How many FPS does real life run at?

Summary

This video script explores the concept of frames per second (FPS) in relation to human vision. It challenges the idea that the human eye can't perceive more than 60 FPS, discussing the continuous nature of vision versus the discrete samples processed by the brain. The script delves into the critical flicker frequency (CFF), which varies based on individual factors, and reveals that humans can perceive up to 500 FPS under certain conditions. The video concludes that while our eyes receive continuous light, our perception of motion is an illusion created from individual samples of visual information.

Takeaways

• 🎮 FPS (frames per second) is a measure of how many images are displayed in one second, affecting the smoothness of motion in video games.
• 🤔 The perception of FPS varies, with some believing the human eye can't perceive beyond 60 FPS, while others argue the eye has no limit.
• 👀 Unlike screens, the human eye perceives continuous motion rather than discrete images, with cells capturing light in a continuous manner.
• 💡 The critical flicker frequency (CFF) is the point at which a flickering light appears continuous to the human eye, varying between 50 and 90 Hz.
• 🚫 The CFF effect doesn't apply to cameras, which can capture and reveal flicker that the human eye perceives as continuous.
• 👁️‍🗨️ Akinetopsia is a rare condition where patients see moving objects as a series of static images, suggesting the brain processes vision in discrete samples.
• 🧠 The theory of discrete perception suggests our brain processes the world in separate samples, not a continuous stream, which is supported by various visual phenomena.
• 🔬 Research on visual perception is ongoing, with no consensus on whether our vision is truly continuous or discrete.
• 🐕 Animals have different CFFs than humans, with dogs and cats having higher rates, meaning they perceive screens differently.
• 🎮 High-speed visual content can push the perceived CFF up to 500 FPS, suggesting the human eye can handle much higher frame rates than previously thought.

Q & A

What is FPS and why is it important in video games?

FPS stands for frames per second, which is the number of consecutive images displayed on a screen within one second. In video games, a higher FPS generally results in smoother movement of images on the screen, leading to a more enjoyable gaming experience.

What is the relationship between FPS and the human eye's perception?

The human eye perceives the world continuously, unlike a camera or a gaming monitor which displays images in frames. The discussion around FPS and the human eye's perception is more about how our brain interprets the visual information received from our eyes rather than a fixed frame rate.

What is the critical flicker frequency (CFF) and how does it relate to perception?

The critical flicker frequency (CFF) is the frequency at which a flickering light appears continuous to a human observer. It varies between individuals and can be influenced by factors like age, mental state, and fatigue. CFF is not a fixed number and is used to illustrate how the human eye perceives light and motion differently from a camera.

Why do some people argue that the human eye can't perceive more than 60 FPS?

Some people argue that the human eye can't perceive more than 60 FPS based on the idea that the CFF is between 50 and 90 Hz. However, this is an oversimplification, as the CFF can be higher under certain conditions, and the human eye processes visual information continuously rather than in discrete frames.

What is akinetopsia and how does it relate to the discussion of FPS and perception?

Akinetopsia is a rare neurological disorder that causes patients to perceive moving objects as a series of static images. This condition supports the theory of discrete perception, suggesting that our perception is not truly continuous but is processed in individual samples by the brain.

How do fluorescent lights and the human eye's perception of them relate to the concept of FPS?

Fluorescent lights flicker at a frequency that is usually not noticeable to the naked eye due to the CFF. This flickering light appears continuous, illustrating how the human eye perceives light differently from a camera, which can capture and display the flicker.

What does the study by Rufin VanRullen and Julian Dubba suggest about how our brain processes motion?

The study by VanRullen and Dubba suggests that our brain's motion perception system takes separate samples of a moving object to calculate its trajectory. These samples are not consciously perceived but can be revealed under certain conditions such as brain damage or substance consumption.

What is the significance of the study published in 2015 regarding the human eye's perception of frames per second?

The study published in 2015 found that the human eye can perceive up to 500 frames per second under certain conditions, such as when viewing high-speed video games. This challenges the previous belief that the eye's perception is limited to around 50-90 FPS.

How does the theory of discrete perception challenge the idea of continuous visual perception?

The theory of discrete perception posits that our perception is not continuous but is processed in individual samples by the brain. This is supported by phenomena like visual trails and akinetopsia, which suggest that our brain processes visual information in discrete packets rather than a continuous stream.

What does the video suggest about the relationship between real-life perception and the perception of video games?

The video suggests that real-life perception is not equivalent to a fixed frame rate like in video games. Instead, our perception is a complex process involving the brain's interpretation of continuous visual information, which is not necessarily perceived as a series of discrete frames.