*My* Response from HTC on 30fps

[Darth Mo]

The Incredible does NOT have an HDMI port, and neither does the Nexus 1. It's the HDMI port that causes the problem. So, I am looking forward to the Droid X coming out, because it does have an HDMI port, and if it can do 60 fps, then motorola found a way around it that HTC couldn't do, or the whole HDMI thing is just hogwash. If the Droid X does have the same problem, well, then I guess we won't have to be envious of it and it will prove that HTC was right. Now, keep in mind though that the Droid X will have a 1 Ghz TI Omap 3630 CPU with a PowerVR GPU, so, things will be different.

Chances are that with 720p video, it can't maintain the 60 fps output. You can't float between between frame rates; an HDTV is only going to take 24, 30, or 60 fps. So they put a limit on the frame rate at 30 to ensure smooth video playback. If the Droid X can maintain 60 fps out, it is probably due to beefier hardware.

If that's the case, it sounds like that would be a software implementation governing the hardware based on hardware ability. I don't see why the limit can't only be active when outputting via the HDMI port and allowed to run free when just using phone screen.

 

[Robbie317]

I would gladly give up the HDMI out in order to get better graphics performance. I don't really plan on using that feature that much anyway.

HDMI out really isn't as big a deal as Sprint made it out to bed... Honestly how many people are going to tether their phone to their HDTV and watch Video's?

It's a neat feature that is more a gimmick than any thing else....

Also I do understand that the 30 fps is a big deal to a lot of people and that can be a let down for those who do play HD or 3D video games and having the problems associated with the lower fps... I do however think that if the 30 fps is an issue your in the minority vs the majority. I could be wrong.. But between the time I spent at Best Buy picking mine up, a couple more trips up to look at a some universal car kits and going to the Sprint store with my wife picking up a new Blackberry........... I don't think the 30 fps is a major issue...

 

[QContent]

hmm

Disappointing to hear this for sure. HDMI was one of the "that's cool" features that made me want it.

On a related note, try plugging the EVO into a device that has an HDMI switch....instant reboot of EVO. I think it has to do with the passing off of the HDMI "hand shake", but having the device reboot seems a bit drastic!

(ONKYO HTS9100THX in case anyone is wondering...)

 

[ovE]

OP has 7 posts and the wording of his so called response from HTC seems a little fishy. I call troll.

 

[kd0axs]

OP has 7 posts and the wording of his so called response from HTC seems a little fishy. I call troll.

Actually that's word for word the same response that others have posted for the 30 fps question. It's obviously a pre-fabricated response because they are getting tons of emails about it.

 

[soldierblue]

I've given up with it. Getting an Incredible.

 

[Paladin]

This is my first Android device and it seems plenty fast for me screen wise. I have played a few small .avi files and they played just fine. I am unsure what else it needs.

As others said, if 30FPS gives you smooth motion with a movie file then what is the problem? A game at 30FPS should run full speed and smoothness. I can play PC games at 30FPS and it is okay. More is better but it is not a slide show.

I did not buy my phone to be a portable game machine. There is nothing wrong with that but it is not a priority for me personally. I enjoy the puzzle type games more anyway.

I also love Sprint so I will stick it out.

 

[McPlot]

The only place the cap seemed to matter is during benchmark test. I play some 3d games on the Evo, and they look great. What is the max framerate of the screen anyhow? No need to go faster then the screen can display it anyhow.

 

[soldierblue]

The only place the cap seemed to matter is during benchmark test. I play some 3d games on the Evo, and they look great. What is the max framerate of the screen anyhow? No need to go faster then the screen can display it anyhow.

The panel is 60hz. I dunno, I came from an iPhone 3GS and for me the framerate cap was easily the most annoying thing about it.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

I just received my response from HTC on the 30FPS issue. I'll quote the important part:

"We are investigating the viability of claims that the limitation of 30fps can be overcome by software changes. As soon as we finish our investigations, HTC will announce its findings."

Does this mean that they pay attention to what devs are doing, and might want to "use" their work to fix the issue?

Also, it seems that the response to the issue has changed since the OP posted his reply from HTC.

 

[g1toevo678]

I wonder if their response will change again if Droid X also with hdmi out isn't capped at 30fps...

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

On a side note I do hope that they open up the HDMI output to work in more areas of the phone. It's very limited right now, and I think it's an awesome feature for sharing things with people when you go to there house (assuming they have an HD tv with HDMI). I, for one, was looking forward to being able to play HQ Youtube on HDTV and photo slideshows for my family (which I think you can do now, but I've heard conflicting reports).

 

[joek1971]

All is needed is a firmware update to unlock, they can write piece a code that will allow fps depending on the game, this way it wont suck up lot of juice. If 2D or 3D does not require lot of fps then 30 is fine but some games may require 45 fps then it should be able to do that and there will be games that ask for 60 or more. All it is piece of extra code.

 

[sracercelica]

Well it seems that the motorola x is not capped like the evo, and it has an hdmi output too.

 

[Kevin OQuinn]

I want the highest possible FPS at all times. I feel that I paid for it so I should have it. That's why the Incredible feels "snappier" than the EVO even though they share the same specs (mostly).

 

[joek1971]

I dont get why htc capped it in the first place. I would really like to ask there project manager about this.

 

[g1toevo678]

I don't know if this is a repost but just saw this video posted by Phil...

YouTube - Droid X benchmark tests

 

[osakran]

I don't know if this is a repost but just saw this video posted by Phil...

YouTube - Droid X benchmark tests

That makes the evo look like absolute ****. Why is it performing so bad thats embarrasing

 

[Jerzyiroc]

Smfh... They really need to do something about the fps man. I've had my phone for a week and that video just made my phone feel old

 

[chaosrecords]

I dont mind really, The whole point of the hdmi out port was so you could view your phone videos and pictures to share with people on a high def tv. The phone dosent record past 30fps in 720p.

If you bought your phone because you expected to replace your DVR or play CRYSIS on your phone via HDMI out then you should really reconsider your purchase.

Now i wouldnt mind being able to show the full phone display, and games like snes emulators or google earth on it that would be pretty damn cool, but as far as the FPS goes honestly most people dont notice the difference between a 30fps video and a 60fps video.

Now in 3d gaming its different because the game speed is directly tied to the framerate so you will notice the difference immediately.

Edit: Brought to you by Globochem


Remember this IS a cellphone. Im happy they are making the effort and leap forward. Im sure next few years we will be fragging in Half Life 3 on pur dual core Evo 3's with 24gb ddr4 ram and 1tb micro SSD with a 3d holographic projector. sponsored by the Nvidia 20,00XLGILMnoP mobile chipset, brought to you by GloboChem and PitPat.