Methods and Standards For Gathering Screenshots

[georgewbateman]

I would like to submit some new documentation segments for wiki. I want to include some screen shots from NPVR. I have not been able to anything about including screenshots in the documentation. I must admit that I have never gathered a screen shot before. I have Windows 7 Ultimate. What utility do I use to gather the screen shot ? What format should should it be ? png, gif, or ? What size should it be ? It seems to me that there is a standard for this.

Thank you in advance.

[McBainUK]

I've found Shotty to be good for grabing screenshots on Win7. I created most of the current screenshots in the "Using NextPVR" section and used PNG files with a size of 960x525. I found this widescreen size looked good and was easy to create from my TV. But, I wouldn't call this a "standard".

Note that there's a very brief Documentation Author help page here.

What segments are you looking to write? Would be nice to have another wiki pixie

[steeb]

Dear potential wiki pixie/elf!

this old documentation thread gave some idea for screenshot sizings.

But since that McBainUK has re-skinned the whole wiki. The original intention was as stated in that thread to help minimize horizontal scrolling with too wide a screenshot. Perhaps McBainUK could just clarify that the new horizontal size given does not interfere with this? Then we can amend threads and docs as necessary?

cheers

steeb

[georgewbateman]

Thanks for the link for Shotty. Unfortunately it does not work with NPVR. I get nothing but blank screens. It works great for everything else. I have Windows 7 Ultimate.

I did a capture at 1920 x 1080 (LQ method) and then use Shotty to resize to 50%. Sorry to state the obvious - that gives me an image that is 960 x 540.

There are several places that I have been thinking about. The recordings description is perhaps the most important. There needs to be more information about the scheduling option and the scheduling algorithm. Especially "Avoid duplicate recordings where possible." Also TimeSlotMinutes, DeletionHistoryDays and something about multi-record interaction.

I have started on mc2xml. That will most likely be the first submittal. I need the screen shots for some clarifying information about Search. Some addition information for the channel configuration also.

Shotty is ideal for doing this documentation. If you have any suggestions, ...


Thanks in advance.

[McBainUK]

Unfortunately it does not work with NPVR. I get nothing but blank screens.

You might need to tick "Try to stop window redraw" in it's "Extended settings" dialog. Can't remember what the defaults are.

I did a capture at 1920 x 1080 (LQ method) and then use Shotty to resize to 50%. Sorry to state the obvious - that gives me an image that is 960 x 540.

960x540 is fine. Just remember to use the ThumbnailLinkToImage wiki markup to help show the screenshot better in the page, while still allowing a nice big image to refer to. I tended to use this on the "Using NextPVR" (:thumb ManualMainMenu1.png width=690: ) Note that for screeshots of the configuration screens, actual size is best.

There needs to be more information about the scheduling option and the scheduling algorithm

Sounds like a good idea. Remember you can make a seperate page for this if it would make the Recordings page to big.

[georgewbateman]

Unfortunately I have never had an telepathy training, so I can not offer and explanation :-) CTRL+PRTSCN produces a blank screen. Left click on the shotty icon from the hidden icon and then LQ also produces a blank screen (I do not get the HQ option.) However when I use the Screen option I am able to get a screen shot.

Thanks again.

[steeb]

McBainUK.

How are you?!

I do feel you need to be a little less techy here???? I know where you are coming from with your big tech head but.....?

All very well giving out recipes and extra hints? But I do not read this stuff and think you have made it clear?

Just my HO.

How is Albert Road and Gunwharf Key's!

cheers

steeb

p.s. between us perhaps we could help georgewbateman potential new wiki pixie/elf out by finding out exactly what we may have got wrong in explaining and going some way to make more clear?

[McBainUK]

Unfortunately I have never had an telepathy training, so I can not offer and explanation :-)

I read this as being assoicated with the use of Shotty, not the wiki. Was I incorrect?

[georgewbateman]

I never know how to answer questions posed in the negative. I was referring to the behavior of Shotty.

I was in the end successful getting the screen shots I wanted. I have submitted new writeups for Search and mc2xml.

Thank you for the help.