31 Mar 2014
Transferring films for access purposes at SASE has evolved over the years in line with changes in technology and television standards. We have moved from Standard Definition VHS tapes to a file based system which has developed from DVCam quality to 2.5K Cinema DNG 12 bit Log, which exceeds the present television broadcast capabilities.
The means of capturing images has also evolved from our earliest method of filming off a screen with a domestic camcorder, to the present time where we capture directly off the gate of specially modified projectors using a Blackmagic Cinema Camera. We now have the possibility of producing access copies from 16mm, 9.5mm, 8mm and Super 8mm in 1080P 4:2:2 (HQ) or at 2K.
Films are captured using a Log curve 12-bit RAW file recorded at 2432 x 1366 px. The resulting files are imported into Davinci Resolve and graded (colour correction) for export to a mezzanine file in Pro-Res 1080P 4:2:2 (HQ) which is then used to produce any access copies required.
The quality of the transfers is now excellent and is sufficient for all access use including broadcast. 35mm films and items of exceptional interest continue to be outsourced for transfer on high-end scanners.
