Using Fraps to Capture Video, Take Screenshots and Benchmark Games

The FPS tab allows users to display the number of frames per second their computers and video cards are producing while playing a full-screen Windows game. The user may display the number in any of the four corners of the screen. A nice, bright yellow readout makes it easy to see without being intrusive. Also on the FPS tab the user may perform benchmarking trials to test the performance of their computers under multiple settings and configurations. This comes in handy when a gamer wants to determine whether it was worth spending all that money on a new video card.

On the movies tab, users can capture video while playing a full-screen game with the stroke of just one key. Fraps allows for video capturing at 25, 30, 50, 60, and even custom frame rates. The choice to capture sound is available and the resulting video file can be saved anywhere specified by the user. This allows users to share videos of game play with fellow gamers or use the video as a source file in video-editing software to create a custom video.

The screenshots tab allows users to take pictures during full-screen gaming with the option to save in BMP, JPG, PNG, or TGA formats. In addition, the option to include the frame rate overlay in the screenshot is available. Users can even set the program to continue taking screenshots at regular intervals eliminating the need to stop playing to take a picture. Any key may be set to take screenshots so this feature will not interfere with keys set aside for game play.

Sometimes, it is the details that make or break software. The programmers of Fraps really seemed to understand the needs of gamers by offering three general options. The options to start Fraps minimized, have the Fraps window always on top, and to run Fraps when Windows starts sets this program apart from its competitors who forget about the little things that make the software easy and convenient to use.

One of the best features of Fraps is its price. The full version is available for only $37, an unbelievable price for all these features. Gamers unsure of whether Fraps is for them can download a trial version with some of the more advanced features unavailable. Once Fraps is registered, future upgrades are available for free, so a one-time investment gives users the opportunity to enjoy future options and fixes without further investment. The current version of Fraps (v2.9.6) is useable with Windows 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista.