Clips from the Physics Merry-go-Round

Physics with Calculus and Advanced Physics Classes, Fall, '99

Important notes:  These clips were taken with a digital video camcorder that records in 720x480 format.  This stretches horizontal compared to vertical distances when viewed on a computer monitor.  If these clips are used for video analysis purposes, raw horizontal distances must be multiplied by a factor of 0.914.

The clips with best video quality are the high resolution clips listed in Table II.  These provide examples of the video quality that is possible with a consumer-grade digital video camera.  The camera used was a Canon Optura.  The clips were taken in progressive scan mode.  In this mode, an image is captured every thirtieth of a second without interlacing.  This feature, together with the 1/500 second exposure time that was used, ensured a sharp image in each frame of the clip.

All clips were compressed at the 100% quality setting using the Intel Indeo 3.2 codec.  Frame rates are nominal 15 or 30 fps.

Camera viewpoint

Overhead:  Camera 5 stories above MGR, tilted away from vertical ~15°, stationary with respect to ground
Side:  Camera on ground at MGR level
Rider:  Camera being held by a rider

Table I.  Medium resolution clips
Table II.  High-resolution clips

Table I.  Medium resolution clips

Table II.  High-resolution clips