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HPA Links With Collaborative Networks

2.18.2010

A look at collaborative networking at the HPA Tech Retreat included updates from Smartjog and AboveNet. Also addressed:

–Peter Wilson introduced MUPPITS (Multiple User Post Production IT Services), an R&D project to develop an open and secure collaborative system based on a service-oriented architecture. Partners include Sohonet, Pinewood, BBC, Molinare and Smoke and Mirrors. The main aims of the projects is to offer remote rendering, as well as a tapeless workflow. To learn more: www.muppits.org.uk

–CineGrid Exchange Architecture is growing and by spring of this year, global capacity is expected to reach 256 TB connected via a 10 GigE cyberinfrastructure. Demonstrations have included 4K uncompressed interactive color grading between CinePost in Prague and UC San Diego.

HPA Demo Room Roundup Part 1

2.18.2010

Gary Demos is showing a technology demonstration of a realtime decode software, at the Image Essence exhibit at the HPA Tech Retreat,
Supporting a P3 color gamut, the software was running on single chip Intel hardware, and was used to display a range of material—720p and 1080i/24fps; StEM and CAS material; and CGI, film-based, Viper, Dalsa and other footage.
Demonstrating that the technology is adaptive to a variety of image types, Demos explained: “I’m trying to make a universal coding system that can handle all of the difference types of presentation materials.”
He suggested that this could be useful starting at principal photography.
Also shown was real-time 4K decode, using a two-chip Intel system.

Also in the demo room:

DV—Digital Vision showed its new grain tool and open EXR grading (pictured, upper image). The grain reducer has new algorithms with grain characteristics analysis for automated grain reduction, and a new motion estimation engine.

filmlight—Filmlight previewed the next version 4.2 of Baselight (pictured, lower image), which will ship around NAB. It includes a new dirt fix tool, as well as additional control for lift, gamma and gain.

—S.two showed a portable RAID device that accommodates 2-2 ½ hours of material, scheduled to ship in about six weeks.

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Specification for Naming VFX Image Sequences Released

ETC’s VFX Working Group has published a specification for best practices naming image sequences such as plates and comps. File naming is an essential tool for organizing the multitude of frames that are inputs and outputs from the VFX process. Prior to the publication of this specification, each organization had its own naming scheme, requiring custom processes for each partner, which often resulted in confusion and miscommunication.

The new ETC@USC specification focuses primarily on sequences of individual images. The initial use case was VFX plates, typically delivered as OpenEXR or DPX files. However, the team soon realized that the same naming conventions can apply to virtually any image sequence. Consequently, the specification was written to handle a wide array of assets and use cases.

To ensure all requirements are represented, the working group included over 2 dozen participants representing studios, VFX houses, tool creators, creatives and others.  The ETC@USC also worked closely with MovieLabs to ensure that the specification could be integrated as part of their 2030 Vision.

A key design criteria for this specification is compatibility with existing practices.  Chair of the VFX working group, Horst Sarubin of Universal Pictures, said: “Our studio is committed to being at the forefront of designing best industry practices to modernize and simplify workflows, and we believe this white paper succeeded in building a new foundation for tools to transfer files in the most efficient manner.”

This specification is compatible with other initiatives such as the Visual Effects Society (VES) Transfer Specifications. “We wanted to make it as seamless as possible for everyone to adopt this specification,” said working group co-chair and ETC@USC’s Erik Weaver. “To ensure all perspectives were represented we created a team of industry experts familiar with the handling of these materials and collaborated with a number of industry groups.”

“Collaboration between MovieLabs and important industry groups like the ETC is critical to implementing the 2030 Vision,” said Craig Seidel, SVP of MovieLabs. “This specification is a key step in defining the foundations for better software-defined workflows. We look forward to continued partnership with the ETC on implementing other critical elements of the 2030 Vision.”

The specification is available online for anyone to use.

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