Help with Simple Screen Recorder

[Les.]

I have used this programme for a few years to record MotoGP if I am going out, and tomorrow I will be out on the Velo.With Mint 19 comes an updated version, and I tried it out last week when I watched live. No problems with the live viewing, but when I later tried the recording, it was a grey screen with a few colour patches, but occasionally some “proper pictures”, but not of the bikes at speed. No sound either.I suspect I have the settings wrong. Previously, I just used the default, but now you select what you want. Attached are shots of the setup screens. All variables are clearly what I used for my test last week, so advice on which are “wrong”, and suggestions as to what to set them to please.

Les.

[D-Dan]

Can’t really help. Just did a test on a partial screen capture, and no issues.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[RSB]

Have you installed the mint codec pack. Never used the software you mention nor do I have any idea about what you are wanting to acchieve however the mention of sound and video problems leads me to codecs.

Americans: Over Sexed, Over Payed and Over here, Wat Wat!

[Les.]

I decided to do a bit of playing this morning, viewing a clip of the Honda at the Czech MotoGP. I dropped the frame rate to 25, and increased the “constant rate factor” to 30, and playback was very jumpy, but viewable. Next I put the frame rate back to 30fps, and again a bit jumpy, but then suddenly to grey screen with artefacts returned. Reset to 25fps, and viewable without the problem. Fingers crossed.

Is this simply a matter of not enough RAM. I have 1GB in each slot (2GB total). I had a couple of sticks from Dave last year, but it would not run with any of them. I tested a single 8GB stick for a pal, and that worked, but of course it went back to him. It seems very finnicky on what it will take. Here is what I tested back in December:-

2GB, DDR2-400 (OK in my PC) Mine From New

1 GB, 8500, 1066 (Fast corsair, “kills” my PC) Off Adrian

1024MB (1GB) DDR2-800 Will not run in my PC Off Dave R

2GB, PC 6400 Will not run in my PC Off Dave R

pc2-4200 533mhz 4gb (OK in my PC) Dave Ward

Suggestions please.

Les.

EDIT ERROR reported above, it was a 4gb not an 8GB that worked.

[wasbit]

The motherboard in my main PC (Gigabyte H55M-UD2H) is very picky about RAM. Took me ages to work out that it needs double sided RAM. Might be the case with your Motherboard.

--
Regards
wasbit

Rig 1: Optiplex 3050 SFF
Rig 2: Asus ROG G20CB (rebuilt wreck)
Rig 3: HP Elitebook 8440P

Dear Starfleet, hate you, hate the Federation, taking Voyager. - Janeway

[Les.]

I am now showing my “out of datedness” with regard to  “double sided” ram. I assume by that we mean similar chips on each side of the stick, notconnector strips on each side. Anyway they all have BOTH, so I guess that means all double sided.

I just looked at the spec from the original data provided. All they say is:-

Dual channel DDR2 533 / 667 / 800 / 1066.

2 Xs DIMM slots, 2GB per DIMM. (Max 4GB)

Interesting that it worked with a 4GB stick in one slot!

I just looked on Ebay, but the prices asked with the risk it wont work puts me off.

I will look again to see if some used stuff pops up.

Les.

[Richard]

I always use the Crucial guide to point me in the right direction, feed in the mother board details and get the result back. Where you go from there is your choice.

[keith with the teef]

https://www.ispringsolutions.com/ispring-free-cam

[johnbarry]

Nice one Keith I have used a few, the result is so stable and free.

Cheers
John

[Les.]

I must say I could not see that that would record both sound and video directly off the computer, but at any rate it is a Windoze prog, not Linux.

My likely problem with  Simplescreenrecorder is that either the defaults have changed, or I don’t know how to get the best settings. It also occurs to me that since last year, I have had a new monitor, which works on 1920 X 1200(?), whereas the old one was much lower definition. maybe that is the difficulty. I don’t know if increasing RAM would help, but the price rather frightens me off, even for used RAM. The only RAM that is affordable seems to be “Server” RAM, and I assume that is unsuitable. (£13 would get two 2GB sticks, rather than about £50).

Les.

[Richard]

Did you try the Crucial web site to see what memory would suit the board? Even if you do not follow their model codes it should help pin down what it needs. Going from very rusty memory, servers often used ECC memory (I think) which was error correcting stuff with extra bits to support the error correction function. Have you tried reducing the screen resolution to see if that affects things?

