Iridas, film industry pioneers in metadata-based color grading technologies, and Silicon Imaging, leaders in IT-centric digital camera and RAW workflow solutions, are partnering to develop the first camera system to incorporate live "look" visualization for a color-managed pipeline from acquisition through post and presentation.
Silicon Imaging cameras will import .Looks created with Iridas' SpeedGrade applications. Footage will display live in the viewfinder with the look applied. Instead of 'baking in' the color, as traditional HD formats necessitate, unaltered RAW digital negatives are recorded and stored along with the .Look metadata. Thus the new solution offers full editability and color continuity between the camera interface, SpeedGrade OnSet and SpeedGrade DI and other applications.
"Iridas has been developing the concept of an end-to-end color pipeline since 2003," said Ari Presler, ceo of Silicon Imaging. "The combination of the SpeedGrade .Look file format with the Silicon Imaging camera is a brilliant example of how integrated technologies can provide artists with a seamless workflow."
"By bringing the creative look into the camera viewfinder, Silicon Imaging has turned the camera into a creative 'blank-slate' for the cinematographer," said Lin Kayser, Iridas ceo. "This is a critical next step in the evolution of digital filmmaking technology and we're delighted to be working with Silicon Imaging to make it happen."
Silicon Imaging will present the new technology at the Intel Developers Forum in Tel Aviv on Oct. 30, 2006.
Silicon Imaging Inc. (www.siliconimaging.com) specializes in the design, manufacturing and marketing of high-definition digital cameras and recording systems. Silicon Imaging's products incorporate disruptive technologies including CMOS imagers, video processing algorithms, wavelet compression and gigabit connectivity to deliver a new generation of high definition products outperforming traditional HD cameras while increasing flexibility and lowering cost.
Munich-based Iridas (www.iridas.com) pioneered desktop film-resolution playback in 2001. Its FrameCycler products are now the industry standard for frame-based image review. In 2003 Iridas introduced the first non-destructive color correction application. Today, SpeedGrade and FrameCycler provide a complete, end-to-end pipeline for uncompressed content and color data. Iridas' applications are used by most major animation and post-production houses, including Warner Bros. Feature Animation, Industrial Light & Magic, The Moving Picture Co., ReelFX, Cinesite, The Framestore CFC and many others.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
