Time lapse (interval recording) on HVX200

Deuceofspades

Deuceofspades

Veteran
What HVX200 interval recording settings will produce the smoothest time lapses for:

1- clouds passing across the sky (over an hour time or less)

2- sun passing across the sky (over a 12 hour period)



I sure am glad the HVX 200 has interval recording because my DVX100B sis not and I LOVE time lapses!!

Thanks for your input and help.. See you Los Angeles HVX owners saturday!
 
The best thing to do is use the frame rate hack so you get the 1/2 sec exposure at 2fps, and then use the FS-100 intervalometer-you will need to use some heavy ND's

Best,

JB
 
I've used 1frame per second interval setting with pretty good results. Birds look weird, though. Lock that tripod down, and keep in mind that the only way to get out of interval mode is to power cycle the camera.

Les
 
Just hit the stop button to get out of Interval mode. Not the red record button but the stop button under the handle.

Interval can be thought of as a speed control. Want the clouds to move at a decent speed? Try 1 frame every 2 seconds. Want the clouds to move faster? Try 1 frame every 5 seconds. They'll both look smooth but one will be allot faster moving than the other.
 
You can always speed up in post if it's too slow, but you can't go the other direction without stuttering or tweening. I've shot stuff on a windy day and been happy with 1500% speed (or 2fps converted to 30).
 
well the good thing about timelapse is that you don't actually have to have 2 P2 cards in there to get a decent sunset
 
If I dont want the streaking lines, but do want the time lapse; would it be best to do the 2fps hack, but leave the shutter alone - or is the 350degree shutter speed needed for a smoother shot?
This would be set above an office with a wide-angle lens just to see the people streaming in and out and around during the day.
 
With something as slow moving as the sun, you're not going to get any benefit from a longer shutter, you're better off with 10 degrees so you can manage exposure. Seriously, how much does the sun move in .5 seconds? (More than 100km, technically, but not that much relative to your position. ;) )

If you've got people, that's a different story.
 
'the hack' for driving sequences...?

'the hack' for driving sequences...?

mainstreetprod said:
I prefer the interval setting of 1 frame every 2 seconds for sun/cloud timelapses. So far I only use the hack for driving sequences. Here are
some samples:

http://www.vimeo.com/405874

Each of the clips seen here took about 10-15 minutes to shoot.
Click to expand...

Very nice work, but being a junior member with a small 'j' I am not sure I understand what is meant by 'the hack'. Could you elaborate please...
Thanks
 
2 FPS Hack

2 FPS Hack

if you're relatively new to the forum and are just hearing about the 2 FPS hack, here is the break down as per Barry:

Here's the procedure:

1) Get a scene file text file on an SD card, usually by going into menu 8, CARD FUNCTIONS, and saving scene files to your SD card.

2) Open the scene file text file in the PRIVATEMEIGROUPPAVCNSBGP2SD directory, called SCENE1.TXT (or scene2.txt, scene3.txt, or scene4.txt) using a text editor like Windows Notepad

3) Look for the next-to-last item in the scene file. Here's what a sample scene file text file looks like:
00005000: 8 ; DETAIL LEVEL: 0
00005001: 8 ; V DETAIL LEVEL: 0
00005002: 8 ; DETAIL CORING : 0
00005003: 8 ; CHROMA LEVEL: 0
00005004: 8 ; CHROMA PHASE: 0
00005005: 8 ; COLOR TEMP: 0
00005006: 16 ; MASTER PED: 0
00005007: 8 ; A.IRIS LEVEL: 0
00005008: 1 ; NEWS GAMMA: OFF
00005009: 0 ; GAMMA : HD NORM
0000500A: 0 ; KNEE: AUTO
0000500B: 0 ; MATRIX: NORM
0000500C: 1 ; SKIN TONE DTL : OFF
0000500D: 0 ; V DETAIL FREQ : THIN
0000500E: 0 ; OPERATION TYPE: VIDEO CAM
0000500F: 0 ; FRAME RATE: DEFAULT
00005010: BE026801 ; SYNCRO SCAN :

That next-to-last item is:
0000500F: 0 ; FRAME RATE: DEFAULT

You can ignore everything after the semicolon; the semicolon indicates that it's a "comment" and will have no bearing on anything else (so, in this example, the part that says "; FRAME RATE: DEFAULT " is useless, it affects nothing, it's just there for human-readable description).

