NO, we are only talking of a graphic overlay here. The graphic, like all others is just another layer that is thrown up on YOUR screen to give you a visual indication of a hit. With the hit sprites I think they try to get them a bit closer, but I don't think they are accurate and can be used as "See, I hit you right there!".
You're right on it showing 'damage' graphics, the bullet holes on the skin afterwards, but I think you're wrong about hit sprites.
Strafe a ground target. Watch the hit sprites. You can follow a tracer from muzzle to dirt. It's an effect the game throws up on impact. Fire one tracer at a tank from the ground. You can follow it from muzzle to impact.
Put another way- Why on earth would the code know exactly where the bullet hit on your FE, have the exact location available to it to display the hit sprite, but do more calculation work to randomize it?
What you can't see is what effect the bullet had, explosion damage on the vehicle and how much damage was actually counted, and that's why they'd be interested in the film.
The only way to know for sure "where" the hit was registered is for HTC to their tools to check the original film.
It only LOOKS like you hit there. Only HTC can tell for sure.
I don't think that's right on film of your own gunnery taken from your computer. Anybody else's gunnery on your FE is a complete approximation for sure.
Remember the graphics of what hits there are is nothing more than eye candy. Whats important is the data that is in the packet that is sent to the other guys computer letting it know where you scored hit and what parts should fall off.
Which was calculated on your FE, and displayed.
Wiley.