The Digital Fact Book - Quantel

VersioningIn recent times demand for producing the required versions of a finished productionhas ballooned. Historically this used to involve making copies from the edited and gradedmaster to various videotape formats and, via a standards converter, to other video standards(e.g. NTSC to PAL). Now technical variations involve many more formats being supplied,including Web, mobile, HD and SD TV, DVD and film, as well as a variety of display systemsincluding CRT, LED, Plasma and digital cinema. Aside from the technical needs, otherrequirements such as commercial, language and religious influences are among the manyfactors that can be causes for more versions.Today versioning is big business, as the number of versions can run to many tens and involvemuch more than simply making copies of the master. For example, work may involvere-grading to suit different viewing conditions, grain management to suit different compressionand display technologies, re-insertion of text or images to suit different regions or countries,pricing (for commercials) adding or removing shots or scenes for censoring, etc. Generally,for this to be done efficiently and effectively requires nonlinear editing in an uncommittedenvironment; where original footage and all the post processes that produced the masterare available for recall and allow further adjustment, to re-make the result in a short time.VVFRVariable Frame Rate shooting has, until recently, only been possible with film camerasas all electronic cameras work at fixed frame rates. Panasonic’s HD Varicam was the firstto offer variable speeds, with frame rates from 4 to 60 f/s in one-frame increments.Sony’s XDCAM HD can offer the same range. There are also more specialized camerasand recorders able to capture HD frame rates up to 1000 f/s, or more. ARRI Media’scollaboration with Quantel (storage and processing) and NAC Image Technology (camera)created the Tornado system in 2004, allowing viewers to see near-live images from thevery different world of extreme slow motion. ARRI Media now offers from 1-300 f/s withits Hi-Motion system enabling instant replays. These cameras exceed the performanceof film, and are hugely easier and lower cost to run. VFR is seen as a significant step forwardfor digital cinematography.See also: Varicam, Digital cinematographyWebsite: www.nacinc.euwww.panasonic.com/pbds176