Hollywood-DI Streamlines Feature Film DI Workflow with Bluefish444

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Hollywood-DI, a boutique post-production facility based in West Hollywood, California, and specializing in digital intermediate (DI) workflows, is using the Bluefish444 HD|Lust video card for its DI feature film projects.

Providing a cost-effective color correction and finishing service for Independent Filmmakers, Hollywood-DI has both an Apple-based workflow via Apple Final Cut Pro and Color, and a DPX based workflow with ASSIMILATE SCRATCH. The QuickTime and DPX workflows all share the same 20TB SAN which allows Hollywood-DI to grade movies in both SCRATCH and Color. Hollywood-DI acquired the HD|Lust to capture HDCAM-SR and HDCAM tapes to DPX or QuickTime. With the HD|Lust, Hollywood-DI has a powerful tool for building its digital workflow. The HD|Lust card streamlines data capture and layback and increases productivity for all of Hollywood-DI's creative and post processes.

Hollywood-DI typically receives work that has been shot on 35mm and scanned to HDCAM-SR tape or which has been shot directly onto HDCAM-SR tape from digital cinema cameras like Sony's F23 or Thompson's Viper. Hollywood-DI is able to ingest with HD|Lust onto the SAN and then grade either via Apple Color or ASSIMILATE SCRATCH.

The HD|Lust is used for input and output. This allows Hollywood-DI to take sequences of DPX from the tape, do the color correction, and then layback out to tape. Hollywood-DI primarily uses the HD|Lust card in conjunction with SCRATCH and Color for capturing, conforming, color grading, and mastering of its projects. Additionally, HD|Lust's ability to capture in native DPX format is a key advantage as Hollywood-DI can share the files with all its departments, especially the VFX artists.

In addition to high-profile features such as 'Superman Returns', Hollywood-DI has used HD|Lust on independent films such as 'Still Green' and 'Dark Streets'. The digital workflow process that Hollywood-DI has created is especially suited to independent filmmakers, who frequently record to HDCAM and HDCAM-SR tapes and who need a cost-efficient method for grading and handling VFX shots on their feature films. With the Apple and Windows-based systems connected to a SAN, Hollywood-DI can offer independent filmmakers and studios high-quality finishing services at a reasonable price point.

Neil Smith, Managing Director of Hollywood-DI, adds, "We've been impressed with both the HD|Lust card and the world-class support provided by Bluefish444. When ingesting 90 minutes (1.5 terabytes) of DPX files, to be able to ingest accurately from an EDL and then layback accurately is critical. The HD|Lust is reliable, accurate and fast. To put it simply, it really works. It is the best card on the market for capturing both 10 bit RGB 4:4:4 and 8 bit 4:2:2 movies." He continues, "We're known for providing high caliber color correction work without breaking the budget, and we continually investigate systems that will allow us to provide the caliber of service our clients have come to expect and as they move forward with new technologies. Bluefish444 has met that need to date and we continue to expect good things from them as we all move forward into the 2K/4K realms."

Labels: ASSIMILATE-SCRATCH, Bluefish444, Bluefish444-User-Story, HD|Lust

Bluefish444 Announces 2K|Lust and 2K Symmetry Software

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Bluefish444 has announced 2K Lust. 2K Lust features I/O support for film 2K resolution via HSDL (High Speed Data Link) for integration with telecine and film scanning devices, real time hardware scaling, cropping and color processing, and real time SDI monitoring of HSDL output. 2K Lust will be a free software upgrade to HD Lust, the industry's most widely-used HD 4:4:4 video card.

Symmetry, Bluefish444's powerful DI, acquisition, review and playout software which is bundled free with Bluefish444 hardware, will be upgraded to support the new features of 2K Lust, creating the industry's most complete 2K DI solution.

2K Lust includes the following features:

* 2048 X 1556 resolution at HSDL frame rate for telecine and film scanners

* 2048 X 1080 resolution at 24p/psf frame rate for digital cinema

* Additional BNC connector for simultaneous real time up and down conversion, cropping, windowing, aspect ratio correction, and 3:2 pull down of the 2K output signal (including HSDL & Panavision) as HD SDI or SD SDI, including widescreen

* 3 X 1D dedicated LUTs for viewing LOG images as Linear and for color calibration on an HD/SD broadcast monitor

* VANC support for time code and key code within the SDI signal

* An intuitive feature control application to set the hardware scaling, panning & windowing parameters, and the loading of anti-log files

2K Lust overcomes color banding issues associated with monitoring fine gradation images on 8 bit DVI devices. Its capacity to calibrate the film image output to 10 bit SDI monitors provides the highest quality 2K monitoring.

Providing 2K Lust and 2K Symmetry to HD Lust customers via a free software upgrade means customers will not need to alter their existing HD Lust hardware configuration. A 2K Lust software upgrade also means that HD Lust customers can upgrade at a time most convenient for them, such as in between projects.

The 2K Lust and Symmetry software upgrade will be available as a free download from the Bluefish444 website in the first quarter of 2007. Thereafter, 2K Lust and Symmetry will ship as standard, replacing the currently available HD Lust and creating a new Bluefish444 flagship product.

Call 1.866.314.7785 or e-mail sales@channelwolves.com for more information.

Labels: 2K|Lust, Bluefish444, HD|Lust

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