Shimadzu's million-frame-per-second video camera
posted March 29th 2005 1:00PM
It may only shoot in monochrome at a size of 312 x 260 pixels and take up to 100 frames at a time, but Shimadzu's
HyperVision HPV-1 camera can record at a million frames a second (you can step down through a range of slower rates to
a crawling 30 fps should you wish), enabling you to capture those precious split seconds of blindingly fast motion in
all the loving detail you need. The rest of the package consists of a Windows-XP powered control unit with a 20GB
hard drive and Ethernet/USB2.0 connections; images are stored as either AVI, TIFF or BMP. The whole thing will set you
back a stinging Y22 mn ($205,000). We hear the Wachowski brothers will be using this in their next film to capture up
close the subtle vibration of Agent Smith's nostril hair as he takes a punch to the head.
[Via Slashdot Japan] [UPDATE: A reader
kindly points out the video samples on Shimadzu's site; check out a
chunk of concrete being mashed, a
water jet, or a
water balloon bursting at between
8,000 and 10,000 fps]
Don't you mean the Wachoski siblings? (http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2003/06/05/sex_change_for_larry_wachowski.php)
You still have to get the right camera angle, though, or you'll never be able to tell if Patrick Sparks had his toe on the 3-point line or not -- and you probably still won't be able to tell with so few pixels...
Here are mpegs of actual footage the camera is able to take:
http://www.shimadzu.co.jp/products/test/products/video/sample.html
It looks as if as though this camera is designed primarily for industrial applications. Including fields like sports science.
#2, my thoughts exactly!
Sparty on!
Damn, that looks like it would be a hell of a lot of fun. Espically if you have the resources. I first looked at the price and thought it was cheap, then realized that was a , $205,000+ OUCH!
does anyone know where i can get a cheap surveillance system? I need at most 2 cameras with a time lapse recorder? Just need something to look over the cash register. Cheaper the better... the local b&m place is charging upwards of 1,000$+ for a system + install.. ridiculous.
#2/#4 what are you talking about?
This is meant for high speed not resolution or precision.. look at their example videos.
312 x 260 pixels is incredibly low.
If you were watching a basketball game you would want high res and a fairly low FPS of around 30-60. The exact opposite of this camera.
If it only records 100 frames at a time, at 1000000 frames per second, it can only record 0.0001 seconds of footage? I don't see the point..
1 mil frames per sec? thats incredible. i didnt think we had the technology for that. now just work on the 100 frames max cap and i think your be onto something awsome there ;)
cantremember, the point is: record at 1,000,000 fps, playback at 30 fps... and watch that 0.0001 of a second in slow motion.
Dear sir
l need this video camera for advertiese thank you