What is behind the term frame rate?

The frame rate indicates how many individual images are displayed per second in a video. The frame rate is measured in frames per second (fps). Common values are 24 fps (film standard), 25 fps (TV standard in Europe), 30 fps (digital and online videos) and 60 fps (video games). These figures have not been chosen arbitrarily. They have evolved from the history of film & TV production and influence how we perceive videos. The frame rate is a decisive factor for the quality and style of a video. A higher frame rate leads to smoother movements, while a lower frame rate creates a more cinematic look.

A brief historical digression

The human eye perceives successive images as moving (but not necessarily smooth) shots at around 14 to 16 frames per second (depending on the individual), which is why the frame rate was set at 16 frames per second in the early days of moving pictures (silent film era). At the second international congress of film producers in Paris in 1909, 1000 frames per minute were set, i.e. 16⅔ frames per second. However, many late silent films were shot at higher frame rates, such as 22 frames per second. With the introduction of sound film, the frame rate was then set at 24 Hz.

Why is the frame rate important?

The frame rate influences how a video is experienced. Different frame rates give a different impression of the video. The decision for a certain frame rate depends on how realistic you want the video to look and whether you want to use techniques such as slow motion or blur effects.

What frame rate is usually used?

This is no longer really the norm these days. Films are normally played at a frame rate of 24 FPS. This roughly corresponds to our normal vision. Videos that show a live event, a sporting event or a video game often have a higher frame rate. This is because many things happen at once and a higher frame rate means that the video is played more "smoothly" so that all details can be seen in razor-sharp detail. However, anyone creating animated GIF files, for example, chooses a lower frame rate and sacrifices the sharpness of detail in favor of a smaller file size.

How do you find the best frame rate?

There is no single optimal frame rate that achieves the best result for all types of videos. There are also different opinions and tastes on the question of which frame rate is the best. If you are looking for the ideal frame rate for a video project, consider the following aspects when setting the FPS.

Style/realism

The frame rate of a video determines how it looks and affects the viewer. Our natural vision plays a major role in this. When we see movement, such as someone throwing a ball or a car driving past, we see some things out of focus. Ideally, the selected frame rate should take this natural blurring into account. If the frame rate is too high, everything looks "razor sharp" - this is often referred to as the "soap opera" effect. On the other hand, a frame rate that is too low can cause a video to play rather jerkily, which could be decoded as "outdated" by the recipients' constantly adapting viewing conventions.  

24/25 FPS

24/25 frames per second (FPS) is the standard frame rate for movies and television broadcasts. It is also the lowest frame rate that can be used for a video or film recording, but the movements still look realistic. Even films recorded at a higher frame rate are often played back at 24 FPS. Most feature films are recorded at 24 FPS and also played back at this frame rate.

30 FPS

The slightly higher frame rate of 30 FPS is also widely used, especially in American television productions. However, 30 FPS has also established itself as the standard in the social media sector. This is primarily due to the 60 Hz technology of computer monitors. The definition of 30 FPS therefore also has to do with older television and electricity standards that were established a long time ago.

60+ FPS

Frame rates of more than 30 FPS are mainly used when a recording is to be played back in slow motion . Fast movements, for example in animal documentaries or sports recordings, are often recorded at a higher frame rate. However, many modern monitors and smartphones also work at 60 Hz, so 60fps is a good choice for smooth videos on these platforms. 60fps is a desired standard for smooth gameplay in video games, as it enables direct and lag-free input.

The right frame rate for playback

Where do you show your video? On YouTube or is it on TV? What devices are viewers using to watch your videos? The answers to these questions will determine what options you have when choosing a frame rate. Not all devices and playback methods support all frame rates. A little preliminary research is highly recommended here. Video platforms and streaming services are becoming increasingly popular when it comes to video consumption. Most platforms and streaming providers support different frame rates. Lower frame rates benefit those users who would not be able to play high frame rates on older monitors or screens anyway. It is advisable to check where you want to show your video and what frame rate is recommended for uploading and playback before recording or exporting the video. YouTube, for example, specifies the possible frame rates as 24 FPS to 60 FPS, whereby frame rates of more than 30 to 60 FPS are only recommended for topics such as gaming, make-up tutorials or sport.

Frame rate, file size and export times

The last two factors to consider are file size and export times. The higher the frame rate, the more images are packed into each second of the video. More images means more information to process. More information means larger files and longer export times. This is especially important to know when uploading videos to online streaming sites such as YouTube, Vimeo or Screencast. Higher video quality is desirable, but larger files require better internet connections and computer hardware. Viewers who have older computers or do not have the best internet connection will not be able to play the videos well.

Conclusion on the frame rate

The frame rate is a central component of video production. It influences the quality, style and perception of your video. With the right knowledge, you can use the frame rate to tell your stories more effectively. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced video producer, frame rate is a topic you shouldn't ignore.

Choosing the right frame rate is decisive for the quality of your video during playback, whether the motion sequences are smooth and realistic or whether there is motion blur. The frame rate also determines the file size of the video and upload times and should be selected in a user-friendly way.

Do you still have questions on this topic? Get in touch with Golden Claim - we'll help you find the right frame rate for your project!

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