PlayClaw 5 - Game Recording and Streaming news & patch notes

We're glad to inform you that we have just released this major update for v5 ːsteamhappyː If you already has v5 (steam license) then you'll be able to get v6 steam license from this bundle with great discount http://store.steampowered.com/bundle/2096 Thank you for your support!

We worked hard to prepare this major update. Or, may be, almost new software - PlayClaw 6. We've changed the core of our software a bit. Overlays are the very important thing, other features are just useful "addons". Here is how PlayClaw 6 looks after the first start. Overlay editor with realtime preview and dashboard to fast access common overlays properties. http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/f7ba15b843232156b1d5518beb194a3a73d4aa44.png You can add up to 255 overlays using right mouse button click on preview or dashboard. Set of overlays http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/66f9a79a6fdcc319cfbda7259feb80466dfc3708.png PlayClaw 6 supports interactive mode with overlays (if overlay can do it). Double click on overlay opens a "door". Interactive with browser overlay http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/fd431041a727ab63657f00f95b1f450fb52a8e48.png Overlays have a set of common settings. Some of them are new for PlayClaw. Render layer to draw specific overlay over or under others http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/a8c3b02d26b8c302dac78409e3d465de999af9e2.png Visibility mode for every overlay http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/7f6d617ca2430307966c97a2db5bd5c525943e25.png PlayClaw 6 supports Scenes management. You can prepare scene for every your game or streaming mode and just switch them in one-two clicks. Scenes management http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/44f560eb581790b0587a9ef5ffb98fe32714a843.png We've optimized our capture and encoding engine and version 6 does its job 2x faster than version 5. FPS drop during capture is very low, really. This beta has limited set of available overlays. This beta can have bugs :) This beta is free for all PlayClaw 5 steam owners. We plan to make paid upgrade to v6, but it will cost only a few USD. To install this beta you need to open software properties in Steam client and select "version-6" beta in Betas tab. Steam will start download after closing properties window. http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/aa27b0c31ac1dfb3f8804515a89e907a2366cddb.png

We worked hard to prepare this major update. Or, may be, almost new software - PlayClaw 6. We've changed the core of our software a bit. Overlays are the very important thing, other features are just useful "addons". Here is how PlayClaw 6 looks after the first start. Overlay editor with realtime preview and dashboard to fast access common overlays properties. http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/f7ba15b843232156b1d5518beb194a3a73d4aa44.png You can add up to 255 overlays using right mouse button click on preview or dashboard. Set of overlays http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/66f9a79a6fdcc319cfbda7259feb80466dfc3708.png PlayClaw 6 supports interactive mode with overlays (if overlay can do it). Double click on overlay opens a "door". Interactive with browser overlay http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/fd431041a727ab63657f00f95b1f450fb52a8e48.png Overlays have a set of common settings. Some of them are new for PlayClaw. Render layer to draw specific overlay over or under others http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/a8c3b02d26b8c302dac78409e3d465de999af9e2.png Visibility mode for every overlay http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/7f6d617ca2430307966c97a2db5bd5c525943e25.png PlayClaw 6 supports Scenes management. You can prepare scene for every your game or streaming mode and just switch them in one-two clicks. Scenes management http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/44f560eb581790b0587a9ef5ffb98fe32714a843.png We've optimized our capture and encoding engine and version 6 does its job 2x faster than version 5. FPS drop during capture is very low, really. This beta has limited set of available overlays. This beta can have bugs :) This beta is free for all PlayClaw 5 steam owners. We plan to make paid upgrade to v6, but it will cost only a few USD. To install this beta you need to open software properties in Steam client and select "version-6" beta in Betas tab. Steam will start download after closing properties window. http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/aa27b0c31ac1dfb3f8804515a89e907a2366cddb.png

This new version #3700 gives updated plugins for the new Teamspeak 3 client and additional changes.

• New plugins for Teamspeak 3 client with API 21
• VFW speed of encoding is increased
• Corrected pure encoder performance test
• Added ability to write separate webcam file if webcam overlay is not visible (but it must not be disabled)
• Fixed wrong separate webcam file writing when webcam overlay is turned off
• Fixed error capturing audio on some systems with Realtek audio hardware when driver reports bad configuration

Here is an additional information about how to setup teamspeak plugins. We know three possible plugins locations where TS3 client can find its plugins. Unfortunately, we don't know which are more important.

Old style - plugins subfolder in main TS3 client folder

New style - %APPDATA%\TS3Client\plugins folder (by default it is C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\TS3Client\plugins, where username is your windows login name)

Additional way - config\plugins subfolder in main TS3 client folder Copy both plugins into one of these folders (or better into all these folders), then run Teamspeak 3 and check add-ons settings. You can find plugins in tools subfolder of main PlayClaw folder.

