Is there a 120Hz HD Camcorder on the Market? (120fps HD camera)?
With all the craze of the latest 120Hz LCD TVs, it seems only natural if there were camcorders out there that sport 120 FRAMES PER SECOND RECORDING. However, it seems this logic is rather illogical when it comes to trying to find one of these things.
In my searches, I’ve only found that if a camera is 120Hz or above, they are only used in the bio mechanical field for slow motion shots. I would like to capture 120 fps progressive scan 1080p video for display on these new 120Hz TVs. Is there a product on the market for me?
"Steve H" below said that the eye cannot see beyond 30fps. This is variably incorrect, and in fact, the average human eye can see refresh rates nearer to 80fps. Anything above that becomes more and more unnoticeable. Certain people’s eyes vary GREATLY in motion perception. I have met people who can only notice 30fps, others that can see 60fps, all the way up to pilot friends of mine that can see higher than 80fps. It’s all dependent upon your genes, training, vision quality and perception.
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No and its insane because the eye cannot perceive anything beyond 30fps. The only reason for why tvs scan faster is to remove flicker from the screen. 1080p 30fps is the best thing around at the moment for viewing pleasure.
The only good reason to go faster is if you like playing things back in slow motion. Some cameras do that but not in 1080p.
Point of correction, the reason that tv systems use a specific field rate is dictated by the mains supply. The reason they use fields rather than frames is to reduce analogue to air bandwidth.
There are a select few camcorders that can record at a faster transport rate, such as the Panasonic HVX200 and the Sony HD1000 though I don’t know if they specifically support 120 fps.
Do bear in mind that a minimum 120 fps would mean a minimum shutter of at least 1/120th (probably higher to allow the image device to refresh) second otherwise you are not recording complete frames which would negate the point.
Quite apart from the display frequency, the shutter speed has a bearing on motion perception regardless of the display type used.
Much beyond 60 and some motion will strobe, fine for effect every now and then, but nauseating to look at all the time.
On top of that by using a faster shutter you are shutting out light so you would need to use a faster aperture (softer pictures – an issue on 50" displays, much harder to focus accurately as the depth of field is reduced)