Time interval
- Thread starter bbarton
- Start date
HansK
Veteran
Re: Time interval
If you want 24 hours to be displayed in 1 minute at 30fps then you have the formula:
[tt]
LPF = Length in time per frame.
FPS = frames per second
TL = Total Length in time (seconds) to record
LPF * FPS * 60 seconds = TL
or
LPF = TL / (FPS * 60 seconds)
[/tt]
Given your values:
[tt]
LPF = 86400 seconds / (30fps * 60 secs)
LPF = 48 seconds
[/tt]
So, you want to shoot a frame every 48 secs for an hour.
But, the DVX only allows capturing at 30p or 60i when doing interval mode. Too bad 24fps isn't supported, otherwise the above formula would equal a frame every 60 seconds.
I have shot several hour time lapses using the 1 minute interval and a 0.5 sec recording time. A 0.5 sec rec time is the minimum supported. Here's an example of a time lapse I shot with my DVX:
http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=Clips;action=display;num=1084861690;start=
Note that when you acquire your video you will actually have multiple frames for each interval. Shooting 30p at the 0.5 sec setting you will give you 15 frames. In post you will need to speed up the clip to remove the additional frames.
Jeesh, now that I look back at that formula and that it's after midnight I hope my late night math skills are correct... Hmmm.
Well, it looks correct! :
(note: it was late night typing. Fixed a couple of comments including changing 24fps to 30p/60i).
If you want 24 hours to be displayed in 1 minute at 30fps then you have the formula:
[tt]
LPF = Length in time per frame.
FPS = frames per second
TL = Total Length in time (seconds) to record
LPF * FPS * 60 seconds = TL
or
LPF = TL / (FPS * 60 seconds)
[/tt]
Given your values:
[tt]
LPF = 86400 seconds / (30fps * 60 secs)
LPF = 48 seconds
[/tt]
So, you want to shoot a frame every 48 secs for an hour.
But, the DVX only allows capturing at 30p or 60i when doing interval mode. Too bad 24fps isn't supported, otherwise the above formula would equal a frame every 60 seconds.
I have shot several hour time lapses using the 1 minute interval and a 0.5 sec recording time. A 0.5 sec rec time is the minimum supported. Here's an example of a time lapse I shot with my DVX:
http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=Clips;action=display;num=1084861690;start=
Note that when you acquire your video you will actually have multiple frames for each interval. Shooting 30p at the 0.5 sec setting you will give you 15 frames. In post you will need to speed up the clip to remove the additional frames.
Jeesh, now that I look back at that formula and that it's after midnight I hope my late night math skills are correct... Hmmm.
Well, it looks correct! :
(note: it was late night typing. Fixed a couple of comments including changing 24fps to 30p/60i).
Barry_Green
Moderator
Re: Time interval
Except that you can't shoot time-lapse stuff in 24P, you have to choose 30P or 60i. So you'd have to adjust the numbers for a 29.97fps timebase.
Except that you can't shoot time-lapse stuff in 24P, you have to choose 30P or 60i. So you'd have to adjust the numbers for a 29.97fps timebase.
Updated the text.Re: Time interval
I tried doing time lapse on my DVX and was worried about the wear it would have on the transport. With a bit of research I found a small program called cap2dv at cap2dv.com and connect the camera to my laptop and capture frames to an AVI with it. You can slow the capture rate down to as slow as 1 frame per day in .001 second intervals. The only downside is having to sit with your laptop and camera the whole time. But atleast you are saving from putting hours on your transport.
dolby
I tried doing time lapse on my DVX and was worried about the wear it would have on the transport. With a bit of research I found a small program called cap2dv at cap2dv.com and connect the camera to my laptop and capture frames to an AVI with it. You can slow the capture rate down to as slow as 1 frame per day in .001 second intervals. The only downside is having to sit with your laptop and camera the whole time. But atleast you are saving from putting hours on your transport.
dolby
disjecta
Lucky Duck
Re: Time interval
I tried using the Cap2DV program and it's awesome.
I originally did my shooting on a Sony DSR250 but I found the timelapse function to be sorely lacking basic functionality. It's great for long exposures but if you want to shoot something a little closer to real time (like a spider spinning a web, for instance) it just yielded jerky footage.
On my endless quest to shoot film, I ditched shooting video and got into Super 8 in a big way. One of the fabulous things about these cameras is that they are cheap and for around $300 you can get a top of the line camera with excellent optics. The other great thing about these cameras is the built in intravalometers. They allow you to shoot per frame and I was able to get some great timelapse shots this way.
The timelapse function on the DVX doesn't come close to what was available to me on my Super 8 camera but this cool little program called cap2DV gives me all of that functionality again. You don't even have to record to tape, it will create an avi file on your computer live from your camera and you have so many options in terms of exactly how many frames are captured over an infinite period of time.
The only pain is that you have to lug your laptop around and have it connected to the camera but the results are fantastic.
Highly recommended and for a low price of $29, it's a steal.
I tried using the Cap2DV program and it's awesome.
I originally did my shooting on a Sony DSR250 but I found the timelapse function to be sorely lacking basic functionality. It's great for long exposures but if you want to shoot something a little closer to real time (like a spider spinning a web, for instance) it just yielded jerky footage.
