I've been watching Build it Bigger on DirecTV on both Science Channel HD and HD Theater. I've noticed something odd about the video. While 1080i cameras should provide a new interlaced field every 1/60th of a second, the video of this show appears to be running at either 24 frames per second or 30 frames per second. It is hard to determine which.

But essentially, it results in motion that isn't quite smooth, especially on medium speed pans of large areas. The jumpy motion can be quite distracting. I'd expect this on a film at 24fps, but not on an HD TV show.

This issue isn't apparent on shows like the Baja 1000 show that is currently on HD Theater.

So, my question is, are the cameras being used limited to either 24 or 30 frames per second? If so, why? Are they just cheaper cameras than are used on other shows?

And if the cameras aren't limited in frame speed, is the editing of the show lowering the frame rate?

Other than that, I LOVE this show! I let my 5 year old son turn on the TV on the weekends. Normally he turns on Nickelodeon or Disney on live TV. A couple weeks back, when I came downstairs, he was watching Build it Bigger (the casino episode). The trick was that it wasn't on live TV. He had found it in the DVR and started playing it!

Danny is awesome as the host because he adds a human element to the treacherous work that these workers face every day. Of course the workers aren't scared of the situation. But any normal person definitely would be. Danny's a normal guy who has a knack for explaining complex things in a way that normal people (even 5 year olds) can understand. And that is what this show needs. He's perfect. Don't change a thing (except maybe the cameras)! Just make more episodes!

The show is filmed with a Panasonic Varicam shooting at 24 frames per second/720P - not 1080i. It's an aesthetic decision that gives the show more of a look of 16mm film than full 1080 interlaced video. You are right -- one of the drawbacks of this approach is you do get a bit of stuttering in the image, the same as you do with 16mm or 35mm film. Also, I believe the upconvert the shows to 1080i, which requires repeating some fields via 3:2 pull down, which adds to the effect you are noticing. Ideally, the shows would be mastered and broadcast at 24fps, not 1080i, but that's a decision out of my hands. There has been a discussion about shooting future shows in 30fps to minimize the stutter, while still maintaining the filmic look of the shows. Shooting in 30fps would eliminate the need for the 3:2 pulldown and give us smoother video during broadcast.

But it's good to hear your thoughts on it, and glad you like the show! Keep watching!

Jason

Wow, thanks for the very thorough answer.

I would guess that Mythbusters is also shot at 720p/24? It seems to have the same film-like frame rate effect.

I'm sure it saves money to shoot at the lower resolution and frame rate. Anything to keep these excellent shows going. This is some of the best television available. Entertaining and informative.

My TV is a Sony KDS-60A3000 with a 120Hz refresh rate. So it can handle the 3:2 pulldown and converstion to 5:5 without any judder. I'll be sure to enable it next time I'm watching. And it can even interpolate frames between the actual broadcast frames to make it look more like video.

I'd rather see it shot in 30fps, of course.

Again, thanks for the excellent info.