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How to capture video onto a PC
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It's not free to do, but its not too expensive anyways.
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Contents
Buying the right equipment.
Setting up your video.
Finding the right shots.
Producing the finished movie.
Getting it on the web.
Buying the right equipment.
Many have asked...how do you make these videos? Its really quite simple.
Video capture cards can run up to $300...but you don't need that. What I use
is a $35 USB tool called "USB Video Grabber" by LinXcel.
$35 "Video Grabber" by LinXcel
Here is more info: Monoprices.com
I got mine on Ebay...and for the price, it does everything it need to. Just make SURE you use the S-Video connection, since composite is way too blurry.
This product comes with some software
that allows you to edit videos...perfect for Halo 2 fan-flicks. However, you can also use Windows Movie Maker, or MGI Videowave 4 (which is what I use). For a good tutorial on using Windows Movie Maker,
check this out.
For compression, I use Sorenson Squeeze, an excellent compression program.
There is no cheap way of capturing hi-definition video from your XBox. In fact, not even the folks at IGN.com can do it. S-Video still provides a very sharp picture, at a
maximum resolution of 640x480. That's all we need anyways for making a great Halo 2 movie...so lets continue.
NOTE: Some have been able to capture video by hooking up a Xbox to a camcorder and a DV link.
I don't recommend this for making true Halo movies, since you cannot see the video clearly at ALL to get a good perception of whether or not the shot is good. This is doable for making
trick videos, though.
Setting up your video.
Next, connect your XBox and start up Halo 2. Once you do that, just
get the BLIND skull in Outskirts...and if you do not know what that is, check out the
High Impact Halo skulls forum for info. This skull makes your HUD and weapons disappear...even better: there are skulls that allow you to become invisible (even as the Master Chief)
and lots more. Check out that forum and see what skulls could aid you in making your film.
There is one drawback to the BLIND skull: it doesn't carry over to multiplayer games. It is, in fact, a very crippling drawback for many, since multi is the only real way to make a machinima production.
However, two player co-op can have BLIND mode activated in the campaign.
If you still want to make a multiplayer video w/o the hud (or as much w/o the hud as possible) try using
Capture Solution, which captures only part of a screen. Its very useful, and its shareware ($60 to buy).
Now that you've
settled on a single or multiplayer video...what next? Well, lets set up those shots.
Finding the right shots.
If your doing a trick video, then this section is not too important. Just remember to be clear about what kind of trick your doing...go for a teaser shot first, then a more
revealing shot near the end.
For a more serious film...well, lets find those shots. There are certain aspects you should know:
--Having the game on "Easy" allows you to not get shot as often, while getting some real good movie shots. However, Halo 2 implements a slight lock-on feature with any gun for the easier levels,
making it hard to move the camera fluidly (its like a hidden magnet pulling you when you shoot scenes in easy mode). Harder difficulty levels let you move the camera much more freely...
but its much harder to get close shots. Mix them up to get the desired shots you need.
--Try to be aware of your surroundings. If you run over a gun, the text will still be displayed on whether or not to pick it up or duel wield it. This can ruin a perfectly good shot.
--Create a new profile (mine is named "cameraman," heh) and set the thumbstick sensitivity to 1 (low). Its much easier to create flowing camera movements this way.
--The Arbitor has a limited camo function. Use it wisely for great close ups of enemies (or get the skull that allows the Chief to get camo as well).
Always be the cameraman when your filming within Halo 2...that is, pretend you are a defenseless man that's only looking for good footage. The result: a much more intimate view of your surroundings,
instead of blasting your way though scenes.
Producing the finished movie.
After you mix the music of your choice, its time to produce it. Its wise to always choose the WMV format first, since its the most web-friendly, followed by Divx and Quicktime. A 320x240 is more than
sufficent for the web. In fact, all of the movies on this site have been squeezed to 320x240 without any serious repercussions. Sound is actually the most important feature in my films, so I make
the compressor realize that by compressing the video more and the audio less. Your movie could be the opposite...who knows?
Getting it on the web.
The big problem any movie maker faces is bandwidth. So here are some tips for building your reputation and getting your video on the web:
-First, encode your movie so that it is under 8 megs.
-Next, head on over to Mythica.org and upload your video.
-Post it everywhere. The four main forums (in my opinion...definitely not the biggest ones) are Gamefaqs, IGN Halo, High Impact Halo, and Bungie.net.
-Submit it to me at the email address on the top left of this page. I'd love to see it and help you with anything you need.
If your movie is different enough, it will get responses. Trust me...there's nothing a Halo fan (or any fan for that matter) loves more than seeing their game in a glowing light.
So...good luck, and I hope you do well!
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