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How can I increase FPS on a Macbook Air when recording a video

Hello everyone.

I am new to Macs and need some help. I have a very high end HD USB camera that I would like to use to record videos with. I did a view test recordings through Quicktime and was gettin 30fps which is exactly what I wanted. Then I downloaded quicktime broadcaster just to see what it could do and my frames per second got capped at 14. I couldn't figure out how to get the fps back up to 30 so I just decided to factory reset my computer because 30fps is that important to me. After the factory reset the fps are still stuck at 30. I don't know if I need to change a setting or if I need to add a codec or something but I really need to get this figured out.

Any help is greatlu appreciated.

As a side note I dont have to use quicktime for the recording. If there is another program that is quarunteed to get me 30fps I am not against purchasing it.

MacBook Air, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Feb 27, 2014 7:51 AM

35 replies

probbiethe1 Author

Level 1

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Feb 28, 2014 8:19 AM in response to themachead

Well I am glad to know I was on the right track.

Now I am wondering sense the computer is basically out of the box status and is still only doing 14fps if there is a setting I have to change first to make it do more FPS.

Like maybe the computeris originally setup to only do 14fps and there is something I can add or change that will allow it to do more.

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Feb 28, 2014 9:37 AM in response to probbiethe1

As you have already stated, there is only Windows software for that camera. It may not be compatible with any Mac software.

iMovie 11 - cameras supported:

http://help.apple.com/imovie/cameras/en/index.html?lang=en_US

iMovie 9 - cameras supported:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3290?viewlocale=en_US

iMovie 8 Camcorders supported:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1014

Digital camera RAW formats supported by OS X Lion:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4757?viewlocale=en_US

Digital camera RAW formats supported by OS X Snow Leopard:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3825?viewlocale=en_US

Feb 28, 2014 10:00 AM in response to probbiethe1

QT detects a camera (and chooses the frame rate). Other Apps may be able to change adjust that frame rate (as I suggested earlier). Snapz Pro may be such an app.

If this is the camera you're bound to use, and it only has a Windows recording application maybe you should install Windows (via boot camp - some emulators don't play well with peripherals_) and see what happens that way. You could use QT for Windows if that's recommended.

Feb 28, 2014 10:21 AM in response to probbiethe1

Are you using QT 7.7.3 (aka 7.6.6) - Preferences->Recording Quality:device native, or good, better, best?

probbiethe1 Author

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Feb 28, 2014 10:21 AM in response to themachead

Thank you all for the suggestions I really do appreciate it. I think we are getting off track thoough. The camera works just fine on my Mac and I can use it with a ton of different programs the problem is the frames per second will never go above 14. Even if I use a program to set the FPS to 60 it will still be stuck at 14.

The same thing happens with with the built in camera it will only record at 14 FPS no matter what I do. That is why I think it is a setting on the computer. Also I was able to record with both the build in camera and my usb camera at 30fps in the past but then something changed and that is what I am trying to fix. Whatever changed I am trying to change it back.

probbiethe1 Author

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Feb 28, 2014 3:24 PM in response to themachead

To tell you the truth I am so new to Mac I don't even know how to check what version I am on. I am just using the version that came installed with Maverick.

Feb 28, 2014 3:46 PM in response to probbiethe1

To find out open QuickTime Player 7 (not x) and do About QuickTime Player - if you downloaded QuickTime Pro recently you probably have the latest version.

probbiethe1 Author

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Feb 28, 2014 5:31 PM in response to themachead

It says it is Quicktime 10.3

Feb 28, 2014 5:43 PM in response to probbiethe1

If you have purchased, downloaded and registered QuickTime Pro you should have two QuickTime Apps... one 3D icon and one more liquid 2D icon. The 3D looking one is QT 10x but there should be a QT 7x... that may be why you can not record at more than 14 fps.

probbiethe1 Author

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Feb 28, 2014 5:48 PM in response to themachead

Oh ok so if I purchase quicktime pro the 7 version you think it will allow me to change the FPS?

Feb 28, 2014 5:52 PM in response to probbiethe1

Yes pro allows for more advanced features of QT.

probbiethe1 Author

Level 1

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Mar 1, 2014 9:00 AM in response to themachead

Alrighty so I paid the 30 bucks for Quicktime 7 pro and it is still only recording at 14fps. The only extra settings I could find are the one for good better best and even at best the resolution is only 640x480. Where are the advance settings where I can force it to 1280x720 and 30 fps?

Are we all on the same page that software isn't the issue and there is actually a setting or some codec or something that needs to be added to the computer to make it work the way it should.

Mar 1, 2014 9:52 AM in response to probbiethe1

The variables are:

the camera CCD,

the connecion throughput,

RAM

the GPU,

the CPU

Storage media (on bus or external - how this is connected and drive type, speed)

the recording software (this is codec - and some codecs are slower/faster than others).

Unless I'm missing it you never gave the name and model of the camera....

So to recap:

I know your camera is not designed to be used on Mac OS. I know nothing about the camera, the RAM or processor speed of your MBA. I know you're running Mavericks and I'm sad to say that may not be the best OS to run for this purpose. IMO it's still very green and there are myriad phenomena associated with it... the FPS problem could be one (I'm not saying it is... I'm saying I don't know enough to rule it out.)

I think you should post this question over on the iMovie or Final Cut Pro board where people with more video background are likely to give you a more definite answer.

I'm sorry I was unable to resolve your issue.

Klaus1

Level 9

52,749 points

Mar 1, 2014 10:10 AM in response to probbiethe1

Yes, it is high time you revealed what camera you are using.

If you want this thread to be moved to either the FCP X forum or the iMovie forum (it remains unclear what you are using), I will ask the Hosts to do so.

Mar 1, 2014 11:41 AM in response to Klaus1

Klaus I think he's using QT player only... "New Movie Recording" - I believe that someone over in the video forum (maybe it ought to be moved to QuickTime) should have more knowledge/experience of what it takes to record at 30fps or greater.

How can I increase FPS on a Macbook Air when recording a video