Ok, I have been using fraps to capture gameplay. For a 6 minute video it came to 13.6gb that's a big file. I used wondershare video converter to make it smaller but the quality seems not as good as id like. Is there anything better to use ? This is the video I did the test on http://youtu.be/H0K6bYwFMJ4.
I haven't used wondershare, therefore i dont know what it comes with, and what options there are, but it is clear, that you need better encoder, the reason the *blurriness happens, is because there are few referance frames, while it helps keep the file size small, it also reduces quality when there is a lot of movement going on.
So, you need a better encoder, H.264 is nice, and you can also use Xvid, but set the quality up (theres a slider between quality and file size)
Now by default, most programs accept the new codecs, atleast most of them do, and they appear on your list, when you export media, but if it wont show up on wondershare, go download virtual dub, that does a great job.
there's always handbrake. it's a nice h.264 encoder
Dependant on what video you record and the ammount of editing you require also I have found Dxtory is a great capture software.
Whilst it does cost around £40 or $36.61.
The reccomended codec is Lagarith Lossless, I'm sure it has been mentioned in The tek previously but I couldn't say when exactly.
Example file size to video length I have some footage of around an hour which is just short of 100gb. Compare that to Fraps and I am pretty sure it is much higher. The codec I used in the one I have mentioned and this includes two audio channels. My own microphone and Game/VOIP down mixed. I have recorded using split audio from game/voip and mic and file size is still relativly the same.
The problem is the video would then need to be encoded using a video editing software. I am not sure if handbrake etc can effectly encode the video recorded. Besides most video is usally edited in some way.
Hope that helps.