Da Vinci Systems
Encyclopedia
da Vinci Systems is a main manufacturer of high-end post-production
color grading
and film restoration systems for feature film
s, video production
and broadcast post-production facilities. It was headquartered in Coral Springs, Florida
still with offices in Los Angeles, New York, London and Singapore, the company systems control telecine
s, virtual telecine
, digital
mastering systems and film
restoration processes.
da Vinci Systems equipment was initially developed by VTA in 1982 for use by a Hollywood, FL, based production/post-production facility to alter and enhance colors from scanned film and video tape. The Wiz system was marketed to other post-production facilities, laying the foundation for the creation of the colorist and the post-production color suite
.
The control panel is based on track balls and other discrete controls that enable colorists to control the software that manipulates motion picture images. On September 8, 2009, Grant Petty, owner of Blackmagic Design, announced his intentions to buy out Da Vinci Systems Ltd. The purchase was completed by the following day.
1983 - Introduction of "The Wiz". Developed specifically by and for Video Tape Associates, Florida. The system controlled early telecines (RCA FR-35, Bosch FDL60) and offered basic primary and secondary color correction. The Editel group of post production facilities in the US evaluated the technology and asked that VTA build multiple systems for them. About 15 units were made and subsequently purchased by other post facilities across the US. "The Wiz" was essentially the prototype for what would become the da Vinci color corrector.
1984 - da Vinci Classic analog system was the most popular color corrector on the Fernseh
's FDL 60 and Rank Cintel
telecines (Mark 3 and URSA). It had customized external control panel with internal primary, secondary processing and an internal NTSC encoder. It ran on a Motorola
68000 Multi Bus 1 system computer. The program and color correction list were stored on a 20MB MMF hard disk, with backup to a 5.25" floppy disk.
1985 - VTA Technologies - a R&D division of VTA the video post facility - was formed. The da Vinci color corrector was born and other products were developed as well including an editor, machine control system, and routing system. The "da Vinci" was the only film-to-tape or tape-to-tape color correction system on the market that offered the capability to create a basic rectangular window shape isolating a secondary color correction. As the da Vinci product line evolved, the original da Vinci became known as the "da Vinci Classic".
1986 - Dynatech Video Group (Utah Scientific, ColorGraphics Systems, Quanta, among others) acquires da Vinci. Utah Scientific takes over da Vinci. Utah Scientific determines that all of da Vinci engineering should move to Salt Lake City.
1988 - VTA Technologies was purchased by Utah Scientific, a manufacturer of routing systems. da Vinci Systems later spun off of Utah Scientific, became its own entity, and was one of roughly eight video manufacturing companies in the porfolio of the Dynatech Video Group. Dynatech's name was later changed to Acterna.
1989 - da Vinci Renaissance was the analog system that followed the Classic analog system. It was similar to the above system, but ran on Motorola 68020 Multi Bus 1 system with a 3.5" Floppy. Options like kilo vectors were later available for the analog Renaissance. Kilovectors secondary color processing – more advanced than what was offered on the Classic - would become an industry standard function of secondary color isolation.
1990 - Parent company pressure to market a low cost da Vinci for "broadcasters and small post facilities" forces da Vinci to spend precious development resources to produce a stripped down telecine-only programmer called "Leonardo." To reduce cost, Leonardo uses a flat plate (vision mixer style) control panel, provides only scene-by-scene control of a telecine (similar to Cintel's Amigo) and offers no da Vinci color processing. As expected, the product is a failure and only one unit is ever sold.
1991 - da Vinci Renaissance 888 (with original interface, no Gui) – was introduced to the color grading marketing. The 888 was the first product in the world to offer 8:8:8 signal processing throughout. New groundbreaking features like Power Windows, Custom Curves and YSFX were part of its feature set.
1992 - Power Windows.
1992 - Custom Curves.
1994 - da Vinci wholly acquired the TLC product line from Time Logic. The TLC is viewed as the defacto standard edit control interface between telecines, color correctors, VTRs and DDRs. TLC (really stands for "Time Logic Controller") is a edit controller for telecines, vision mixers (switchers), and VTRs. It provides accurate 2:3 editing when transferring 24fps film in a 30fps video environment. TLC 1 was originally made in Moorpark, CA (started in Redondo Beach, then Simi Valley). In 1994, the TLC product line was acquired by da Vinci and the TLC 2 was released.
1995 - 8:8:8 DUI was introduced to the market. The DUI offered the same color processing as the Renaissance 8:8:8 but featured a new "windows style" user interface, an SGI hosted operating system, a migration of the external TLC controller into the DUI, and EDWIN, an extension of the industry renowned Power Windows. The telecine interface card controlled the telecine's internal color corrector. The 888 DUI came in two configurations; the first was the DUI with an SGI Indy workstation. The second DUI system used an SGI O2 workstation (affectionately called the "Toaster"). These systems supported da Vinci's new Control Panels. da Vinci also made the da Vinci Light. This was not marketed, so not many were sold. It is a da Vinci DUI 888 without the digital 888 cards. The da Vinci DUI 888 had the electrical equivalent of the TLC2 designed on the IMC (along with Telecine Interface) boards. The ability to edit, control VTRs, switchers, and use an EDL were all software options to the DUI.
1996 - Dynatech sells the Dynatech Video Group, except da Vinci Systems.
1998 - The da Vinci 2K, the company's first high definition and data color grading system for film and video was released. It offered a huge boost in color processing quality and performance. New features like PowerTiers, Defocus and Colorist Toolbox were presented to the market. These features, unmatched by any competitive product, have become the standard which other companies now attempt to emulate. Feature filmmakers began to use the da Vinci 2K in the color grading finishing process, a process that would later become known as "digital intermediate" or DI. The 2K was designed to work for SD, HD and Data and to have room for future upgrades. Base system has In/Out Primaries, Secondaries, New Power Windows and a new interface. Originally controlled by an SGI 02, it must now be upgraded to Linux for the latest software updates. The 2K was to have a newly designed machine control system also called TLC. Since this functionality was a bit late to completion, the ability to use the external TLC2 connected to the 2K provided some necessary breathing room. It was this configuration that required the A/B RS-422 switch box in the Tape to Tape configuration, allowing the TLC2 to synchronize the decks, while the 2K provided the necessary frame accurate color corrections.
