For months now I have been meaning to post instructions on how to make a video of VMK. Today I finally got around to doing it. There are many tools available for recording what is on your screen. In this tutorial I will describe how to make a video using the free Windows Media Encoder. These instructions assume you are running Windows XP.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage caused to your computer. I have performed the steps outlined below on my own computer without any problems, but if your hard drive crashes or your monitor explodes, it's not my fault. :)

1. Download the Windows Media Encoder (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=5691ba02-e496-465a-bba9-b2f1182cdf24&displaylang=en) and install it.

2. Run the Windows Media Encoder. It should be on your Start Menu: All Programs -> Windows Media -> Windows Media Encoder

3. The following window should appear:
http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/data/500/step11.jpg
Select "Capture screen" and click OK

4. In the next step, select what part of the screen you want to record:
http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/data/500/step21.jpg
You can select "Specific window", but that will include the entire browser window. I recommend selecting "Region of the screen", which will allow you to select a specific area that you want to record.
If you want to record sound, check the "Capture audio from the default audio device" checkbox.
Click the Next button to continue.

5. In the next step, you will get to select the exact area of the screen that you want to record:
http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/data/500/step31.jpg
Click the selection button, which is below the text "Do you want to use the selection button?" The Windows Media Encoder window will minimize. Click one corner of the area that you want to record. Then hold down the mouse button and drag to the opposite corner of the area that you want to record. When you release the mouse button, the Windows Media Encoder window will be back on the screen.
Click the Next button to continue.

6. In the next step, enter a file name for your video:
http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/data/500/step41.jpg
Click the Next button to continue.

7. In the next step, select the video quality that you want:
http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/data/500/step5.jpg
I recommend High quality. The video quality is very good and the file size is quite reasonable.
Click the Next button to continue.

8. In the next step, enter information about your video:
http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/data/500/step6.jpg
The information you enter will be displayed when the video is played in Windows Media Player.
Click the Next button to continue.

9. In the next step, verify that everything looks ok:
http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/data/500/step7.jpg
Make sure the "Begin capturing screens when I click Finish" checkbox is checked and click Finish to start recording.

10. The following message will appear:
http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/data/500/step8.jpg
Click OK to start recording.

11. The Windows Media Encoder window will minimize and recording will begin. When you are finished recording, click on Windows Media Encoder on the taskbar and click the Stop button on the toolbar:
http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/data/500/step9.jpg

12. A summary window will be displayed:
http://www.vmkforums.com/gallery/data/500/step10.jpg
Click Close to close the summary window, or click Play Output File to watch your video.

At this point you may want to edit your video. Video editing is beyond the scope of this tutorial. If you are running Windows XP, you should have Windows Movie Maker, which you can use to edit your video.

Now you need to put your video where others can see it. There are sites that will host videos for free, such as Putfile (http://www.************). You can upload files up to 10 MB on Putfile, or 25 MB if you sign up for a free account.

I hope this tutorial has been helpful. Feel free to post any tips or ideas that you have.

WOW. Thanks! Now I can film some of my zany moments from Toontown, also!

Thanks!! I have been wondering how to make a movie! Now i can make movies of random parts of my VMK time. :) thanks again!

ostrichasam

Thanks so much! very very helpful, do I save it to edit it on Windows Movie thingy

I just made a movie, but when i played it it was very slow and didnt show up too well. hmm...

Cool!

(Short)

. . .

Thanks so much! very very helpful, do I save it to edit it on Windows Movie thingyWhen you are finished recording, there will be a movie file in the location that you specified in step 6. You can then do whatever editing you want to that file.

thx ! this is great

Toad thanks so much. You are a saint -gets on knees and thanks Toad- Now Idol pants can record VMK the movie! LOL jk ;)

I just made a movie, but when i played it it was very slow and didnt show up too well. hmm...You need a pretty fast computer to handle both VMK and the Windows Media Encoder running at the same time. You might try experimenting with different frame rates and/or bit rates.

