Understanding frame rates and speed multipliers is key to creating smooth and cinematic VideoFX templates. This guide explains how to correctly configure your camera recording settings, timeline speed, and output frame rate to achieve your desired playback effects — from crisp slow motion to fluid real-time video.
Table of Contents
Important Notes
Camera Frame Rate Basics
Output Frame Rate Options
Understanding the Speed Multiplier
Combining Frame Rate and Speed Multiplier
Recommended Camera Frame Rates (Canon DSLRs)
SD Card Speed Requirements
Avoiding Flicker Under Fluorescent Lighting
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Important Notes
The final playback speed depends on three key variables:
Camera-supported frame rates (e.g. 30–240 fps)
Timeline speed multiplier
VideoFX output frame rate
Always record at the highest frame rate your camera supports for the effect you want (especially for slow motion).
Your final playback speed is calculated from the ratio of recorded fps vs output fps — for example, 120 fps footage rendered at 30 fps gives you a smooth 1/4 slow motion effect.
Camera Frame Rate Basics
Frame rate (frames per second, fps) determines how smooth your video appears.
Motion Type | Typical Frame Rate | Description |
Normal Motion | 24–30 fps | Standard playback speed. |
Smooth Motion | 50–60 fps | Ideal for 360 booths or high-energy events. |
Slow Motion | 120–240 fps | Used for dramatic, cinematic effects. |
💡 Tip: Always match your recording frame rate to your desired effect. Shooting at 120 fps and rendering at 30 fps produces beautiful 1/4 slow motion.
Output Frame Rate Options
In the VideoFX Builder → Master Settings, you can select your final output frame rate:
Smooth (40–60 fps):
Best for action, rotating booths, or dynamic guest movement.
Pros: Silky playback, reduced motion blur.
Cons: Larger files and longer render times.
Normal (20–30 fps):
Best for standard booths or short, looping videos.
Pros: Smaller files, faster uploads.
Cons: Slightly less fluid movement.
Understanding the Speed Multiplier
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The Speed Multiplier (found under Advanced Settings → Playback) changes how fast your recorded footage plays in the final timeline.
Speed Multiplier | Effect | Example Use |
1/2 | Half speed (slow motion) | Smooth cinematic slow motion |
1× | Real-time playback | Standard video |
1.5×–3× | Fast-forward effect | Fun or energetic moments |
Example:
If your camera records at 120 fps and your output is 30 fps, setting a 1/2 multiplier will create super slow motion. Setting it to 2× will create fast motion playback.
Combining Frame Rate and Speed Multiplier
Your effective playback depends on all three settings:
Effective Frame Rate = (Camera FPS ÷ Speed Multiplier) → Output FPS Render
Example Scenarios:
Cameras that support 240 FPS recording
Camera FPS | Speed Multiplier | Output FPS | Result | Output |
|
240 fps | 1/8 | 30 fps | 8 × slow motion | 1 sec = 8 sec | Optimal |
240 fps | 1/4 | 60 fps | 4 x slow motion | 1 sec = 4 sec | Smooth Playback |
240 fps | 1/2 | 60 fps | 2× slow motion | 1 sec = 2 sec | Smooth Playback |
240 fps | 1× | 60 fps | Normal playback | 1 sec = 1 sec | Smooth Playback |
Cameras that support 180 FPS recording
Camera FPS | Speed Multiplier | Output FPS | Result | Output |
|
180 fps | 1/6 | 30 fps | 6 x slow motion | 1 sec = 6 sec | Optimal |
180 fps | 1/3 | 60 fps | 3 x slow motion | 1 sec = 3 sec | Smooth Playback |
180 fps | 1/2 | 60 fps | 2 x slow motion | 1 sec = 2 sec | Smooth Playback |
180 fps | 1× | 60 fps | Normal playback | 1 sec = 1 sec | Smooth Playback |
Cameras that support 120 FPS recording
Camera FPS | Speed Multiplier | Output FPS | Result | Output |
|
120 fps | 1/8 | 30 fps | 8× slow motion | 1 sec = 8 sec | Not recommended |
120 fps | 1/4 | 30 fps | 4 x slow motion | 1 sec = 4 sec | Optimal |
120 fps | 1/2 | 60 fps | 2 x slow motion | 1 sec = 2 sec | Smooth Playback |
120 fps | 1× | 60 fps | Normal playback | 1 sec = 1 sec | Smooth Playback |
Cameras that support 60 FPS recording
Camera FPS | Speed Multiplier | Output FPS
| Result | Output |
|
60 fps | 1/8 | 30 fps | 8× slow motion | 1 sec = 8 sec | Not recommended |
60 fps | 1/4 | 30 fps | 4 x slow motion | 1 sec = 4 sec | Not recommended |
60 fps | 1/2 | 30 fps | 2 x slow motion | 1 sec = 2 sec | Optimal |
60 fps | 1× | 60 fps | Normal playback | 1 sec = 1 sec | Smooth Playback |
Suppo Frame Rates (Canon DSLRs)
When recording VideoFX clips with Canon cameras, use the following frame rate settings for optimal slow-motion performance:
Model | Recommended Frame Rate |
Canon R3 | 1080p @ 240 fps |
Canon R5 | 1080p @ 120 fps |
Canon R5 Mark II | 1080p @ 240 fps |
Canon R6 Mark II | 1080p @ 180 fps |
Canon R8 | 1080p @ 180 fps |
Canon R6 | 1080p @ 120 fps |
Canon R50 | 1080p @ 120 fps |
Canon R10 | 1080p @ 120 fps |
Canon R100 | 720p @ 120 fps |
🔗 Check the Canon specifications for detailed comparison charts and ensure your SD card matches the write speed requirements.
SD Card Speed Requirements
Canon recommends the following minimum SD card speeds for high frame rate recording:
Recording Mode | Frame Rate |
Full HD (High Frame Rate) 179–150 fps | UHS Speed Class 3 or higher (V60+) |
Full HD (High Frame Rate) 120–100 fps | UHS Speed Class 3 or higher |
4K UHD | Video Speed Class V60 or higher |
💡 Tip: Always use UHS-II V60 or V90 cards for slow-motion recordings to prevent dropped frames or corrupted clips.
Avoiding Flicker Under Fluorescent Lighting
Flicker in slow-motion (or high frame-rate) videos often occurs under fluorescent or LED lighting. This is due to the AC frequency of artificial lights (typically 50 Hz or 60 Hz) causing the lights to pulse (often twice per cycle), which can conflict with your camera’s shutter speed or frame rate.
✅ To prevent flickering:
Whenever possible, record in natural (continuous) light, which avoids the pulsing effect of many artificial sources.
If using artificial lighting, set your shutter speed (and/or frame rate) so that the camera’s exposure period aligns with the lighting pulses. For example, if the mains frequency is 50 Hz (≈ 100 pulses/sec), try shutter speeds like 1/100 s, 1/50 s or multiples thereof. If the mains is 60 Hz (≈ 120 pulses/sec), try 1/120 s, 1/60 s etc.
Avoid extremely high frame rates under indoor pulsed lighting unless you’re using dedicated “flicker-free” lights (such as high‐frequency LED panels or ballasts) — because high frame rates increase the risk of capturing brightness fluctuations between pulses.
Always test your lighting with the actual camera settings you intend to use — some light fixtures (especially older fluorescents or cheap LEDs) may flicker at different rates than ideal.
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