This new version #3700 gives updated plugins for the new Teamspeak 3 client and additional changes.

• New plugins for Teamspeak 3 client with API 21
• VFW speed of encoding is increased
• Corrected pure encoder performance test
• Added ability to write separate webcam file if webcam overlay is not visible (but it must not be disabled)
• Fixed wrong separate webcam file writing when webcam overlay is turned off
• Fixed error capturing audio on some systems with Realtek audio hardware when driver reports bad configuration

Here is an additional information about how to setup teamspeak plugins. We know three possible plugins locations where TS3 client can find its plugins. Unfortunately, we don't know which are more important.

Old style - plugins subfolder in main TS3 client folder

New style - %APPDATA%\TS3Client\plugins folder (by default it is C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\TS3Client\plugins, where username is your windows login name)

Additional way - config\plugins subfolder in main TS3 client folder Copy both plugins into one of these folders (or better into all these folders), then run Teamspeak 3 and check add-ons settings. You can find plugins in tools subfolder of main PlayClaw folder.

We just fixed a few minor bugs related additional AMD H.264 hardware acceleration detection and wrong recording mode setup.

We just fixed a few minor bugs related additional AMD H.264 hardware acceleration detection and wrong recording mode setup.

New version is released with following changes:

• Fixed Window capture overlay crash while changing its size
• Fixed frame drops on some systems even with fast hardware (system-dependend thing)
• Fixed bug opening some web sites in Web Browser overlay
• Added "mute audio" option in Web Browser overlay
• Added ability for manual selection of a process which will be added in the black list

New version is released with following changes:

• Fixed Window capture overlay crash while changing its size
• Fixed frame drops on some systems even with fast hardware (system-dependend thing)
• Fixed bug opening some web sites in Web Browser overlay
• Added "mute audio" option in Web Browser overlay
• Added ability for manual selection of a process which will be added in the black list

We've just released a new feature - Window capture overlay in PlayClaw 5 build #3670. You can now set a window which will be captured by PlayClaw and then rendered over a game screen or/and in a video or a stream. The chroma key effect is also applicable to this overlay. Other major changes:

• Fixed DeadSpace 2 compatibility
• Fixed confusing error messages for some desktop recording conditions
• If PlayClaw terminates abnormally, then it will try to release locked DLLs to avoid problems during the next start or software update
• Fixed rare crash after AMD H.264 encoder is stopped
• Fixed wrong hardware AMD H.264 detection for some video devices

p.s. please note, Chroma key DLC is required to use this feature with Window capture overlay (both with Webcam overlay)

We've just released a new feature - Window capture overlay in PlayClaw 5 build #3670. You can now set a window which will be captured by PlayClaw and then rendered over a game screen or/and in a video or a stream. The chroma key effect is also applicable to this overlay. Other major changes:

• Fixed DeadSpace 2 compatibility
• Fixed confusing error messages for some desktop recording conditions
• If PlayClaw terminates abnormally, then it will try to release locked DLLs to avoid problems during the next start or software update
• Fixed rare crash after AMD H.264 encoder is stopped
• Fixed wrong hardware AMD H.264 detection for some video devices

p.s. please note, Chroma key DLC is required to use this feature with Window capture overlay (both with Webcam overlay)

We're happy to release a new PlayClaw version (#3650) with DirectX 12 support and some additional changes:

• Fixed NVidiaShare crash with running PlayClaw
• Added software auto-update feature (only for standalone version)
• Improved compatibility with DirectX 11/10 games

We're happy to release a new PlayClaw version (#3650) with DirectX 12 support and some additional changes:

• Fixed NVidiaShare crash with running PlayClaw
• Added software auto-update feature (only for standalone version)
• Improved compatibility with DirectX 11/10 games

We've just released a new beta with the DirectX 12 support! Known problem - if PlayClaw doesn't recognize a game with DX12 renderer, try to alt-tab in the Desktop and alt-tab back to the game. You can get this build on the beta channel.

We've just released a new beta with the DirectX 12 support! Known problem - if PlayClaw doesn't recognize a game with DX12 renderer, try to alt-tab in the Desktop and alt-tab back to the game. You can get this build on the beta channel.

New version is available with a fixed streaming configuration file. This bug could give a software crash while configuring streaming.

New version is available with a fixed streaming configuration file. This bug could give a software crash while configuring streaming.