1998 - da Vinci Academy formed.
1999 - Power Tiers Option. Add up to 8 channels, each with Power Windows, full Primary and Master Secondary control. 1999 - da Vinci acquires Sierra Design Labs, Incline Village NV.
2000 - Defocus Option. In or Out Defocus or Sharpness effects (In and Out with Defocus Plus) plus Power Windows, In/Out color and matte defocus. Defocus is adjustable, but includes realtime Gaussian blur in HD.
2000 - da Vinci acquires Nirvana Digital of Singapore, creator of the Revival film restoration system, and incorporates the product into its line up.
2001 - PowerGrade.
2001 - Gallery Option. Integrated reference store, with optional Central Server and Palette paint program interface. Windows interface converts stills between resolutions and export them as jpg, tiff or bmp files. Standard on all 2K Plus systems.
2002 - 2K Plus created to support HDTV and SDTV, uses an IBM PC computer running Red Hat Linux interface software. The 2k Plus is used on high-end DataCines and telecines, Like Thomson-Grass Valley's Spirit DataCine
and Cintel's C-Reality & ITK Millennium. The 2k can operate in with a 4:2:2, 4:4:4 or 8:4:4 input in NTSC or PAL. In HDTV it can operate with 4:2:2, 4:4:4 input. Redesigned Primaries, Secondaries and Keys make this more than just a 2K upgrade. Linux control interface is standard.
2002 - TLC Assistant. External Linux terminal with keyboard and mouse for those that need permanent access to the editor. Single and Dual user modes.
2002 - Colorist Toolbox Option. Hardware upgrade for those that have outgrown the Defocus option. Adds 4 Power Vectors, each with its own matte Defocus, Power Windows, In/Out Master Secondaries, Filter Effects and Textures. The Filters include the equivalent of a Defocus Plus board.
2003 - Acterna filed bankruptcy.
2003 - Resolve. Software Color Corrector.
2003 - Nucleas. Server to Server software enables 2K systems to work from data disks and storage networks. HiPPI and HSDL interfaces. System includes data waveforms, CMS and data playback.
2004 - Resolve, a software based, resolution independent color grading system is launched. Resolve, developed specifically for the DI market, operates on conventional PC hardware but with optimized performance via da Vinci's own custom designed PC based PowerPlant acceleration and Transformer image translation hardware. Resolve offers color enhancement at the core but also features a highly advanced toolset including conforming, network file browsing, image resizing and formatting.
da Vinci also creates Nucleas Conform, which builds a data timeline from an EDL, renders dissolves and allows switching between Source and Record order. System was shown at NAB configured as Server to Server and Server to Video.
2005 - JDSU acquires Acterna.
2005 - Toolbox 2 Option. Toolbox 2 has an improved interface and includes filter presets. It is even easier and faster to use, and comes free with a service agreement.
2005 - Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby. Elite logos are introduced for systems with Defocus, Toolbox and 4 Power Tiers (Emerald), 3 Power Tiers (Sapphire) or 2 Power Tiers (Ruby) 2006 - Color Trace Option. Software to track color grades when the EDL is revised.
2006 - Splice. Nucleas returns! Server to Server software enables 2K systems to work from data disks and storage networks.
2008 - Impresario, a new control panel, is launched at NAB 2008 and demonstrated at NAB 2009.
2009 - Da Vinci Systems is purchased by Blackmagic Design
THE TECHNOLOGY
• Analog RGB(Y) path
• Primary and 16 vector secondaries.
• Onboard 68000 CPU
• Small MFM hard drive
• Two control panels (power supplied from mainframe by resistive cable)
• Heavy linear PSU.
• Flat pack chassis with PCB access from above
Options include:
• Hard edged simple XY window
• Onboard NTSC decoder
• NR control, prestore processing for MK3 Digi 4 (and some 3) telecines
• RGB(Y) and NTSC/PAL outputs. 525 or 625 or both
• B & W menu monitor
Used with FDL60/90 and MK3 telecines (Not URSA) and tape-to-tape. Early models had knob only color correction controls. Later had joyballs. Many in use but becoming difficult on support and parts.
• Improved channel and secondaries (later versions).
• Onboard 68000 CPU (early) or 68020 CPU (later).
• MFM Hard Drive.
• The early/budget 68000 models had two control panels and 16 vector secondaries same as the Classic. The later 68020 versions usually feature “Kilovectors” advanced secondary correction and have three
control panels.
Options included:
• Hard edged simple XY Window
• NR control
• Prestore processing for MK3 Digi 4 (and some 3) telecines
• RGB(Y) and NTSC/PAL outputs.
• Heavy linear PSU.
12V panels were on early versions, 5V panels with separate PSU on later versions (not interchangeable with 12v panels). 525 or 625 or both. B & W menu monitor. Used with FDL60, FDL90, MK3
types, URSA telecines and Tape to Tape. Some versions used an extra interface module (the EMC unit) to function with the URSA serial control busses. Normally used with a separate TLC editor (1 or 2) and an additional interface is required for this on URSA installations. Many in use but becoming difficult on support and parts.
• Can operate with 4:2:2, 4:4:4 or 8:4:4 input in NTSC
or Pal
.
• 16 bit 8:8:8 (internally) 27 MHz sampling SD signal path
• Onboard 68020 CPU
• B&W menu monitor - 525 or 625 or both. Character based display. No mouse.
