Time Lapse Recording on a VX2100? at DVinfo.net

Ricky Serret · September 2nd, 2005, 02:44 AM

Is a VX2100 capable of doing Time Lapse Recording for like sunsets and whatnot?

Boyd Ostroff · September 2nd, 2005, 07:42 AM

Sure, any camera can do that. Just record as usual and speed up in post. One hour of recording time should be enough for a sunset - I've filmed a lot of them with really good results, along with moving clouds in the sky, etc. On the VX-2100 you can even record in LP mode and get 90 minutes if you really need it. Or use a firewire connection to a laptop (BTV Pro on the Mac works well for this) if you need to record even longer.

The Sony cameras also have something called "interval record" where it shoots a short burst and then waits awhile. This is only suitable for time lapse recording of very long events - like 12 hours or more - where you will be speeding up by a factor of 100x or more. If you use this for something relatively short like a sunset you'll get very unacceptable choppy motion. IIRC, the minimum setting for interval recording is rolling for 1/2 second every 30 seconds. This just won't give you smooth motion over a short period of time.

Try shooting a sunset or a sky normally, capture the footage, and then speed it up in your NLE until you get the desired effect. Also, do a search for "sunrise" and "sunset" here. It's been extensively discussed and there are things you need to know to protect your eyes and camera.

Ricky Serret · September 2nd, 2005, 03:39 PM

Thank you.

James Connors · September 6th, 2005, 06:08 AM

I'm sure there's PC software that can do this over firewire too, ie you leave the camera on and it'll cap frames over a set time period. The only thing is I have a feeling the VX suffers from automatic shutdown? It might not, I have a feeling that they included this to annoy people enough to buy the PD1x0 (ie if you turn to record, unless it detects you're physically using teh camera, it automatically shuts off after x amount of minutes)

I might be wrong on that last bit.. hopefully! The TRV has it, and its a complete pain in the bum when you're filming via the remote control and it shuts down on you!

Boyd Ostroff · September 6th, 2005, 07:57 AM

Yes, the VX-2000 and 2100 have that auto shutdown thing....

September 2nd, 2005, 02:44 AM	#1
Ricky Serret Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 30	Time Lapse Recording on a VX2100? Is a VX2100 capable of doing Time Lapse Recording for like sunsets and whatnot?

September 2nd, 2005, 07:42 AM	#2
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Sure, any camera can do that. Just record as usual and speed up in post. One hour of recording time should be enough for a sunset - I've filmed a lot of them with really good results, along with moving clouds in the sky, etc. On the VX-2100 you can even record in LP mode and get 90 minutes if you really need it. Or use a firewire connection to a laptop (BTV Pro on the Mac works well for this) if you need to record even longer. The Sony cameras also have something called "interval record" where it shoots a short burst and then waits awhile. This is only suitable for time lapse recording of very long events - like 12 hours or more - where you will be speeding up by a factor of 100x or more. If you use this for something relatively short like a sunset you'll get very unacceptable choppy motion. IIRC, the minimum setting for interval recording is rolling for 1/2 second every 30 seconds. This just won't give you smooth motion over a short period of time. Try shooting a sunset or a sky normally, capture the footage, and then speed it up in your NLE until you get the desired effect. Also, do a search for "sunrise" and "sunset" here. It's been extensively discussed and there are things you need to know to protect your eyes and camera.

September 2nd, 2005, 03:39 PM	#3
Ricky Serret Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 30	Thank you.

September 6th, 2005, 06:08 AM	#4
James Connors Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cardiff, UK Posts: 223	I'm sure there's PC software that can do this over firewire too, ie you leave the camera on and it'll cap frames over a set time period. The only thing is I have a feeling the VX suffers from automatic shutdown? It might not, I have a feeling that they included this to annoy people enough to buy the PD1x0 (ie if you turn to record, unless it detects you're physically using teh camera, it automatically shuts off after x amount of minutes) I might be wrong on that last bit.. hopefully! The TRV has it, and its a complete pain in the bum when you're filming via the remote control and it shuts down on you!

September 6th, 2005, 07:57 AM	#5
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Yes, the VX-2000 and 2100 have that auto shutdown thing....