Convert DEM to AVI

What is DEM file format?

The .dem file format is primarily associated with games running on Valve's Source Engine. Here are some of the popular games that use this format for recording gameplay as replay files: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Team Fortress 2, Counter-Strike: Source - Perhaps the most well-known games that use .dem files and allow players to record and watch replays of their games for analysis and sharing purposes. Half-Life 2 and its episodes - While not multiplayer games like CS:GO or Team Fortress 2, Half-Life 2 and its subsequent episodes allow gameplay recording via .dem files for purposes like speedrunning or creating cinematic videos. Other games are Day of Defeat: Source, Left 4 Dead, Portal, and Dota 2 - Although it transitioned to the Source 2 engine, Dota 2 initially used the Source Engine and maintained the ability to use .dem files for replays, which are crucial for player improvement and broadcasting games.

These games integrate Source Engine's capabilities to record, save, and playback gameplay using the .dem file format. This allows players and developers to review and share game experiences efficiently.

Conversion of DEM game replays to AVI video

Converting a .dem file from Valve's Source Engine to .avi involves capturing gameplay footage as it plays back in the game. The .dem file is a replay file containing data about in-game events, not raw video data, so you can't convert it directly like typical video files. Instead, you need to play back the demo in the game and record it simultaneously.

Step-by-step process to convert .dem to .avi file

Step 1: Prepare the game.

1. Ensure the game (like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Team Fortress 2, etc.) is installed on your computer.
2. Place the .dem file into the appropriate folder within the game’s directory, usually in the csgo or similar folder.

Step 2: Playback the .dem file.

1. Start the game.
2. Enable and open the developer console (usually the tilde key ~). If it is not enabled, you can turn it on in the game settings (Options > Game Settings > Enable Developer Console).
3. Use the command playdemo demo_file_name, where demo_file_name is the name of your .dem file, to start game playback.

Step 3: Record the gameplay.

1. Use screen recording software. Popular choices include OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software), Fraps, or NVIDIA's ShadowPlay if you have an Nvidia GPU and drivers installed.
2. Setup recording software:
   • For OBS Studio:
     • Install and open OBS Studio.
     • Click on the “+” under Sources, and choose Game Capture or Display Capture.
     • Set the recording path, video quality, and format (select .avi if available or choose another and convert later).
     • Click Start Recording before you start the demo playback in-game.
3. Make sure to capture the entire .dem playback.

Step 4: Stop recording

1. Once the demo finishes, stop the recording using your chosen software.
2. The recording will be saved in a format and location previously configured in your recording software.

Step 5: (Optional) Convert to AVI

If your recording isn't in .avi and you need it specifically in that format, use a video converter tool like Handbrake or Any Video Converter to convert the file to .avi:

1. Download and install your preferred video conversion software.
2. Open the software, load the recorded file, select .avi as the output format, and start the conversion process.

Recommended tools

• Screen recording software like OBS Studio, Fraps, and NVIDIA ShadowPlay.
• Video conversion software, for example, Handbrake or Any Video Converter.

This method will allow you to convert any gameplay recorded in the .dem format to a more accessible .avi video format. Remember, the quality of the final video depends heavily on the settings you choose for recording and conversion. You may need to experiment with these to get the best results.