• MFM HD but IDE upgrade option sometimes fitted
Additional options for the digital 888 included:
• “Power Windows” (One only) a very powerful feature which enables area isolation with soft edges and various shapes.
• YSFX which is independently adjustable luminance and chrominance ratios which can be wound from full pos thru zero to neg.
• Custom Curves and a Key Input channel.
• Used with FDL60, FDL90.
• Quadra (reqs 4:4:4 option)
• MK3 types
• URSA telecines. Early versions had a double backplane chassis (4:2:2 only) and used an extra interface module, the EMC, to function with URSA control busses. 888s are normally used with a separate TLC1 or 2 editor and an additional interface is required for this on URSA installations.
• Software (Red Hat
Linux
interface) that color grades all or combinations of SDTV 525/625, HDTV 1920x1080, 24P, 24SF, 720P in 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 and data on the same timeline. The optional Data will accommodate (through Hippi & HSDL I/Os) various formats and speeds from lower resolutions through 2048x1556 depending on the I/O. On Data an analog RGBHV monitoring output allows viewing of the otherwise invisible Data signal.
• Features similar to DUI 888s, plus additional options including multiple Power Windows (up to nine), one or two areas of selective Defocus or Enhancement, and extended VSR capability with outboard Gallery reference storage computer which will store and retrieve irrespective of standard in use.
• Built in HD to SD downconverter in some systems. Later 2Ks have “Plus” processing which includes significant improvements to the signal processing circuitry. Older “Non-Plus” models were upgradable. The Control Panels are physically the same as late model DUI’s with curved tops but have numerous different keycaps.
• The control computer is either an SGI O2 with a custom SGI flat screen menu monitor (which requires special SGI Video Driver & Card) or in later model 2K’s this was replaced with an IBM Linux Computer which uses an XVGA flat screen monitor.
• The O2 has a SD video input for VSRs but if a Linux is used a da Vinci Gallery is required to generate the VSR thumbnails.
2Ks are intended for use with the later generation of telecines including Spirit, URSA or similar, C-Reality, Rascal, Sony and ITK telecines. MK3 / FDL / Quadra types are not supported, Current USA 2Ks are supplied with an onboard TLC2 which will support 24/30 dual sync functionality for 24P operation. A TLC Assistant station comprising another IBM PC is available for dual operator installations. Alternatively a standalone TLC2 of the traditional type may be interfaced if required.
In addition to telecine 2K’s may also be used for tape to tape, virtual telecine and DDR applications.
For use with non-linear Storage/SAN sources a da Vinci “Splice” ise used ahead of the 2K to provide data management to/from DPX files (up to 2048x1556) to SD/HD/HSDL with an inbuilt DVE for XYZ sizing,rotation etc. with subsequent color correction in the conventional fashion through the 2K.
Built with Resolve’s Transformer II, Splice has Resolve’s basic conform and I/O features, but enhanced to extend the life and capabilities of a 2K.
Splices' features include:
• Supports direct MXF and QuickTime playback for grading
• Color grade RED Raw files in realtime
• Conform from AAF or CMX edit data
• Color grade 4k files
• Non-linear conforming
• Support for HSDL at 14.98 or 15 fps, with time code support for 24, 25 and 30 fps
• Easily match scene-to-scene shots
• Real time pan/tilt/zoom and rotate
• Instant access to all shots
• Grade in context in real-time
• Resolve R-series compatible
• Shots from multiple versions and alternate passes are laid off to tape within minutes
• Export colorist’s notes to the editor in EDL format with full documentation of all alternate passes
• Includes 2K ColorTrace grading management software to support the enhanced list management features of Splice 3.0
da Vinci's first generation Resolves were CPU based, and include the RT and DI systems. In 2008, da Vinci built its first Resolve series (R-100, R-200, R-250, R-300, R-350, R-4K, R-3D) with NVIDIA GPUs, enabling super-computing image processing.
The Resolve features include:
• 4k, 2k, HD and SD interactive color grading in real time.
• Digital PowerHouse: Grade digital film, including RED, on any of the R-series systems in their native raw formats.
• Non-linear color grading allows you to quickly match and adjust similar scenes, regardless of where they occur in the program.
• PowerMastering: Multiple resolution deliverables from a single master session enables you to grade in up to 2k using the R-series up to the R-350, and in 4k on the R-4K and output to 4k, 2k HD, SD 16:9, SD 4:3 and other media formats in real time.
• SANs and leading storage systems connect the Resolve with the rest of a post-production facility.
• Conform and grade native Avid MXF files then render back to Avid in source mode for parsing in the Avid environment.
• Unlimited windows, layers and blurs create complex color grading enhancements and fixes in real time.
• Real-time rotation and sizing to preserve the best possible image quality at any resolution.
• Parallel and series node-based grading provides the maximum flexibility to apply complex grades to a scene.
• Combine 4k, 2k, HD, SD and DV footage in the same timeline and utilize our proprietary Transformer technology to resize for a consistent look and output to the desired size and resolution.
• Multi-point object tracking allows you to lock color decisions on moving objects within the scene.
• Laying off to tape in C-mode with graded handles and source time code enables you to effectively interface with another finishing suite.
controller for telecine
s and VTRs. It gives accurate 2/3 editing. TLC 1 was originally made in Moorpark, California
, later TLC was acquired by da Vinci and the TLC 2 was released. The da Vinci DUI 888 had an option to have a TLC built into it. If the TLC is not built in an external A/B switch box is needed to switch control between the TLC and other Color Controllers. Some versions had a separate CPU and Telecine interface rack.
