How to Convert "TF2" Demo Files (6 Steps)

By Kirk Bennet

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"TF2," or "Team Fortress 2" demo files have a .dem extension and contain game-play footage. "Team Fortress 2" is a team-based multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) game developed by Valve. "TF2" demo files are used by gamers to record their game play and even create movies from multiple demo files. You can play the file from within "Team Fortress 2" or send it to your friends. However, they must have "TF2" installed to view the demo file. A recent "TF2" feature allows you to convert "TF2" demo files to AVI files. AVI files can be viewed by users who don't have the game installed.

Step 1

Launch "Team Fortress 2," go to the "Options" menu, select "Video Settings" and change the settings according to your preferences. The resolution you select will be the resolution of the final AVI file. The higher the settings and resolution, the longer it will take to render the demo file.

Step 2

Press the "~" (tilde) key to open the console. Type "bind l endmovie" (without quotes) and press "Enter." When you press the "L" key, the conversion will end. Type "sv_cheats 1" (without quotes) and press "Enter." Type "host_framerate 30" (without quotes) and press "Enter." This is your AVI's frame rate. If you want to record at 60 frames per second, run the "host_framerate 60" command (without quotes).

Step 3

Type "playdemo demo_name" (without quotes) to start playing your demo in "Team Fortress 2." Replace "demo_name" with the name of your demo.

Step 4

Type "startmovie video_name avi" (without quotes) when you want to start converting the demo file. Replace "video_name" (without quotes) with anything. This is the name of your future AVI file. You will see a pop-up window containing a list of codecs. Select the Xvid codecs.

Step 5

Close the console and watch the game you recorded. Do not press any keys because everything you see on your screen is converted. Don't worry if the playback is choppy and the sound is distorted.

Step 6

Press the "L" key to stop the conversion at any point. When the conversion is stopped, the AVI file is created in the "/Steam/SteamApps/SteamAccount/team fortress 2/" folder. It will be named "video_name.avi."

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