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Download Useful External Codecs
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If you want to use various video codecs with oCam, you can install external codecs to adjust recording quality and file formats the way you want. Below is information about the external codecs supported by oCam and how to install them. Installing external codecs allows you to use oCam more flexibly.
After installing an external codec, you must restart oCam. Once restarted, the installed codec will automatically appear under the 'External Codec' option in the oCam settings menu, where you can select it for recording. External codecs can be downloaded from the following link:
https://ohsoft.net/update/codec.php
The following are descriptions of the main external codecs supported by oCam:
Xvid Video Codec
The Xvid codec is a video codec that implements the MPEG-4 Simple Profile and Advanced Simple Profile standards. This codec offers efficient compression and high compatibility, making it suitable for creating videos that can be played on a wide range of devices and software. With Xvid, you can keep file sizes reasonable while minimizing quality loss during recording.
x264vfw Codec
x264vfw is a VfW (Video for Windows) codec that includes the widely known x264 encoder and ffh264 decoder. Based on the H.264 format, this codec can save high-quality video in a smaller file size. x264vfw is especially suitable for users who want sharp image quality and efficient compression, and it also offers excellent compatibility with various video editing software.
VP8 Codec
The VP8 codec can encode video at quality comparable to or better than H.264 video encoders. VP8 is a core component of the WebM format and is well suited for web-based video streaming or high-quality video storage. With this codec, you can reduce file size while maintaining clear image quality for efficient recording.
Lagarith Codec
Lagarith is a lossless video codec designed for video editing and archiving. As a lossless codec, it preserves the original video quality exactly, but the file size can be relatively large. Therefore, it is suitable for users who want to edit high-quality video or store it for the long term.
By installing and using external codecs in oCam, users can choose the best codec for their recording purpose and environment. For example, if you want to reduce file size, you can choose x264vfw or VP8, and if you want to create editing footage without quality loss, you can choose Lagarith. Download the codec you need from the link above, restart oCam, and apply the codec you want.
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Another helpful tip
FAQ About Variable Frame Rate (VFR) and Constant Frame Rate (CFR)
The following is a brief and clear FAQ about the frame rate modes in oCam.
Q. What exactly is Variable Frame Rate?
Variable Frame Rate (VFR) and Constant Frame Rate (CFR) are distinguished by the number of frames in the recorded video file. If the number of frames per second remains the same throughout a certain period of recorded video, it is considered Constant Frame Rate. On the other hand, if the frame count changes even for just one second during recording, it is classified as Variable Frame Rate. For example, if a screen is recorded for 5 seconds and every second is recorded at exactly 30 frames, it is Constant Frame Rate. However, if the video is recorded at 25 frames per second during the 3 to 4 second section of those 5 seconds, while the rest is recorded at 30 frames per second, it is Variable Frame Rate. However, the frame count in the final part of the video (for example, the last 0.5 seconds of a 4.5-second recording) is excluded when determining whether it is Constant or Variable Frame Rate. In other words, if a video was recorded for 4.5 seconds, stayed consistently at 30 frames per second for the first 4 seconds, and only the final 0.5 seconds had fewer than 30 frames, it is still regarded as Constant Frame Rate.
Q. If I record a game at 60 FPS in oCam with Variable Frame Rate mode enabled, and my system is powerful enough that there is no lag at all, will it be recorded as Constant Frame Rate?
If your system performance is good enough that no lag occurs during recording, then even if Variable Frame Rate mode is enabled, the result may still be recorded as Constant Frame Rate. This is because oCam is operating in an environment where it can accurately record all 60 frames per second. In other words, even in Variable Frame Rate mode, if the frame count remains consistent, the result will be the same as Constant Frame Rate. Therefore, if your system can stably maintain 60 FPS, the recorded video will be saved at a fixed 60 frames per second.
Q. I recorded a game in oCam at 60 FPS for 5 seconds, but exactly 30 frames per second were recorded (150 frames total). Is this Variable Frame Rate?
In this case, the recorded video is regarded as 30 FPS Constant Frame Rate. Even if oCam was set to 60 FPS, if only 30 frames per second were actually recorded consistently, the frame count is still constant, so it is classified as Constant Frame Rate. Variable Frame Rate applies only when the frame count changes during recording. Simply failing to reach the configured 60 FPS does not make it Variable Frame Rate. Therefore, in this case, a video file recorded consistently at 30 FPS is created.
Q. I recorded at 60 FPS in Variable Frame Rate mode, and the game was output at 60 FPS, so why does the recorded file show 59.xx FPS?
Even if the game is output at 60 FPS, the actual screen output may not occur at exact intervals of 16.66666666666667 ms (1000 ms ÷ 60). In most cases, the frame intervals are not perfectly uniform because of tiny differences measured in milliseconds. As a result, the recorded video may be displayed as 59.xx FPS. In addition, oCam calculates and displays FPS in 200-millisecond intervals, so even if it appears as 60 FPS on screen, it may actually be recorded as 59.xx FPS. To resolve this issue, change the setting in oCam to Constant Frame Rate mode before recording. Since Constant Frame Rate attempts to maintain the specified FPS, it can minimize these small differences.
Q. If my computer performance is low when recording in Constant Frame Rate mode, will it be recorded as Variable Frame Rate instead?
No. If you set it to Constant Frame Rate mode, it will still be recorded as Constant Frame Rate even if your computer performance is low. However, if system performance is insufficient, for example, when attempting to record at 120 FPS in Constant Frame Rate mode, the video file will still be created at 120 FPS, but the video quality may drop or severe lag may occur. This happens when the system is forced to maintain the specified frame rate and stuttering appears as a result. Therefore, on lower-performance computers, it is recommended to choose an appropriate frame rate or consider settings that reduce system load.