Why a Phone Camera Drops Frames
Why a phone camera can drop from 30 to about 20 frames a second in dim light, and how to keep the picture smooth.
The short answer
In dim light the phone’s camera lengthens its exposure, and the sensor produces fewer frames. Add light in front of the phone, or cap the exposure in the phone’s camera settings.
How to do it in Streamdzy
- On the PC press Connect. A code and a QR code appear.
- Scan the code with the phone’s camera. The phone’s browser opens Streamdzy’s camera page.
- Press Start on the phone. It becomes a camera you can cut to, place and style in the scene.
- For the sharpest copy, let the phone keep its own full-quality recording; it is sent to the PC when you stop.
What to know first
A phone is a camera, not a second computer: its battery, heat and camera settings set the picture. Wi-Fi works well; a USB cable gives the steadiest picture. Use the webcam test to check the light.
Questions
How do I keep 30 frames a second?
Add light in front of you, keep the phone still, and check the frame rate with the webcam test.
Want all of this in one app?
Streamdzy is a free streaming and recording app for Windows: several cameras, your phone as a camera, going live to many places at once, and recording first so a bad connection never costs you the show.