In step 9, uncheck the "Begin capturing screens when I click Finish" checkbox and click Finish.
Click the Properties button on the toolbar.
Go to the Compression page.
Click the Edit button.
Under "Target bit rates", select the "259 Kbps (259000 bps)" line. (It should be the only item in the list.)
Click the Edit button.
The frame rate should be 15 frames per second. You might have better luck with a lower frame rate, such as 10, or even 5 fps.
If the video quality is poor, try increasing the Video bit rate. The higher the bit rate, the larger the file will be, so you don't want to go too high.
Click the Start Encoding button on the toolbar to start recording.

I'll try that! I wonder why it isn't working too well, i do have a fast computer. Oh well! Thanks again for this guide!! I am planning on making a movie of OstrichSam's day in vmk.:D

I have recorded my file, how do I save it as a video?

I have recorded my file, how do I save it as a video?In Step 6 you specify the video file name. When you stop recording, that file should be created, and you can play it in Windows Media Player or post it somewhere for others to view.

Thank you MisterToad for this very helpful thread! :D

Ty MisterToad got it to work!

It won't work for me. I think I am doing it wrong..

oooooooooooo, very interesting thread you've got here MisterToad. thx so much for sharing this :)

ty! it works really good on my computer! (too short)

what do movies do for you of vmk and how do you get your avatar to move like redsockgurls cat. also somebody post one of there movies here i want to see

it did not work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:( :( :( :( :( :( :( :(

That's sort of off topic here.

i am just new at this so i am trying stuff out wish me luck and happy holidays :xmas17: :xmas11: :xmas5: :xmas30: :xmas22:

Well..I downloaded it and cannot find Windows Media in my Start all programs menu...but after I finish the download it brings me here and nothing happens

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/thankyou.aspx?familyId=5691ba02-e496-465a-bba9-b2f1182cdf24&displayLang=en&oRef=

Well..I downloaded it and cannot find Windows Media in my Start all programs menu...but after I finish the download it brings me here and nothing happens

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/thankyou.aspx?familyId=5691ba02-e496-465a-bba9-b2f1182cdf24&displayLang=en&oRef=It seems that Microsoft will now only let you download the Windows Media Encoder if you are running a valid licensed copy of Windows. On the page you mentioned, just click the Continue button and follow the directions to validate your copy of Windows. Once the validation process is completed, you will be taken to a download page. Click the Download button and save the WMEncoder.exe file wherever you want. When the file is finished downloading, run WMEncoder.exe to install the Windows Media Encoder. You should then find it on your Start menu.

It seems that Microsoft will now only let you download the Windows Media Encoder if you are running a valid licensed copy of Windows. On the page you mentioned, just click the Continue button and follow the directions to validate your copy of Windows. Once the validation process is completed, you will be taken to a download page. Click the Download button and save the WMEncoder.exe file wherever you want. When the file is finished downloading, run WMEncoder.exe to install the Windows Media Encoder. You should then find it on your Start menu.
Uh..there is no continue button on that page.

Uh..there is no continue button on that page.This is what I get when I click the link you posted (I circled the Continue button):
6522

Do you get something different?

Sorry to bother you, but i have a question. When i upload my movies onto putfile, it says they cannot accept this type of file. Do you know what is wrong? Im guessing its the file i saved it as, but im not sure how to save it as another one. I can't find the option.

When i upload my movies onto putfile, it says they cannot accept this type of file. Do you know what is wrong? Im guessing its the file i saved it as, but im not sure how to save it as another one. I can't find the option.On the Putfile site, did you select the "Video, Flash, or Audio" option?
Can you play the file in Windows Media Player?
Is the file in .wmv format?

I selected video, i think. I am pretty sure it is in vmv, but it might be in wme. I can play it in windows media player.