[D-Dan]

Try recording a part of the screen rather than full screen. (Select “Record a fixed rectangle” and then “Select rectangle”). This will reduce the record resolution without you having to reduce your screen resolution. See if that helps.

Arch Linux, on a Ryzen 7 1800X, 32 GB, 5 (yes -5) HDs inc 5 SSDs, 4 RPi 3Bs + 1 RPi 4B - one as an NFS server with two more drives, PiHole (shut yours), Plex server, cloud server, and other random Pi stuff. Nice CoolerMaster case, 2 x NV GTX 1070 8GB, and a whopping 32" AOC 1440P monitor.

[Les.]

Richard, I will have a look at the crucial site. I just suspect that any new RAM will be rather expensive (remember I am both TIGHT and an old man who remembers paying 3/6d for a new spark plug, so everything get subconsciously compared with that.

Dan, I have done that previously with one source of transmission which was only viewable in a small rectangle, and which could then be played back fullscreen. However, the current difficulty strictly applies to stuff viewed thro Kodi, and that is full screen and can not be shrunk or even minimised.

Unfortunately Sunday’s recording whilst I was out on the ‘bike dropped out as soon as I left, so I watched the highlights replay on Ch 5 (thro Kodi) on Tuesday night, but I did simultaneously record it to see how it worked. Some jumping, but with no other choice, viewable.

I will keep an eye out for some cheap ram on the off chance it does help improve playback.

Cheers, Les.

[Richard]

Les, I was only suggesting that it would tell you the specification of any suitable memory items, not that you should follow up and buy it that way – unless they could make you the sort of offer that could not be refused. A bit like high street physical browsing but online buying based on price. (Though I have not yet seen anything on a high street that I could not find more easily in almost any make that every other way.)

[Bob Williams]

Having had a good look at what you need Les, I found this site, no idea of their reliabilty as have never bought from them:

http://tinyurl.com/y7fru87d

I well recall trying to find DDR2 RAM for No.2 gson’s first (used) PC, after DDR3 had been in vogue for a good while. Eventually gave up on cost grounds, upgraded the whole thing and fitted DDR3. Difference in DDR3 price went some way towards the upgrade.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[johnbarry]

Bob Williams wrote:

no idea of their reliabilty as have never bought from them

I have and they are very reliable.

Cheers
John

[Ed P]

If it worked OK before and does not now, then unless some ram has failed, I’d suspect a corrupt dot file for the SimpleScreenRecorder. I’d do the following:

a) run a ram test and if no problems:

b) Show hidden files in your Home folder and look for .simplescreenrecorder.cfg or similar, rename it to a .bak file and let Mint reset the defaults for you the next time you run the program.

[JayCeeDee]

Les – I know nothing of Linux, but doing a bit of Googling, I saw some screen grabs which show the settings ( default or otherwise  I don’t know ) and thought of Googling the images.

The result was THIS.  There are loads of images of the settings pages. Maybe you’ll find an appropriate one and follow it from there.

 

Good luck.

[Bob Williams]

johnbarry wrote:

Bob Williams wrote:

no idea of their reliabilty as have never bought from them

I have and they are very reliable.

Good to know that I have given out a reliable recommendation JB, thanks!

 

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Les.]

I have been too busy to call in until now, you have all been busy. Just looked at your site bob, and after setting UK and GBP, there is stuff there I can afford to buy, and it may even work, but I can’t forget all those (possibly good) ones that would not when I checked them last December.

Edp, am I on the wrong track when recalling that I previously watched thro a lower definition monitor (I even used the VGA input of a TV for a while) whilst my new monitor defaults to 1920 X 1200 (?), and that becomes the only option with SimpleScreenRecorder?

The first screen shown in your link (JayCeeDee) showed a lower screen definition to mine, and as I said, it can not be changed in the setup screen.

Richard, I did understand what you were suggesting, it was just that the only prices seen were on Ebay, at eye watering prices, a bit like Bob’s purchases for his G’son I suspect. You know when it feels wrong, and Bob’s link feels acceptable. Half the MotoGP and F1 season left, so I will not give up on this lightly.

I will try out your suggestions Edp, maybe tomorrow afternoon whilst Tamara is out leaving me in peace, instead of down the drainage pit again. An old man of three score years and ten, and quite close to four score, should not be digging heavy clay at the bottom of a wet hole! But it is good fun long term.

Les.

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