SGO announced that its flagship image processing system, Mistika has added native support for the CineForm RAW codec, which is used by Silicon Imaging cameras, such as the SI-2K.
CineForm RAW is a powerful 12-bit codec that encodes the RAW Bayer data from the single-sensor on Silicon Imaging cameras. It then preserves the RAW data at the codec level, until the information is “flattened” for final output. Silicon Imaging SI-2K combines a digital-cinema class 2048×1152 resolution camera head, and CineForm RAW, to deliver a direct-to-disk raw recording platform.
SI-2K cameras are ideal for stereo 3D projects due to their portable design. The CineForm RAW digital intermediate codec enables editing and effects to be achieved in real-time at the user’s demand.
“CineForm RAW has quickly emerged as the format of choice for the production and postproduction community worldwide, and it has always been our mission to simplify the camera-to-post workflow by offering broad support and compatibility across the systems our customers are using,” said David Taylor, president of CineForm. “By enabling Mistika with CineForm RAW support, their customers can now experience new levels of efficiency and quality in all aspects of production, from HD to the now booming stereo 3D production workflow.”
The SI-2K captures full resolution, DCI-compliant 2K and 1920 x 1080 progressive-scan 12-bit raw images. It uses Silicon Imaging’s proprietary 48-bit digital processing algorithms to perform adaptive pixel-by-pixel black calibration and color image enhancement.
The CineForm RAW system records a digital negative direct-to-disk, preserving the full dynamic range and per-pixel sensor data in the codec. This technique gives filmmakers the flexibility to develop these “digital negatives” in post, rather than being forced to make non-reversible decisions and apply camera adjustments on set. It also eliminates the YUV conversion steps on most 3-chip cameras, which unnecessarily expand the data by 300% before encoding. Recording raw sensor data results in higher detail and dynamic range for the same or smaller file size.
Mistika was recently used by London-based Framestore for all the stereoscopic alignments, depth grading and visual effects compositing for the stereoscopic LG theatrical spot, “Rare Butterflies” which was filmed with a pair of SI-2K cameras.