For months now I have been meaning to post instructions on how to make a video of VMK. Today I finally got around to doing it. There are many tools available for recording what is on your screen. In this tutorial I will describe how to make a video using the free Windows Media Encoder. These instructions assume you are running Windows XP.

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage caused to your computer. I have performed the steps outlined below on my own computer without any problems, but if your hard drive crashes or your monitor explodes, it's not my fault. :)

1. Download the Windows Media Encoder (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/encoder/default.aspx) and install it.

2. Run the Windows Media Encoder. It should be on your Start Menu: All Programs -> Windows Media -> Windows Media Encoder

3. The following window should appear:
http://img470.**************/img470/224/image19jh.th.jpg (http://img470.**************/my.php?image=image19jh.jpg)
Select "Capture screen" and click OK

4. In the next step, select what part of the screen you want to record:
http://img363.**************/img363/9299/image28ni.th.jpg (http://img363.**************/my.php?image=image28ni.jpg)
You can select "Specific window", but that will include the entire browser window. I recommend selecting "Region of the screen", which will allow you to select a specific area that you want to record.
If you want to record sound, check the "Capture audio from the default audio device" checkbox.
Click the Next button to continue.

5. In the next step, you will get to select the exact area of the screen that you want to record:
http://img383.**************/img383/795/image37nm.th.jpg (http://img383.**************/my.php?image=image37nm.jpg)
Click the selection button, which is below the text "Do you want to use the selection button?" The Windows Media Encoder window will minimize. Click one corner of the area that you want to record. Then hold down the mouse button and drag to the opposite corner of the area that you want to record. When you release the mouse button, the Windows Media Encoder window will be back on the screen.
Click the Next button to continue.

6. In the next step, enter a file name for your video:
http://img358.**************/img358/1188/image41my.th.jpg (http://img358.**************/my.php?image=image41my.jpg)
Click the Next button to continue.

7. In the next step, select the video quality that you want:
http://img127.**************/img127/528/image55wj.th.jpg (http://img127.**************/my.php?image=image55wj.jpg)
I recommend High quality. The video quality is very good and the file size is quite reasonable.
Click the Next button to continue.

8. In the next step, enter information about your video:
http://img127.**************/img127/4452/image61mv.th.jpg (http://img127.**************/my.php?image=image61mv.jpg)
The information you enter will be displayed when the video is played in Windows Media Player.
Click the Next button to continue.

9. In the next step, verify that everything looks ok:
http://img476.**************/img476/8681/image74xd.th.jpg (http://img476.**************/my.php?image=image74xd.jpg)
Make sure the "Begin capturing screens when I click Finish" checkbox is checked and click Finish to start recording.

10. The following message will appear:
http://img476.**************/img476/9053/image82na.jpg (http://**************)
Click OK to start recording.

11. The Windows Media Encoder window will minimize and recording will begin. When you are finished recording, click on Windows Media Encoder on the taskbar and click the Stop button on the toolbar:
http://img144.**************/img144/9459/image92lm.jpg (http://**************)

12. A summary window will be displayed:
http://img144.**************/img144/482/image106ox.th.jpg (http://img144.**************/my.php?image=image106ox.jpg)
Click Close to close the summary window, or click Play Output File to watch your video.

At this point you may want to edit your video. Video editing is beyond the scope of this tutorial. If you are running Windows XP, you should have Windows Movie Maker, which you can use to edit your video.

Now you need to put your video where others can see it. There are sites that will host videos for free, such as Putfile (http://www.************). You can upload files up to 10 MB on Putfile, or 25 MB if you sign up for a free account.

I hope this tutorial has been helpful. Feel free to post any tips or ideas that you have.
i cant find windows media

Very cool! Very, VERY cool! I've been wondering about how to do this, and I was going to do some research until YOU posted it MisterToad :) Thanks for the info!

So, is anybody gonna post a movie here???

Can someone provide me a direct link to the program?

thx so much! it rulz!My Movie is being made as soon as vmk opens today lol!