On my endless quest to shoot film, I ditched shooting video and got into Super 8 in a big way. One of the fabulous things about these cameras is that they are cheap and for around $300 you can get a top of the line camera with excellent optics. The other great thing about these cameras is the built in intravalometers. They allow you to shoot per frame and I was able to get some great timelapse shots this way.
The timelapse function on the DVX doesn't come close to what was available to me on my Super 8 camera but this cool little program called cap2DV gives me all of that functionality again. You don't even have to record to tape, it will create an avi file on your computer live from your camera and you have so many options in terms of exactly how many frames are captured over an infinite period of time.
The only pain is that you have to lug your laptop around and have it connected to the camera but the results are fantastic.
Highly recommended and for a low price of $29, it's a steal.
HansK
Veteran
Re: Time interval
[quote author=disjecta link=board=news;num=1086733670;start=0#7 date=06/10/04 at 11:09:39]The timelapse function on the DVX doesn't come close to what was available to me on my Super 8 camera[/quote]
So true...
Instead of using DV I would recommend using a digital camera, a capture program, and a laptop/desktop. With a digital camera you are able to grab higher rez images. Also, some camera's come with the capture software. My Canon G3 for example.
Once you grab all the images you can then load them as a film roll into your editing program. Similar to how you would do rotoscoping.
[quote author=disjecta link=board=news;num=1086733670;start=0#7 date=06/10/04 at 11:09:39]The timelapse function on the DVX doesn't come close to what was available to me on my Super 8 camera[/quote]
So true...
Instead of using DV I would recommend using a digital camera, a capture program, and a laptop/desktop. With a digital camera you are able to grab higher rez images. Also, some camera's come with the capture software. My Canon G3 for example.
Once you grab all the images you can then load them as a film roll into your editing program. Similar to how you would do rotoscoping.
disjecta
Lucky Duck
Re: Time interval
If you go this method, make sure you have a card with adequate storage for the camera. For example, if you wanted to do a thirty second timelapse at 24fps, that would yield you 720 photos. Unless, of course, the images are being captured directly to your hard disk, which is maybe what you are talking about.
If you go this method, make sure you have a card with adequate storage for the camera. For example, if you wanted to do a thirty second timelapse at 24fps, that would yield you 720 photos. Unless, of course, the images are being captured directly to your hard disk, which is maybe what you are talking about.
HansK
Veteran
Re: Time interval
[quote author=disjecta link=board=news;num=1086733670;start=0#9 date=06/10/04 at 11:54:49]Unless, of course, the images are being captured directly to your hard disk, which is maybe what you are talking about.[/quote]
Yes, saving to the hard disk would be the way to do this. Especially when using the capture software. If a camera supports a time lapse mode then getting a large card isn't that expensive these days. I have a 512mb card and it holds just over 400 images at high resolution. If capturing for later use in video, I would reduce the rez and then be able to store double that number or more.
[quote author=disjecta link=board=news;num=1086733670;start=0#9 date=06/10/04 at 11:54:49]Unless, of course, the images are being captured directly to your hard disk, which is maybe what you are talking about.[/quote]
Yes, saving to the hard disk would be the way to do this. Especially when using the capture software. If a camera supports a time lapse mode then getting a large card isn't that expensive these days. I have a 512mb card and it holds just over 400 images at high resolution. If capturing for later use in video, I would reduce the rez and then be able to store double that number or more.
Re: Time interval
If you go the digital still camera route, make sure you set everything on the camera to manual, otherwise the exposure, color and iris will be all over the place and it will look funny once you put the still on your timeline. But with a good still camera, it would look the best.
One question, how would you automate the camera to take shots at regular intervals?
dolby
If you go the digital still camera route, make sure you set everything on the camera to manual, otherwise the exposure, color and iris will be all over the place and it will look funny once you put the still on your timeline. But with a good still camera, it would look the best.
One question, how would you automate the camera to take shots at regular intervals?
dolby
HansK
Veteran
Re: Time interval
[quote author=dolby link=board=news;num=1086733670;start=0#11 date=06/10/04 at 13:40:47]One question, how would you automate the camera to take shots at regular intervals?[/quote]
My Canon came with a program called RemoteCapture. It works with several models of Canon digitals. With this util you can set various interval capture rates. Not sure if there is a Mac version of this util.
If your question is 'how would the camera perform the interval capture itself without a computer', it depends on the camera. The Canon G3 has a mode called "intervalometer" which does this. Here's a link to using it:
http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/PSG3/PSG3_132-e.html
Here's a site that contains some good info on using digital cameras for time-lapse:
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cumulus/lapse1.htm
[quote author=dolby link=board=news;num=1086733670;start=0#11 date=06/10/04 at 13:40:47]One question, how would you automate the camera to take shots at regular intervals?[/quote]
My Canon came with a program called RemoteCapture. It works with several models of Canon digitals. With this util you can set various interval capture rates. Not sure if there is a Mac version of this util.
If your question is 'how would the camera perform the interval capture itself without a computer', it depends on the camera. The Canon G3 has a mode called "intervalometer" which does this. Here's a link to using it:
http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/PSG3/PSG3_132-e.html
Here's a site that contains some good info on using digital cameras for time-lapse:
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~cumulus/lapse1.htm