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Home: Video University Forums: Canon All Camcorders:
the XL-1's "Frame Movie Mode"

X-James_Colston
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May 9, 2001, 3:23 PM

Post #1 of 4 (532 views)
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the XL-1's "Frame Movie Mode"	Can't Post

Hello all,
This inquiry has been posted at least of couple of times, but I haven't found any responses...
It is my understanding that the XL-1 can shoot frame-by-frame, (like film movie cameras). I've read dozens of reviews, sales blurbs, etc. etc., and they say, basically, "don't use this for normal filming, use standard video mode." My question is this: Is frame movie mode for shooting (for example) a golfer's swing or a humming bird flying, so that you can extract stills w/out motion blur? I suppose what I'm asking is, "Can anybody explain frame movie mode to me??

X-imagine
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May 9, 2001, 10:14 PM

Post #2 of 4 (532 views)
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Re: the XL-1's "Frame Movie Mode"	Can't Post

: Hello all,
: This inquiry has been posted at least of couple of times, but I haven't found any responses...
: It is my understanding that the XL-1 can shoot frame-by-frame, (like film movie cameras). I've read dozens of reviews, sales blurbs, etc. etc., and they say, basically, "don't use this for normal filming, use standard video mode." My question is this: Is frame movie mode for shooting (for example) a golfer's swing or a humming bird flying, so that you can extract stills w/out motion blur? I suppose what I'm asking is, "Can anybody explain frame movie mode to me??
well, I'm starting to shoot a short with the Canon XL1, and we are headed towards Frame Movie Mode. Basically my understanding (anyone please correct me if I'm wrong): Video is captured at 60 fields/second - basically 60 times per second the camera records 50% of the image. This provides for a very real - almost too real effect (the standard "video" look). In Frame Movie Mode, the camera captures data 30 times per second, each capture taking 100% of a frame. My experience is that this offers a "film" like effect. If you have ever watched an 8mm movie, movement is less fluid with a bit more chop - that is kinda how Frame Movie Mode turns out. With a manual lens and control of the camera's recording properties - I've found you can create a very nice looking recording in the Frame Movie Mode. Personally, I don't like the "too real" look of video, so Frame Movie Mode works best for me. I would encourage you to test shoot in both modes and compare the results...

X-db
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May 10, 2001, 12:52 PM

Post #3 of 4 (532 views)
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Re: the XL-1's "Frame Movie Mode" [In reply to]	Can't Post

well this 30fps/frame mode vs 30fps/60fields frames vs 24fps is just academic talk on what is different about film & video ... film is stuck at 24fps because it has been here for X years and it is the world standard ( OK it is both 24 & 25fps) ..if film camera's were being invented today 24fps would NOT be the rate - it would be faster (IMAX is 60fps and a 48 fps was proposed a few years ago) ... BUT we are stuck with 24 fps so why speculate what the rate would be .....
if you watch TV commercials, TV shows ,& alot of music video's that are shot on film are shot at 30fps NOT 24fps....
and they still look like FILM ... so it's not the so called 3:2 pull down that gives FILM that film LOOK ......
24fps film to tape has got stuck with the tag line " more jerky" ......
for me the XL 1 has a sort of look that lies between " video & film " and it doesn't matter if you shoot frame mode or normal mode ....
the time is coming (very soon) where you'll be able to shoot 24,25, 30 , interlace, progressive and it will ALL be projected on the same DIGITAL PROJECTOR ... at that point our decription of video & film will shift to the other qualities of the images ....

: well, I'm starting to shoot a short with the Canon XL1, and we are headed towards Frame Movie Mode. Basically my understanding (anyone please correct me if I'm wrong): Video is captured at 60 fields/second - basically 60 times per second the camera records 50% of the image. This provides for a very real - almost too real effect (the standard "video" look). In Frame Movie Mode, the camera captures data 30 times per second, each capture taking 100% of a frame. My experience is that this offers a "film" like effect. If you have ever watched an 8mm movie, movement is less fluid with a bit more chop - that is kinda how Frame Movie Mode turns out. With a manual lens and control of the camera's recording properties - I've found you can create a very nice looking recording in the Frame Movie Mode. Personally, I don't like the "too real" look of video, so Frame Movie Mode works best for me. I would encourage you to test shoot in both modes and compare the results...

X-don
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May 11, 2001, 8:16 AM

Post #4 of 4 (532 views)
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Re: the XL-1's "Frame Movie Mode" [In reply to]	Can't Post

: ... My question is this: Is frame movie mode for shooting (for example) a golfer's swing or a humming bird flying, so that you can extract stills w/out motion blur? I suppose what I'm asking is, "Can anybody explain frame movie mode to me??
See the above thread on the GL1 and frame vs. progressive. In summary frame mode is for when you want the frame look/feel to the video, which many folks find to be more 'film like'. It approximates the effect you get with a true 30 fps progresive scan camcorder (e.g., Optura). Use it with care because it can add a sort of strobbed look/feel to moving objects.
Is it good for doing a golfers or batters swing? A high shutter speed will freeze the motion, and normal movie mode will give you a new field every 1/60th of a second, which may be of more value than a perhapos 50% higher resolution frame every 1/30th of a second