Why you'll love using a digital microscope with 4K/60FPS

While frame rate has long been a fundamental element within digital microscopy, the 4K digital microscopes that’s been available on the market so far have not provided the necessary frames per second (FPS) for a comfortable and efficient user experience on live images.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the nuances of frame rate within the context of 4K digital microscopes and dive into why some 4K digital microscopes claiming 60FPS drop to 30FPS on live images.

We’ll also explain why choosing a digital microscope with 4K/60FPS on recorded as well as live images, such as the TAGARNO T50, can not only enhance comfort but also alleviate operator fatigue for increased efficiency.

A digital microscope with 4K/60FPS provides double the amount of information than a digital microscope with 4K/30FPS in the same time period. For objects in motion this can be the difference between detecting something or not, and for operators presents a fluid visualization.

The basics of frame rate

Frame rate, defined as the number of images displayed per second, plays a pivotal role in determining the fluidity of visualization and the operator’s ability to detect minute details, especially in scenarios involving motion.

A 60FPS camera, for instance, provides twice the amount of images and information in the same time period as a 30FPS camera. This disparity can be transformative, especially when operators need to manipulate their samples or actively work on them underneath the microscope.

For live, visual, inspections commonly used in everything from PCB manufacturing to seed analysis, finding a digital microscope with 4K/60FPS means the difference between merely statically seeing and comprehensively detecting crucial details in their samples as the samples are manipulated.

Seasickness sensation and 30FPS microscopes

The critical link between frame rate and operator comfort becomes apparent when using a 30FPS digital microscope.

Some microscope operators have reported experiencing sensations akin to seasickness during prolonged use. This discomfort is attributed to the latency between the operators’ hands moving beneath the microscope and the corresponding display on the monitor.

The slower frame rate and bus speeds can create a perceptible delay or stuttering image, leading to a visual experience that is less cohesive and potentially disorienting and distracting from the work being performed.

Is it actually a digital microscope with 4K/60FPS or not?

If a digital microscope claims to be 4K/60FPS, it’s fair to assume that it’ll always produce 4K/60FPS images and that you won’t experience the seasickness sensation described above, right?

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

In fact, there’s two scenarios to be aware of:

SCENARIO 1
While a digital microscope might be able to produce 4K images and deliver 60FPS, it may not be able to produce both at the same time. What you get instead is the option to choose between FHD images with 60FPS or 4K images with 30FPS, but not the ability to choose 4K images with 60FPS.

SCENARIO 2
In other cases, the 4K digital microscope can produce 60FPS images on recorded images, but not on live images. This is due to the camera not having enough data bandwidth to truly produce a 4K/60FPS live image. The result of this is the same as scenario 1: Instead you’ll see a 4K image with 30FPS or a FHD image with 60FPS.

With that in mind, let’s look at how you can tell the difference between a digital microscope with 4K/60FPS on recorded as well as live images and one that drops to 30FPS.

When reworking or soldering PCBs, it’s important to use a digital microscope with 60FPS on live and recorded images to produce high quality work.

Tips for choosing a digital microscope with 4K/60FPS

To ensure you’re getting a digital microscope with 4K/60FPS images, regardless of how you’re using it, here’s 3 steps to complete before making your purchase:

STEP 1
Check what the manufacturer says about their product. If they truly offer a digital microscope with 4K/60FPS live images, they’ll write it loud and clear on their website and in their data sheets.

Offering a digital microscope with 4K/60FPS on recorded and live images is still a fairly new technology and something they’ll be proud to share and make sure that you know about their product.

STEP 2
For the same reason, if the resolution and frame rate is not clearly labelled on their website or data sheet, ask them. A simple question like “Do you have a digital microscope with 4K/60FPS on live images?” will quickly give you the answer you need.

STEP 3
The third and final step is to see it for yourself. By having the microscope in front of you and testing it on your own samples, you’ll be able to quickly tell if you’re looking at a digital microscope with live 4K/60FPS or not.

TAGARNO T50, the first digital microscope with 4K/60FPS from TAGARNO, displays 60FPS on recorded as well a live images.

Conclusion

While some microscope users are eager to transition from FHD to 4K digital microscopes, it is often at the expense of the frame rate.

However, choosing a digital microscope that in fact produces 4K/60FPS on recorded as well as live images, such as the TAGARNO T50, will redefine operator comfort and efficiency. By embracing a higher frame rate, the TAGARNO T50 eliminates distractions and reduces operator fatigue, offering a more comfortable and efficient visual exploration experience compared to other 4K digital microscopes on the market.

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