[peter_magenheimer]

Okay, I already posted this as a reply to another thread, but no one seemed to notice it, and I'm still seeing quite a few "h0w do u mak sUTch gud moovies?" threads on the forum, so I'm posting it as a new topic...

Please tell me if there's anything I should change or add on... The guide's not set in stone or anything. Also feel free to tell me how awesome it is... Anyway, here it is.

How to Make Videos from Your PS2
"It's as easy as 1, 2, 3!... Sort of."
1. CAPTURING

There are a couple of different options for capturing the video from your PlayStation 2 in the first place.

Option 1:

The first of these options is to use what is called a "video capture card" or a "TV tuner card" for your computer. Generally, these are installed in an available PCI expansion slot inside your computer or simply plug in to a USB or Firewire port. Here are some examples of video capture cards and TV tuners:

• PCI TV Tuner: Click Here
• Pinnacle Studio (includes good editing software, a PCI capture card, and a "breakout box" that you use to connect video and audio cables from your PS2): Click Here
• USB Capture Device: Click Here
  
  Some other ideas:
  
• Dazzle Video Creator: Click Here (Thanks to Mxyzptlk)
• Dazzle Fusion (and a small warning about the Dazzle): Click Here (Thanks to Kingjad)

Using one of these, you can hook up the cables from the PS2 to your computer, as if you were connecting them to a TV. Once you have the cables hooked up, you can use video capture software (usually included with the video capture card or the TV tuner) to record whatever the PS2 is doing to your hard drive. This is generally a rather hard drive intensive process, and the video can be up to 1 GB for each 2 or 3 minutes (depending on how your capture program compresses the video, if at all). NOTE: Once you have captured the video, most programs will allow you to compress the file to a much smaller size, using a format like WMV (Windows Media Player Video), MPG, MOV (QuickTime), DivX, or others.

I personally think this is a better option for capturing the video, mainly because the quality of the video is much better, and you generally don't have to deal with too much equipment and stuff. However, this method's a little more time-consuming and requires a pretty good working knowledge of computer hardware and software.

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1. CAPTURING continued

Option 2:

The second option for capturing the video is to use a camcorder or a digital camera's movie mode. Basically, you just set the camera up to point at the TV screen where you'll be playing the PS2, and hit record. NOTE: I'd only recommend doing this if you have a DIGITAL camcorder or camera, so that you can easily get the video on to your computer. Otherwise, you would pretty much have to go through the whole above process anyways (if you were using a camera that doesn't have FireWire or USB 2.0 output).

Once you've recorded the video, you can use whatever software came with your camera/camcorder to get the video on to your computer. With a digital camcorder, you simply hook it up to a computer with a FireWire or USB cord (depending on the camcorder) and follow the steps in the software you're using. With a digital camera, you can generally just download the video as if it were a normal photo.

This method is nice for those that already have a camera or camcorder they can use, and they don't want to spend the extra money on a capture card. Also, with this, you don't have to have your PS2 near your computer to get the video. However, the overall quality is not going to be anywhere near what you'd get with a capture card or TV tuner (just because no TV looks good when viewed on a camcorder), and it can be hard to get the camera set up just right so everything's lined up.

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2. EDITING

Once you have the video on your computer, there's any number of things you can do with it.

If you don't feel the need to edit your video (adding transitions, titles, or music, cutting out scenes, etc.), you can probably just go ahead and skip to the next step (uploading the video). However, make sure the video is an appropriate filesize before you do. You can do this with a bunch of different programs, usually including the software that came with your video capture card or any simple video editing program.

If you'd like to make your video flashy and cool, or if you just need to cut out long stretches of boring parts and add transitions and stuff, then you need to use a video editing program. There are MANY video editing programs out there, and they range from free and pretty bare-bones to extremely expensive professional-level. Here are a few examples of these programs:

• Windows Movie Maker (free)
  
  This is included free in Windows XP, and it's just a simple but useful way to make smaller changes to your videos. You can cut out scenes, add basic transitions and titles, and other basic operations. Definitely a good choice if you already have Win XP and don't want to buy a better editor.
  
  Added 1/28: Microsoft has a great site describing how to capture, edit, and share your video with Windows Movie Maker. You can find it here.
  
  
• Other free editing programs
  
  Just search Google or go to download.com, and you can probably find a bunch of other free programs, most of which are similar to Windows Movie Maker in overall capability.
  
  Added 1/28: VirtualDub's a great open-source video editing program. It's a small download, and it's very simple. It may not be the best out there, but it's great for basic linear editing. Click here to visit the homepage and download it.
  
  
• Pinnacle Studio or ULead VideoStudio (ranging from about $50 to $150)
  
  These are both slightly more high end editing programs, and they offer many more features than the free or really low-priced programs. Some of these (usually the higher-priced ones, like Deluxe versions) come with a video capture card you can use, and those ones are good choices because the capture card integrates directly with the program.
  
  
• Sony Vegas Video, Adobe Premiere, etc. (ranging from $500 and up)
  
  These are the REALLY high-end, professional-level programs. They have tons of features, options, premade goodies, and tools, and are generally less user-friendly than the other categories. I use Vegas Video myself, but that's just because I'm an A/V enthusiast and I use it for MANY things aside from GTA videos. This is probably overkill for most people, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who's not looking for the utmost control of their videos.

I can't really explain the actual process of editing, since it's different for different programs, but your editing program should do a pretty good job of guiding you through it. Or you could just read the help file for it...

Once you're done editing and you're satisfied with the result, save the video as one of the more common formats (WMV or MOV is generally preferred by people on this forum) and wait for the program to do so. It may take a while, depending on the length of your video. Once it's finished, check to see if the file size is too big. A good rule of thumb for a low-to-mid quality video at a resolution of 320x240 is 3-4 MB per 1 minute of video. I wouldn't go much higher than that unless the detail of the video is a very important part of it. Experiment with compression settings in your editing program to find the right balance for your video.