Post-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
color grading
Color grading
Color grading or colour painting, is the process of altering and enhancing the color of a motion picture, video image, or still image either electronically, photo-chemically or digitally. The photo-chemical process is also referred to as color timing and is typically performed at a photographic...
and film restoration systems for feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
s, video production
Video production
Video production is videography, the process of capturing moving images on electronic media even streaming media. The term includes methods of production and post-production...
and broadcast post-production facilities. It was headquartered in Coral Springs, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
still with offices in Los Angeles, New York, London and Singapore, the company systems control telecine
Telecine
Telecine is transferring motion picture film into video and is performed in a color suite. The term is also used to refer to the equipment used in the post-production process....
s, virtual telecine
Virtual telecine
A virtual telecine is a piece of video equipment that can play back data files in real time. The colorist-video operator controls the virtual telecine like a normal telecine, although without controls like focus and framing. The data files can be from a Spirit DataCine, motion picture film scanner...
, digital
Digital
A digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
mastering systems and film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
restoration processes.
da Vinci Systems equipment was initially developed by VTA in 1982 for use by a Hollywood, FL, based production/post-production facility to alter and enhance colors from scanned film and video tape. The Wiz system was marketed to other post-production facilities, laying the foundation for the creation of the colorist and the post-production color suite
Color suite
Color suite also called a Color bay or a Telecine suite or Color correction bay. Color suite is the control room for color grading video in a post production environment. The video source could be from: a telecine, a Video tape recorder , a motion picture film scanner, virtual telecine or a Direct...
.
The control panel is based on track balls and other discrete controls that enable colorists to control the software that manipulates motion picture images. On September 8, 2009, Grant Petty, owner of Blackmagic Design, announced his intentions to buy out Da Vinci Systems Ltd. The purchase was completed by the following day.
Current products
- Digital Mastering System: Resolve, Color correction, conforming and system. Mostly for digital intermediateDigital intermediateDigital intermediate is a motion picture finishing process which classically involves digitizing a motion picture and manipulating the color and other image characteristics. It often replaces or augments the photochemical timing process and is usually the final creative adjustment to a movie...
use. - Control Panel: Impresario, sophisticated and intuitive control surface for the Resolve and 2K systems.
- Color Correctors: 2k and 2k Plus, High-end color gradingColor gradingColor grading or colour painting, is the process of altering and enhancing the color of a motion picture, video image, or still image either electronically, photo-chemically or digitally. The photo-chemical process is also referred to as color timing and is typically performed at a photographic...
and gamma correctionGamma correctionGamma correction, gamma nonlinearity, gamma encoding, or often simply gamma, is the name of a nonlinear operation used to code and decode luminance or tristimulus values in video or still image systems...
system used to control telecine. - Virtual telecineVirtual telecineA virtual telecine is a piece of video equipment that can play back data files in real time. The colorist-video operator controls the virtual telecine like a normal telecine, although without controls like focus and framing. The data files can be from a Spirit DataCine, motion picture film scanner...
: Splice, interface for the 2k and the 2k Plus. - Film Restoration: Revival, Film restoration to improve film quality of digital files.
History and technology
1982 - Video Tape Associates (VTA) develops the Wiz.1983 - Introduction of "The Wiz". Developed specifically by and for Video Tape Associates, Florida. The system controlled early telecines (RCA FR-35, Bosch FDL60) and offered basic primary and secondary color correction. The Editel group of post production facilities in the US evaluated the technology and asked that VTA build multiple systems for them. About 15 units were made and subsequently purchased by other post facilities across the US. "The Wiz" was essentially the prototype for what would become the da Vinci color corrector.
1984 - da Vinci Classic analog system was the most popular color corrector on the Fernseh
Fernseh
The Fernseh AG television company was registered in Berlin on July 3, 1929 by John Logie Baird, Robert Bosch and other partners with an initial capital of 100,000 Reichsmark....
's FDL 60 and Rank Cintel
Cintel
Cintel International Ltd is a British company, based in Ware, Hertfordshire,SG12 0AE, which specialises in the design and manufacture of professional post-production equipment, for transcribing film into video or data formats...
telecines (Mark 3 and URSA). It had customized external control panel with internal primary, secondary processing and an internal NTSC encoder. It ran on a Motorola
Motorola
Motorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
68000 Multi Bus 1 system computer. The program and color correction list were stored on a 20MB MMF hard disk, with backup to a 5.25" floppy disk.
1985 - VTA Technologies - a R&D division of VTA the video post facility - was formed. The da Vinci color corrector was born and other products were developed as well including an editor, machine control system, and routing system. The "da Vinci" was the only film-to-tape or tape-to-tape color correction system on the market that offered the capability to create a basic rectangular window shape isolating a secondary color correction. As the da Vinci product line evolved, the original da Vinci became known as the "da Vinci Classic".
1986 - Dynatech Video Group (Utah Scientific, ColorGraphics Systems, Quanta, among others) acquires da Vinci. Utah Scientific takes over da Vinci. Utah Scientific determines that all of da Vinci engineering should move to Salt Lake City.
1988 - VTA Technologies was purchased by Utah Scientific, a manufacturer of routing systems. da Vinci Systems later spun off of Utah Scientific, became its own entity, and was one of roughly eight video manufacturing companies in the porfolio of the Dynatech Video Group. Dynatech's name was later changed to Acterna.
1989 - da Vinci Renaissance was the analog system that followed the Classic analog system. It was similar to the above system, but ran on Motorola 68020 Multi Bus 1 system with a 3.5" Floppy. Options like kilo vectors were later available for the analog Renaissance. Kilovectors secondary color processing – more advanced than what was offered on the Classic - would become an industry standard function of secondary color isolation.
1990 - Parent company pressure to market a low cost da Vinci for "broadcasters and small post facilities" forces da Vinci to spend precious development resources to produce a stripped down telecine-only programmer called "Leonardo." To reduce cost, Leonardo uses a flat plate (vision mixer style) control panel, provides only scene-by-scene control of a telecine (similar to Cintel's Amigo) and offers no da Vinci color processing. As expected, the product is a failure and only one unit is ever sold.
