"AVCHD - m2ts file, in preview - best, full and capturing frame. project setting to HDV 1920x1080 25fps pal"

What resolution is the AVCHD footage. HDV is really 1440x1080. It nmay be worth checking your settings.

Sorry mark , the HDV was a mistake, meant HD not HDV it is full 1920x1080
Sony HDR-SR12E set HD FH 16m 25fps on super nightshot fixed man. focus etc.

Had a response from Eugenia via email yesterday, tried all suggestions and still no go.

As project settings matching etc. Will C&P my email:-

Thanks for the response, Eugenia. Have tried what you suggested but this
> does not change anything for my 7 frames still being the same..... it
> doesn't change on any clip as I tried 3 and they all perform the same....
>
> I also set project properties to match source file and still the same.
> I was not set to slow motion, I mostly video at night in super nightshot,
> fixed focus, HD (FH 16m) with conversion lens, resulting in 25fps 1920 x
> 1080 HD m2ts files.
>
> 00:02:49.520, 25.000 fps interlaced, 1920x1080x12, AVC (straight off video)
>
> Project preview: 25.000 fps , 1920x1080x32 (smart resample), (no
> deinterlacing)
>
> I have been using PMB for all my frame captures for still editing, but this
> is not accurate enough for my frame inspections.... but it seems that using
> Vegas MS pro 9 is no better as it only captures the same composite still
> as PMB.... groups of 7 the same.
>
> Appreciate the suggestions, have any more?
> Thanks
>
> Jim

Eugenia suggested a clip uploaded to try out, but the mail server rejected the file size so at present am looking for a way to upload the m2ts file. (I trimmed it to 35Mb)

maybe on to something about deinterlacing in PMB for save frames, will check it out.
Thanks for help so far.
Jim

Thanks for response, I think maybe the need to deinterlace before capture frame might be the go, now to figure how to achieve that!

As I said all frames are in "groups" of 7 the same and are interlaced I assume as multiples of the object are captured, not just blur, but different scale in most cases? and not symmetrical or orientated same.?

Ideas?

Jim

User orgasmictomato emailed me with a sample .m2ts file, and I had a look. I came here to give the answer to his question instead via email, since there might be others who are wondering too:

So, I can see the problem too in your .m2ts file, the repeated frames. But what you see there is absolutely normal. When cameras are put into "night mode", they lower their shutter speed down, otherwise they can't see anything in the dark. Very slow shutter speeds mean FEWER unique frames! Therefore, your 25 frames per second footage is populated only with 5-6 unique frames, and the rest are just duplicates. There is nothing you can do about the existing footage to get more frames out of it.

You can try to change the shutter speed to 1/25th -- if your camera has a shutter speed mode, and shoot progressively in PF25 mode (all new Canon HD cameras can do that). However, going to 1/25th, might result the sensor to only be able to see black -- since the sensors in consumer cameras are really small. I would suggest you go with the tape-based HV20, since it has a PF25 mode, it's cheap, it has a shutter speed mode, and it has BETTER low light capabilities than ANY non-tape AVCHD Canon HD camcorder today (simply because it packs fewer pixels in its 1/2.27" sensor than the AVCHD camcorders from Canon). And of course, to ALWAYS use a tripod. But even then, it's not guaranteed you will get an amazing result.

To properly do such a night project like yours is (was that a UFO you were filming btw?), you need a camera that can see well in low light -- a camera with a huge sensor. And the only video camera that's "affordable" and can do that with relative ease, is the Canon 5D Mark II dSLR. It costs $2700, excluding lenses but it has a full frame sensor. Anything else you buy, it will be below par for the kind of videos you shoot (which are pretty much shot in pitch black).

The other thing you could do is buy an infrared camera instead (which will make everything look funny, but it might work for your needs -- especially if that was a UFO you were after, since rumor has it that they can't camouflage themselves from infrared cameras ;-). I wouldn't know. ;-)

Thanks heaps, Eugenia that kinda sorted things.....No single frames better than what I have already got..... unless I want another new camera?

Yes that was a UFO and if you see my YouTube or Flickr sites you would see what I'm up to.
Also research into IR spectrum and use this camera for receptor and 8000mW IR laser illuminator for the light source...... up to 3km (3,000M) that's better than US military issue night vision, don't tell them will you..... ( mines better than yours ), sorry got carried away....

Don't think I'll be investing in the Canon 5D at $2,700 , well not this week anyway.
Yes they do hide in IR and more than that, but suppose that's inappropriate for this Forum, so you will have to check out my videos etc.
( or email me, that's fine )

Thanks all for the help,

Jim