Filmmaking Calculator Questions
Get instant, professional answers to your filmmaking calculation questions. From aspect ratios to frame rates, we've got you covered.
Aspect Ratio Questions
What is the best aspect ratio for professional film?
2.39:1 (21:9) is the standard for cinematic films, while 16:9 is preferred for television and streaming content. 1.85:1 is also common for theatrical releases. The choice depends on your distribution platform and creative intent.
Additional Details: For theatrical release: 2.39:1 or 1.85:1. For streaming platforms like Netflix: 16:9. For social media: 1:1 (Instagram posts) or 9:16 (TikTok, Instagram Stories).
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How do you calculate aspect ratio from resolution?
Divide the width by the height and simplify the fraction. For example, 1920x1080 = 1920÷1080 = 1.78:1, which simplifies to 16:9.
Additional Details: Common calculations: 3840x2160 = 16:9 (4K), 2560x1440 = 16:9 (1440p), 1920x1080 = 16:9 (1080p), 1280x720 = 16:9 (720p).
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What aspect ratio should I use for YouTube?
16:9 is the standard aspect ratio for YouTube videos. This ensures your content displays properly without black bars on desktop and mobile devices.
Additional Details: YouTube supports various ratios, but 16:9 (1920x1080) provides the best viewing experience across all devices and is recommended for maximum engagement.
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Frame Rate Questions
What frame rate should I shoot for slow motion?
For smooth slow motion, shoot at 120fps or higher. 60fps gives 2.5x slow motion when played at 24fps, while 120fps provides 5x slow motion.
Additional Details: Common slow motion frame rates: 60fps (2.5x slower), 120fps (5x slower), 240fps (10x slower), 480fps (20x slower). Higher frame rates require more light and storage.
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What is the difference between 24fps and 30fps?
24fps provides a cinematic look with natural motion blur, while 30fps appears smoother and more realistic. 24fps is standard for films, 30fps for television.
Additional Details: 24fps: Cinematic, film-like appearance. 30fps: Smoother motion, broadcast standard. 60fps: Very smooth, ideal for sports and action content.
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How do you calculate speed percentage for frame rate changes?
Divide your playback frame rate by your shooting frame rate, then multiply by 100. For example: 24fps playback ÷ 60fps shooting = 0.4 × 100 = 40% speed.
Additional Details: Formula: (Playback FPS ÷ Shooting FPS) × 100 = Speed Percentage. This determines how fast or slow your footage will play back.
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Timecode Questions
What is drop frame vs non-drop frame timecode?
Drop frame timecode skips certain frame numbers to maintain accuracy with real time at 29.97fps. Non-drop frame counts every frame sequentially but drifts from real time.
Additional Details: Drop frame: Accurate to real time, used for broadcast. Non-drop frame: Easier to calculate, used for film and post-production. Drop frame skips frames 00 and 01 every minute except every 10th minute.
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How do you add timecodes together?
Add each component (hours, minutes, seconds, frames) separately, carrying over when values exceed their limits. 60 seconds = 1 minute, 60 minutes = 1 hour.
Additional Details: Example: 01:23:45:12 + 00:45:30:18 = 02:09:16:05 (assuming 25fps). Remember to account for frame rate limits when adding frames.
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Video Production Questions
How much storage do I need for 4K video?
4K video requires approximately 375MB per minute for standard compression, or 1.5GB per minute for high-quality recording. A 1-hour 4K video needs about 22.5GB to 90GB depending on quality.
Additional Details: Storage requirements vary by codec: H.264 (375MB/min), ProRes 422 (1.5GB/min), ProRes 4444 (2.2GB/min), RAW (3-5GB/min).
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What bitrate should I use for streaming?
For 1080p streaming, use 3-6 Mbps. For 4K streaming, use 15-25 Mbps. Higher bitrates provide better quality but require more bandwidth.
Additional Details: Recommended bitrates: 720p (1.5-4 Mbps), 1080p (3-6 Mbps), 1440p (6-13 Mbps), 4K (15-25 Mbps). Consider your audience's internet speed.
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Bitrate & Compression Questions
How do I calculate the right bitrate for my file size limit?
Divide your target file size (in megabytes) by the video duration (in minutes), then multiply by 8 to convert to Mbps. For example, for a 500MB file at 10 minutes: (500 ÷ 10) × 8 = 400 Mbps.
Additional Details: Formula: Bitrate (Mbps) = (File Size in MB ÷ Duration in minutes) × 8. Remember to account for audio bitrate (typically 128-320 kbps) by subtracting it from your total bitrate budget.
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What is the difference between CBR and VBR encoding?
CBR (Constant Bitrate) maintains the same bitrate throughout, while VBR (Variable Bitrate) adjusts based on content complexity. VBR typically provides better quality for the same average bitrate.
Additional Details: CBR: Predictable file sizes, good for streaming. VBR: Better quality, harder to predict file size. 2-pass VBR offers the best quality but takes longer to encode.
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How long will it take to upload my video file?
Divide your file size (in megabytes) by your upload speed (in megabits per second), then divide by 60 for minutes. A 2GB file at 10 Mbps takes about 27 minutes.
Additional Details: Formula: Upload Time (min) = (File Size in MB × 8) ÷ Upload Speed (Mbps) ÷ 60. Test your actual upload speed at speedtest.net as it's often lower than download speed.
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Resolution & Scaling Questions
How do I scale video without losing quality?
Always scale down, never up. Use high-quality scaling algorithms like Lanczos or Bicubic. Maintain the original aspect ratio to avoid stretching or black bars.
Additional Details: Best practice: Shoot at the highest resolution your camera supports, then scale down for delivery. 4K to 1080p scaling actually improves perceived quality through supersampling.
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What resolution should I export for different platforms?
YouTube/Vimeo: 1080p or 4K. Instagram Feed: 1080x1080 or 1080x1350. Instagram Stories/Reels: 1080x1920. TikTok: 1080x1920. TV/Broadcast: 1080p or 4K depending on specs.
Additional Details: Always check platform guidelines as they change. Higher resolutions look better but take longer to upload and process. Mobile viewers may not notice differences above 1080p.
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What is the difference between 1080p, 2K, and 4K?
1080p (Full HD) is 1920x1080. 2K is approximately 2048x1080 (cinema standard). 4K (Ultra HD) is 3840x2160. 4K has 4× the pixels of 1080p.
Additional Details: DCI 4K (cinema): 4096x2160. UHD 4K (consumer): 3840x2160. Higher resolutions allow for more cropping flexibility in post-production and future-proof your content.
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