FSX scenery 'shimmer' problem

[exmixer]

Hello all,

New to the forum, with a question or three ;-) ... I'm using Fraps v2.9.8 Build 7777 payware, basic rig specs: X6800/EVGA 680i/4GB/BFG 8800GTX/, all stock clocked, XP Pro SP 2. Anyways...

Recording a movie in FSX has an odd result, specifically, it seems that Fraps is somehow grabbing the images *before* they're anti-aliased. This seems to happen with nHancer enabled, nHancer disabled from msconfig and a reboot, and any variety of Nvidia CP or nHancer/FSX anti-aliasing options. It seems to be particularly obvious with any add-ons enabled (GEX nHanced/MegaScenery/Aerosoft Manhattan X etc.).

It takes the shimmer/moire effect to new levels ;-) No general issue with FPS, that's not the problem. In the past I've used a more elaborate method of capturing FS9/FSX, which is S-vid out from the 8800GTX to one of the Osprey 230 capture cards on a Dell XPS/ D 955EE box. Works great, but I'd like to get the real aspect ratio I'm using in the sim, 1920x1200. In Fraps I'm using the 29.97 setting, doesn't matter if it's 1/2 or full capture size.

Horsepower isn't really an issue, and I have quite a bit of experience in video work. Any thoughts? If you need more info, please ask.

Tia,

exmixer

[frapsforum.com]

I'm not familiar with the nHancer software. Is it just an extreme tweaking utility for nvidia hardware?

Is there a built in AA setting in FSX that would let you get a similar result without going third party?

[exmixer]

Hi,

nHancer *can* be extreme, but not how I'm using it. It's been suggested for a long time from various sources for FSX so I finally tried it. It hooks into a few calls that aren't available in the standard Nvidia CP from what I can tell, and the results are really quite good (I'm currently using the WHQL Nvidia drivers, 182.22).

I get good results on my monitors (Dell 24" WFP) with nHancer completely disabled, but still the bad result with FRAPS. I can post a brief vid clip if you'd like, along with clips I've done the long way around, capturing to the other box.

The main point is that what I see on my monitor and what FRAPS records are entirely different images as regards AA.

A couple of links:

nHancer (http://www.nhancer.com/)
2 videos, my page(s) (http://www.exmixer.com/FSXvideoStream.shtml)
the nHancer settings I use when it's enabled (http://www.simforums.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=27540&PID=156769#156769)

The vids on my page aren't using nHancer, it wasn't installed then. I've tried most every variation of the stock Nvidia CP and FSX settings, many which are fine for the sim itself, not with FRAPS <shrug>.

EDIT: I should make a note here: I'm not talking about minor differences in image quality, nor am I nit-picking, the videos are useless. Anyone that's having good success in FSX please just post your settings, or at least a brief summary, tia.

Best,

exmixer

[frapsforum.com]

I notice you said monitors. Maybe this has something to do with it:

Fixed video capture corruption in FSX on multi monitor setups


That was 2 minor versions ago (2.9.6), but maybe it snuck back in with one of the latest releases?

[exmixer]

I knew I should have made that clearer. Yes, I have a pair of the Dells, but the second monitor is rarely (if ever) enabled when I run the sim. I run in single monitor mode as selected by the Nvidia CP. Actually, it's often physically dis-connected from the sim box.

exmixer

[frapsforum.com]

I'm totally at a loss then, hopefully traffic here picks up soon and there will be a broader audience to ask questions to :/