Can someone provide me a direct link to the program?
You have to download the program to use it.

I know this is a old topic, but whenever I record a video it comes out in great quality, but there is never any sound on it. I even set the sound source to my speakers, am I supposed to set it to something else?

The instruction are confusing..:xmas17:

I know this is a old topic, but whenever I record a video it comes out in great quality, but there is never any sound on it. I even set the sound source to my speakers, am I supposed to set it to something else?In Step 4, make sure you check the "Capture audio from the default audio device" checkbox. If you've already done that, then try this:
On the Start Menu, select Run...
Type sndvol32 and press Enter. This will open the Volume Control window.
On the Options Menu, select Properties
In the Properties window, select the Recording radio button and click OK
You should now see several sliders, one of which should be labeled "Wave". Make sure the Wave volume is turned up and the Select box is checked. It should look something like this:
http://img355.**************/img355/3318/sndvol7qd.th.jpg (http://img355.**************/my.php?image=sndvol7qd.jpg)

Try recording again and hopefully your video will have sound.

In Step 4, make sure you check the "Capture audio from the default audio device" checkbox. If you've already done that, then try this:
On the Start Menu, select Run...
Type sndvol32 and press Enter. This will open the Volume Control window.
On the Options Menu, select Properties
In the Properties window, select the Recording radio button and click OK
You should now see several sliders, one of which should be labeled "Wave". Make sure the Wave volume is turned up and the Select box is checked. It should look something like this:
http://img355.**************/img355/3318/sndvol7qd.th.jpg (http://img355.**************/my.php?image=sndvol7qd.jpg)

Try recording again and hopefully your video will have sound.

Woah, I have a different volume control panel than you do! I tried your instructions, but they still did not work.
http://usera.imagecave.com/SpaceMountain05/help_1.bmp.jpg

Woah, I have a different volume control panel than you do! I tried your instructions, but they still did not work.That appears to be the volume control for playback, not recording. From that window, select Properties from the Options menu. In the Properties window, do you have an option to Adjust Volume for Recording?

I found the record menu and checked all the options before I to it.
http://usera.imagecave.com/SpaceMountain05/help_3.bmp.jpg
Then I could not find the wave option at the controls.
http://usera.imagecave.com/SpaceMountain05/help_2.bmp.jpg

I found the record menu and checked all the options before I to it.
Then I could not find the wave option at the controls.
Try Stereo Mix and if that doesn't work then try Mono Mix. One of those should be the right one.

ok it says something that my codec doesnt work?

HELP! I tried to make a video of ToonTown but my image is really grainy and hard to read text. I put the setting on high but it still does not work. AND when I try to put it in movie maker it says it doesn't recognize that file type. but yesterday it worked with a different file

HELP! I tried to make a video of ToonTown but my image is really grainy and hard to read text.Look at post #10 in this thread to see how to make adjustments to the video quality settings. Try experimenting with different bitrates until you find one that looks good.

Thank you MisterToad, you always have up to date information such as updated Dictionary updates, and now this, and now I know how to make a VMK movie ( when the Yeti attacks ) LOL a movie idea for me

Thanks a million! I made a video of this thread to test it. I could read it perfectly! (For me, I put it as 20 fps) Thanks again You rock!!!!

EDIT: Well I tried it on ToonTown with 70 fps and it was still a little bit blurry. It wouldn't let me do 100 fps though..

Good Instrutions! Too Bad I Can't Downlaod Anything.

ty so much mister toad now my friends and i can film the music video ''together'' from high school musical!
edit i just tried it and it wont come up:(

I am very happy I now know how to do this! One of the top Castle Fireworks players made a video of one of their really good games, and I wondered, "How did he do that?" Well now I know, and I will soon attempt to create a video. Thank you so much for all of the work you put into the instructions MisterToad! :)

can we post movies on the forums?

