Real-Time Screen capturing/recording easily done with VirtualDub and VHScrCap

Video EditingI’ve been looking for a way to capture my screen (not screen-shot it, but real-time capture) while on my OS (WinXP). I’ve found a lot solutions, but all of them involved shelling out money one way or another. Now why would I do that, when in the age of Open Source and Freeware there are free solutions for almost everything?

So I set out to look for an Open Source/Freeware solution, and I’ve found one! VirtualDub coupled with VH Screen Capture Driver works like a charm!

First you need to download and install VH Screen Capture Driver, then you start up VirtualDub.

In VirtualDub you do the following:

Step 1:  Switch to Capture Mode

Switch to Capture Mode

Step 2:  Select Capture Device

This is why you need to install VH Screen Capture Driver, before VirtualDub, otherwise you won’t have the Screen Capture “Driver”.

Select Capture Device

Step 3: Set your capture file

Choose its name and its location.

Set capture file

Name the capture file

Step 4: Configure the capture devide / filter

You need to config VH Screen Capture Driver in order for it to run correctly.

Configure the capture device

Press “select” then put in your current desktop resolution in Width / Height. I’m running my PC in 1920 x 1200 resolution.

Configure the capture device

Configure the capture device

And that’s pretty much it. Didn’t cost a cent!

You can record uncompressed audio/video and transcode it later:

Uncompressed Audio and Video

Uncompressed Audio and Video

Uncompressed Audio and Video

Uncompressed Audio and Video

or you can choose to expirement with those setting to your best liking! I personally record uncompressed and transcode it afterwards.

Enjoy!

Edit: According to some users, this method does not work with Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

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Rating: 8.7/10 (14 votes cast)
Real-Time Screen capturing/recording easily done with VirtualDub and VHScrCap, 8.7 out of 10 based on 14 ratings

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9 Comments | » Comments RSS Feed

TotemNovember 16th, 2009 at 08:16 AM

Thanks for the tut^^

LocoApril 21st, 2010 at 08:35 PM

Thanks it works fine

OAKsideJune 15th, 2010 at 11:32 AM

Wow, thanks Don Salva. Great freeware (deserves donation)! Works perfectly.
Thanks again for finding/sharing your craptastic world. :) *bookmarked*

Don SalvaJune 15th, 2010 at 12:37 PM

Much obliged to help!

nooberoJuly 10th, 2010 at 04:36 PM

didnt work in windows 7, got error that capture couldnt start :|

Don SalvaJuly 10th, 2010 at 04:39 PM

Haven’t tested it on Win7 only WinXP.

Plus1AtkJuly 13th, 2010 at 08:58 AM

Doesn’t work in Windows Vista either, got the “capture couldn’t start” error… hope there is a solution soon! Thanks for the post aswell

Don SalvaJuly 13th, 2010 at 09:08 AM

There’s an easy solution for Win7 tho, if you’re willing to dish out some cash, get FRAPS. It allows you to capture your desktop.

I don’t have Windows Vista, so I can’t test it on that. But I’ve got Win7 so I’ll test in this weekend and try to come up with a solution.

Besides that, FRAPS is either way a great tool to have in my opinion.

rogerJuly 27th, 2010 at 07:48 PM

http://forums.techarena.in/operating-systems/1306603.htm might help

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