That's a good idea, actually. Could anyone help me out with this?

First, are there any good free video-capture programs for the Mac? (Ambrosia's costs a pretty penny.)

If so, post the name here. Then, if you all could take video of various bits of mansions, and send me your videos, I could edit them down to something cool and post it somewhere. :-)

Missy wrote on 04.06.2009 at 06:23:04:

What about just using the MM make a film of the game section and then uploading the film file of the game to the youtube site?  Just a suggestion.

Those files just record which keys were pushed. They don't actually create any video. You need the MM game to replay them.

You need a video-capture program (or Snow Leopard) to record anything suitable for YouTube. There are some free ones out there, but they are limited how long they can record for if I remember correctly.

I just tried a program called "Capture Me" that is free, but the video it produces is very choppy -- very bad frame rate. I'm guessing I'd have to use Ambrosia's Snapz Pro to get good video.

I have made very good experiences with Snapz, Vern.

It's like a "movie-screenshot"..... so I imagine it should record an MM game played in full-screen mode beuatfully.

And the great thing is - as far as I remember - exporting the resulting file into standard formats like QuickTime etc. is very simple.

I use something called Screen Movie Recorder. Simpler then Snapz but effective. The demo only lets you record 10 fps. It's about 15 Euros to buy, so probably not worth it too much. Snapz may be the best option.

What exactly are you going to make with Snapz there, Vern? A simple gameplay video to help advertise and such? Or maybe a cinematic trailer? :P

I could video some clips for ya, I have SnapZ Pro so it should save you a pretty penny ;)

I have tried Snapz Pro, and the capture rate was pretty choppy. Compared with Frapz on Windows, which I used for the Insectoid video, Snapz Pro is rather bad. Or maybe the Mac is bad at doing video capture. Not sure which.

But sure, if you come up with anything that seems to be fairly smooth and a decent frame rate, upload it and I'll take a look. I've got some good experience editing together the Insectoid video, so editing together a MM video is certainly something I could do, if I could get some decent gameplay captures. Please record only standard mansions though.

I can edit it if you want because I have Final Cut (it will save you time)

That's okay, I prefer to do the editing myself.

OK ;) (I'm still gona make a trailer anyways just for the fun of it) I'll send ya the clips once filmeded

Thx for that brilliant idea, Missy!

I suggested Vern to contact Rohful who made that high quality mov-file about the invisible ladder bug.

Meanwhile, I think we may brainstorm here about other sites where the uploading could be interesting. First thing that comes up in my mind is GarageTV. Is that worldwide known?

And besides that we also need to think about interesting parts to be 'filmed'.

That's a great idea, Missy! I wouldn't have the time to be involved in such a project myself, but I would welcome it. :-)

Vern has added a blog to his main ActionSoft website.

Freddy, I'll start thinking of good areas to show in video. Hum, I may have to sacrifice some time playing through the included mansions to do proper research.  ;D

In my opinion, half the fun (or more) of MM is figuring out the challenges and the routes to take to both complete the mansion and find all of the secrets. Walkthroughs that show everything take that away. That's why these forums are great for players to get hints when they need it and then go explore some more on your own.

Oh, I can't do video's. I'm just offering to help come with suggestions as to which areas to make videos of.

Here in Brugge (Belgium) an interMactivity-group had started. Starting on Friday the 15 th of January, twice a month Apple/Mac-users will come together in a nice coffeeshop called Bean around the World. But already in December every Friday the group comes together for brainstorming. Of course I joined them!

Last night I was able to ask some information about this topic and got two advices.
1° Quick Time 10 that is included in Snow Leopard (alas only for intel) and therefor free of charge. Are there snowleopards among our regulars? And is there anyone who has experience with Quick Time 10?
2° Screenflow, that seems to be superb, but costs nearly $ 100. The free demo you may find here:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/video/screenflow.html

There was also the suggestion to go to a website called 'Screen Castle 9', but I couldn't find it yet. I'll check if I got the site-name right.

I did some tests using iShowU HD, which is what Rohful used, and it works great. I do find you have to get the $69 version, which lets you delay compression until after the video capture is complete, but it works well.

Just tried the QuickTime 10 player. That's cool -- I didn't know it had screen recording built-in. But this gives me the worst results of anything I've tried... very very poor frameRates. I'd stick with iShowU HD.