Will the Video thingymabobber lag my computer? If so, is it possible for me to uninstall it?

can you post a pic of a video so if i know if i should try

No offense toady, but I think your software made my virusscan nuts, and it's saying "Time estimated until sweep done: 3 3/4 HOURS"

i cant find windows media




gosh i see so many peeps saying they cant find windows media but you must go to you're documents, go the file, and INSTALL the program. then you will find windows media.

I will create a video soon! I'm thinking maybe a parody of the famous Leeroy Jenkins video using the Pirates game.

I wish this program would work for me. It's exactly what I have been looking for over the past two months. But it doesn't. Does anyone else know of another video program I could try? Please please?!

tyvm
XOXO

WOW. I have NEVER EVER made a B on my report card, and I still did not know how to do that!

Jojo, what does that have to do with videomaking?

i just installed it tree times and i still cant find it plz show me a movie how to find it lol ty:donald: :CastMem:

Sorry to bring back a Semi-old thread, but I created my video using these directions. When I clicked out put to view it, it's extremely blurry and you can hardly see it. It looks like it's smeered with water! And when I try to take it to Windows movie maker... it doesn't work. It says you have to import it to your collection or something. I import it, and then it says The file 'C:\Documents and Settings\Jessica\My Documents\VMKMovie.wme is not a supported file type, and it cannot be imported into Windows Movie Maker.' I don't know what file type to save it to.. and I'm just really confused. If you could help me, your kindness would be greatly appreciated! :)
~ Pepper

i ddint know u cuold do that coooooooooooool

I downloaded it, but it won't work. Some error.

Cool!!!!! Thanks!

gr8 LOL now i do a video of my and my friends saying LOL too much.. LOL @_@

thanks so much

Thx alot Toad :)

Now if anyone can post a movie here so i can see what it actually looks like

MisterToad, i tried to download it but can you give me a specific link to the EXACT program,

is it the 1st Edition, beta, or series 9, i downloaded all of them and still doesnt work, can you give
me a direct link there?

I updated the link in the original post. Give that a try.

I updated the link in the original post. Give that a try.

Ok I installed it but

When i installed it i looked in

"All Programs" and i did not find any Windows Media> Windows Media Encorder,

is it exactly Windows Media? or is it Windows Media with a little more words

MisterToad,

Thank you so much for posting this!

I had never heard of Windows Media Encoder. When I saw your post and read that it was a free download from Microsoft, I thought it was too good to be true. I am very happy to report that I downloaded it and started making movies!

Along with the Windows Movie Maker that I had pre-installed on the computer already, it is like you have given me a brand new toy to play with! I had never worked with my Windows Movie Maker before, because I didn't have any video files to import. Importing VMK video capture files got the ball rolling, and now I am having a fantastic time creating videos with all of my family photos and Disney photographs and clips, as well as some fun little VMK movies.

The last time I did any movie editing was back with my full size VHS cassette recorder and a million wires and lots of mixing equipment, a long time ago. I am amazed at how easy it all is now!

Thank you, thank you , thank you for sharing your technological knowledge!! I am so glad I didn't buy some expensive video making program when I had it all already! My family and I will be enjoying lots of our memories again, together in video presentations because of you!

Thanks again, and feel free to share any other technological tidbits anytime!

Gosh, I sound like a commercial for you or Microsoft...lol
-CL_Reebee:mickey2:

is it exactly Windows Media? or is it Windows Media with a little more wordsOn my Start Menu I have Programs -> Windows Media -> Windows Media Encoder. If you can't find it, select "Run..." on the Start Menu, and copy and paste the following:
"C:\Program Files\Windows Media Components\Encoder\wmenc.exe"

can i see one of the movies i want to see one

can i see one of the movies i want to see oneHere is a boring movie of me scrolling through my Yeti pins (I only had 1000 at the time): http://media.************/1000-Yeti-Pins/800

AWESOME! This is sweet! :D Thanks MisterToad! :) This really helped!

