Best setting to avoid strobbing? at DVinfo.net

Steve Clarendon · July 7th, 2004, 08:41 AM

Is there a way to avoid or minimize the strobing one gets when shooting 24P?

I have asked this elsewhere and have been met by incredulous expressions like "that's what film looks like!" or "that's normal but it won't look like that when doing a film out".

I have shot film.

I have gone to the movies.

It does not look like this. Strobbing is strobbing. Just curious as to how to minimize this on the DVX100 - knowing full well I may never get rid of it unlees I shoot 60i.

Anyone?

Barry Green · July 7th, 2004, 11:50 AM

I have shot 35mm, 16mm, S16mm, and even Super8. I've shot on the DVX.

I've shot similar stuff on 16mm and DVX 24P, and split-screened them and viewed the results. They render motion identically.

Yes, that is what film looks like. There will always be strobing.

If you don't want strobing, you can shoot in 60i, or you can try using a shutter speed of 1/24. Both will eliminate strobing, although neither will look filmlike, because the strobing is an inherent key component in what makes the film look so different from the video look.

(for strobing in the movies, go watch the latest Harry Potter movie, it strobes all over the place. You can really see it during the credit sequence when they scroll sideways across the map... looks just like a DVX...)

Barry Goyette · July 7th, 2004, 06:42 PM

Steve,

Barry (Green) is essentially correct...although it is true that the strobing effect can be enhanced (or exacerbated) by the output medium...in this case a television. Because of the way film is projected, the stobing is usually less visible in theatres, but it is still undeniably there...when the cinematographer hasn't taken steps to avoid situations that cause it. Take a look at "punch drunk love" and you'll see several examples of the worst strobing nightmare while adam sandler is going through the supermarket looking for frequent flier miles...it'll hurt your eyes.

A good guide to cinematographers do's and don'ts is the ASC Manual, now available as a two part deal for film and video...You'll find references in the film manual that refer to exactly the kind of strobing you're seeing...the reason that we don't usually see much of a problem in film is that most good DP's know how to avoid the problem...so the best "setting" for anyone trying to alleviate the problem in the DVX...is to read the film manual and follow the rules.

Here's a link to the manuals

http://www.theasc.com/cgibin/store/acsstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=film_video#

July 7th, 2004, 08:41 AM	#1
Steve Clarendon Tourist Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 3	Best setting to avoid strobbing? Is there a way to avoid or minimize the strobing one gets when shooting 24P? I have asked this elsewhere and have been met by incredulous expressions like "that's what film looks like!" or "that's normal but it won't look like that when doing a film out". I have shot film. I have gone to the movies. It does not look like this. Strobbing is strobbing. Just curious as to how to minimize this on the DVX100 - knowing full well I may never get rid of it unlees I shoot 60i. Anyone?

July 7th, 2004, 11:50 AM	#2
Barry Green Barry Wan Kenobi Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,863	I have shot 35mm, 16mm, S16mm, and even Super8. I've shot on the DVX. I've shot similar stuff on 16mm and DVX 24P, and split-screened them and viewed the results. They render motion identically. Yes, that is what film looks like. There will always be strobing. If you don't want strobing, you can shoot in 60i, or you can try using a shutter speed of 1/24. Both will eliminate strobing, although neither will look filmlike, because the strobing is an inherent key component in what makes the film look so different from the video look. (for strobing in the movies, go watch the latest Harry Potter movie, it strobes all over the place. You can really see it during the credit sequence when they scroll sideways across the map... looks just like a DVX...)

July 7th, 2004, 06:42 PM	#3
Barry Goyette Trustee Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Luis Obispo CA Posts: 1,195	Steve, Barry (Green) is essentially correct...although it is true that the strobing effect can be enhanced (or exacerbated) by the output medium...in this case a television. Because of the way film is projected, the stobing is usually less visible in theatres, but it is still undeniably there...when the cinematographer hasn't taken steps to avoid situations that cause it. Take a look at "punch drunk love" and you'll see several examples of the worst strobing nightmare while adam sandler is going through the supermarket looking for frequent flier miles...it'll hurt your eyes. A good guide to cinematographers do's and don'ts is the ASC Manual, now available as a two part deal for film and video...You'll find references in the film manual that refer to exactly the kind of strobing you're seeing...the reason that we don't usually see much of a problem in film is that most good DP's know how to avoid the problem...so the best "setting" for anyone trying to alleviate the problem in the DVX...is to read the film manual and follow the rules. Here's a link to the manuals http://www.theasc.com/cgibin/store/acsstore.cgi?user_action=detail&catalogno=film_video#