How does IPHONE 4 determine frame rate of video recording?

Question

How does IPHONE 4 determine frame rate of video recording?

Hi,
I'd like to know why my videos are being recorded at 24fps instead of the 30fps as advertised. I know it says "up to" 30fps in the specs.

I tried both with the new 720p recording and with the front facing VGA camera.

720p - 23.99fps , H.264, 1280 x 720, Millions
AAC, 1 channels, 44100 Hz Data rate: 10.42 Mbit/s

VGA - 24.00fps H.264, 640 x 480, Millions
AAC, Mono, 44.100 kHz Data Rate: 3,530.52 kbit/s

I want to know how or why my new IPHONE 4 is choosing to record at this frame rate. There is no mention in the manual anywhere.

I NEED to record at 30fps because it just looks better, and is easier to use for editing with my other 30fps material.

This MUST be addressed !! How can there be no where to set the frame rate and/or quality settings of video recordings?

Anyone with APPLE wanna explain please? I think a LOT of users, especially video editors like myself want an answer on this one. I scoured the PDF manual, nothing in it.

Does the IPHONE decide on the frame rate based on the ambient lighting when starting the recording?

PLEASE HELP THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT !!

mac, Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Jun 26, 2010 8:33 AM

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Answer 1

sk8er02

Level 1

0 points

Jul 9, 2010 11:59 AM in response to iamthefunyone

I noticed even from the rear camera, the frame rate varies. Sometimes it's 24p and other times it's 30p. My guess is it uses the lower frame rate in low light, that's what seems to be the pattern for me.

For the project I'm working on, I'm cool with either, I just want it consistent! Would be nice if we could select.

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Answer 2

Jul 9, 2010 2:07 PM in response to sk8er02

So, try recording something that is brightly lit and see if you get 30.

Can you tell the frame rate when it is in the Camera Roll?

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Answer 3

Jul 10, 2010 5:08 AM in response to Gerald Edgar

I did a couple of tests. Indoors, normal lighting, but I thought well-lit... 24 fps
Outdoors, sunlight... 30 fps

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Answer 4

Jul 16, 2010 4:50 PM in response to iamthefunyone

I wish Apple would just lock the app into a fixed frame rate. Every clip I record has a different frame rate. The very first clip I shot in a dimly lit office was 25.71 fps (non-standard frame rate). I then went into a brightly lit sun filled room and got 29.93 fps (very close to the standard frame rate of 29.97). I went outside and shot a panorama and got 29.97 (finally a standard frame rate). I then went back into my dimly lit office again. Same lighting conditions as the first clip and the frame rate was 25.21 fps. If you were to try and edit all these clips in any standard video editing program, you will get odd frame blending and jerky motion.

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Answer 5

Jul 16, 2010 11:42 PM in response to cmaeditor

I too have noticed this and it is definitely something that should be addressed by Apple. I recorded a video in a dark setting where there was a strobe light and the video was completely useless, not to mention the continuos focusing in low light.

This was not the case with my iPhone 3GS videos.

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Answer 6

Jul 25, 2010 9:14 AM in response to ExclamationMan

So no one from Apple checks out these boards?? Are we just gonna have to complain to each other about it???

I want an answer to this. This is ridiculous.

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Answer 7

Jul 26, 2010 3:13 AM in response to iamthefunyone

This is where users talk to each other. There is a feedback link to talk to Apple!

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Answer 8

Aug 10, 2010 5:51 AM in response to iamthefunyone

So is it true that the iPhone changes its recording frame rate in response
to environmental conditions? This is very bad for most editing platforms
because it means various frame rates in the work flows, and while most platforms are being designed to deal with this these days, it is still very annoying during
editing if you want to make a movie. It would be ideal if the user can change the rate manually. Is this possible? Also, does anyone know if it is possible to attach a microphone and capture high quality audio at the same time? It would make a great tool for journalists and the like.

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Answer 9

tripsdad

Level 1

8 points

Aug 28, 2010 10:59 AM in response to iamthefunyone

I found a workaround for this problem. I recently recorded a video and it recorded at around 26fps and caused audio sync issues with my video editing software. I imported the video into iMovie and exported it as 720p video. The new video was 30fps and works perfectly in my editing software.

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Answer 10

Sep 8, 2010 12:21 PM in response to tripsdad

My video came in at 24 frames per second in low light. I then added some of the original track of our tune into Final Cut and added fx and transitions. The iphones audio of the same track fell out of sync and there were little clicks in the iphones audio track, but after doing a little shifting I was able to lock in the original prerecorded audio track to add some beef to the iphone's mic which does not cover the lower end of the spectrum, but it did handle the loud volume of the show. My friend had a very steady hand and I think the phone did great job in the lighting condition. It would be nice if the audio did not go out of sync from the original though, which I'm sure is do to dropped frames in the audio and or video tracks. Check it out here if you like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wLx79O4nms

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Answer 11

Sep 8, 2010 5:00 PM in response to Lance Mcvickar

I guess they don't like youtube links on here?? can see the video here if not the above link.

http://www.themaddonnas.com/TheMadDonnas/Movie.html

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Answer 12

Oct 27, 2010 11:12 PM in response to iamthefunyone

I just wish I could lock the frame rate too. Since I am in NZ and we use PAL which has a frame rate of 25 frames per second. It is impossible for me to convert the video for use on DVD as I must downsample the frame rate, this results in jerky video.

The ideal fix would be a user selectable setting, not this fluid "I'll use what I want depending on which way the sun is shining" rate.

So, how about it Apple?

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