Here is a boring movie of me scrolling through my Yeti pins (I only had 1000 at the time): http://media.************/1000-Yeti-Pins/800

LOL toad i saw it and wondered who was it from.. it was you!?? LOL'


I made a movie but putfile wont let me do it, it said i had to do WDV or something

How do you save the video as .wmv?

Toad, you have out done yourself! I've been searching all around the web for a screen capturing program (Thats free), and I haven't found one, Fraps only works for a full screen game, so it didn't help me very much with VMK.

But you have helped many people, so thank you very much. :)

WOW.This is amazing! Thanks for all the info!

How do you save the video as .wmv?In step 6 you specify a file name for your video (which will have a .wmv extension). When you are finished recording, the video will be created in the location you specified.

But when I save it, it goes back to wme

But when I save it, it goes back to wmeWhen you select Save from the File menu, you are only saving the recording options that you specified. The actual movie will be found at the location you specified in step 6.

wow cool i dont get any of that but it looks awsome:woohoo:

I love making movies now that I know what to do. Thanks very much!!

Yahoo! now im going to make a vidio THANKS!

I Dont Understand it @.@

Hey msitertoad i need help, i can make th movies fine, but every time i record, the movie stops before i hit the stop button! how do i make the movie as long as i want?

Hey msitertoad i need help, i can make th movies fine, but every time i record, the movie stops before i hit the stop button! how do i make the movie as long as i want?I don't know why it would stop recording before you click the stop button. Check to make sure you have plenty of disk space available.

ok i fixed it, when u do entire screen it stops, but with region of screen it works fine :)

Does it do anything to your computer

He said it shoulden't, but he's not responsible if it does.

:) Thanks! That helped alot! Im going to try making a video today!

Wow. This is really simple and great! Thanks a lot!:D

VMK is really laggy when I do this.. any way I can change that?

VMK is really laggy when I do this.. any way I can change that?

its supposed to be laggy while recording. It is capturing each frame by frame

oh it is? Because VMK is really slow when I tried it.. maybe i'll try that again.. thanks for the help!

VMK is really laggy when I do this.. any way I can change that?The faster your computer is, the less lag you should experience. Buying a new computer should solve your problem. :) If that isn't an option, try recording the smallest area of the screen as possible. You can also try experimenting with different frame rates and/or bit rates as described in this post: http://www.vmkforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=261970&postcount=10

Thanks! And one more question!

If i recorded it, and it turned out good.. how do i save it? It doesn't say how to in the first post..

If i recorded it, and it turned out good.. how do i save it? It doesn't say how to in the first post..When you stop recording, the video is saved at the location you specified in step 6.

Is it Free?

ya its free

I am having trouble with this. I can record the movies and play them, but how do I get them into Movie Maker??

That won't be helpful to me. I use Mac OS X.

Ok so I got to the recording part .. after that when I tried to play my video, it said that my file did not exist.. have any clue why? .. if what i'm saying is a bit confusing, i'll add more detail

Whenever I play back my video It's upside down and in black and white, whenever I choose flip screen vertically it says that it does not support, and plays all in black, I haven't found any way to fix it yet, any suggestions?

to me this is very confusing. lol. i dont get anything but i hope to soon! ;)

Does anyone have a video of vmk that they made that i could maybe see? ;) thx!

I made one! Sorry.. but its like 20 minutes...o_O

I made a video! It was hard but i finished only problem now... is i can't get it on any website to show you people. Sorry :I :confused:

When I try to save it to a file, it only lets me save it to certain files...

And, do you know any websites that don't make you log into to to upload?


Because, I found some but I don't have any of the files they need, do you know how to get the files they need?

Very good, I use Fraps tho... :)

www.FRAPS.com

what do you mean monitor explode?

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage caused to your computer. I have performed the steps outlined below on my own computer without any problems, but if your hard drive crashes or your monitor explodes, it's not my fault. :)

THis Cracked Me Up Thx It Really Helped