http://indiefilmlive.blogspot.com/

Check it out . . . :)

Would anyone like to comment Pro/Con on the footage from the SiliconHD cameras?

According to one viewer: "That last clip was seriously impressive, would love to see a comparison in the near future with the viper."

ftp://www.atomic-vfx.com/spoon_test_clips/SI1920HDVR/web_004.wmv

I was a critic of the previous demo footage, which looked a bit soft to me. But I have to say, this is downright awesome! You guys did an excellent job with this camera and codec, and I will be SERIOUSLY considering using it on my next feature. Well done. I would be very interested to see how this footage looks projected on a 35mm film transfer.

I have one question: What was used for the color correction?

According to one viewer: "That last clip was seriously impressive, would love to see a comparison in the near future with the viper."

ftp://www.atomic-vfx.com/spoon_test_clips/SI1920HDVR/web_004.wmv

Who was that then?

I have one question: What was used for the color correction?

The SiliconHD has a built-in 3x3 color matrix embedded in the file. During editing, you can elect to apply it to the output footage, modify the matrix or diable it complete and use 3D color correction tools such as Color Finess.

Here is the pop-up window of the control panel
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3768/1172/1600/ColorMatrixExample.png

I will ask Francois to confirm what or was not done to the footage.

Either way, we are pleased to hear you positive feedback. What is your next feature?

I'm aiming to do a comedy, but it is WAYS away. You'll probably have about 20 more features shot with your camera before mines is done (I must shoot mines next Summer in 07'.)

The footage HAS NOT been graded . . . he mentioned that in the blog.

So you're seeing stuff *straight* from the camera.

But, as Ari mentioned, all the footage is RAW, so you can modify the color matrix to what you desire, or apply your own color-correction in post . . . all non-destructively.

It's gorgeous. It's not video,....but not quite film either. It's the FUTURE!! dun dun dun. No but seriously,....amazing looking footage. I wish that this system would be available sooner. I'm not sure if we can wait until the November release,....might have to go with HD100. We'll see. Some of the clips are a little jittery,...but that's probably on my end, yeah??

Depth and color are ridiculously good,.....and the movie looks pretty interesting!!

Ian "The Laymen" Mora

That's gorgeous footage Ari - a big step up from the heavily compressed 1/3" ccd hd cameras. To my untrained eye this looks like the quality I've seen from the SDX900, which of course isn't hd. I look forward to seeing your progress.

I added my comments to the blog, but literally my jaw has dropped and I'm speechless. It's unbelievable that this is here, now, within price-reach and almost ready. There's no going back.

That footage is nothing short of amazing. How come you guys have been so silent about this camera? Never heard about it before.

There's not enough of us to-do the shouting :)

Frankly there's a lot of work to be done for the product launch, and there's only so many of us, so the more people that see images and pass the word, the better :)

Dave,

How did you find out about us?

Ari - Right here on DVi.

If I hadn't checked this thread and go to the website to look at the footage I would still be unaware of this camera.

Also, I love your idea of using RAW, although I hope using it PP2 will be totally transparent, ie, just like any other format. Although I'm a PP1.5 user so maybe Vegas people won't fancy the idea.

Working with the Cineform RAW footage is completely transparent to the end user. In fact, you can mix/match in real-time Cineform RAW with the current Cineform codecs, meaning anything digitizied via HD-SDI or HDV sources. So for instance, you could do a real-time dissolve with Cineform RAW material and something from an F900, etc. As the end user the footage all acts the same way. The Cineform RAW footage though has a special control panel that allows you to modify the RAW data settings and how the RAW files are interpreted if you choose to tinker at a lower level.

Ari / Jason/ Francois,

Is it possible to get a minute of your camera footage to test it for a film transfer. I intend to shoot a feature in August and testing z1 to shoot it. But I would defenetely wait for your camera if it delivers.

"In fact, you can mix/match in real-time Cineform RAW with the current Cineform codecs, meaning anything digitizied via HD-SDI or HDV sources."

does this mean you have to convert the HD/HDV to cineform files or you could just mix captured HDV and HD ( from cinealta captured say thru decklink HD uncompressed) ?

i know non raw cineform clips will play in other apps - but i'm not clear if cineform RAW will play in those other apps ...IE: 10bit 1920x1080 24p cineform clips will playback in Vegas and other apps at 8bit if you have the cineform codec (free reader) installed ... or is RAW cineform clips confined to PP and AE for the moment?

Once we get quicktime, you'll be able to take the Cineform RAW files anywhere. The current AVI files are limited to Prospect HD, which means After Effects and Premiere Pro only.

When I was saying HDV/HD-SDI sources, I was talking about footage digitized through AspectHD/ProsepectHD/PremierePro.

So for instance, HD-SDI footage shot by someone and digitized into a Prospect HD suite will work in realtime with Cineform RAW data.

Aspect HD footage (via HDV stuff) will mix and match nicely with Cineform RAW footage.

Of course you need Prospect HD to edit Cineform RAW, but the point is that with Cineform RAW you have a very nice workflow that can work with other sources of media, so you're not just locked to one codec, having to render from Cineform RAW into another codec just to edit in real-time with other sources. You can mix/match sources in real-time on the same timeline.

This is a little off the topic but what the heck. What's the future possibilities of a Final Cut Studio workflow running through an apple system?

We have currently porting the CineForm codec to Quicktime for Mac and PC operations. Initialially the codec will be optimized for the Intel Mac (CineForm component are already heavy optimized for Intel parts) have G5 binaries should be made available for compatibility with old Macs. The camera files can be transfer via EtherNet or the drive directly mounted via USB2. These files will playback within any QuickTime application. The CineForm RAW MOV files will operate within Final Cut Pro just like any other third party codec. You can use you compete your post/color work just the same as if you where using BitJazz or another codec. The workflow is going to be pretty seemless. There are some new features for FCP, such as post-manipulation of the color matrices for the decoded data -- integration into FCP has yet to be determined.
__________________
David Newman
web: www.cineform.com
blog: cineform.blogspot.com

Also, I love your idea of using RAW, although I hope using it PP2 will be totally transparent, ie, just like any other format. Although I'm a PP1.5 user so maybe Vegas people won't fancy the idea.

So Vegas is a no go? Can I ask why? And any future plans to make this happen?

I'd have a hard time leaving the bright lights of Vegas...

I think the Quicktime's will work fine in Vegas . . . the AVI's right now don't because you need Prospect HD which only works in the Adobe apps.

Sadly at this stage Vegas has no support for a 10 bit pipeline, that has many impacts and the SI camera is not the least of them.

Oh . . . that's a biggie . . . no 10-bit support??

Well then, I'm sorry, without that, you're not going to be able to take advantage of the camera's capabilties.

10-bit or deep pixel support is a must-have item . . .

I've been missing this thread. Hi guys. Yes, RAW processing really requires a deeper pixel format as the the dynamic range is much higher. It is simply not possible to squeeze the dynamic from the SI camera into an 8-bit colorsapce without introducing color banding. If or when Vegas support 10-bits+ we will make the upgrades so thay CineForm RAW can be used within Vegas. Contact Sony now. :)

Well if Sony want to keep my business, they'd better update soon!

Thanks gents, very informative.

Ari, I've tried to view the footage but something's not happening with my Mac and WindowsMedia player. What can it be? I desperately wanna see running footage of the SI.

Only option is: http://www.flip4mac.com/

but it does not decode as well as Microsoft Media Player 10 on PC.