Variable framerate playback

[IAN SUN]

Here's an idea for the RED projector(s)/ display system .
Enable a variable framerate playback, whereby scenes shot on RED ONE can be tagged so that they can be displayed at their native framerates.
Imagine a dialogue scene at 24p intercut with a chase (or biplane dogfight :matrix:) scene at say 96fps.

Is this capability in any current projection system? Is it desirable?

[Policar]

While something like that would probably prove more distracting than anything, this kind of capability would be key for 3D projection, which may prove to be the real draw of digital.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

It would be killer if the RED displays and projectors could sync / refresh at 120Hz. Even if they're static at 120Hz... At least that gives the ability to play back 24, 30, 48, 60, etc.. with even frame representation and no judder. OTOH, those 50fps PAL people might not be too keen on that. ...Then again, some of the 25 / 50 Hz PAL people might not be too keen on that.

A projector with a variable rate LCD or DLP system would be ideal, but that might be a lot to ask with a 4K display system. Also, I'm not so sure ramping or changing frame rates on the projector or display during viewing would be a good idea. I think it would be distracting too... Seems to be better suited to target a rate like 120Hz and then display within the limitations of that. So productions could ramp frame rates up to 120Hz if desired, but I don't see too many doing that. High speed 96Hz or higher would be ideal for 3D though, like Policar said. That combined with a polarized lens system could usher in a new era of 3D cinema.

[Emery Wells]

Bro, whats the purpose of projecting 96fps? You shoot 96fps so when you play it back at 24fps its in slow mo and you can see all the detail.

[IAN SUN]

Bro, whats the purpose of projecting 96fps? You shoot 96fps so when you play it back at 24fps its in slow mo and you can see all the detail.

The idea is not to have action happen in slo mo, but at normal speed without preceptable strobe due to fast motion across the screen.
Smooth playback at whatever speed objects are moving relative to the focal plane.

[Emery Wells]

Reeks of 'video look' :-)

[P Andersson]

I have seen posts a long time ago where Graeme was talking about the advantageous freedom of being able to project digital footage at any fps

[Emery Wells]

I have seen posts a long time ago where Graeme was talking about the advantageous freedom of being able to project digital footage at any fps

I was just trying to get folks riled up :devil:

There are lots of advantages to having various projection frame rates and Im all for it. Im more akin 48fps projection but it really gets into a personal preference sort of thing.

[IAN SUN]

Reeks of 'video look' :-)

I think our preferences will evolve.

Witness the cinematic quality of the grainless "Crossing The Line".

[Shawn Bannon]

Anybody remember Showscan? Its 60 fps and 70mm film. Mostly used for ride films. Super clean nice images for fast action. I've watched a bunch of their tests and after 60fps you don't get a lot of benefits. I think for special venues and 3-D being able to project at 60fps progressive would be an awesome Idea.