Intel Blurs GPU, Preparing for a Vista Vs. Video Card Duel - Motion Blur, from Hollywood to Silicon Vally
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Think of motion blurring as simulating a camera with a slow shutter speed. A quick shutter speed takes a very clear, sharp image. This is similar to current computer displays. A slow shutter stays open longer, recording more than one clear snapshot. You see blur where motion occurred. When you link these images together in a film, the motion blur of the slow shutter speed makes one frame hold all the action that occurred after the previous frame and before the next one. The frames are essentially blurred into each other. Our eyes see the animation as continuous motion.
Current PC displays video like a camera with a fast shutter. The picture is completely clear and in focus. At 30 FPS, it will seem jumpier than a movie at the same speed; it only has a few still snapshot and is missing the motion between frames. It is jumping from one point in time to the next, and the human eye definitely can perceive more than 30 FPS when they are sharp.
Some say we can see 60 FPS, which explains why that is recommended for gaming and 3D applications. If Intel provides motion blur for computer hardware, it should lower the needed FPS for PCs from 60 to something closer to 30. Far fewer screens needing to be rendered means better performance from the graphics card.
So motion blurring is not a new trick by any means, but using it to improve performance of limited PC hardware would be. Manufacturers and gamers have spoken about it before for gaming eye candy, but this will potentially mark its real commercial takeoff.
So how does Intel plan to do it? After reading the patent filing, it’s pretty clear they don’t know yet. They discuss the ideas of implementing it, but don’t have anything specific nailed down yet. In fact, they remained vague enough to say that it could be done using hardware components or software programs. Ideally, this could be handled by hardware, and the patent does discuss this to some amount.
Next: How Intel Will Blur Your Screen >>
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