For the PC versions of the newer Tomb Raider games (Angel of Darkness through the latest releases), I recommend a dedicated screen-capture utility like Fraps. There are other screenshot programs out there, but I use Fraps exclusively and recommend it highly. Please visit the Fraps site for more info.

Fraps can also do video capture and it will work with the older games as well. If you want to transfer your Fraps videos to YouTube or share them on the internet, you'll probably need to edit out unnecessary sections and reduce the file size for uploading. For that, you'll need editing software like Windows Movie Maker or VirtualDub (below). Fraps.com includes a basic tutorial on using VirtualDub to compress Fraps videos. There are also several video tutorials on YouTube.

To create gameplay videos in Tomb Raiders 1-5 for PC, you'll need the same tools described in the next-gen screenshot/video section, above.

The older TR games include a variety of methods for taking screenshots:

TOMB RAIDER 1: Runs in DOS, so you'll probably need a separate screenshot grabbing program like Fraps.

You may also want to look into Glidos, a glide wrapper designed for DOS. See my downloads page for more info on Glidos, and Dracman's Shotgun City site for some screenshots made in TR1 under Glidos.

TOMB RAIDER GOLD 'UNFINISHED BUSINESS' LEVELS: Press the forward-slash key (/) and the game will start dumping screenshots (in .pcx format) into your TR directory. (Press the slash key again to stop it, or you'll quickly eat up your hard disk space!)

TOMB RAIDER 2: The 's' key takes one screenshot at a time, saved to your TR2 directory in .pcx (or .tga if in 16.7 million colour mode) format also.

TOMB RAIDER 3, THE LAST REVELATION (TR4) & CHRONICLES (TR5): The apostrophe (') key takes the screenshots in .tga format only.

If you're having trouble viewing the .pcx or .tga files, you'll need a graphics program, such as Photoshop, PaintShop, etc. Or, download IrfanView freeware at irfanview.com. Or switch to a dedicated screen-capture program like Fraps, which can take screenshots in .bmp, .jpg, .png or .tga format. (And, no, I don't own stock in Fraps; I just like the program.)

Depending on your video hardware, you may also be able to use your computer's 'Print Screen' key to capture single screenshots. This copies a bitmap to your clipboard, which you can then paste into a graphics program like Photoshop or PaintShop. This can get a little cumbersome if you want to take more than one screenshot at a time, since you have to switch back and forth between programs for every picture.

TR1 & 2 FOR MACINTOSH: F13 or Shift-Tab for PICT format screenshots. Or, try Snapz Pro from Ambrosia Software for Mac screenshots in a variety of formats.

If you know of more up-to-date Macintosh screen-capture software or techniques, please let me know and I will include it here.

Since I'm primarily a PC gamer, this isn't really my area, but several players have recommended the following tutorials that explain how to record gameplay video from your PlayStation, PSP, Xbox or Wii. If you have other recommendations or would like to contribute a tutorial for this site, please let me know.

• YouTube - How to record video games - Uses EasyCap capture card and Wii console as an example but should work with other consoles as well.
• YouTube - How to Record from your Video Game System - Uses Dazzle capture card and Xbox 360 as an example but should work with other consoles as well. This shows a slightly different setup than the previous link.
• YouTube - Pinnacle Platinum Dazzle Capture Card Setup - Straightforward setup instructions for Dazzle brand capture card and Xbox 360. Also includes a link to a tutorial for a more expensive HD setup.
• YouTube - How To Record Xbox 360 PS3 Wii PSP Using EasyCap Another instructional video using the EasyCap card, Xbox 360 and Windows Movie Maker as an example.
• 
  YouTube - Xbox 360 to EasyCap Setup - Repeats some of what is in the other videos but includes a clearer explanation of how to set up the necessary cables and splitters. Uses EasyCap and Xbox 360 but works similarly with other consoles.

Once you've recorded your gameplay video, you'll need basic video editing software to format your videos for the internet. For example:

• Windows Movie Maker - XP | Vista
• VirtualDub - Freeware video editing software

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