Freeze frame picture quality

Dentman · 09-09-2005, 6:38 AM

Hi - I am new to the forum and have done the usual search but can't seem find any info on this subject.

I am looking to buy a digital camcorder that would give sharp freeze frame images. I intend to use it to step though golf swings, frame by frame, so minimum blurring is required.

Does anyone know of a model and price that might do the job?

Thanks in advance

09-09-2005, 12:33 PM

The main control you need to avoid motion blur is a camcorder with an adjustable shutter speed, all of the panasonic miniDV camcorders have this even the cheapies.

There are a couple of route that, if you had money to spend, might be worth exploring:

1: HD camcorders, would give you much higher quality individual frames to work from, capable of reasonbale sized print outs, miniDV won't really. Fine for on screen, not good on paper.

Start from £1500

2: Panasonics AVX200, not out quite yet, gives you HD (though not to the maximum standard possible) but interesting does give you a variable frame rate as well as a variable shutter.

This means you could take a lot more individual frames over the duration of the swing than with a fixed 25fps camera.

Down side is, well the cost. Don't expect much change from £4k.

In breif conclusion, a £230 MINIDV panasonic will do the best budget job, the more you spend the more scope you have, but it goes to big money.

As you are using a faster shutter (probably 1/500th second or maybe even higher) you will need plenty of light, so it may be worth pricing a powerful mains or portable unit.

Dentman · 09-09-2005, 6:54 PM

Thanks for the help Roy.

Not wanting to spend a fortune, looks like a Panasonic miniDV will have to do.

Thanks again.

12-09-2005, 10:36 PM

Hi dentman

Personally speaking I wouldn't use the camcorder to step through footage frame by frame. The quality on most cams is not good and it will increase wear and tear on the tapedeck heads. Instead use your camcorder set at a high speed shutter with extra lighting and then transfer it onto the computer. Then in whatever editing package you have click or use the keyboard shortcuts to get the program to step through the footage for you. Obviously more expensive software has things like jog and shuttle wheels.

09-09-2005, 12:33 PM	#2
Roy Mallard Guest Posts: n/a	The main control you need to avoid motion blur is a camcorder with an adjustable shutter speed, all of the panasonic miniDV camcorders have this even the cheapies. There are a couple of route that, if you had money to spend, might be worth exploring: 1: HD camcorders, would give you much higher quality individual frames to work from, capable of reasonbale sized print outs, miniDV won't really. Fine for on screen, not good on paper. Start from £1500 2: Panasonics AVX200, not out quite yet, gives you HD (though not to the maximum standard possible) but interesting does give you a variable frame rate as well as a variable shutter. This means you could take a lot more individual frames over the duration of the swing than with a fixed 25fps camera. Down side is, well the cost. Don't expect much change from £4k. In breif conclusion, a £230 MINIDV panasonic will do the best budget job, the more you spend the more scope you have, but it goes to big money. As you are using a faster shutter (probably 1/500th second or maybe even higher) you will need plenty of light, so it may be worth pricing a powerful mains or portable unit.
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12-09-2005, 10:36 PM	#4
Paul_Maycock Guest Posts: n/a	Hi dentman Personally speaking I wouldn't use the camcorder to step through footage frame by frame. The quality on most cams is not good and it will increase wear and tear on the tapedeck heads. Instead use your camcorder set at a high speed shutter with extra lighting and then transfer it onto the computer. Then in whatever editing package you have click or use the keyboard shortcuts to get the program to step through the footage for you. Obviously more expensive software has things like jog and shuttle wheels.
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