1991 - da Vinci Renaissance 888 (with original interface, no Gui) – was introduced to the color grading marketing. The 888 was the first product in the world to offer 8:8:8 signal processing throughout. New groundbreaking features like Power Windows, Custom Curves and YSFX were part of its feature set.
1992 - Power Windows.
1992 - Custom Curves.
1994 - da Vinci wholly acquired the TLC product line from Time Logic. The TLC is viewed as the defacto standard edit control interface between telecines, color correctors, VTRs and DDRs. TLC (really stands for "Time Logic Controller") is a edit controller for telecines, vision mixers (switchers), and VTRs. It provides accurate 2:3 editing when transferring 24fps film in a 30fps video environment. TLC 1 was originally made in Moorpark, CA (started in Redondo Beach, then Simi Valley). In 1994, the TLC product line was acquired by da Vinci and the TLC 2 was released.
1995 - 8:8:8 DUI was introduced to the market. The DUI offered the same color processing as the Renaissance 8:8:8 but featured a new "windows style" user interface, an SGI hosted operating system, a migration of the external TLC controller into the DUI, and EDWIN, an extension of the industry renowned Power Windows. The telecine interface card controlled the telecine's internal color corrector. The 888 DUI came in two configurations; the first was the DUI with an SGI Indy workstation. The second DUI system used an SGI O2 workstation (affectionately called the "Toaster"). These systems supported da Vinci's new Control Panels. da Vinci also made the da Vinci Light. This was not marketed, so not many were sold. It is a da Vinci DUI 888 without the digital 888 cards. The da Vinci DUI 888 had the electrical equivalent of the TLC2 designed on the IMC (along with Telecine Interface) boards. The ability to edit, control VTRs, switchers, and use an EDL were all software options to the DUI.
1996 - Dynatech sells the Dynatech Video Group, except da Vinci Systems.
1998 - The da Vinci 2K, the company's first high definition and data color grading system for film and video was released. It offered a huge boost in color processing quality and performance. New features like PowerTiers, Defocus and Colorist Toolbox were presented to the market. These features, unmatched by any competitive product, have become the standard which other companies now attempt to emulate. Feature filmmakers began to use the da Vinci 2K in the color grading finishing process, a process that would later become known as "digital intermediate" or DI. The 2K was designed to work for SD, HD and Data and to have room for future upgrades. Base system has In/Out Primaries, Secondaries, New Power Windows and a new interface. Originally controlled by an SGI 02, it must now be upgraded to Linux for the latest software updates. The 2K was to have a newly designed machine control system also called TLC. Since this functionality was a bit late to completion, the ability to use the external TLC2 connected to the 2K provided some necessary breathing room. It was this configuration that required the A/B RS-422 switch box in the Tape to Tape configuration, allowing the TLC2 to synchronize the decks, while the 2K provided the necessary frame accurate color corrections.
1998 - da Vinci Academy formed.
1999 - Power Tiers Option. Add up to 8 channels, each with Power Windows, full Primary and Master Secondary control. 1999 - da Vinci acquires Sierra Design Labs, Incline Village NV.
2000 - Defocus Option. In or Out Defocus or Sharpness effects (In and Out with Defocus Plus) plus Power Windows, In/Out color and matte defocus. Defocus is adjustable, but includes realtime Gaussian blur in HD.
2000 - da Vinci acquires Nirvana Digital of Singapore, creator of the Revival film restoration system, and incorporates the product into its line up.
2001 - PowerGrade.
2001 - Gallery Option. Integrated reference store, with optional Central Server and Palette paint program interface. Windows interface converts stills between resolutions and export them as jpg, tiff or bmp files. Standard on all 2K Plus systems.
2002 - 2K Plus created to support HDTV and SDTV, uses an IBM PC computer running Red Hat Linux interface software. The 2k Plus is used on high-end DataCines and telecines, Like Thomson-Grass Valley's Spirit DataCine
Spirit DataCine
Spirit DataCine is a telecine and/or a motion picture film scanner. This device is able to transfer 16mm and 35mm motion picture film to NTSC or PAL standards or one of many High-definition television standards. With the data transfer option a Spirit DataCine can output DPX data files. The Spirit...
and Cintel's C-Reality & ITK Millennium. The 2k can operate in with a 4:2:2, 4:4:4 or 8:4:4 input in NTSC or PAL. In HDTV it can operate with 4:2:2, 4:4:4 input. Redesigned Primaries, Secondaries and Keys make this more than just a 2K upgrade. Linux control interface is standard.
2002 - TLC Assistant. External Linux terminal with keyboard and mouse for those that need permanent access to the editor. Single and Dual user modes.
2002 - Colorist Toolbox Option. Hardware upgrade for those that have outgrown the Defocus option. Adds 4 Power Vectors, each with its own matte Defocus, Power Windows, In/Out Master Secondaries, Filter Effects and Textures. The Filters include the equivalent of a Defocus Plus board.
2003 - Acterna filed bankruptcy.
2003 - Resolve. Software Color Corrector.
2003 - Nucleas. Server to Server software enables 2K systems to work from data disks and storage networks. HiPPI and HSDL interfaces. System includes data waveforms, CMS and data playback.
2004 - Resolve, a software based, resolution independent color grading system is launched. Resolve, developed specifically for the DI market, operates on conventional PC hardware but with optimized performance via da Vinci's own custom designed PC based PowerPlant acceleration and Transformer image translation hardware. Resolve offers color enhancement at the core but also features a highly advanced toolset including conforming, network file browsing, image resizing and formatting.
da Vinci also creates Nucleas Conform, which builds a data timeline from an EDL, renders dissolves and allows switching between Source and Record order. System was shown at NAB configured as Server to Server and Server to Video.
2005 - JDSU acquires Acterna.
