How to record a Demo & How to open Console

[Paski]

Hello everyone,

A demo file (.dem) captures everything that happens in a game in the point of view of the recorder.

Enabling the Console

First, you need to make sure developer console is enabled.
Enable the following setting in keyboard options in your L4D2 main menu (in game).

Now you can press the ~ key to open the console (~ is the key by default).
To change the key just open the console and type [bind "F8" "toggleconsole"] (F8 or any other key you want) and press Enter.
Now you can open and close the Console with F8 or the key you want.

This is just temporally, you'll need an autoexec.cfg file. This file is in your cfg folder (C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\common\Left 4 Dead 2\left4dead2\cfg).
If you don't have a autoexec.cfg file, just create a new one (Right click inside the cfg folder and choose create a new text document), open it and write this inside:
bind "F8" "toggleconsole"
Save it and close the window. Now you can open the console in game anytime you want :)

In game

To start recording open console and type record demoname*

- The Demo will continue recording after a Mapchange
- The Demos will be saved in the C:\program files\steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2\left4dead2\ folder.
- If you are using the same name for a Demo more than once, the older version will be overwritten.

*Name the demo with any name you want without spaces, example:
record mallatrium (well done)
record mall atrium (wrong, the demo will start recording with the name ''mall'')

To stop recording, open the console and type stop, or just leave the game.

How to play a demo

There are 2 options:

1. Open console and type playdemo mallatrium*
2. Press Shift+F2 and it will open the Demo Playback
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/w/images/4/4f/Demoplayback.jpg

*mallatrium is only an example.

After recording a demo, what do I do?

In this group Demos are important, because it's the final proof of your game and your record.
After you finished recording your demo, Steam creates a .dem file into this folder:
C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\common\Left 4 Dead 2\left4dead2

Once you know where your demo is, you can do what you want, share it, upload it, delete it, save it in some special folder, etc.

You can find more info here:
https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Demo_Recording_Tools

[mudda]

hi :) do you know a programme with that you can watch the .dem file at your pc? is it possible with the vlc media player ?
thx :)

[Paski]

Originally posted by RIPdeinemudda65:

hi :) do you know a programme with that you can watch the .dem file at your pc? is it possible with the vlc media player ?
thx :) :chainsaw:

Hello,
No, I don't know any program to watch demos like that, the only way I know is the one that I explain in this post.
It's easy as open your game, Fhift+F2 and play the demo you have in your left4dead2 folder ;)

[鸡汤面]

Hello Anger!
Even though i know how to turn on developer console there is a problem with the link:http://cloud-3.steampowered.com/ugc/882968567838785624/EF18E625CD08F791A5612C670E74FAC66D03B49E/
It cannot be open!
CHEERS!

[Paski]

Originally posted by Nerkec:

Hello Anger!
Even though i know how to turn on developer console there is a problem with the link:http://cloud-3.steampowered.com/ugc/882968567838785624/EF18E625CD08F791A5612C670E74FAC66D03B49E/
It cannot be open!
CHEERS!

True, that link is old, does not work anymore ;)
Anyway that link only showed the option to enable/disable the console in the L4D2 Main menu.

[J.U.S.T-I.N]

when i record demo and make a movie my audio is delayed can someone tell me how to fix this

[Paski]

Originally posted by the ONE:

when i record demo and make a movie my audio is delayed can someone tell me how to fix this

Your problem is not something that we can help you with because this is a thing that someone can fix going to your place xD

[J.U.S.T-I.N]

well i might have desribed wrong but not all audio is delayed ,music dialog those are ok but shooting sounds and opening saferoom doors those are delayed (If that Didnt help Could you atleast tell me what the problem is)thx for the help

[Paski]

Originally posted by the ONE:

well i might have desribed wrong but not all audio is delayed ,music dialog those are ok but shooting sounds and opening saferoom doors those are delayed (If that Didnt help Could you atleast tell me what the problem is)thx for the help

I never had that problem, maybe it's your recording program or your computer or problem in your L4D2. Either way it's impossible to know. Sorry.

[J.U.S.T-I.N]

thx i changed to dxtory noq i have no problem with audio

[J.U.S.T-I.N]

srr to bother you again but can you help me with this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wECTqkEz7nE&feature=youtu.be

[Paski]

Originally posted by the ONE:

srr to bother you again but can you help me with this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wECTqkEz7nE&feature=youtu.be

Sorry buddy I can't help you with that I don't know what else to say. Try different record programs. Fraps, or some other in google.

[biggard]

How do I send my .dem files to a friend? I have 3, one for each chapter I did.

[Paski]

Originally posted by Token (insert race here) Guy:

How do I send my .dem files to a friend? I have 3, one for each chapter I did.

You need to upload your demo in a website so you can share it:
https://mega.nz
mediafire
dropbox
Google Drive...
there are plenty of them ;)

[Golden Freakmann]

Originally posted by Paskilol:

- If you are using the same name for a Demo more than once, the older version will be overwritten.

Is there a way to revert to the older version? I accidentally recorded something with the same name of the demo that I really loved.

[Paski]

Originally posted by Golden Freakmann:

Originally posted by Paskilol:

- If you are using the same name for a Demo more than once, the older version will be overwritten.

Is there a way to revert to the older version? I accidentally recorded something with the same name of the demo that I really loved.

No my friend, once it's overwritten, your old demo is gone :(