A frame refers to a single image at a single moment in time in a video clip. Video consists of several still frames that when played at the correct speed create the illusion of continuous motion. At the dawn of the film industry a playback rate of16 frames per second was considered the minimum frame rate at which audience identified a flowing motion rather than a series of flashing stills. The industry settled on 24 frames per second for theatrical release, with American television choosing a frame rate of 30 frames per second.

There is now a push to higher frames rates such as 48 and 60 frames per second.