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3. UPLOADING

Now here's the part where you get to display your finished, refined product to the whole world! For people to view your video online, you need to upload it to a web server first. There are a couple different options for this.

If you don't feel comfortable uploading the video yourself, ask someone on the forums to help you out. Generally, you can e-mail them the video, and they can take care of uploading it for you. I personally can host videos on my website if you'd like, so PM me if you'd like to do that.

If you have your own web server, just upload the file there. If you are in this situation, I doubt you need help figuring out how to upload a file, so I'll just continue.

You can also upload your video to a site like www.putfile.com, azupload.com[I forget if this one accepts video files], or yousendit.com. Each site is different, so if you need help uploading to any of them, either find the Help section on the site or ask one of us here at GTAForums.

Uploading Tip from Mxyzptlk:

QUOTE

Remember you can host videos in zip format at www.thegamersalliance.com. BUT! Keep in mind 50% of people will have firewalls or security settings that just send them from the download page to the main page and back again.

Other good upload sites:

• Rapid Share (30 MB file limit)- Thanks to Mxyzptlk again.
• FileFront (need FTP client to use) - Thanks to gotups294

Once your video is uploaded, make sure you tell people about it and post a link to it, so we can go see it!

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Hope this helps!

This post has been edited by peter_magenheimer on Saturday, Feb 5 2005, 02:20

[JLF05]

good stuff ol' pete

[Mxyzptlk]

It's a good guide so I'll bump; and also remember you can host videos in zip format at www.thegamersalliance.com. BUT! Keep in mind 50% of people will have firewalls or security settings that just send them from the download page to the main page and back again.

[Barguast]

Thanks for the guide

I'll be sure to direct any questions about making videos here - we are getting quite a few them lately. If anyone else has any useful hints & tips to share then be sure to post them here so the topic is as comprehensive as possible

[Double_Deagle]

That's nice work and a very good guide, after finally realizing how easy it can be, I think I'm gonna make a vid of my flying boats...

Props there...

[Raptomex]

Nice. Helps alot. I think this should be pinned.

[GTANUT86]

Great help there. I was wodering how to make video's and now I know thanks to you!. Again, brilliant guide!

[Luke2004]

QUOTE

Windows Movie Maker (free) This is included free in Windows XP, and it's just a simple but useful way to make smaller changes to your videos. You can cut out scenes, add basic transitions and titles, and other basic operations. Definitely a good choice if you already have Win XP and don't want to buy a better editor.

how would i add transitions, titles and stuff like that? (using WMM obv.)

[Mxyzptlk]

QUOTE

how would i add transitions, titles and stuff like that?   (using WMM obv.)

At the top of the list of your clips, are two options, one for transitions, and one for effects. Titles and credits are in the left hand sidebar.

[Gonzales]

Thanx for the guide. I can now make my trilogy of videos I wanted to make. It might take a while, cos' I'm a dipsh*t, but fingers crossed...

[SanAndreas1829]

i use Ulead videostudio 8 and it is extreamly easy and theres hundreds of diff transactions, effects and all kinds of stuff u can add, its real cool

[Mxyzptlk]

I've got Adobe Premiere and AVID Express, but for these short gameplay movies, windows movie maker is simple and efficient.

[SanAndreas1829]

i only use windows movie maker to make the final product smaller, alot smaller

[peter_magenheimer]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

Later, I'll probably add a basic guide for editing, since it doesn't say much about it right now. I'll be keeping the first post updated with tips and suggestions that other people post here, as well.

[kippers.]

Dam good guide..Everything u need to no to get ya started



Well done

[Barguast]

I've PMed the creator of the 'Show me your home movies!' topic and suggested he put a link to this guide in his first post - hopefully that way it won't get lost again as it almost did before.

Once again, nice work

[peter_magenheimer]

Cool, thanks! It looks like cpmusick added it.

I just added a couple things and made some other changes (cleaning up links, etc.).

I'm planning on adding a couple other things later on (like a short guide for Mac users and a generic editing tutorial), but I don't feel like it right now.

[Mxyzptlk]

QUOTE (Kingjad @ Feb 1 2005, 09:49)

I done a search on V-Stream on that website.  A lot of answers came up, this was one: KWORLD USB2.0 Video Capture/Editing/Encoding Box, Model "Kworld V-Stream Xpert TV-USB 2.0(USB2800R)" -RETAIL And it's $60.  This the one you meant?

Kingjad found this one on NewEgg.com, unfortunately they only ship in the US.

For people in the UK:

QUOTE (Kingjad @ Feb 1 2005, 12:13)

So I'm all for that, I just gotta find one which is at a good price and sells outside the US.

Amazon UK has some

EDIT: List of more

This post has been edited by Mxyzptlk on Tuesday, Feb 1 2005, 17:20

[bignothing]

QUOTE (peter_magenheimer @ Jan 29 2005, 06:38)

I'm planning on adding a couple other things later on (like a short guide for Mac users and a generic editing tutorial), but I don't feel like it right now.

Excellent, I look forward to it. Edisoncarter's new batch of cheats have made the idea of filming a video all the more exciting. Since I'm nearly as addicted to GTA Forums as I am to GTA SanAndreas, and since there's still another few months of snow left on the ground in Chicago, I just might be looking to buy a camcorder/capture device to hook up with my Mac sometime very soon.

[Kingjad]

Back to Mxyzptlk's handy links, the Dazzle capture card. New one is £46.40, and a USED one is £34.99. Saving 11 and a half quid, but is it worth it? I ask those who buy not just vid cards, but anything electronic and such, would they advise buying one already used, or advise me to go for a brand-spanking new one?