2005 - Toolbox 2 Option. Toolbox 2 has an improved interface and includes filter presets. It is even easier and faster to use, and comes free with a service agreement.
2005 - Emerald, Sapphire, Ruby. Elite logos are introduced for systems with Defocus, Toolbox and 4 Power Tiers (Emerald), 3 Power Tiers (Sapphire) or 2 Power Tiers (Ruby) 2006 - Color Trace Option. Software to track color grades when the EDL is revised.
2006 - Splice. Nucleas returns! Server to Server software enables 2K systems to work from data disks and storage networks.
2008 - Impresario, a new control panel, is launched at NAB 2008 and demonstrated at NAB 2009.
2009 - Da Vinci Systems is purchased by Blackmagic Design
THE TECHNOLOGY
- The Wiz was the predecessor to the da Vinci Classic color corrector and was built in 1982 by VTA Technologies in Ft. Lauderdale. It was built on an apple computer, the program was stored in EPROMEPROMAn EPROM , or erasable programmable read only memory, is a type of memory chip that retains its data when its power supply is switched off. In other words, it is non-volatile. It is an array of floating-gate transistors individually programmed by an electronic device that supplies higher voltages...
, the list could be backed up to mini cassetteCompact CassetteThe Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
s. VTA Technologies later became da Vinci Systems, Inc in 1984. The Wiz was the first color correction system to have a customized external control panel and was also the first color corrector with internal primary and secondary processing. Prior to that, the primaries in the telecineTelecineTelecine is transferring motion picture film into video and is performed in a color suite. The term is also used to refer to the equipment used in the post-production process....
were used. The Wiz had 10 vector patentPatentA patent is a form of intellectual property. It consists of a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor or their assignee for a limited period of time in exchange for the public disclosure of an invention....
ed secondary color correction. The first two systems were bought by Editel, ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, which at the time used the color corrector on BoschRobert Bosch GmbHRobert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
FernsehFernsehThe Fernseh AG television company was registered in Berlin on July 3, 1929 by John Logie Baird, Robert Bosch and other partners with an initial capital of 100,000 Reichsmark....
's FDL60 telecine.
- da Vinci Classic analogAnalog transmissionAnalog transmission is a transmission method of conveying voice, data, image, signal or video information using a continuous signal which varies in amplitude, phase, or some other property in proportion to that of a variable...
system was manufactured from 1985 to 1990 and had customized external control panel with internal primary, secondary processing and an internal NTSCNTSCNTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system that is used in most of North America, most of South America , Burma, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and some Pacific island nations and territories .Most countries using the NTSC standard, as...
encoder. It ran on a MotorolaMotorolaMotorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
68000 Multi Bus 1 system computerComputerA computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
. The program and color correction list were stored on a 20MB MFM hard diskHard diskA hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...
, with backup to a 5.25" floppy diskFloppy diskA floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles...
. Its features include:
• Analog RGB(Y) path
• Primary and 16 vector secondaries.
• Onboard 68000 CPU
• Small MFM hard drive
• Two control panels (power supplied from mainframe by resistive cable)
• Heavy linear PSU.
• Flat pack chassis with PCB access from above
Options include:
• Hard edged simple XY window
• Onboard NTSC decoder
• NR control, prestore processing for MK3 Digi 4 (and some 3) telecines
• RGB(Y) and NTSC/PAL outputs. 525 or 625 or both
• B & W menu monitor
Used with FDL60/90 and MK3 telecines (Not URSA) and tape-to-tape. Early models had knob only color correction controls. Later had joyballs. Many in use but becoming difficult on support and parts.
- da Vinci Renaissance was the analog system that followed the Classic analog system and was manufactured from 1990 to 1993. It was similar to the above system, but ran on MotorolaMotorolaMotorola, Inc. was an American multinational telecommunications company based in Schaumburg, Illinois, which was eventually divided into two independent public companies, Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions on January 4, 2011, after losing $4.3 billion from 2007 to 2009...
68020 Multi Bus 1 system with a 3.5" floppy. Its features included:
• Improved channel and secondaries (later versions).
• Onboard 68000 CPU (early) or 68020 CPU (later).
• MFM Hard Drive.
• The early/budget 68000 models had two control panels and 16 vector secondaries same as the Classic. The later 68020 versions usually feature “Kilovectors” advanced secondary correction and have three
control panels.
Options included:
• Hard edged simple XY Window
• NR control
• Prestore processing for MK3 Digi 4 (and some 3) telecines
• RGB(Y) and NTSC/PAL outputs.
• Heavy linear PSU.
12V panels were on early versions, 5V panels with separate PSU on later versions (not interchangeable with 12v panels). 525 or 625 or both. B & W menu monitor. Used with FDL60, FDL90, MK3
types, URSA telecines and Tape to Tape. Some versions used an extra interface module (the EMC unit) to function with the URSA serial control busses. Normally used with a separate TLC editor (1 or 2) and an additional interface is required for this on URSA installations. Many in use but becoming difficult on support and parts.
- 'da Vinci Renaissance 888' was similar to the above system, but had 888 digitalDigitalA digital system is a data technology that uses discrete values. By contrast, non-digital systems use a continuous range of values to represent information...
videoVideoVideo is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.- History :...
processing, in place of the analog video processing. This system was manufactured from 1993–1995. The all-digital system's features included:
• Can operate with 4:2:2, 4:4:4 or 8:4:4 input in NTSC
NTSC
NTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system that is used in most of North America, most of South America , Burma, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and some Pacific island nations and territories .Most countries using the NTSC standard, as...
or Pal
PAL
PAL, short for Phase Alternating Line, is an analogue television colour encoding system used in broadcast television systems in many countries. Other common analogue television systems are NTSC and SECAM. This page primarily discusses the PAL colour encoding system...
.
