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Capturing Every Moment

CSTV (the technological successor to GOTV) is the primary engine for recording full-server match replays in Counter-Strike 2. Establishing an automated recording workflow is essential for community servers that require immutable evidence for administrative actions, as well as for competitive teams performing deep tactical analysis. By automating this process, you ensure that every highlight and controversial play is preserved without requiring manual intervention from your staff.

Difficulty

Beginner

Time

5 Minutes

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Technical Configuration

To activate the automated CSTV recording engine, you must apply the following variables to your server.cfg file.
1

Access Configuration

In the Game Panel, navigate to the File Manager and open the /game/csgo/cfg/server.cfg file.
2

Define Engine Parameters

Append the following configuration block to the end of your file:
tv_enable 1       // Enables the CSTV engine
tv_autorecord 1   // Automatically initializes recording at match start
tv_maxclients 0   // Disables live spectators to prioritize CPU performance
tv_delay 120      // Implements a 2-minute delay to prevent ghosting
3

Initialize Changes

Save the file and Restart your server to initialize the CSTV service.

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Retrieving Your Match Replays

Recorded demos are stored locally on your server and can be accessed via standard management protocols.
  • Directory: All .dem files are saved directly within the /game/csgo/ root directory.
  • Naming Convention: Files use a standardized timestamp format: auto-YYYYMMDD-hhmm-map.dem.

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Strategic Storage Management

Counter-Strike 2 demos are significantly more detailed and larger than those from previous engine generations, often exceeding 100MB per individual match. We strongly recommend regularly auditing your /game/csgo/ directory and deleting aging .dem files. Allowing your storage to reach 100% capacity will cause the server to crash or fail to initialize subsequent matches.

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: January 2026 | CS2: Match recording active.