[foofighter]

Does anyone know if this is a setting on the digital camcorder or a post production thing that you can do a time elapse video shoot?

I want to set it up in the workshop while i'm modding and have it record a shot or so every 1-5mins span. so when it's played back at 30 frame/sec it'll be sped up.

Any suggestion?

[- Paul -]

I think this is normally done by using a camera rather than a video camera. Just a sequence of shots governed by the camera's system. My canon does it but never used it yet... Worth a look on your camera?

[foofighter]

i think my nikon does it but was just curious if a digi camcorder would do it.

[Squawks]

This feature is actually more common on camcorders. Cameras have too high of a resolution for an effective video to be made out of them. The OP is talking about make a 30 fps video, not a slideshow as per pictures. Of course, you can still make your camera take pictures and then use an 3rd party app to compile low resolution video out of the pictures but that would be a pain in the ass, wouldn't it?

I'd check your user manual to see if you have such feature on your camcorder - it may only be available for the higher-end models.

[- Paul -]

Originally Posted by Squawks

This feature is actually more common on camcorders. Cameras have too high of a resolution for an effective video to be made out of them. The OP is talking about make a 30 fps video, not a slideshow as per pictures. Of course, you can still make your camera take pictures and then use an 3rd party app to compile low resolution video out of the pictures but that would be a pain in the ass, wouldn't it?

I'd check your user manual to see if you have such feature on your camcorder - it may only be available for the higher-end models.

Just take the photos in low res - problem solved.

[foofighter]

but then having to compile them into a video would suck the big one. I want to video this and upload for everyone to enjoy...

[Squawks]

Originally Posted by 1stnewcar

Just take the photos in low res - problem solved.

Low res at 640 x 480? Have you ever tried making a video on your PC with 640x480? That's almost DVD resolution (720 x 480), by the way.

[- Paul -]

If you have windows - it has movie maker - select all the pics you take and drop 'em into movie maker - voila.

[- Paul -]

You can also output the movie in many different formats, incl. web streaming etc etc.

[xeta]

1. Get the biggest memory card you can.
2. Set the camera to snap a picture every 30-60 seconds.
3. Empty the memory card to your pc within one of those 30-60 second intervals,
4. Rinse and repeat # 3 for as long as you like.
5. Put the pictures together into a video using virtual dub or other movie making programs.

[Squawks]

xeta - but then you face the obstacle of having to remove (and reinsert) the memory card without moving the camera's original objective.

[xeta]

A 4megapixel camera with a 4gb card can take roughly 3,000 pictures. Thats about 50 hours @ 1 picture per minute.

Do you need to go over 2 days?

[foofighter]

i doubt i'll need to go beyond 2 days...if anything 8 hrs max i'm not doing monster garage. Hmm so the consensus seems to be camera set on timer

[Squawks]

Originally Posted by xeta

A 4megapixel camera with a 4gb card can take roughly 3,000 pictures. Thats about 50 hours @ 1 picture per minute.

Do you need to go over 2 days?

The real question is: how long do you want the video to be?

With 3,000 pictures and assuming you want a smooth video of 24 fps (it could be smoother at 30 fps) that's only two minutes of video.

Maybe instead of a picture per minute you can do a picture every 30 seconds so over a period of 8 hours that's just 960 pictures. The video will look smoother too if frames are only 30 seconds apart.

[xeta]

Exactly as squawks says.

Estimate how long you are going to work for, then set the picture ratio (1 pic every X seconds) to have a more complete video.

[foofighter]

Originally Posted by Squawks

The real question is: how long do you want the video to be?

With 3,000 pictures and assuming you want a smooth video of 24 fps (it could be smoother at 30 fps) that's only two minutes of video.

Maybe instead of a picture per minute you can do a picture every 30 seconds so over a period of 8 hours that's just 960 pictures. The video will look smoother too if frames are only 30 seconds apart.

hmm thanks i think i'll play with that.