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Chronos 4k12 and Q12 Hi-Speed Announced!

Krontech the Canadian Hi-speed camera company has released press information for two new global shutter camera releases due to ship in 2024.  While they did excellent work with the Chronos 1.4 720p and Chronos 2.1 HD 1080p slow motion cameras, many users of the platform clamored for more resolution and better image quality.  Enter the new Chronos 4k12 a full 4k Camera capable of 1,397 FPS at 8 bit 4096 x 2160 resolution or at 3840 x 2160
UHD 1,491 FPS.  

To put this in perspective, the Phantom 4k camera does 4k at 1k fps and costs around $80k USD for a starter kit.  This new Chronos camera has some serious punch for the TV, Web, and Film industries that need the extra resolution. We can see many production houses adopting this camera for production without breaking the bank in a compact and fully contained package.  → Continue Reading Full Post ←

fps1000HD Software Update Ads USB3!

fps1000HD Software Update

Warning: The parent company of FPS cameras “The Slow Motion Camera Company Ltd.” went out of business and entered liquidation proceedings. No further development of cameras is expected. More information here on Google Search

The fps1000HD camera has been shipping to the majority of the Kickstarter backers and initially it was limited in scope to a specific ISO, frame rate and other common settings.  That all changes with the latest firmware update which unleashes ISO, resolution selection, and USB3 support for live monitoring , control and real time video transfer up to 60fps.

While the software is still not downloadable it will be in a few days when a few bugs have been squashed. All owners of the fps1000HD will be able to upgrade their cameras and all future shipped cameras will also have the new firmware.

fps1000HD Software Update:

Below is the update by Graham Rowan explaining the features that will be available once the software is upgraded:

“New Software Release

I’m sorry for the delay in getting this update out – I was waiting until everything was complete but I realize that this never seems to come!

I have been working on a new software release which will enable the full functionality of the fps1000HD. Most of this is complete but I am still working on one piece which will allow you to exploit this functionality to the full (see below).

First, the new software provides the following new features:

ISO Control

There are now 4 ISO settings. As well as the standard 100, there are now 300, 600 and 1200 settings. The more sensitive settings allow the camera to be used in lower light conditions. However, as always, these settings will not be as good in terms of noise as the standard 100 setting. It is always best to use the best lighting possible but this does provide flexibility now where good lighting is not possible and the extra noise can normally be compensated for in post production.

Bee – fps1000HD 1280 x 720 @ 1,000fps 50% exposure by Graham Rowan:

Resolution and frame rate control

The following resolutions and frame rates are now supported:

  • 1280 x 720 @1,000fps
  • 1280 x 600 @1,200fps
  • 1280 x 540 @1,300fps
  • 1280 x 480 @1,500fps
  • 1280 x 420 @1,700fps
  • 1280 x 360 @2,000fps
  • 1280 x 300 @2,400fps
  • 1280 x 240 @3,000fps
  • 1280 x 180 @4,000fps
  • 1280 x 120 @5,000fps
  • 1280 x 60   @10,000fps
  • 640 x 360 @4,000fps
  • 640 x 300 @6,000fps
  • 640 x 180 @8,000fps
  • 640 x 120 @10,000fps
  • 640 x 60   @20,000fps

These are settable via the user LCD touch screen.

USB3 Interface

This is probably the most powerful feature opening the fps1000HD up to a range of new applications.

The USB3 interface offers 2 main functions.

Firstly, it allows the camera to be controlled from a host computer. For many applications the compact, hand-held camera is most suitable – where you want to be on the move and be prepared to snap anything that moves. However, many applications are in a controlled environment where the camera is set up on a mount focused on a fixed target. In many such applications the ability to control the camera remotely is required – for example filming explosions. You can now send commands over the USB3 interface to control all aspects of the camera. Everything that is available from the touch screen is now available via the USB3 interface.

