posted 11-27-2004 12:45 PM                   

quote: Bobby Henderson

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In motion picture CGI work, most film plates are scanned into computer systems using very carefully calibrated drum scanners.

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Hmmm...I've not heard of that. You're obviously referring to a still of some sort. Usually "plate" refers to a motion picture background composited via traveling matte (blue or green screen, nowadays composited digitally) or used on set for front or rear projection. How often would a still image background be digitally composited with a motion picture foreground?

"Scanner Resolution" ought to be Scanners: Resolution a sequel to the brain exploding movie.

posted 11-29-2004 10:14 AM                       

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...we showed a new high-speed scanner, along with Thomson. It's a 2K/4K scanner that is about five times faster than the next fastest scanner, which also happens to use our technology: the Thomson Spirit DataCine, a tool that has revolutionized the use of digital imaging techniques. This new scanner captures uncompressed image data and does it at rates that were unheard of just a few years ago. We believe this will help drive the move toward digital intermediate technology.

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NORTHLIGHT SCANNER

Cinesite recently installed Northlight film scanners at both the Los Angeles and London facilities. This new generation of scanners, developed by FilmLight in London, utilizes an 8K tri-linear CCD array manufactured by Kodak to convert film at either three- or four-perforations of height per frame to digital files. Cinesite can now scan 35 mm color negative film at speeds around four times faster than the previous generation of machines making it more practical to convert nuances in colors, contrast and other details captured on the original negative to digital files.
KODAK LIGHTNING 35MM SCANNER

The Lightning film scanner, the finest system available for digital imaging, is the cornerstone of Cinesite's scanning capability. Featuring CCD sensor technology with three linear photosite arrays of 4,096 pixels each, the scanner handles the most common 35mm aspect ratios of Full Aperture (1024,2048 & 4096 lines resolution), Cinemascope and Academy (914, 1828 & 3656), and Vista Vision format (6144).
At 4000 lines, the Lightning scanner captures 38.9mb of data per frame from the standard 35mm format, Cinemascope captures 45.5mb, Full Aperture 51mb and Vista Vision exactly 100mb. The 4000 line resolution provides more than sufficient headroom for the level of image manipulation upon which our customers stake their reputations.
Each CCD array has a custom filter tuned to the dye densities of Eastman Color film, and is capable of capturing the full dynamic range of the images being scanned.
GENESIS PLUS 65MM SCANNER

Cinesite is excited about the tremendous growth happening in the large format, special venue industry. The Kodak Genesis Plus scanner brings the same dynamic and robust digital tools to the 65mm wide-screen filmmaker that are available with the 35mm Lightning scanner. The Genesis Plus handles 5, 8, and 15 perf formats.

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Linear Image Sensors Family Overview

Features

Family of devices (up to 14,400 pixels; color or monochrome)
High dynamic range (up to 16 bits)
Pinned photodiodes for low lag and dark current
Channel independent electronic exposure control
Single output per color, including multi-readout register architectures
High data rates (up to 120 Mhz)
Kodak monochrome and color linear imagers are available for use in flatbed scanners, high speed document scanners and copiers, machine vision cameras, studio photography, and satellite imaging.

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posted 11-29-2004 01:10 PM                       

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Stuart Little 2 was produced in Academy aperture format (1.85:1 aspect ratio). In retrospect, Poster says that if he had known they would be digitally timing and recording a 4K master he would have tried to convince the producers and Minkoff to film Stuart Little 2 in Super 185 using more of the available negative space for the same aspect ratio.

...The film was scanned at Image Works at 4K resolution. Poster says that provided the headroom necessary to retain subtle details, including mouse whiskers, fur, feathers and textures that help to provide the filmatic look audiences associates with fantasy.

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As 4K scanning/recording speeds increase and costs come down, I'm sure more films will be done at 4K, as it does significantly improve the image quality on screen.