#rolling shutter

Vaanderschricktstraat. Brussels. February 2020

Hey, thank you for your question! For most of my filmed work in recent years, I worked with the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K EF. The lens, I most often use on it is an old Carl Zeiss Planar 1,4/50mm. There are some downsides to this camera: the internal battery is abysmally bad (basically useless) and the sensor is pretty noisy and only goes up to ISO800. It also can’t shoot anything above 30fps. There are two HUGE benefits to this camera though, when it comes to filming CRT screens: the sensor is configured to scan as global shutter, which means it scans all the pixels of the image at the same time, compared to scanning line-by-line (rolling shutter) as most CMOS cameras these days do (even some extremely expensive cinema cameras). The other benefit is, that the camera can scan at a 360° degree shutter mode, which means the sensor is scanning for very close to 1/25th of a second when filming 25fps (for 50Hz, 75Hz, 100 Hz screens), or 1/30rd when filming 30fps. The BMPC4k will also experience a huge price drop, now as the new Pocket4K hit the market, which is cheap, smaller, has better low-light capabilities, exchangeable batteries etc. (but no global shutter).

Another alternative would be to get one of the last few CCD cameras which could film HD (actually usually HDV2 1080i which is 1440*1080 with PAR stretched to 1920*1080 for playback) like the Sony HVR-Z1U, as all CCD video cameras like these usually had global shutter.

In my experience it is very hard to film a CRT screen at this level of quality with a rolling-shutter camera (most DSLRs, phones etc) even if properly synced. There are some tricks though. What I often did was film at 12,5 fps with a third party firmware like magic lantern, and played back the signal on the screen with half the frame rate and later played it back at double the speed. This way the rolling shutter is open for multiple cycles of the CRT beam which helps even things out. This GIF was filmed that way back in the day (AUG 2015), using a EOS 550D with Magic Lantern:

For post-production I go though the usual steps as most video productions. Happily the BMPC4k records in different quality levels of ProRes (RAW is overkill for my editing setup), so you can directly start working in an intermediate format. I usually film in ProRes422 or ProRes422(HQ). Sometimes I film in 4K, even when delivering in HD so I can denoise at the sensor’s native resolution and then interpolate down to 1080p. For denoising I use NEAT (at a temporal filter radius of 2 to 5), which in most cases gives me much better results than anything else I tested. For color I mostly work with AE CS6′ internal stuff, and very rarely go through the rather time consuming DaVinci Resolve workflow. I also sometimes make use of Filmconvert Pro to stylize my color in a film stock way, after basic color grading. I rarely use grain though, as bit rates of most online platforms still simply can’t handle the detail properly and you end up with additional compression artifacts instead of grain.

When you think about securing spaces, warehouses and industrial facilities rolling shutters are always a good option. They give you protection they are durable and you can control who gets in easily. But businesses have a decision to make: should they use manual shutters or get motorized ones?

These days more and more businesses are using automation in their buildings. So motorized rolling shutter systems are getting popular in all kinds of industries. If you know the difference between these two options you can choose the one that's right for your business.

What are Manual Rolling Shutters?

Manual shutters are the way of doing things. You. Close them by hand using chains, pulleys or push-lift mechanisms. They are simple and often used in shops or places where you do not open and close the shutters a lot.

Some good things about shutters are:

Lower initial cost

Simple mechanical design

No electricity requirement

They are not perfect especially in big industrial spaces where you have to open and close heavy shutters many times a day.

What is a Motorized Rolling Shutter?

A motorized rolling shutter uses a motor to open and close automatically. You can use a switch, remote control or automation system to operate it.

Many businesses in India like motorized rolling shutters because they make daily work easier and more efficient.

Some key features are:

Electric motor for smooth operation

Faster opening and closing

Reduced physical effort

Integration with security systems

For facilities with a lot of traffic automation can really help with workflow.

Motorized Shutters vs Manual Shutters

Let us compare them to see the differences.

Here’s a simple comparison to understand the differences.

Ease of Operation Manual shutters require physical effort, especially for larger openings. In contrast, automatic shutter systems operate with a simple switch or remote control.

Speed and Efficiency Motorized shutters are faster and more efficient. They. Close quickly, which is great for warehouses, factories and logistics hubs where time is important.

Safety Features Many automatic shutters include sensors, emergency stop functions, and advanced control systems to prevent accidents.

Long-Term Convenience While manual shutters are cost-effective initially, automated shutters save time and reduce labor over the long term.

Why Businesses in India Are Choosing Motorized Rolling Shutters

With new buildings and automation motorized rolling shutters are being used more and more in commercial and industrial spaces in India.

You can find them in:

Warehouses and logistics centers

Industrial manufacturing units

Commercial buildings

Parking facilities

Shopping complexes

Businesses often work with manufacturers to make sure the shutters are durable and work well. For example Cronax Industries make shutter systems that combine automation with security features.

When Manual Shutters Still Make Sense

Even though automated systems are getting popular manual rolling shutters still work well in some situations.

They are good for:

Small retail shops

Low-traffic entrances

Locations with limited electrical access

Budget-focused installations

In these cases manual shutters are still a practical choice.

Final Thoughts

Choosing between manual and motorized shutters depends on the type of facility. How often you use the shutters. While manual shutters are an option for small spaces, motorized shutter systems are better for bigger commercial or industrial spaces because they are more convenient, efficient and safe.