But the most powerful features are enabled by the streaming functionality of the USB3 from the camera to host computer. Video can be streamed from the camera and viewed live on a computer screen. This offers the advantages of a USB3 camera but with the added benefit of the high speed image capture into the in-camera memory. The streaming of image data is at standard video rates (30-60fps) and is not required to be at full video speed as is normal with most USB cameras.

There are many use cases for this streaming of video data. First it can allow remote live preview of the target. This, in conjunction with the USB3 control feature described above, means the camera can truly be used in a remote situation. It also allows the host computer to be used as a live preview monitor. The live preview is available before and during image capture.

Next, the playback in slow motion of captured images can be performed via the streaming interface. This also allows movement back and forth through the captured images at any speed to locate clips of interest. This mimics the interface available via the LCD touch screen.

Finally, the fast streaming of captured data means that images can be saved also at real video playback speeds. This is orders of magnitude faster than saving images onto the SD card. Raw video can now be played back and saved at high speed.

I’m really happy to have finally implemented the features that I knew the USB3 interface would bring. All cameras already shipped have the necessary hardware to make all this possible with the latest software update.

Alfie 3 fps1000HD by Graham Rowan:

Software Status

The new software is fully implemented with just a few minor bugs to be ironed out. The USB3 interface is fully functional with the streaming initially running at 30fps. This will be increased with subsequent software releases – there is a lot of extra bandwidth available.

I will be providing a host side application to allow camera control and view streamed video. This is in an advanced stage and should be available next month. Initially PC support will be provided but Mac and Linux support is planned as well.

If anyone wants to use the USB3 control interface with their own applications then please contact me and I will give you the list of USB3 control codes.

Shipping Status

With the new software complete in the next few days I will be shipping out the remainder of the cameras to those who haven’t received their’s yet. I will also be sending out the new software to existing users. I have started on a download area of the website but will need to spend more time on this after the software release is out.”

We will keep you updated with fps1000HD and other cameras in the fps1000 roster once more information is released. – HSC

You can look at the specs and order an fps1000HD if so you choose at the: http://theslowmotioncameracompany.com

fps1000HD – the low cost high frame rate camera Campaign Video:

fps1000HD is Now Shipping in Quantity!

fps1000HD

Warning: The parent company of FPS cameras “The Slow Motion Camera Company Ltd.” went out of business and entered liquidation proceedings. No further development of cameras is expected. More information here on Google Search

The second fps1000 Kickstarter campaign the fps1000HD has reached a milestone with full production and all backer cameras to be shipped by mid January 2017.  The camera design was finalized before the campaign so no unforeseen technical problems would impede it’s production.

Most orders will ship via UPS unless a special request is made. The cameras ship with 256GB of Fast Flash Memory that give them a continuous recording of 720p video at 1000fps for up to 2 full minutes which is enough time for 83 minutes when played back at 24p on a video timeline.  The cameras record in DNG RAW sequences so that will be quite a lot of files.

Shipping Update by Graham Rowan:

“Shipments are beginning now for the fps1000HD. A little later than I had hoped due to slow deliveries from the factory. However, all cameras have been built and are going through final test and packaging. Deliveries will spill over into the new year for which I apologize. I hope to have shipped all cameras by the second week in January.

I thank you all for your support and wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.” GR

What about the fps1000 4k and Hex?

The Gold, Silver and Platinum variants of the original fps1000 cameras are being scrapped due to unforeseen problems with the camera sensors not performing up to the claimed manufacturer spec. The quality of the image and frame rate characteristics with heavy fixed pattern noise were the main reasons.  Graham has stated that all of these camera backers will have a chance to receive an fps1000HD instead with an upgrade mark up and or receive a refund as time permits so they choose.  The fps1000HD is a vastly more powerful and better camera than the Gold, Silver or Original Platinum ever were in spec and this is a major upgrade. Graham will communicate upgrade pricing at a later date when he gathers enough responses from backers. We haven’t seen clamor from backers for refunds which should prove more solid for the fps1000HD option as a realistic upgrade with ready to ship on order production line.  This is a good option for backers of the project who want a high speed camera, and you get 2min rec time at HD resolution.

