6 FPS limit on new Acti cameras at high resolution

[LittleScoobyMaster 0]

Acti has released a whole line of new cameras recently, (like the E77), and they all have a frame cap at 6 frames per second across all of the high resolutions.

 

I'm curious what component causes this cap? Curious if this is related to the 6mb bandwidth cap or not. I swear they must have released at least 5 to 10 cameras with these exact same frame caps on these resolutions.

 

6 fps at 3648 x 2736

6 fps at 3648 x 2160

6 fps at 2592 x 1944

6 fps at 2048 x 1536

 

http://www.acti.com/product/detail/Dome_Camera/E77

[MaxIcon 0]

If I had to guess, I'd think it was the CPU they're using. Increasing resolution really cranks up the load on any internal image processing and encoding, and the CPU's probably one of the more expensive components, along with the sensor. Also, using the same CPU across a wide range of products lets you use the same code base.

 

The other likely guess would be the sensor, but the sensor trend these days is towards more MP at full 30 FPS or better (at least, in the more expensive sensors). If someone knew what sensor they're using, it would be easy enough to look up the specs on it.

 

Still, it sounds like an artificial limit, since it drops to 6 fps going from 2MP to 3MP. Many 3MP cams drop the frame rate at full resolution, and you'd expect it to go down in steps - 20 fps at 3MP, 15 fps at 5MP, and so on.

 

ETA: I found this sensor - Aptina MT9J003: 1/2.3-Inch 10Mp CMOS Digital Image Sensor - that has some similar sounding specs. Hard to say if this is what ACTi uses, but it may be representative of this class of sensor.

http://www.aptina.com/products/image_sensors/mt9j003i12stcu/

 

It's speced at 7.5 fps at 10MP and 30 fps at 1080p using parallel output, without any in-between specs. They cost around $30, which is reasonable for an inexpensive camera, and is probably part of the trade-off of performance and price in a $300 10MP cam.