Screen Capture Help Needed

[Sporak]

I'm trying to make a few screen caps of a prop Using the "print screen button" on my keyboard...however once I think I've saved the image it really appears black. (empty space)

I have Win XP...is there a trick I don't know about?

Thanks

 

[Pilot]

If you're using DVD player software, it should have a built-in capture function. In the popular Cyberlink PowerDVD package, for instance, the "C" key will take grabs as fast as you can mash it.

Using the Print Screen key with virtually all players will only ever yield a black screen due to the way the video is processed. DVD/VCD/SVCD video is shown in what's known as an "overlay" window, which is separate from and subsequently not "seen" by the regular Windows display subsystem. As a result, it won't get picked up with the Print Screen function. Think of it as a series of layers, with the desktop being at the "top" and the video being at the "bottom." Windows will only pick off the "top" layer using Print Screen.

edit - I sure did use a lot of "quotes" in that message. I'm "sorry" about that. :lol

 

[Sporak]

Thanks Pilot...I do have Cyberlink PowerDVD...but I have looked for some help file or directions or sommething and can't seem t find anything...

I tried pressing "c"...now what do I do with it? I tried pasting to paint and photo editor...stays white now arrgh.
When I press C is it saved in a folder somewhere?

 

[Pilot]

Dangit, I wish I'd saved the directions I just PM'd to you so everyone else could have them too....DOH. ...could you either post it or quote it back to me so I can do just that? :lol

-Rick

 

[Blad]

On most versions of Cyberlink, there's a tiny camera picture on the bottom left of the control panel, just click that.

You need to look in the 'configuration/advanced/snapshot' tab to see where it's saving snapshots to.

 

[Pilot]

^^^ What he said. :lol

 

[Sporak]

Would you guys believe it?
My version doesn't have an advanced button there...
It's a 2003 version 4.0.14C.3226....oh boy.

I mean, I've been all over this thing today...

 

[Sporak]

Here's what Pilot PM'd me..for all to share...Thanks my friend

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If your version of PDVD is close to mine (and I have a fairly new one,) The setup should be as follows:

-Open the program *without* a DVD in the drive, then right-click on what would normally be the playback screen and select "Configuration."

-From the "General" tab, select the "Advanced" button.

-Select the "Capture" tab.

-Tick off the "Capture to File" radio button, and plug in the save path you want your image files to end up in.

-That's about it...keep mashing that "C" key during playback, and reap the rewards of your efforts.

If the menu options you have don't jive 100% with mine, just poke around a little bit. They should all be in the same general area.

Hope that helps. If you still have issues, I'll be glad to help you out further.

 

[Sporak]

The conclusion here is that I was able to find an updated copy of this program and after installing it....it works perfectly, just as you guys said.

I got my caps and now I'll work on my prop...

Thanks again guys.

Pilot,
I appreciate all your help...

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*And as a side note...after spending all yesterday furiously surfing the net for the answer to my question here, I finally thought to post the question on the board...where I frankly should have in the first place...

A smart bunch of computer saavy people who understand what I'm trying to do...and are most helpful and friendly.

Kudos to the RPF.