So,
Unfortunately I’m not yet very good in video editting, have no idea where could be a problem and so need a help. Will you, please? 
I reinstalled K-Lite back to 6.0.4 version and still getting the same error message after uploading a video on YouTube: “Failed (unable to convert video file)”
Since the video quality after following your instructions is really great, this “Failed” thing is making me sad a bit…
Like I said try 6.0.0 and 5.9.0. You’re saving and uploading the video files in .avi, aren’t you?
Yes I am.
Ok, I’ll try those even older versions of K-Lite….
Bummer… No older versions of K-Lite Mega (except of 6.1.0) are provided any more… Or I cannot find any, at least…
But there’s a new version 6.2.0 with x264 [revision 1666] VFW video codec – do you think it will work?
Never mind, found a site with all older versions…
I finally managed to upload my video on YouTube.
I used the newest 6.2.0 version of K-Lite Mega – it has a lot different x264 VFW codec settings window with less options to change but after a playing with them I’m quite sattisfied with the results…
Thanks again, man, good work (at least, I learned something about processing a raw video
)
VirtualDub is such a piece of crap, I don’t think anyone could ever “enjoy” it…