Before explaining the formula, please watch a time lapse sunset I created:

This question keeps getting asked so I thought I would post the information for easy reference. When doing interval recording with my video camera (DVX100) or any other camera, I use the following formulas for calculating recording. There are two formulas.

Time Lapse Formula 1

Here’s an example. If you want record 24 hours and have it reduced and displayed in 1 minute at 30fps then you have the formula:

or

Given the example values above:

So, you want to shoot a frame every 48 secs for an hour.

But, the DVX only allows capturing at 30p or 60i when doing interval mode. Too bad 24fps isn’t supported, otherwise the above formula would equal a frame every 60 seconds.

I have shot several hour time lapses using the 1 minute interval and a 0.5 sec recording time. A 0.5 sec rec time is the minimum supported.

Note that when you acquire your video you will actually have multiple frames for each interval. Shooting 30p at the 0.5 sec setting you will give you 15 frames. In post you will need to speed up the clip to remove the additional frames.

Time Lapse Formula 2

You capture 2 hours and want to show this reduced to how long? Let’s say you want it reduced to 30 seconds. Now what’s the framerate of your final output? 60? That means you will need:

Next, calculate the interval for the total time of 2 hours but converted to seconds:

Finally, divide the total time by the required frames:

Therefore you will need to shoot one frame every 4 seconds. But, the DVX only supports shooting a minimum interval of 15 seconds. So what to do? Well, you could change the length of time you want the final time lapse. Or, you could record normally and switch tapes when the first is almost done. Then import both and reduce in post.

Cheers!