New Feature Update Also Adds Audio Recording, ACES Support and UI Tweaks

Vision Research released an update to its super-slow-mo Phantom Flex4K camera system, adding Apple ProRes 422 HQ and audio recording capabilities. The Phantom PCC software has also been updated, and is required for ProRes and audio recording.

Flex4K shooters had previously been limited to recording in the Phantom's raw implementation, which chewed up a lot of capacity in 4K mode. A ProRes file is approximately 2.5x smaller than an equivalent Cine Raw file, the company said. However, the 12-bit Cine Raw file offers the best picture quality.

The latest update was announced at NAB 2015 and has just been posted on the web for download.

Audio recording is achieved by feeding a stereo AES/EBU signal into the camera. Audio is recorded as 24-bit 48KHz wav files and is intended for use as a reference track, the company said.

ProRes 422 HQ recording takes place at the camera's full resolution (4096×2304) at frame rates of up to 938fps. A "run/stop" mode can be used for shooting longer takes with synchronized sound at a maximum of 30fps.

The new Phantom PCC software also allows files to be previewed and downloaded via Gigabit Ethernet, supports ACES color space using OpenEXR files, and comes with a variety of tweaks to the UI, including new controls for synchronized groups of cameras and the option to display a preview image on the timeline while scrubbing through a recording.

Vision Research: www.visionresearch.com