Crystal Vision, the UK-based chroma key specialist, has introduced the Safire HD 2, a new “affordable” high-definition chroma keyer that simplifies the keying process by being more tolerant of problematic colors.

The Safire HD 2 card uses a new feature called Selectable Color Suppression, a technology that grants more tolerance to “difficult” colors in the foreground of the image. This kind of problem can occur, for example, when a subject wears blue clothing in front of a blue screen.

This color tolerance is achieved by using two sets of hue and acceptance angle controls. These controls generate the key signal by deciding whether a pixel in the output is foreground or background. The system then produces a suppressed foreground by removing the key color from the foreground.

Safire HD 2 extracts the information for these two uses separately, allowing the operator to set different (and ideal) values for each function. The process, along with gain for key signals in low light conditions, results in an overall better chroma key effect.

The new chroma key card also offers improvements to the shadow processing. Shadows, the company said, can add realism to the final image in a virtual studio application but can traditionally make it difficult for operators to get a good balance between producing a solid chroma key and retaining the shadows.

Safire HD 2 allows users to set up their chroma key first and then adjust their shadow enhancement separately with an increased level of control-making it easier to get clean and natural-looking shadows.

Crystal Vision chroma keyers are part of a modular system and can be housed alongside any other products from the range-including video delays, which are essential in a virtual system. Fitting in the four standard frames (available in 4U, 2U, 1U and desk top box), Safire HD 2 is a "double decker" 100mm x 266mm board and is used with the RM32 frame rear module to access the inputs and outputs.

For more information, visit http://www.crystalvision.tv/.