As far as the fps1000 4k and Hex models are still being worked on and working prototypes are being tested; Graham stays firm and continues to work on these projects fully and intends them to be products. We will share more information on these projects when it becomes available.

For More Information, pricing and ordering page for the fps1000HD camera you can visit the Company’s Website: http://theslowmotioncameracompany.com/

Dog Captured with the fps1000HD by Graham Rowan:

fps1000HD Production Status + Double the Memory!

fps1000HD Production Line!

Warning: The parent company of FPS cameras “The Slow Motion Camera Company Ltd.” went out of business and entered liquidation proceedings. No further development of cameras is expected. More information here on Google Search

The latest update from the fps1000 camera front shows the production line of sensor boards with memory and other parts. Production is ongoing and cameras are on schedule to start shipping to Kickstarter Backers next week or Dec 12-18+.  This is on schedule as planned and after testing and quality control they should start reaching buyers by the end of the month which is a welcome development.

The other update is that due to flash memory chips having density increases on the same die; the fps1000HD cameras will now be shipped with 256GB of fast Flash memory instead of the  128GB initially planned at no extra cost to the buyer.  This effectively increases recording time from 1 minute to a full 2 minutes which is an eternity in slow motion cameras.

To put this in perspective; it is effectively yielding 4,000 seconds or 66 minutes played back at 30fps when recording at 1000fps 720p. Which could jump to 4 hours playback time at 30p by lowering resolution and shooting at 4,000fps.  This could be extremely exciting for production lines that take several minutes for a specific segment of the line.

fps1000HD Update By Graham Rowan:

“Production Status

During the last month production of the fps1000HD cameras has been progressing well. I have started to receive back completed cameras ready for final assembly and test. This is on schedule for December deliveries – in fact shipments will start next week.

I have attached some pictures from our sub-contract production company which may be of interest.

Memory Bonus (For Free)

Since the production of the first fps1000HD prototypes the market has moved on in terms of memory technology and the camera was designed to accommodate such improvements. When I came to order the components for this production run I was delighted to find that I was able to buy 256GBit memory chips for the same price as the original 128GBit chips. So all cameras will now be shipped with 256GBytes of memory at no extra cost. This doubles the record time to 2 minutes. The product will be renamed the fps1000HD-256. You don’t need to do anything – you will receive your camera with the upgraded memory.

I will post another update in about a week to tell you how things are going.” –Update END!

HSC: There you have it… cameras being built, tested and shipped very soon. fps1000HD owners will probably have some cameras by Christmas which is in line with the campaign timeline expectations.  This will of course accelerate the outstanding development of other fps1000 camera models which are very close to being finalized as well.  We will have more information of the fps1000 line of cameras as it becomes available.

For more information about the fps1000 HD be sure to visit: http://theslowmotioncameracompany.com/

fps1000HD Kickstarter campaign Video!

fps1000 HD Kickstarter October Progress Report!

fps1000 HD Update Progress October 2016

Warning: The parent company of FPS cameras “The Slow Motion Camera Company Ltd.” went out of business and entered liquidation proceedings. No further development of cameras is expected. More information here on Google Search

Graham Rowan the creator of the fps1000 HD high speed camera project and founder of the Slow motion camera company Ltd. has posted a big progress report that backers of the project have anticipated for a few weeks.  It is now reported that the campaign funds have been released by Kickstarter and can be applied to fulfill component orders.

Rowan has been busy building the component assembly pipeline and securing part orders from PCBs to sensors and memory.  According to the update fps1000 HD cameras should begin shipping with near certainty by the end of November or early December this year.

The full update quoted below:

fps1000 HD Progress Report by Graham Rowan:

“The past 2 weeks has been a busy time for me, ordering parts, talking to suppliers and preparing for production.