We just released the new PlayClaw version (build #3535). Here are the changes:

• Added ability to get PlayClaw news & updates
• Fixed the Web Browser overlay render problems
• Fixed possible problem with saving in the AVI file format
• Added a set of Beam.Pro servers to the streaming settings

We just released the new PlayClaw version (build #3535). Here are the changes:

• Added ability to get PlayClaw news & updates
• Fixed the Web Browser overlay render problems
• Fixed possible problem with saving in the AVI file format
• Added a set of Beam.Pro servers to the streaming settings

Now PlayClaw has a new feature useful for streamers - the Web Browser overlay. This overlay is included in the Streamer Pack DLC (former Twitch Chat overlay DLC). Here is the full change log for build #3625

• Added the Web Browser overlay
• Steam version can run without the steam client with some features restrictions (DLC, achievements)
• Added High PlayClaw process priority option (in common options)
• Fixed some DX9 games crash after ALT-TAB
• Fixed crash after attempt to stream with not H.264 video codec selected
• Fixed possible bad captured OpenGL frames
• Fixed wrong achievements conditions (the Forgetful achievement)
• Fixed temp sensor for Intel Xeon(R) CPU E5450
• Fixed frame capture crash on some systems in non standard resolutions
• Added "/ignoreamd" command line key for PlayClaw5.exe to skip detection of h264 amd accelerator

Now PlayClaw has a new feature useful for streamers - the Web Browser overlay. This overlay is included in the Streamer Pack DLC (former Twitch Chat overlay DLC). Here is the full change log for build #3625

• Added the Web Browser overlay
• Steam version can run without the steam client with some features restrictions (DLC, achievements)
• Added High PlayClaw process priority option (in common options)
• Fixed some DX9 games crash after ALT-TAB
• Fixed crash after attempt to stream with not H.264 video codec selected
• Fixed possible bad captured OpenGL frames
• Fixed wrong achievements conditions (the Forgetful achievement)
• Fixed temp sensor for Intel Xeon(R) CPU E5450
• Fixed frame capture crash on some systems in non standard resolutions
• Added "/ignoreamd" command line key for PlayClaw5.exe to skip detection of h264 amd accelerator

We just uploaded hotfix #3610 with following changes:

• Fixed starting bug on some systems (SteamIO error)
• Fixed compatibility with some Windows7 based system

We just uploaded hotfix #3610 with following changes:

• Fixed starting bug on some systems (SteamIO error)
• Fixed compatibility with some Windows7 based system

New version (build #3600) is released! http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/b75c772bbb4aeaa172fa8e88c9c2e493ee742c84.png Changes list:

• Added option to keep "Running App" steam status
• Steam achievements are back!
• Fixed Fast codec wrong decoding with 1366x768 frames
• Added Webcam overlay toggle hotkey
• Fixed DayZ Experimental (now stable release) compatibility
• Fixed slow settings panes switch
• Fixed invalid key binding which caused unwanted recording and streaming starts
• Fixed BF3/4 crash on exit on some systems

New version (build #3600) is released! http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steamcommunity/public/images/clans/5066236/b75c772bbb4aeaa172fa8e88c9c2e493ee742c84.png Changes list:

• Added option to keep "Running App" steam status
• Steam achievements are back!
• Fixed Fast codec wrong decoding with 1366x768 frames
• Added Webcam overlay toggle hotkey
• Fixed DayZ Experimental (now stable release) compatibility
• Fixed slow settings panes switch
• Fixed invalid key binding which caused unwanted recording and streaming starts
• Fixed BF3/4 crash on exit on some systems

New PlayClaw build 3583 is ready to download! This new build contains a few bug fixes and a new cool feature - Chroma Key for Webcam overlay. This feature is released as paid DLC and available here http://store.steampowered.com/app/470500 For existing PlayClaw users we give Chroma Key DLC license for free until 23:59 GMT+3, 26 May 2016. Just post your request in comments (ex. "want DLC" and we will answer with free key(s) ). Here is the list of other changes:

• Fixed error writing files when no audio sources is selected;
• Fixed very low fps during capture on some systems in DX9 and OpenGL games;
• Increased speed of OpenGL capture (about 10%);

Chroma Key for PlayClaw tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPO-06dmrmY

New PlayClaw build 3583 is ready to download! This new build contains a few bug fixes and a new cool feature - Chroma Key for Webcam overlay. This feature is released as paid DLC and available here http://store.steampowered.com/app/470500 For existing PlayClaw users we give Chroma Key DLC license for free until 23:59 GMT+3, 26 May 2016. Just post your request in comments (ex. "want DLC" and we will answer with free key(s) ). Here is the list of other changes:

• Fixed error writing files when no audio sources is selected;
• Fixed very low fps during capture on some systems in DX9 and OpenGL games;
• Increased speed of OpenGL capture (about 10%);

Chroma Key for PlayClaw tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPO-06dmrmY

This build fixes one problem with old Intel CPUs (like 2700 or older) - wrong timestamps on encoded frames if you use H.264 Intel QuickSync encoder.