Camera Formats
From Redhax
When speaking digital cinematography formats the term raw seems to be used interchangably to mean three things. Generally raw refers to data that has not been altered after being digitized from the sensor. This could mean:
- that the data remains in a bayer pattern without being demosaiced.
- that the data is in its original bit depth, with no gamma curve applied.
- that the data has not been compressed.
Great confusion can arise however because on RED One compressed data is also refered to a Redcode RAW. Redcode is a codec for images that are Bayer pattern and still retain their original bit depth but have been compressed using wavelet transform and quantization. The format is called raw even though it has been compressed.
Further adding to this confusion is the option to include a raw port on the camera. The sole purpose of this port is to export uncompressed data. This would lead one to believe that again raw means uncompressed. The terminology is imprecise. Generally when the term REDCode is invoked, it means compressed.
The following is a synopsis of the RED formats.
Contents |
[edit] Confirmed Formats
[edit] 2540p RAW
This is also known as 4.5K RAW. The number 2540 refers to the vertical resolution and is used to compare HD formats. 2540p samples the entire sensor. In the current specs this is only available only through the RAW optical port. 2540p RAW is:
- Uncompressed
- 12 bit
- Bayer Pattern.
The maximum framerate of this format is 60 fps. The bitrate of this format at 24fps is 323MB/s.
[edit] 4K Redcode RAW
This format can be transmitted over eSATA and recorded to the red drive, red ram or compact flash. 4K Redcode RAW is:
- Wavelet Compressed
- 12 bit
- Bayer Pattern
The maximum framerate of this format is 30 fps. The same sized format is also available uncompressed through the raw optical port at up to 60fps. The bitrate of this format at 24fps is 27MB/s.
[edit] 1270p RAW
The 1270p format is a cropped version of 2540p. 1270p refers to the vertical resolution. This image is achieved by sampling only the center area of the sensor. In the current specs this is only available only through the RAW optical port. 1270p is:
- Uncompressed
- 12 bit
- Bayer Pattern
The maximum framerate of this format is 120 fps. The bitrate of this format at 24fps is 81MB/s.
[edit] 2K Redcode RAW
2K Redcode RAW is a cropped version of 4K Redcode raw. This format can be transmitted over eSATA and recorded to the red drive, red ram or compact flash. 2K RAW is:
- Wavelet compressed
- 12 bit
- Bayer Pattern
The maximum framerate of this format is (currently) 80 fps. The bitrate of this format at 24fps is 7MB/s.
[edit] Formats Under Developement
[edit] 2K Scaled Redcode Raw
This format also pushes the limits of the word raw. This format is scaled from the entire 4K sensor. Once the scaling is complete the format is equivalent in form to 2K Redcode Raw. The exact set of steps for achieving this are not known, thought it is possible that the 4K image is demosaiced, scaled in RGB, and then samples are removed, creating a "soft" 2K Bayer pattern. 2K Scaled Redcode RAW is:
- Wavelet compressed
- 12 bit
- Bayer Pattern
The maximum framerate of this format is not known, though it is limited by chip readout to 60fps. The bitrate of this format at 24fps is 7MB/s.
[edit] 1080p RGB
1080p RGB is scaled from the entire 4K sensor. Once scaled each pixel is represented by 36 bits, 12bits for each channel. Though the format is approximately 1/4 the resolution of 4K it is only 3/4 of the data. 1080p RGB is:
- Wavelet compressed
- 36 bit
- RGB
The maximum framerate of this format is 60 fps. The bitrate of this format is 24fps is 21MB/s.
[edit] 720p RGB
720p RGB is scaled from the 2K portion of the sensor. Once scaled each pixel is represented by 36 bits, 12bits for each channel. Though the format is approximately 1/4 the resolution of 2K it is only 3/4 of the data. 720p RGB is:
- Wavelet compressed
- 36 bit
- RGB
The maximum framerate of this format is 120fps. The bitrate of this format at 24fps is 5MB/s.
