Time Lapse Video

JBannister · Jan 30, 2009

So I want to make a video for a class of mine where it is time lapsed, but I didn't know what software to use or if you need a special camera. I have a mini dvr camera, but I didn't know if that would work or if you only needed specific software. I'd really appreciate it because I have to make this video by next Friday. Thanks.

PowerBookG4 · Jan 30, 2009

usually time lapses are made using a setting in the camera. but if you wanted to use software just record with your camera for a given amount of time and speed it up as fast as you can in imovie export reimport and speed up again until it is as fast as you want to make it. I don't think imovie will allow you to do it in one shot.. but maybe you can.

Robzilla · Jan 30, 2009

Definitely check your camera's settings first. Most Prosumer cameras will have it. If you have final cut you could always just hook up a camera and do a crash record straight into it. Then adjust speed as necessary.

xstep · Jan 31, 2009

I used iStopMotion 2 to create this creation.

It wouldn't be quite the same, but perhaps filming something and then applying the fast of the fast/slow/reverse effect in iMovie HD would do the trick. Then remove the high pitched audio track and put something nice in.

If you have iMovie 08, not 09, I think this link will still download iMovie HD 6.0.4. EDIT: Seems that link doesn't work now.

Aptmunich · Jan 31, 2009

Actually iMovie HD has a built-in time lapse feature:

Hook up your firewire DV cam, and the arrow button just underneath the camera toggle switch on the left should let you set it up to take an image every x intervals.

Perhaps someone can find a better description somewhere, but that's the way it worked with the built-in iSight camera.

EDIT: Here you go: CreativeTechs Tips: Create time-lapse videos with iMovie HD.

Aptmunich · Jan 31, 2009

xstep said:
I used iStopMotion 2 to create this creation.

It wouldn't be quite the same, but perhaps filming something and then applying the fast of the fast/slow/reverse effect in iMovie HD would do the trick. Then remove the high pitched audio track and put something nice in.

If you have iMovie 08, not 09, I think this link will still download iMovie HD 6.0.4.

You're a brave man leaving your MacBook Pro strapped into the front seat while you went inside the gas station

Turned out nice though - great job!

xstep · Jan 31, 2009

Aptmunich said:
You're a brave man leaving your MacBook Pro strapped into the front seat while you went inside the gas station

Brave or stupid, I'm not sure. :Oops:

I didn't leave my truck out of site except to bathroom breaks. Also, the laptop had a lock connected to it.

Aptmunich said:
Turned out nice though - great job!

Thanks. It was a fun project. I'm thinking of doing at least one more for a Vancouver city drive. I think I'll wait for the winter potholes to be fixed first.

kayakjim · Feb 1, 2009

Nice video. I was curious about the reference to the "external iSight" camera used to film this time lapse. You didn't use the camera on the laptop itself?

xstep · Feb 1, 2009

kayakjim said:
Nice video. I was curious about the reference to the "external iSight" camera used to film this time lapse. You didn't use the camera on the laptop itself?

The camera on the MBP couldn't see over the dash.

It was in the passenger seat belted in.

I have an external iSight and appropriate long firewire cable. I used a stretchy bungy cable to fix the camera to the pivot point of the visor.