Today is a key milestone in the process of getting the fps1000HD delivered to backers. Today I received the funds from the kickstarter campaign. Over the last 2 weeks I have prepared as much as I can for production. I have ordered PCBs already – these were on the critical path as nothing can be built without them. These were delivered today. The rest of the components for the production run have been ordered but could not be delivered until paid for. The most critical of these parts are the memories and sensors – these are sole sourced and key to the product. These have been secured and waiting for payment before being delivered. The other key production item is the metalwork for the case. This has also been ordered.

So today I have been able to make payment for parts allowing them to be released. I expect to have all components delivered to the factory by the end of the month (October). Production of the cameras will take about 3 weeks from then. All being well I should have completed cameras back before the end of November which should allow shipments to backers to begin ahead of schedule.

Thank you all again for backing this project. I’m looking forward to getting cameras into your hands. There won’t be much to report now until the end of November when I should be getting completed cameras back from the factory, but if there’s anything to report in the meantime I will post an update before.” – GR

What about the original fps1000 Kickstarter Campaign?

Graham rowan also posted the following update on the original campaign today. Quoted below:

“I have just posted an update on the fps1000HD project. I have received funds from the new Kickstarter which has allowed me to place orders for the production of more cameras. As promised, this also means I am able to increase the production rate of cameras to satisfy original backers of this project.

I thank you for your ongoing patience and will continue to work towards fulfilling your orders.” -GR

HSC – Original orders of the fps1000 cameras including the fps1000 platinum, HEX and 4k should ramp up in development and ultimate production with these funds. The key here is that most of the components are shared across these cameras and the fps1000 HD project so there is better economies of scale when it comes to ordering camera parts from suppliers.  We hope to see many shipments by the end of the year on both projects at this rate.  The funding cements the ability for the fps1000 orders to be fulfilled and to make a further stride into remaining a viable company going forward.

We will have more information about the fps1000 and other projects / high speed cameras as it becomes available. 

More information about the fps1000 HD and future models at: http://theslowmotioncameracompany.com/

You can see one of the original Kickstarter project cameras being used in the Will It Crush? Youtube channel!

Can Biscuits Save Your Life? | fps1000 Platinum Slow Motion by Will It Crush?:

fps1000 HD is Funded Now Offers 3D Camera!

fps1000 hd final case

Warning: The parent company of FPS cameras “The Slow Motion Camera Company Ltd.” went out of business and entered liquidation proceedings. No further development of cameras is expected. More information here on Google Search

The fps1000 HD Kickstarter project has surpassed it’s funding goal by nearly twice the amount requested and with only a 2 and 1/2 days left it may be able to do substantially better considering the home stretch push.  It certainly has garnered a lot of attention from the camera enthusiast market and it may cement even more the longevity of now known The Slow Motion Camera Company Limited as an established retail option and separate itself from a mostly Kickstarter backed product.

We also have new images from the case and a few tidbits on what may be possible to do for 3D slow motion which is a a field relegated to a few labs and 3D Hollywood productions that need high speed shots shot in stereo.  The fps1000 HD has an option for you to do 720p high speed video in full stereo to use in a 3D production or scientific endeavor.  It is pertinent to say that other cameras including the edgertronic SC1 and SC2 can be rigged to shoot in 3D easily with Genlock due to their size.

The finding is closing in on £60,000 British pounds which is almost double the £35,000 Pounds goal for the campaign with 43 backers as of this posting.  It is interesting that of the available options only the fps1000 HD 128GB flash memory configuration has been backed for.

fps1000 HD main Specs:

  • 1280 x 720 @1,000 fps
  • 640 x 360 @ 4,000 fps
  • Higher frame rates at lower resolution
  • 12 bit raw video
  • 60 seconds of record time
  • Self Contained, Portable High Frame Rate Camera
  • Full Touch Screen Interface

The interest in the 64GB model has not been measurable which is easily explained by the initial price difference of only £100 Pounds.  People want more for their money. And now that the British Pound is lower in value compared to the US dollar at the fault of Brexit primarily it makes it an easier proposition to back these cameras.  Today £1 British pound equals $1.29 USD which is much less than a year ago.

