Bluefish444, a leading supplier of uncompressed video cards for the Windows and Linux operating systems, announced that Iridas has certified all of the HD/Lust file formats for use with its applications. This allows colorists and post-production artists to ingest video media for use in SpeedGrade DI or FrameCycler DDS, as well as playing back rendered sequences through an HD SDI output.
The HD/Lust video card provides HD and SD SDI I/O. Media can be ingested using Symmetry 3 in a variety of formats, including 10 bit 4:4:4 and 4:4:4:4 RGB Cineon and DPX, among others. Both single and dual SDI link are available for Cineon and DPX formats, preferred by colorists and post artists. These formats allow facilities to work with uncompressed frames and are ideal for Iridas' SpeedGrade DI and FrameCycler DDS application, providing a postproduction transparent workflow.
HD/Lust ships with Bluefish444's new Symmetry 3 software, providing a user-friendly interface for media ingest and playback HD hardware color space conversion, and enables artists to work natively in RGB or YUV. Audio support is included, as well as an on-board hardware down converter, which allows for monitoring during processing. RS422 deck control is supported, providing media ingest or output including insert editing.
Iridas SpeedGrade DI is a realtime color grading and film finishing solution offering primary and secondary color correction, conform and direct integration with SpeedGrade OnSet (look management) and FrameCycler. FrameCycler DDS provides direct-from-disk playback for review and pixel-precise analysis of uncompressed, film-resolution content.
Jonathan Fall, Bluefish444 European OEM manager, stated, "We're delighted to add an industry leader like Iridas to the list of companies supporting our HD/Lust file formats. We're seeing an ever-growing numbers of facilities reaping the benefits of Iridas-Bluefish444 workflows."
"We are impressed with the Cineon and DPX output capabilities of the HD/ Lust card," added Iridas vp Michael Gallo. "This is particularly important for post-production and DI workflows and Bluefish444 has the industry track record in this technology."
Iridas (www.iridas.com) first introduced uncompressed realtime playback in 2001. It continues to be the leading developer of resolution-independent playback and non-destructive color grading technologies for film, broadcast, entertainment, and scientific research. Iridas' SpeedGrade, FrameCycler, DDS (Digital Daily System) and others applications are used by many major animation and post-production houses, including Warner Bros. Feature Animation, Industrial Light & Magic, The Moving Picture Co., ReelFX, Lowry Digital. Iridas was founded in 2000 and is an independent, privately held company headquartered in Munich, Germany.
Bluefish444 (www.bluefish444.com or www.bluefish444europe.com) is a division and brand name of Digital Voodoo (Australia) Pty Ltd. based in S. Melbourne, Australia. It is a leading supplier of uncompressed video cards for the Windows operating systems. Its video cards are used by a number of OEMs specializing in broadcast solutions. By continuing to work with workstation vendors and resellers, Bluefish444 has made it easier for end-users to purchase off the shelf Windows based editing, animation and compositing solutions making sure that the hardware is optimized for SD and HD solutions.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
