Hello, anyone who may see this.

I have been running SMB (NTSC) on actual console since Mid October or November 2015.

My latest Personal Best is an estimated high 5:03, judging by my off-time stop. Not done with foot pedals or whatever so they are definitely off at the end. I estimated 0.3 - 0.9 seconds.

These are my hard splits http://imgur.com/eGPWYyW (my 8-4 is the worst, obviously)

Sadly, it is not recorded. I did not expect a time like this. I was really hoping for anything sub 5:10 but not this low, at that time. I feel I could /easily/ get a sub 5 from how easy it really was for me to get that time. This time possibility is what has me still wanting to try.

If I get sub 5 I will probably quit. I didn't even think I could get a <5:05.

I would really like to know what kind of capture card(s) everyone uses (if anyone actually looks in these forums that could actually tell me?) I would really like to go for sub 5, but to my understanding anything under 5:20 is disregarded unless recorded, and anything under 5 has to be streamed. At least from what I have read here.

I really don't want to waste my time going for runs, especially if I can get a sub 5 and it isn't recorded/ or streamed if necessary. I am kind of at a stand still because I don't really know what kind of capture card I should get.

Also, what kind of foot pedals are used (and how) for timing? Having to hold the control and tap my time start key is a hassle, especially on end time (when that actually happens, and it sometimes isn't really expected).

Regarding the capture card, I was looking into a Dazzle DVC 100 (http://www.amazon.com/Dazzle-DVD-Recorder-VHS-Converter/dp/B00EAS14KI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458026647&sr=8-1&keywords=dazzle+dvc100)

I honestly don't care about primo quality and from what I have seen of it, it doesn't look like total crap.

All suggestions welcome, well if any.

Hopefully this doesn't look like garbage or sound too incoherent, I have had a few glasses of scotch.

I personally would just focus on getting and recording a good run, and edit in a timer later.

[quote]I don't really know what kind of capture card I should get[/quote] Instead of dazzle, look into getting a GV-USB2: http://www.amazon.com/DATA-connection-video-capture-GV-USB2/dp/B00428BF1Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458065769&sr=8-1&keywords=gv+usb+2

From what I've seen, the quality is pretty amazing - here's a video testing Composite on N64: it's also cheaper and smaller than the dazzle. I've ordered mine and it just shipped today.

[quote]what kind of foot pedals are used (and how) for timing?[/quote] I really can't tell you much about this because I don't use one, but darbian uses this one: http://www.amzn.com/B008EA1K66 He's advised people not to buy it from Amazon because you can get it cheaper elsewhere. If you want more info about this pedal I'd suggest talking to darbian about it.

Also, nice time - good luck in future runs!

I believe you can map your split hotkey to something like the "0" on your numpad (or at least, Wsplit allows me to), which is much easier than pressing Ctrl+Something.

However, note that your splits are completely secondary to the actual run (once you start recording them, anyway). They are nice to have, but your recorded runs will be officially re-timed after the fact anyway, so you shouldn't worry at all about hitting the final split on time. Indeed, I've seen people lose their run because they missed the final axe in their haste to split.

Luckily, all the other splits are easy to hit in between levels, so the rest of them should be plenty accurate. You just have to edit your final split once you determine your official time. :)

@Nick, Thanks a whole lot dude! Good info, and greatly appreciated.

@Muha, I use LiveSplit and have the split key set up as Space. It isn't really that bad. I actually used to use numpad 0 myself when I used Wsplit. Recording would be great, it sucks to be entirely at the mercy of splits. It also sucks to be 'that' guy who says he has a decent time but not have a video to back it up.

Darb do you ever check ur skype

I do check it occasionally. I don't have any new messages. Twitter and Twitch are the best ways to reach me.

Sorry but I have no twitch or twitter. BTW I sent a request to connect to u on Skype. Oh wait it says you were taken ☺

If you want to know why I can't get any other social media, look at the 7th post in this threadhttp://www.speedrun.com/masowg/thread/4inx1