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TechnologyCooke’s ‘Intelligent’ Technology enables film and digital cameras to automatically record key lens and camera data for each frame shot which can then be provided to post-production teams digitally.
Streamlining both production and post, Technology saves valuable time and cost while eliminating the need for guesswork. The standard across all new Cooke lenses: enjoy greater creative freedom with accessible key data.
Cooke Optics and EZtrack have partnered to create a near real-time workflow which brings together key advancements in lens calibration, machine learning and real-time rendering. This development delivers higher quality composites of shots in a matter of minutes.
The combination of Cooke’s long-term efforts in accurately mapping its lenses, combined with EZtrack’s camera tracking and data aggregation Hub now blurs the line between production and post-production, allowing filmmakers to merge images from on-set cameras with high-quality computer generated (CG) elements in Near Real-Time (NRT), giving directors the confidence a shot has worked, not in days or hours, but in moments.
A director can sit on-set watching the feed from the live cameras with a real-time version of a basic CG render for the sake of positioning. But more importantly, thanks to the collaboration of Cooke and EZtrack, all the data collected can be used by the on-set VFX team to produce an updated rendering of the required CG which, while not big-screen-ready, is more than good enough to allow the editor to see their vision come to life in Near Real-Time.
The creative possibilities of filmmaking have always advanced when filmmakers push the limits of technology to achieve an artistic goal. This behind-the-scenes documentary, narrated by VFX Designer Kevin Tod Haug, explains how Cooke and EZtrack worked on Director Edoardo de Angelis’ film to realise his vision.
Benefit from continuous remote readout of the precise focus setting, T stop and depth-of-field from electronics inside the /i equipped lens. Allowing you to remain present while shooting, you will be able to see your subject and the focus setting on the lens beside you without ever needing to turn your head or even having to adjust your eyes much. ACs love it.
Digitally recorded data of vital lens settings, frame-by-frame, all synced to timecode. Removing the potential for human error, enjoy peace of mind that you have accurate lens data across the board. One less task for your script supervisor to worry about.
Metadata recording takes place without having to monitor or manipulate anything, meaning that normal operations on set are never impacted. Information saves to digital or film recording medium, or an SD card. No specialists required on set and the DP needn’t worry about fussing with complicated accessories.
Save time and cost by streamlining the production and post-production processes, while moreover enhancing the accuracy of data points. Gone are the days of needing to manually record lens settings, with artists able to produce more precise visual effects and 3D models at a faster rate. From DPs and VFX artists to directors and producers, everyone enjoys a more efficient process.
Benefit from continuous remote readout of the precise focus setting, T stop and depth-of-field from electronics inside the /i equipped lens. Allowing you to remain present while shooting, you will be able to see your subject and the focus setting on the lens beside you without ever needing to turn your head or even having to adjust your eyes much. ACs love it.
Digitally recorded data of vital lens settings, frame-by-frame, all synced to timecode. Removing the potential for human error, enjoy peace of mind that you have accurate lens data across the board. One less task for your script supervisor to worry about.
Metadata recording takes place without having to monitor or manipulate anything, meaning that normal operations on set are never impacted. Information saves to digital or film recording medium, or an SD card. No specialists required on set and the DP needn’t worry about fussing with complicated accessories.
Save time and cost by streamlining the production and post-production processes, while moreover enhancing the accuracy of data points. Gone are the days of needing to manually record lens settings, with artists able to produce more precise visual effects and 3D models at a faster rate. From DPs and VFX artists to directors and producers, everyone enjoys a more efficient process.
““This technology represents the essence of forward compatible, forward thinking metadata support......Ten stars out of a possible five for providing for the digital future of cinematography. Bravo!””
Technology Features
Eliminate the potential for human error with automatically recorded data of key lens settings.
With a Cinematography Electronics /i Lens Display Unit or Transvideo monitor you can enjoy continuous remote readout of the precise focus setting, T stop and depth-of-field from electronics inside the /i equipped lens. Focus pullers will be able to ‘see’ where the actor is relative to lens focus and depth of field without turning their heads by using Cinematography Electronics’ /i Lens Display Unit in conjunction with their Cinetape.
Focal length, focus distance, f-stop, frame rate – vital camera and lens settings are digitally recorded for every frame, at any frame rate up to 285 fps, film or digital, and stored as metadata.
Instantly download shading and distortion mapping files for faster post-production processing.
Metadata is passed through to post-production to improve VFX creation and DI calibration. Post-production artists can sync the lens data to the 3D camera data to produce a more natural looking 3D model of the shot significantly faster than using traditional manual processes and guesswork.
This document aims to provide a self-consistent set of definitions, along with just enough technical background to explain why these definitions make sense.
Streamline post-production procedures. Simply enter your lens serial number to get all downloadable data.
Cooke lenses with /i2 and /i3 Technology use serial number format "xxxx.xxxx". Cooke lenses before /i2 and /i3 Technology use serial number format "xxxx-xxxx".
/i Technology is a metadata protocol that enables film and digital cameras to automatically record key lens data for every frame shot. Equipment identification is by the serial number and lens type, with data including focal length, focus distance, zoom position, near and far focus, hyper focal distance, T-stop, horizontal field of view, entrance pupil position, distortion and shading data.
Data is recorded in either metric or imperial and can be selected for either format, with the information being digitally stored for every frame, at any frame rate up to 285 fps. The potential for human error is removed because there is no longer a need for the script supervisor to manually write down lens settings for every shot.
The electronics inside each /i lens connects to resistive sensing strips calibrated in absolute values. As soon as the power is applied, the data is available instantly without the need for an initialization procedure. The lens accepts specific commands that control the data output, including a continuous mode that can send a constantly updated data stream at up to 285 fps.
Yes, if the equipment and software that is used in post respects metadata integrity. /i Technology is designed to help save time and resource in post-production by providing precise data in the most accessible way. Film and digital cameras automatically record key lens information for every frame shot, with this information then being provided to post-production teams digitally.
Post-production artists can sync the lens data to the 3D camera data to produce a more natural looking 3D model, while enjoying peace of mind that data is of the highest accuracy.
Technology FAQsWe developed /i Technology by collaborating with cinematographers and film industry practitioners. If you have a question not answered here or a suggestion for our continued development of the protocol, please get in touch.
Technology Partners/i Technology is a protocol, designed and developed by Cooke Optics. Our goal is to provide a standard that will help streamline and enhance the process of filmmaking by making equipment digitally compatible from production through post.
Technology PartnerOur goal is to provide the filmmaking industry with a digital standard to ensure metadata compatibility from acquisition through post production. For companies interested in becoming an /i Technology partner by incorporating /i protocol into your product, please get in touch.
The Next Generation of Metadata Capture for Film and Digital Systems. The /i Squared and /i Cubed Technology system (patent pending) build on the capabilities of Cooke’s /i Technology, metadata system.
Using the /i Lens Display System from Cinematography Electronics you can see the actor in front of you and the focus setting on the lens beside you without moving your head.
