Replay System Update

[MVS-Viper]

Guys the current replay system is unique in that you can take over at any point to re-fly the mission.  Great stuff, but it also creates a problem. If you Fast Forward your file can become corrupted and useless.  This seems to happen about 100% of the time while replaying any long mission.

Can you please update the system to give us a second choice to select a replay only option (in addition to the current replay system).

Also can you please add “VCR” type controls to the replay only system so that you can rewind.  I like to look at the replay to see how I can improve in future missions.  Replay in the current state is pretty much useless for this type of self improvement.  And yes I am familiar with TacView.  

Thank you for your consideration.

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by MVS-Viper

[SharpeXB]

The track system has been broken for many years. Not sure why it’s such a big deal to fix. The broken state also makes it nearly useless for bug or problem reporting too. 

[Kang]

Here is what puzzles me the most about it, really:

People say looking at tracks in TacView is working quite well. How comes? It's using the exact same track file, isn't it?

[BIGNEWY]

tacview generates its own file, it is not the same. 

Our track replay system is a very old system originally only used as a debug tool and DCS has out grown it. We know it needs redoing and improved, but we do not have the time for this task currently. Something for the future. 

 

[Kang]

Just now, BIGNEWY said:

tacview generates its own file, it is not the same. 

 

Ah, thanks for clearing that up, I have been wondering for a while.

[MVS-Viper]

4 hours ago, BIGNEWY said:

tacview generates its own file, it is not the same. 

Our track replay system is a very old system originally only used as a debug tool and DCS has out grown it. We know it needs redoing and improved, but we do not have the time for this task currently. Something for the future. 

 

Thanks for the reply. No worries I’m sure you guys have a lot of other stuff to work on - but yeah it would be great if it was considered sometime in the future.

[Ironhand]

I know that it’s currently in vogue to say that the replay system was only meant to be some sort of debugging tool but that doesn’t really square with the promotional material of the day:

Quote

back on top ^

Mission Recording

An important feature is the ability to record a mission for later evaluation and sharing with friends. All actions of the player and objects are recorded and create what is called a "Track" file. Moreover, on playback, this "Track" file can be edited to show any view of any object from any perspective. This is an incredibly powerful tool to both create instructional/training sessions, as well as allowing the user to create action movies. These Track files can be converted to standard .avi or .wmv files, enabling them to be viewed by anyone who does not own a copy of LockOn. It is a film director's dream - the ability to shoot a scene with the availability of unlimited cameras!

It may have become easier for ED to view it as a debugging tool rather than to fix it, as it became more and more fragile. But this redefinition of a track file’s purpose is a more recent undertaking.

Edited April 18, 2023 by Ironhand

[draconus]

7 hours ago, Ironhand said:

I know that it’s currently in vogue to say that the replay system was only meant to be some sort of debugging tool but that doesn’t really square with the promotional material of the day:

Yep, they used it for in game training materials and demos.

[Snacko]

If there is a wish list for the Replay, I would also add a 'Play All' option, like the old IL2 1946 has so you can just play one track after another.

[Raven King]

Hello Big Newy,

I understand that repairing the Track Replay System isn't a priority, and I respect your criteria. But I'd like to make the argument that it should be high on the to do list.

Why? Because of content creators. A better TRS would allow us to make better videos and take advantage of unique combat events for cinematics and tutorials. That is basically free publicity for DCS. From this point of view, that fix would be cost-effective for you to put it mildly.

I just started a modest YT channel in the hope of seeing it grow. Today, I had a very succesful sortie at GS's Server and wanted to share it with tips, analysis and an explanation of why the Su-27 Flanker is the to-go model in DCS for beginners. But the track crashed... : (

To make it more frustrating, the previous track, with nothing special to show loaded perfectly -_-

I am focused on quality above quantity when it comes to create content. That implies I invest an inordinate ammount of time and effort learning, flying, planning, researching recording and editing in order to offer my future viewers the best I can. Losing good material to a bug is more detrimental than what one would think at first glance.

Please, take this up to ED and maybe you can help move this issue one or two notches up in the list.

Every impressed viewer is a potential future virtual pilot. If I worked in ED I would take War Thunder as a serious competitor and Falcon BMS as a very serious threat. Content creators are key in this matter.

My best regards and good wishes.

RK

 

[SharpeXB]

Yeah I can’t fathom how some of these content creators are able to make the stuff they do with this. Just the inability to rewind the track would mean loading the whole thing over and over again for each take.

[draconus]

1 hour ago, SharpeXB said:

Yeah I can’t fathom how some of these content creators are able to make the stuff they do with this. Just the inability to rewind the track would mean loading the whole thing over and over again for each take.

They do a lot of different ME scenarios with short shots using short tracks.

[SharpeXB]

4 hours ago, draconus said:

They do a lot of different ME scenarios with short shots using short tracks.

Sure. It’s more a problem for videos depicting an entire mission or scenario. 

[Gunfreak]

21 minutes ago, SharpeXB said:

Sure. It’s more a problem for videos depicting an entire mission or scenario. 

Since 2.9 it's a bit of a crap shoot.

You still need to use a dedicated server. They've mostly fixed your aircraft randomly crashing into the ground. Air to air is very hit and miss, even short dogfights of 2 minutes (HOBS and JHMCS instantly breaks tracks now and then) 

Ground attack seems to mostly work most of the time. Aircraft like F14 about F4 breaks tracks more than many other modules. I can sometimes fly a 90 minute missions.  And everything works great. Track works perfectly each time. I still need to run through the track between 4-8 times to get various angles etc. But at least it doesn't break.

Other times a 5 minute mission, breaks also right away (like many dogfight vidoes in the F4.

 

[Raven King]

That is true, SharpeXB, 

I had to buy and install and additional 2TB SSD on my computer because in order to have options I need to record the whole of every flight first in-cockpit VR, then in-cockpit fixed view, then in-cockpit zoomed on HUD, then in-cockpit zoom Radar, RWR, and so on... 

And that is before external "Hero Cam" shots around the fuselage, fly-by views, TrackIR views, kill views etc.

Then load all that into the video editor, synchronize them, cut, match, pan, add sounds, titles, cues, effects, record voice... 

I just started with a YT channel and I'd really appreciate a reliable replay system. This is a test video. Because of a glitch I collide with a chopper mid-flight during the replay although it didn't happen during the actual flight. Therefore I had to improvise. Happy to read your thoughts about it. 

 

Edited June 11, 2024 by Raven King