Framerate (FPS)
The framerate, or frames per second (FPS), is the number of still images displayed on a screen or drawn in a video sequence per second. It is measured in hertz (Hz).
A higher framerate means that more images are displayed in rapid succession, resulting in smoother and more fluid motion. Lower framerates can lead to a choppy or jerky appearance.
Applications:
- Video games: Framerate plays a crucial role in gameplay smoothness and visual fidelity. Higher framerates can provide a more immersive and responsive gaming experience.
- Video: Framerates are critical in video recording and playback. Standard video framerates include 24 Hz (cinematic films), 29.97 Hz/30 Hz (NTSC video), 25 Hz (PAL video), and 50 Hz/60 Hz (1080p/4K video).
- Virtual reality (VR): VR headsets require high framerates to prevent motion sickness and maintain a comfortable viewing experience.
- Augmented reality (AR): AR applications often rely on real-time image processing, which requires high framerates to ensure smooth and accurate overlays.
- Screen recording: Framerates are important for screen recording software to capture accurate and detailed footage of on-screen activity.
Related Concepts:
- Frame time: The amount of time it takes to display a single frame.
- Animation: Motion created by showing a sequence of still images in rapid succession.
- Refresh rate: The rate at which a display updates its image.