Cinnafilm Unveils Breakthrough Graphics Parallel Processing Technology with Introduction of Cinnafilm HD1 Real-Time Film Look System

April 9, 2008

Source: Cinnafilm

Cinnafilm Inc. an emerging force in the development of polished GPU parallel processing, today unveiled the Cinnafilm™ HD1 real-time film look system, a major breakthrough in film look effects for HD digital video. The new solution is the result of over four years of dedicated research to harness graphics card parallel processing. Cinnafilm HD1 is intended for creative professionals who wish to easily and cost-effectively apply the look of film to nearly any digital video source, while maintaining the highest levels of production quality and visual integrity. Cinnafilm HD1 streamlines transfer and rendering processes to provide a solution that is fast, efficient, and affordable. Filmmakers can now quickly achieve a studio celluloid look at a digital video price.

Cinnafilm HD1 is capable of quickly applying a pristine film look to even uncompressed HD video handling any SD or HD video up to 10-bit uncompressed RGB/YUV 4:4:4. The first solution of its kind, Cinnafilm HD1 effectively leverages the unique power of modern 3D graphics hardware for the purpose of imbuing HD video with the rich look of film. Filmmakers, videographers, and editors can previsualize filmed productions, integrate uniform looks and frame rates from most film and digital video sources, and instantly achieve a classic film look tailored to individual preference, while avoiding time-consuming and expensive offline rendering.

Cinnafilm HD1 is driven by a sophisticated, patent-pending parallel processing engine that minimizes the time it takes to process digital video by harnessing the power of modern 3D graphics hardware at a rate that delivers 30x to 100x performance improvement on computational video tasks as compared with a modern CPU. This tremendous leap forward in processing power is being leveraged to push the limitations of parallel processing to new heights; eliminating rendering issues and freeing up countless hours of labor while significantly reducing the cost of post production re-work processes.

“Until now, making video look like film has been a considerable challenge. Prohibitively high transfer costs and severely limited technology caused time lags and more importantly, substandard results,” said Lance Maurer, Cinnafilm’s president and CEO. “Cinnafilm HD1 all but eliminates these issues, providing an instantaneous and believable film look to just about any digital video source. This is an exciting breakthrough and one we’re certain will enhance the filmmaking experience while opening up countless avenues for technological advancement moving forward.”

Cinnafilm HD1 Highlights

Cinnafilm HD1 is a rack-mounted hardware device that operates with an intuitive user interface. Unlike other film look solutions that rely on synthetic overlays, Cinnafilm HD1 literally reconstructs digital video data streams into new frame solutions to appear as if the source were originally shot on organic film. The patent-pending process handles any SD or HD video up to 10-bit uncompressed RGB/YUV 4:4:4, enabling filmmakers, videographers, and editors to fine-tune the film look to their own exacting standards:

Real-time effects engine – Splits large tasks into simultaneous independent processes using a proprietary algorithm. This patent-pending process enables the instantaneous application of sophisticated film look effects to uncompressed video, all while avoiding artifacts and data loss. At the same time, parallel organic effects are performed together with high-end frame-rate and/or scan-rate conversions (changing 60i to 24p or 30p, etc.).
Near real-time true motion vector computation for video – Visualize and predict object locations in scenes with motion; once integrated, these edge detecting solutions are integrated into the full-resolution video in real time and without rendering. The sub-pixel accurate motion vectors enable precise and automatic deinterlacing and frame-rate conversion.
Color correction – Perform RGB linear and non-linear adjustments for accurate simulation of film stock, in addition to brightness, saturation, hue and contrast adjust.
Film effects – Replicate advanced film grain using adjustable pigmentation correlation, color and weight levels, and actual ISO granularity scales. Strategically add and adjust chaotic dust, fibers, and scratches according to frequency, size, and color.
Scene by scene control – Fluidly work through your whole project. Apply any film look to any scene with instant visual feedback, as opposed to time-consuming offline rendering.
InfiniFrame TME (True Motion Estimation) – Create high quality frames from deinterlaced video and add appropriate, synthetic motion blur—a great option for exporting high-end solutions for film prints.

Cinnafilm: Looking Ahead

The company’s forthcoming InfiniPlane module leverages Cinnafilm HD1’s patent-pending parallel processing engine and True Motion Estimation (TME) technology, and will combine all of Cinnafilm’s modules and speed together with a comprehensive, synthetic depth-of-field effect. Additionally, the planned InfiniFrame Advanced module, will allow users the power to add any number of frames to the final project.

The company is also advancing development into the transformation of 2D films into 3D, and is currently in discussion with Los Alamos National Laboratories regarding a partnership in this effort.

Availability

Cinnafilm presently offers the Cinnafilm HD1 process as an in-house service that supports HD and any standard definition digital video format at its in-house production facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Remote transfers can also be accommodated. Rack-mounted and portable Cinnafilm HD1 units will be available for lease in July 2008.

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