• 16 bit 8:8:8 (internally) 27 MHz sampling SD signal path
• Onboard 68020 CPU
• B&W menu monitor - 525 or 625 or both. Character based display. No mouse.
• MFM HD but IDE upgrade option sometimes fitted
Additional options for the digital 888 included:
• “Power Windows” (One only) a very powerful feature which enables area isolation with soft edges and various shapes.
• YSFX which is independently adjustable luminance and chrominance ratios which can be wound from full pos thru zero to neg.
• Custom Curves and a Key Input channel.
• Used with FDL60, FDL90.
• Quadra (reqs 4:4:4 option)
• MK3 types
• URSA telecines. Early versions had a double backplane chassis (4:2:2 only) and used an extra interface module, the EMC, to function with URSA control busses. 888s are normally used with a separate TLC1 or 2 editor and an additional interface is required for this on URSA installations.
- da Vinci also made the da Vinci Light. This was not marketed, so not many were sold. It is a da Vinci DUI 888 without the digital 888 cards. The telecine interface card controlled the telecine's internal color corrector. This came in two configurations; the first was the DUI with an SGI IndySGI IndyThe Indy, code-named "Guinness", is a low-end workstation introduced on 12 July 1993. Developed and manufactured by Silicon Graphics Incorporated , it was the result of their attempt to obtain a share of the low-end computer-aided design market, which was dominated at the time by other workstation...
workstationWorkstationA workstation is a high-end microcomputer designed for technical or scientific applications. Intended primarily to be used by one person at a time, they are commonly connected to a local area network and run multi-user operating systems...
. The second DUI system used an SGI O2SGI O2The O2 is an entry-level Unix workstation introduced in 1996 by Silicon Graphics, Inc. to replace their earlier Indy series. Like the Indy, the O2 used a single MIPS microprocessor and was intended to be used mainly for multimedia. Its larger counterpart was the SGI Octane...
workstation. These systems supported da Vinci's new control panels.
- The da Vinci 2K Color Corrector, manufactured starting in 2000, is a completely revised color correction system that supports supports HDTV, SDTV, 2k and, with a Splice upgrade, 4k formats. The current system is the 2k Plus an improved 2k Color Corrector. The 2k Plus is used on high-end DataCines and telecines, Like ThomsonThomson SATechnicolor SA , formerly Thomson SA and Thomson Multimedia, is a French international provider of solutions for the creation, management, post-production, delivery and access of video, for the Communication, Media and Entertainment industries. Technicolor’s headquarters are located in Issy les...
-Grass ValleyGrass Valley (company)Grass Valley, previously known as Grass Valley Group, is a privately held company based in California, USA. Grass Valley produces technology for the video and broadcast industry. On January 29, 2009, Thomson announced its intention to sell the Grass Valley business unit...
's Spirit Datacine and CintelCintelCintel International Ltd is a British company, based in Ware, Hertfordshire,SG12 0AE, which specialises in the design and manufacture of professional post-production equipment, for transcribing film into video or data formats...
's C-Reality & ITK Millennium. The 2k can operate in with a 4:2:2, 4:4:4 or 8:4:4 input in NTSCNTSCNTSC, named for the National Television System Committee, is the analog television system that is used in most of North America, most of South America , Burma, South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, and some Pacific island nations and territories .Most countries using the NTSC standard, as...
or PalPALPAL, short for Phase Alternating Line, is an analogue television colour encoding system used in broadcast television systems in many countries. Other common analogue television systems are NTSC and SECAM. This page primarily discusses the PAL colour encoding system...
. In HDTV it can operate with 4:2:2, 4:4:4 input. Its features include:
• Software (Red Hat
Red Hat
Red Hat, Inc. is an S&P 500 company in the free and open source software sector, and a major Linux distribution vendor. Founded in 1993, Red Hat has its corporate headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina with satellite offices worldwide....
Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
interface) that color grades all or combinations of SDTV 525/625, HDTV 1920x1080, 24P, 24SF, 720P in 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 and data on the same timeline. The optional Data will accommodate (through Hippi & HSDL I/Os) various formats and speeds from lower resolutions through 2048x1556 depending on the I/O. On Data an analog RGBHV monitoring output allows viewing of the otherwise invisible Data signal.
• Features similar to DUI 888s, plus additional options including multiple Power Windows (up to nine), one or two areas of selective Defocus or Enhancement, and extended VSR capability with outboard Gallery reference storage computer which will store and retrieve irrespective of standard in use.
• Built in HD to SD downconverter in some systems. Later 2Ks have “Plus” processing which includes significant improvements to the signal processing circuitry. Older “Non-Plus” models were upgradable. The Control Panels are physically the same as late model DUI’s with curved tops but have numerous different keycaps.
• The control computer is either an SGI O2 with a custom SGI flat screen menu monitor (which requires special SGI Video Driver & Card) or in later model 2K’s this was replaced with an IBM Linux Computer which uses an XVGA flat screen monitor.
• The O2 has a SD video input for VSRs but if a Linux is used a da Vinci Gallery is required to generate the VSR thumbnails.
2Ks are intended for use with the later generation of telecines including Spirit, URSA or similar, C-Reality, Rascal, Sony and ITK telecines. MK3 / FDL / Quadra types are not supported, Current USA 2Ks are supplied with an onboard TLC2 which will support 24/30 dual sync functionality for 24P operation. A TLC Assistant station comprising another IBM PC is available for dual operator installations. Alternatively a standalone TLC2 of the traditional type may be interfaced if required.
In addition to telecine 2K’s may also be used for tape to tape, virtual telecine and DDR applications.
For use with non-linear Storage/SAN sources a da Vinci “Splice” ise used ahead of the 2K to provide data management to/from DPX files (up to 2048x1556) to SD/HD/HSDL with an inbuilt DVE for XYZ sizing,rotation etc. with subsequent color correction in the conventional fashion through the 2K.
