I used to really enjoy doing real flying shots vs. flightsim shots.So tonight I thought I'd go thru the 100's of real shots I have taken and do some compares to fsx.I gave up after several hours. Does fsx resemble the real shots better than any previous incarnation of fs?-yes without a doubt.However, just like last week when I got back from Jackson Hole, Wy. and realized all the still pictures I took of the Grand Tetons did not come close to conveying the majesty of this magnificent mountain chain, I realize that still screen shots of fsx can just not do it justice-because now we are flying over a living world-and a still shot can not convey that...I just flew the highway from Eagle, Co. to Glenwood springs on the sim-a road I have driven many times. The scenery was spectacular without a doubt-but watching the moving cars and trucks below weave the incredible highway that splits and bobs up and down between dramatic rock chasms, really made the moment. I took a great screen shot-then realized while really nice-the magic was gone in the shot as the living world had now become a static one. Seeing an alive world below really makes a huge difference, and I realize how much has been missing flying over a "still" shot for all these years. After all, one of the beauties of flying is going over alive cities wondering what all those people below you are doing, and zooming over cars with people and all their troubles, and realizing you have the freedom many seek.For those that say that fsx is not that great an improvement over fs9-I submit the difference is the same as looking at a still shot of the Grand Tetons or being there live. I'd rather be there live. :-)

I say that I have to agree with you! I suspect we'll be seeing a lot more FS videos now, as that is really how sharing a particular experience should be conveyed! I, on the other hand, am no videographer, so I shall leave that up to more capable bodies. :)Best,Owen

Good Post Geofa:That some insight I hadn't thought about, but I'm sure it's true. Can't wait to get my hands on some form of the sim.Bob (LAs Cruces, NM)

Geof,Thanks for posting this!And, since you're a real-world pilot flying through several areasof the USA (I've followed your posts and screenshots over the years),I respect your opinions, suggestions, and analysis of the FS seriesof products. I've visited the Grand Tetons with my familya couple years ago (first time for us). While not seeing themajestic mountains from the air, hiking around Lake Jenny was a spectacular experience!Any thoughts of "upgrading" your Baron from FS9 to FSX? I reallylike flying in _your_ airplane!Jerry G.

Great post Geof! I remeber a flight I had with a bud last year and sitting there waiting for him, I could see all the movement on the various ramps and then once up, the traffic and people heading to and from buildings before we hit altitude. I find that is the one thing FS was lacking, a dynamic, living world. Good to see us getting closer to this now.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/ambanner.jpg

You mean my Debonair that I let go 3 years ago (sniff,,,)..I have tried importing it into fsx-except for a few gauges it seems a go-I guess I could substitute the new fsx like stec autopilot (yes they have one) and make a few changes to make it work-I'll look into it...http://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/rxp-pilot.jpg

All this means is that I am going to have to upgrade to FSX and whine to the wife why I need a new computer. Dejavo from FX9 days.Thanks menJimCYWG

>I say that I have to agree with you! I suspect we'll be>seeing a lot more FS videos now, as that is really how sharing>a particular experience should be conveyed! I, on the other>hand, am no videographer, so I shall leave that up to more>capable bodies. :)>>Best,>>OwenHey, I'm no videographer, but that doesn't stop me.http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...52&topic_id=181

IMHO screenshots cannot capture the sensations of flight in FS9 let alone FSX .... vids all the way for me. :)

regardsEdaka Capt. P[/font color]i[/font color]c[/font color]a[/font color]s[/font color]s[/font color]o[/font color]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/edetroit100/eddd2.jpgMy FS9 Videos] AMD Athlon 64 3500+, 1024Mb PC3200 DDR, 300Gb HD 256Mb DDR Nvidia 7800 GTX PCI-E, Audigy 2 ZSCH Products Yoke, Pedals and Throttle Quadrant[/font color

great post and a great header too :)You are right, the living world in FSX really makes a big difference, and you could not have explained it better. I'm not a real world pilotbut "flying" with FS (and others) since version IIThanks for sharing,Rodger

"For those that say that fsx is not that great an improvement over fs9-I submit the difference is the same as looking at a still shot of the Grand Tetons or being there live. I'd rather be there live."I'm trying to imagine being in the real world with stuttering and blurry scenery with every move of my head (If I look in one direction long enough everything evens itself out but I better not turn my head). Sounds like a bad hangover. :-lol Static scenery is not that bad if everything is smooth blurry free, virtual flying actually gives the impression of flying. Forward motion pauseing on takeoff to load scenery kills it for me. Had enough of that with FS9...In all farness FSX sounds great and will be a great buy this time next year when faster hardware and DX10 become available. Today with sliders pulled to the left (killing the flying birds and moving water) as well as add-ons bogging down FSX that much further, I can't see the benefit using FSX over FS9 with present hardware. FSX more than any other version before it is going to need time on the market unless Aces pulls out a miracle before this Fall's release... :-roll

I'd look into how you have your computer set up. I have a two year old 3.2 ghz intel with a pretty old video card and I get better performance on fsx than fs9-and that is with much more going on in all departments.Then again-if one loads it up with tons of add ins I am sure it can be brought to its knees. Blurries, slide show and stuttering-I could say that about my present fs9 with all the add on textures, environments, mesh, and add on aircraft/utilities ,and it still doesn't look up to par with the out of the box fsx-therefore seems like a pretty fair tradeoff. I'll probably load fsx up eventually also. On the other hand-it is so good out of the box-except for some aircraft that are missing, I am tempted to keep it as is. (Of course I won't but I have good intentions-at least till the add ons start flooding the market).http://mywebpages.comcast.net/geofa/pages/rxp-pilot.jpg

What's the best or most popular video capture utility? I have FRAPS but to me it is too jerky. Maybe I haven't fiddled enough. Are there alternatives?Thanks, Cal

Jackson Hole? Videos? That's my cue! Have a look:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPWB887fzQ8

"I have a two year old 3.2 ghz intel"I have a two plus year old 2.6 ghz machine with an ATI Radeon 9800XT 256 video card... I don't think FSX is going to work for me at the moment...