Update on the 3D and Genlock and other capabilities by Graham Rowan:

“Triggers, Genlock and Stereo 3D – New Reward

In this update I want to talk about the trigger input and output of the fps1000 HD. There are two 2.5mm jack sockets on the side of the camera – a trigger in and a trigger out. The simplest way of controlling the camera is to connect a standard camera trigger unit to the trigger input. Closing the two contacts of the trigger input will start recording and opening the contacts will stop. Alternatively a low voltage input can be applied. The camera automatically detects this type of trigger input and behaves accordingly.

Another way to control the camera is by generating a low voltage pulse on the trigger input. In this mode of operation the camera will grab a frame of video for every pulse it receives. This allows you to control the frame rate of the camera from an external unit and hence to synchronize or genlock the camera to an external source.

The fps1000HD also generates a low voltage trigger output pulse every time a frame is captured. This allows you to synchronize external lighting or other components to the capture rate.

By connecting the trigger output from one fps1000HD to the trigger input of another, the second camera will automatically synchronise itself to the first. In this mode the second camera will capture video in exact frame synchronisation with the first. Furthermore, in this mode you can control the recording of both cameras from the first – thus when you press record on the master camera, both cameras will start recording in exact frame lock.

The obvious application for this is to record in stereo/3D. I experimented a little with this and produced some nice 3D videos. This is my very first entry into this domain and clearly I have a lot to learn but using a very simple base plate with screws for 2 cameras, I was able to take some hand-held stereo videos. This is the device I used:

Velbon Super Mag Plate, Twin Camera Plate for Stereo Photography:

This stereo video was made using a couple of extra steps in Adobe Premiere Pro which I normally use for creating videos. You will have to use Red/Cyan glasses to see the 3D effect.

New Reward Tier – Stereo Camera

You do of course need two cameras for this application. But with a simple modification I could provide a camera with 2 image sensor boards mounted on the same motherboard. This would provide a very compact hand held 3D camera with 2 lenses with the correct inter-ocular distance between them. For anyone who is interested in this I have added a new stereo camera reward at a significant saving over 2 cameras. There really doesn’t seem to be any other low cost high frame rate  stereo camera on the market.”

HSC’s Take on the new info:

There is value in having the 3D camera not be two separate bodies as the inter ocular distance could be made to precisely match average human eye distance without pre adjustment;  it would not require two separate cameras but it will probably require  different battery configuration along with some trouble shooting and electronic emissions dilemmas.  

We think that if no or very few backers do in fact opt for the stereo version, Graham is better off just offering two cameras to the backers in question without the expense of developing a different product for now.  It is best to concentrate on the fps1000 HD, fps1000 platinum, fps1000 4k and fps1000 Hex which are yet to be fully shipped. When those orders are fulfilled it would be now a matter of doing some market research if such a product would be in demand.  We have seen a lot of 3D camera rigs that are just sitting there gathering dust as the stereo craze with the 3D HDTVs faded as another fad with limited longevity.  Spending resources on yet another product as of now should be scrapped for sake of simplicity and time frame. 

Genlock is a great feature to have and should provide professional level sync to shoot with multiple cameras and record  events from different perspectives.

We congratulate Graham on the campaign’s great success and for improving the product far past the best expectations of just a year ago regarding the fps1000 line of slow motion cameras.  

For more information about the fps1000 HD, the possibility of backing and receiving a unit yourself and more info on other fps1000 cameras visit the Kickstarter campaign page here:

 ♦fps1000 HD Kickstarter Campaign Website Link!

Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with fps1000 or any other camera company for profit, advertising or other business endeavors. We only report on the news in the high speed industry. You should do your own due diligence before buying any camera or product recommended and or covered on this site.