Silicon Imaging Ships SI-2K Digital Cinema Camera

Next-generation design combines 12-bit CMOS sensor technology with CineForm RAWÃ¢Â„Â¢ direct-to-disk recording to revolutionize film and HD television production

Silicon Imaging, Inc., in partnership with AltaSens, Inc., the world leader in high-performance CMOS imaging System-on-Chip sensors, is proud to announce the availability and shipping of the SI-2KÃ¢Â„Â¢ series of digital cinema cameras, a next-generation, DCI-spec 2K digital cinema camera solution powered by the ProCamHDÃ¢Â„Â¢ 4562 CMOS color sensor.

“Our patented low-noise and high-speed CMOS sensor designs are transforming the face of the film and broadcast industry, pushing past the performance barriers of legacy CCD technology” says Lester Kozlowski, CTO of AltaSens, Inc. “We are opening the door to next-generation digital cinema cameras and recording systems delivering faster frame-rates, wider dynamic range and higher resolution than ATSC HD formats.”

The 2/3" ProCamHDÃ¢Â„Â¢ 4562 CMOS color sensor gives the SI-2KÃ¢Â„Â¢ cameras the flexibility to shoot at various 2K Digital Cinema Initiative compliant formats and frame-rates for theatrical distribution, and at standard 1080P Progressive HD frame-rates for general broadcast television production. In addition, the high-speed readout and region-of-interest capabilities of the ProCamHDÃ¢Â„Â¢ 4562 allows the SI-2KÃ¢Â„Â¢ to shoot at up to 150 frames-per-second for slow-motion visual effects.

“The ProCamHDÃ¢Â„Â¢ 4562 from AltaSens is the only sensor we’ve found capable of meeting the high image quality characteristics that cinematographers will demand from a next-generation digital cinema camera,” says Jason Rodriguez, Research and Development Specialist at Silicon Imaging, Inc. “Its 12-bit A/D converter, 14-bit signal processing data paths, and low noise Tapered Reset technology are capable of delivering over 11 f-stops of real-world dynamic range, rendering colors and details with a natural filmic response. When these images are combined with the SI-2K’s integrated non-destructive color metadata pipeline from IRIDAS and visually lossless CineForm RAWÃ¢Â„Â¢ codec, the creative options become endless.”

Unlike current-generation HD cameras, which destructively process and compress their imagery at the acquisition stage, the SI-2KÃ¢Â„Â¢ streams images as raw “digital negatives” over a standard gigabit Ethernet connection. An Intel Core 2 Duo processor-based system non-destructively processes the raw digital negatives in real time to the visually perfect CineForm RAWÃ¢Â„Â¢ codec where up to four hours of continuous footage can be captured on a single 160GB notebook drive.

“The Silicon Imaging SI-2K with Altasens CMOS sensor delivers filmlike qualities, has the ability to shoot at higher resolutions than HD and offers an integrated raw workflow which accelerates the entire visualization and production process,” states Ari Presler, CEO of Silicon Imaging. “The SI-2K MINI is the remotely networked sensor module of the SI-2K. Its small size and low power enable its use in a variety of shooting modes and mounting configurations including special effects, green-screen, aerial photography, robotic miniatures and Stereo 3D productions.”

The SI-2K camera incorporates a new set of capture, camera control, 3D color correction, metadata management and display tools. It enables cinematographers to get ideal exposure, focus and composition and enables them to communicate their desired look to the post-production team.

“Silicon Imaging's SI-2K camera is changing the way we make movies!” states Producer Michael George, Pacific Gold Entertainment. “We just completed shooting a feature film called “Blood: A Butchers Tale” with Aaron Douglas of Battlestar Galactica, in just 17 days. The project was shot almost exclusively on green screen in the same style as “300” or “Sin City”. The image quality and detail from the SI-2K is simply amazing. The footage can easily be mistaken for film. The visualization tools for setting our shots and the instant playback of dailies was incredibly powerful and helped shorten our production process.”

Pricing and Availability
The SI-2K MINIÃ¢Â„Â¢ with SiliconDVRÃ¢Â„Â¢ recording software, embedded SpeedGrade technology, and universal lens-mount system bundled with an included PL-mount option is $14,500 and available now, with shipment in 1-2 weeks.

The SI-2KÃ¢Â„Â¢, which includes an embedded version of SiliconDVRÃ¢Â„Â¢ recording software and integrated SpeedGrade technology, is $23,500. Orders are currently available with shipping in June. Silicon Imaging is also announcing a special NAB promotional discount of $2000 off the retail price for orders placed by April 30, 2007.

The SI-2KÃ¢Â„Â¢ series cameras and CineForm RAW workflow technology will be on display in booth SL7826.