Real-Time Screen capturing/recording easily done with VirtualDub and VHScrCap
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2009-08-12
I’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
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”. 
Step 3: Set your capture file
Choose its name and its location.
Step 4: Configure the capture devide / filter
You need to config VH Screen Capture Driver in order for it to run correctly. 
Press “select” then put in your current desktop resolution in Width / Height. I’m running my PC in 1920 x 1200 resolution. 
And that’s pretty much it. Didn’t cost a cent! You can record uncompressed audio/video and transcode it later:
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.
Addendum 18.08.2010: If you are a Windows 7 user, I suggest you use Fraps to record your desktop. Fraps has the ability to record your Aero desktop, which is awesome. No more hassle. Start Fraps, and start recording. 
21 Comments
link to vhscrscrape is dead…
Fixed.
Very nice tut!Many thx!
Hey! nice tut… But I have some sort of problem… I’m having a water print of http://www.Xsplit.com at the bottom rigth corner… is it suppoused to be like that?
thx!
I guess so, I don’t know XSplit.
Works great in win xp. Thanks for this. I’ve been using something called amarecco. That one works well (high quality) but the files were huge. With this method i can experiment with the settings and come up with a much better size.
Works fine with Windows 7 Pro x64, just run in Windows XP (Service Pack 3) compatibility. Also need to check “Hide display on capture” under the capture tab or it won’t capture right.
Now is there a way to get rid of the xplit watermark? (Other than extending the video and cropping later.)
Haven’t got a clue about the watermark. I’m no longer using this method since Win7. Because Fraps has the option to record the AERO desktop, meaning the whole screen.
To get rid of the watermark, find an older installer of VHScrCap before it was taken over by the XSplit people, who added the watermark. Look for installer version 1.0.46 which appears to be the last free, no-watermark suite by Hmelyoff, the original developer. Might try here:
Uninstall the watermark version and install the older no-watermark version. Only trouble is, it might not be Windows 7 compatible. I have Win XP SP2, and it works a treat on that.
Say what?
This page was great and the Virtual Dub and VHScrCap worked perfectly fine on my XP system as promised. Thank you so much for the awesomely simple tutorial; this open source solution was just what I was seeking.
. might help
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.
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
Haven't tested it on Win7 only WinXP.
didnt work in windows 7, got error that capture couldnt start 😐
Much obliged to help!
Wow, thanks Don Salva. Great freeware (deserves donation)! Works perfectly.
Thanks again for finding/sharing your craptastic world. 🙂 *bookmarked*
Thanks it works fine
Thanks for the tut^^