So the relevant part is:
0000500F: 0

The only thing you would want to change is that last number (in this case, "0"). To get different frame rates, use one of the following numbers:

0 = DEFAULT
1 = 2fps
2 = 3fps
3 = 4fps
4 = 6fps
5 = 8fps
6 = 10fps
7 = 12fps
8 = 14fps
9 = 16fps
10 = 18fps
11 = 20fps
12 = 22fps
13 = 23fps
14 = 24fps
16 = 26fps
17 = 27fps
18 = 28fps
19 = 30fps
20 = 32fps
21 = 34fps
22 = 36fps
23 = 38fps
24 = 40fps
25 = 42fps
26 = 44fps
27 = 46fps
28 = 48fps
29 = 50fps
30 = 52fps
32 = 54fps
33 = 56fps
34 = 58fps
35 = 60fps
36+ = repeat of sequence from 50fps to 60fps

So, for example, if you wanted to get a frame rate of 2 FPS, your modified line would look like this:
0000500F: 1 ; FRAME RATE: DEFAULT

And if you wanted 44 fps, it would look like this:
0000500F: 26 ; FRAME RATE: DEFAULT

(don't try higher than 35; I tried 36 and it set it to 50fps, 37 set it to 52, so I think it just repeats 50-60 for all fields set higher than 36)

4) Save your modified text file back onto your SD card

5) Put the SD card back in the camera, go to CARD FUNCTIONS, and read the scene files into the camera.

Now, when you go to the appropriate scene file, you'll see the new frame rate there. But be aware, the only way to assign these "nonstandard" frame rates is through the SD card. If you use the menu to try to change the frame rate, you'll lose it -- it'll immediately jump to 60, and then only allow the normal rates to be selected. You'd have to re-load the scene file from the SD card in order to re-establish your "nonstandard" frame rate.

good luck!
 
mainstreetprod said:
I prefer the interval setting of 1 frame every 2 seconds for sun/cloud timelapses. So far I only use the hack for driving sequences. Here are
some samples:

http://www.vimeo.com/405874

Each of the clips seen here took about 10-15 minutes to shoot.
Click to expand...

Agh, powerful images. I love the one of the red clouds and sun setting, very powerful and kinda 'dark' at the same time, dramatic. I love it.

So 1 frame every 2 seconds, and did you use a 35 mm adapter if so what advice can you convey?

For the cars at intersection, did you also use same settings and what shutter speed (if that has any bearing on a frame - not sure so I thought I should ask)

PS: I liked the music on your reel, too.
 
stuckfootage said:
I've used 1frame per second interval setting with pretty good results. Birds look weird, though. Lock that tripod down, and keep in mind that the only way to get out of interval mode is to power cycle the camera.

Les
Click to expand...


Power cycle the camera is that when I climb on the camera and push the pedals real hard? :grin: What did you mean by power cycle? Turn power off and then back on?

PS: We need a dvxforumish to English dictionary as s sticky somewhere!!
 
John Babl said:
The best thing to do is use the frame rate hack so you get the 1/2 sec exposure at 2fps, and then use the FS-100 intervalometer-you will need to use some heavy ND's

Best,

JB
Click to expand...

JB you are sounding like a star treck episode. :smile:

"fire up the shield velocebooster. press on the invertodragcompressor."

Yep, I tell you we do need a dvxforumish dictionary. OK, so in Englsih what does it mean? (be gentle, it's my first time)
 
how do i get the streaking feel in timelapse if Im on the firestore doing timelapse? any in camera settings that help for this??
thx in advance!
 
Hi Faith,

Sorry for the late response, I've been busier than a one arm pianist...
The Firestore FS-100 has a built in intervalometer, and it can be used in conjunction w/ the frame rate hack to get 1/2 sec exposure if you want(shutter set at 350 degrees, 2 fps) Version 4.0 of the FS allows for variable frame rate/quicktime 24N, so you can use the 24 fps playback-previously you had to shoot timelapse w/ regular quicktime on the FS.

You may not need to shoot w/ this set-up, but I'm used to 1/4 sec exposure(exposure obtained w/ my Aaton Super 16/intervalometer, w/ 180 degree shutter)
Captain Kirk never used an intervalometer as far as I know ;-)

The intervalometer is used to set your single frame interval-let's say one frame every 4 seconds-so once you program the rate you want, it will fire off a shot every 4 seconds for however long you need your event to be filmed. It's up to you to decide the rate you want to shoot, how much do you want to accelerate the event, how much motion blur...
i also use my Nikon D200 for more extreme motion blur, sometimes w/ the shutter open for 8 seconds or even more-(not possible w/ the HVX)
And then, for fantastic time-lapse, a Mitchell 35mm (pretty affordable rental rate)or Arri 435, or motion control rigs are the best bet...

Best,
JB

Best regards,
JB
 
Well, Captain Kirk should get an intervalometer ASAP :)...

I guess I will have to content myself with the more simple approach, it will do the job for the film, I will experiment with the hack 2fps system and also with the normal HVX settings and see which produces a better image.

Thanks you all!
 
Hello to all of U i need to know where i mistake with the hack? i have my images very snapping is it right? how can i make my images moor fluidness ? thanks
 
It sounds like you need to change the shutter speed. In the future you might have better results by starting your own new thread.
 
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