Capturing Computer Games to make Video

[jcikal]

What is the best way to get top quality video captures from a computer game (say Visual Pinball for example). I have 2 PCs, one Firewire Card, A Digital Camcorder (Mini DV) and a burning desire to record how I get my High Scores on Visual Pinball.

What is the best way to get the best quality possible? Some of the Pinball tables have small letters used for the scores so I need as little quality loss as possible. I already tried recording from the video out to my Camcorder using the analog inputs and the results were abysmal at best. Is there a way for me to play on one PC while the other PC is capturing the video output? or at least record the output of my PC to Mini DV using Firewire or DV Input?

Thanks for any info.

[Baldrick]

Tried fraps?

[jcikal]

Yup, but the performance hit is huge even when not using Fullscreen. There's a program called Game Cam. Here's the link:

http://www.planetgamecam.com/index.php?locid=download

If anyone can download and use the program and can post the results it would be most appreciated since I only have Windows ME and until I upgrade sometime late this year, I'll just have to rely on other people's opinion if this can be done.