With iOS 14.2, your iPhone can now record videos in PAL format at 25 fps. This makes it suitable for shooting under artificial lighting conditions in most European, Asian, African, and South American countries. In this precise guide, let us first understand why you may want to record video in PAL format on iPhone at 25 fps and then how to change your iPhone camera setting to shoot in PAL format.
What is the PAL video format?
Phase Alternating Line (PAL) is a video format standard used in broadcast televisions by most countries globally. Alternatives to PAL include National Television Standards Committee (NTSC), used primarily in the USA, Canada, Korea, Japan, etc., and Sequential Color and Memory (SECAM) used in France, Russia, Poland, Saudi Arabia, etc.
Why Would You Want to Shoot in PAL?
Short answer: To avoid flickering in several countries like India.
In the United States, the frequency of alternating current (AC) supplied in homes is 60Hz (that is 60 cycles per second). Thus, there is no flickering when you record videos at 30 fps or 60 fps in artificial lights like a studio, room, etc.
But in most countries, the frequency of the supplied current is 50Hz. As a result, you might see flickering in videos when you shoot at 30 fps or 60 fps under artificial lighting (like tube light) in these countries. This is because you are recording at 30 or 60 frames per second, but the artificial light source is alternating 50 times per second. Thankfully, this unsteady shine of light (flickering) in videos can be prevented if you shoot at 25fps.
Around 40 countries use 60Hz and the remaining use 50Hz. You can see the full list here and know what your country’s current frequency is.
Now that you know the basics, here is how to change the camera settings on iPhone to shoot in PAL format at 25fps.
How to record videos in PAL format on iPhone
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap Camera.
- Tap Record Video.
- Enable Show PAL Formats.
- Tap to select 1080p HD at 25 fps (PAL) or 4K at 25 fps (PAL).
Ready to capture video in PAL format on iPhone!
You have successfully set the recording format. Now, open the Camera app and swipe to video mode. You will see 25 written in the top-right. To effortlessly change video resolution straight from the camera app, follow this guide.
Also, check out these useful camera articles:
- Best Camera Apps for iPhone
- iPhone Camera Too Slow to Load: Here’s How to Fix it
- How to record spatial video on iPhone
- Steps to screen record while playing music on an iPhone
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