/i DataLink

"The metadata captured with /i Technology tells visual effects artists exactly what the lens was seeing for each frame so they can re-create the same look using 3D plates and integrate effects more seamlessly. Ultimately, it results in more realistic-looking effects, done faster."

Michael Phillips, Principal Product Designer, Avid Technology

Traditionally, production teams have manually recorded focus, zoom and iris settings for each and every shot for use in post production. There are obvious drawbacks to this archaic handwritten system, especially when working with a zoom lens.

The Cooke /i dataLink device is a small box that mounts easily to any camera to record lens data from any /i enabled lens, records it on an SD card, and stores settings as metadata for post-production.

It records accurate lens parameters for each frame of action and makes aspects of post production considerably easier, giving operators the ability to work on many more shots of greater complexity without the guess work. Accuracy and ease of use translate into saving time and money in post, which can be a considerable percentage of the total production budget.

You can load Timecode into the /I dataLink and sync the data in post via Timecode.

When the /I dataLink is Unnecessary

The Aaton Penelope, RED, Arri 435 Xtreme, Arricam and Silicon Imaging SI 2K cameras have /i Technology (/i contacts in their lens mounts). This means that the metadata is embedded directly on the recording medium making the /i dataLink unnecessary..

Saving Money and Time in Post Production

In post, the stored data is uploaded to PFTrack software, for example, and is immediately ready to use without any manual manipulation -- a huge cost savings of time and guess work. PixelFarm, a developer of products for the post production market, set out to develop its PFTrack software to work specifically with Cooke /i lens communication protocols. PixelFarm is one of the leading manufacturers of software systems commonly used in DI and VFX.