Understanding Frame Rate

The frame rate of a video is expressed in frames per second (fps), or the number of images that will be presented to the viewer in one second of time.  The standard for most consumer video cameras is 30fps. If you want to get technical, the actual frame rate is 29.97, which was adopted to fix a transmission issue with black and white televisions when colored televisions were mass-produced. For the purposes of this class, 30fps is the same as 29.97.

Some other common frame rates are 24fps, 25fps, and 60fps.  24fps is common in cinema applications.  If you read online, there are multiple viewpoints as to whether 24fps or 30fps is better.  If you happen to live in a European country, then 25fps (PAL format) is the common standard to base video on. Finally, if you want to get to high-speed capture, 60fps, 120fps and beyond allow the editor the ability to slow the motion down and play it at the 30fps speed.

Text adapted from: “Frame Rate” by Wikipedia is licensed under CC BY SA 3.0

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