Higher Frame Rates for More Immersive Video and Television

The frame rates used for film and television have been fixed for the best part of a century. A belief has arisen that the frame rates chosen are close to an upper limit, and that little improvement can be expected from an increase.

In this paper we will challenge this view, reporting on some experimental work that shows that the use of higher frame rates for capture, storage, transmission and display offers clear advantages at the resolutions associated with SD and HDTV.

We will also explain why the frame rates currently in use will increasingly limit the quality of television pictures if the size of displays and/or the resolution of television systems continue to grow.

Source: BBC R&D