What Is 240 FPS Video?
- A new addition to video-camera options is 240 frames-per-second video -- a video recording mode that captures 240 images per single second of recording time. Video playback frame rates for film and DVD are generally either the NTSC Standard at 29.97 FPS, which is used in the USA, Canada, Mexico and Japan, or the PAL Standard of 24 FPS, which is used in Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Video shot at 240 FPS captures much more information than either of these standards and is typically used to shoot scenes that will be played back in slow motion.
- Slowing down the playback of video shot at 24 or 29.97 FPS often result in a jerky, undesirable effect. Most fully-featured, nonlinear editing systems such as Avid or Final Cut Pro contain features that approximate missing frames to combat this effect, but this is an imperfect solution. It is much better practice to shoot at a higher frame rate than is required, so that slow-motion playback remains above 24 FPS without any guessing or approximation required in post production.
- As an increasingly popular mode on consumer digital video cameras, a slow motion 240 FPS video mode is often included as a bonus feature or selling point. However, depending on the camera's hardware capabilities, recording in this mode may drastically reduce image quality by limiting the resolution. A camera that shoots full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 at 24 FPS may be limited to a resolution as low as of 224 x 64 while in 240 FPS. Additionally, storing, processing and editing video at 240 FPS is often considerably more taxing on system resources than video shot at a standard frame rate, especially if the resolution is not restricted.
- Choosing an implementation of 240 FPS video depends entirely on your potential use. Broadcast-quality or HD slow motion requires careful selection of camera and editing hardware to facilitate, along with an appraisal of any inherent limitations. However, if you just want a camera that sports this feature so that you can improve your golf swing, restrictions such as limited resolution or a lack of audio during slow motion recording may not factor in to your decision, and your set of options are much broader.
