FLEXIBLE OUTPUT OPTIONS: HD OR DATA

Different productions have different needs, and the D-20 is a flexible tool that can be used in two different output modes: HD or Data Mode.

In HD Mode, the data coming from the D-20 sensor is processed live in the camera. Color reconstruction is performed simultaneously as the 2880 x 1620 pixel grid is converted to 1920 x 1080 resolution. A sophisticated on-board color management system has been implemented to optimize the camera’s performance for different lighting situations including blue and green screen work.

In HD Mode, the D-20 can supply a variety of standard HD video signals for different recording formats, including HDCAM SR, thus allowing the D-20 to integrate seamlessly into existing HD infrastructures.

In Data Mode, the unprocessed data from the sensor is output directly to the recorder. Similar to a film negative, this data must first be „developed“ in an off-line process involving color reconstruction and complex 3D Look Up Tables (LUTs) before it is usable or even viewable. The advantage is that all the image information captured by the sensor is retained, and being able to use more processing power in post production results in even higher image quality.

In Data Mode the live HD output can still be used for monitoring and as a guide for color grading. The grading parameters can be stored as metadata with the unprocessed image data.