Built with Resolve’s Transformer II, Splice has Resolve’s basic conform and I/O features, but enhanced to extend the life and capabilities of a 2K.
Splices' features include:
• Supports direct MXF and QuickTime playback for grading
• Color grade RED Raw files in realtime
• Conform from AAF or CMX edit data
• Color grade 4k files
• Non-linear conforming
• Support for HSDL at 14.98 or 15 fps, with time code support for 24, 25 and 30 fps
• Easily match scene-to-scene shots
• Real time pan/tilt/zoom and rotate
• Instant access to all shots
• Grade in context in real-time
• Resolve R-series compatible
• Shots from multiple versions and alternate passes are laid off to tape within minutes
• Export colorist’s notes to the editor in EDL format with full documentation of all alternate passes
• Includes 2K ColorTrace grading management software to support the enhanced list management features of Splice 3.0
- Resolve is the next-generation color grading system from da Vinci and the first system to use GPUs to control color grading. Powered by da Vinci’s proprietary C.O.R.E. (CUDA Optimized Resolve Engine), Resolve delivers real time HD and up to 4k non-linear color grading, The da Vinci R-series is the first scalable color grading system offering multiple levels of acceleration, features and capabilities, providing colorists with exacting and intuitive color control over static or moving objects. The Resolve scales lower-resolution SD and DV formats to HD, 2k and 4k without compromising quality by using proprietary Transformer technology.
da Vinci's first generation Resolves were CPU based, and include the RT and DI systems. In 2008, da Vinci built its first Resolve series (R-100, R-200, R-250, R-300, R-350, R-4K, R-3D) with NVIDIA GPUs, enabling super-computing image processing.
The Resolve features include:
• 4k, 2k, HD and SD interactive color grading in real time.
• Digital PowerHouse: Grade digital film, including RED, on any of the R-series systems in their native raw formats.
• Non-linear color grading allows you to quickly match and adjust similar scenes, regardless of where they occur in the program.
• PowerMastering: Multiple resolution deliverables from a single master session enables you to grade in up to 2k using the R-series up to the R-350, and in 4k on the R-4K and output to 4k, 2k HD, SD 16:9, SD 4:3 and other media formats in real time.
• SANs and leading storage systems connect the Resolve with the rest of a post-production facility.
• Conform and grade native Avid MXF files then render back to Avid in source mode for parsing in the Avid environment.
• Unlimited windows, layers and blurs create complex color grading enhancements and fixes in real time.
• Real-time rotation and sizing to preserve the best possible image quality at any resolution.
• Parallel and series node-based grading provides the maximum flexibility to apply complex grades to a scene.
• Combine 4k, 2k, HD, SD and DV footage in the same timeline and utilize our proprietary Transformer technology to resize for a consistent look and output to the desired size and resolution.
• Multi-point object tracking allows you to lock color decisions on moving objects within the scene.
• Laying off to tape in C-mode with graded handles and source time code enables you to effectively interface with another finishing suite.
TLC
The TLC is an editLinear video editing
Linear video editing is a video editing post-production process of selecting, arranging and modifying images and sound in a predetermined, ordered sequence. Regardless whether captured by a video camera, tapeless camcorder, recorded in a television studio on a video tape recorder the content must...
controller for telecine
Telecine
Telecine is transferring motion picture film into video and is performed in a color suite. The term is also used to refer to the equipment used in the post-production process....
s and VTRs. It gives accurate 2/3 editing. TLC 1 was originally made in Moorpark, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, later TLC was acquired by da Vinci and the TLC 2 was released. The da Vinci DUI 888 had an option to have a TLC built into it. If the TLC is not built in an external A/B switch box is needed to switch control between the TLC and other Color Controllers. Some versions had a separate CPU and Telecine interface rack.
See also
- digital intermediateDigital intermediateDigital intermediate is a motion picture finishing process which classically involves digitizing a motion picture and manipulating the color and other image characteristics. It often replaces or augments the photochemical timing process and is usually the final creative adjustment to a movie...
- Display resolutionDisplay resolutionThe display resolution of a digital television or display device is the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. It can be an ambiguous term especially as the displayed resolution is controlled by all different factors in cathode ray tube , flat panel or projection...
- Film-outFilm-outFilm-out is the process in the computer graphics, video production and filmmaking disciplines of transferring images or animation from videotape or digital files to a traditional film print...
- Film recorderFilm recorderA Film Recorder is a graphical output device for transferring digital images to photographic film.All film recorders typically work in the same manner. The image is fed from a host computer as a raster stream over a digital interface...
- post production
- Direct to Disk RecordingDirect to Disk RecordingDirect-to-disk recording refers to methods by which analog signals and digital signals such as digital audio and digital video are digitally recorded to optical disc recording technologies such as DVDs, and CD optical discs...
- TV
- Hard disk recorderHard disk recorderA hard disk recorder is a type of direct to disk recording system that uses a high-capacity hard disk to record digital audio or digital video. Hard disk recording systems represent an alternative to more traditional reel-to-reel tape or cassette multitrack systems, and provide editing...
- 3D LUT3D LUTIn the film industry, 3D LUTs are used to calculate preview colors for a monitor or digital projector of how an image will be reproduced on the final film print. A 3D LUT is a 3D lattice of output color values. Each axis is one of the 3 input color components and the input color thus defines a...
- Film restoration
- Color correctionColor correctionColor correction by using color gels, or filters, is a process used in stage lighting, photography, television, cinematography and other disciplines, the intention of which is to alter the overall color of the light; typically the light color is measured on a scale known as color temperature, as...
- Pandora InternationalPandora InternationalPandora International is a maker of hardware and software. Pandora International devices are able to color correct video and 16mm and 35mm motion picture film transfered through it'sdevices. Pandora International is based in Greenhithe, Kent, England....