- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2018 6:02 pm
- Real Name: Brent Carter
I’m new to video production and have purchased some BM gear including a studio camera 4K. BM seems to be one of the few vendors that offers us the choice of 59.94 fps or “true” 60 fps when shooting video. I’ve researched extensively and understand that (1) “60” usually means 59.94; (2) 59.94 is the result of the way NTSC video evolved; and (3) even though we can’t easily see the difference, 59.94 and 60 are different and don’t mix inside a BM switcher which requires all inputs to have the *exact* same resolution and frame rate. BM doesn’t offer any advice on this choice, so, before making a huge decision that is potentially very hard to change and/or deal with later if I’ve made the wrong choice I wanted to ask some experts… which do I choose and why?
Pre-requisites:
I’m shooting video to be live streamed and/or released over the web. People might watch on their phone, tablet, PC, Mac, or TV (via Roku or similar).
I don’t care about NTSC compatibility in the sense that I never expect my video to show up as a “real” TV show delivered over the air or via cable.
I *might* care about NTSC compatibility if it means my life will be easier for some reason.
My long term vision is to add an ATEM 4K switcher. In addition to my cameras I envision connecting sources like the HDMI output of my PC and my Mac, my iPhone and iPad. I may also want to switch to OTHER video, i.e. playing from the “media” stored on the switcher, which will most likely be 29.97 or 59.94.
PROS:
I’m leaning towards true 60p based on these pros:
Leaves the “legacy” of NTSC behind
Seems like a simpler “fresh start” for the modern age
Seems more “global” since 59.94 is an NTSC artifact and NTSC is only in some countries, and doesn’t seem to be required on the web at all (although maybe it is *everywhere* on the web since most cameras seem to be NTSC compatible).
Matches power frequency in the US and typical computer refresh rates which seems like it is maybe a good thing (although I’m not actually sure as my Windows 10 PC was set to 59.94 somehow, maybe since 59.94 is the dominant video format).
CONS:
I’m afraid of these cons:
I can’t easily mix with source footage shot on other cameras that only support 59.94. Few cameras support true 60 fps. I don’t have plans for mixing but who knows. I don’t know what I’d do if I did run into that.
I don’t want to run into an issue mixing frame rates when I get an ATEM 4K switcher someday. I’m not REALLY sure what frame rate is coming out of things like my PC and iOS devices… I’ve heard 59.94 and 60 and don’t know how to measure or confirm. I also don’t know if I can easily convert them to true 60 if they aren’t at true 60 (some future 4K decimator perhaps?).
I assume most people’s TVs refresh at 59.94 since most my prime audience is from NTSC countries (US and Japan) and don’t know if a true 60 fps signal comes through what will happen… does their screen refresh at 60 to match or stay at 59.94 and what happens to reconcile the difference? Does this affect quality or audio sync?
I don’t know if there are any other major vendors that offer the choice between 59.94 and 60 fps in their cameras. I love BM, but am I locking myself in?
Can anyone offer any advice? I’m afraid I’m missing a deal breaker I’ll regret later if I go with true 60 but my OCD self really likes the idea of true 60.
Thanks in advance for any replies!
Pre-requisites:
I’m shooting video to be live streamed and/or released over the web. People might watch on their phone, tablet, PC, Mac, or TV (via Roku or similar).
I don’t care about NTSC compatibility in the sense that I never expect my video to show up as a “real” TV show delivered over the air or via cable.
I *might* care about NTSC compatibility if it means my life will be easier for some reason.
My long term vision is to add an ATEM 4K switcher. In addition to my cameras I envision connecting sources like the HDMI output of my PC and my Mac, my iPhone and iPad. I may also want to switch to OTHER video, i.e. playing from the “media” stored on the switcher, which will most likely be 29.97 or 59.94.
PROS:
I’m leaning towards true 60p based on these pros:
Leaves the “legacy” of NTSC behind
Seems like a simpler “fresh start” for the modern age
Seems more “global” since 59.94 is an NTSC artifact and NTSC is only in some countries, and doesn’t seem to be required on the web at all (although maybe it is *everywhere* on the web since most cameras seem to be NTSC compatible).
Matches power frequency in the US and typical computer refresh rates which seems like it is maybe a good thing (although I’m not actually sure as my Windows 10 PC was set to 59.94 somehow, maybe since 59.94 is the dominant video format).
CONS:
I’m afraid of these cons:
I can’t easily mix with source footage shot on other cameras that only support 59.94. Few cameras support true 60 fps. I don’t have plans for mixing but who knows. I don’t know what I’d do if I did run into that.
I don’t want to run into an issue mixing frame rates when I get an ATEM 4K switcher someday. I’m not REALLY sure what frame rate is coming out of things like my PC and iOS devices… I’ve heard 59.94 and 60 and don’t know how to measure or confirm. I also don’t know if I can easily convert them to true 60 if they aren’t at true 60 (some future 4K decimator perhaps?).
I assume most people’s TVs refresh at 59.94 since most my prime audience is from NTSC countries (US and Japan) and don’t know if a true 60 fps signal comes through what will happen… does their screen refresh at 60 to match or stay at 59.94 and what happens to reconcile the difference? Does this affect quality or audio sync?
I don’t know if there are any other major vendors that offer the choice between 59.94 and 60 fps in their cameras. I love BM, but am I locking myself in?
Can anyone offer any advice? I’m afraid I’m missing a deal breaker I’ll regret later if I go with true 60 but my OCD self really likes the idea of true 60.
Thanks in advance for any replies!