Spirit DataCine is atelecine and amotion picture film scanner. This device is able to transfer16mm and35mmmotion picture film toNTSC orPALtelevision standards or one of manyHigh-definition television standards. With thedata transfer option a Spirit DataCine can outputDPXdata files. The Spirit DataCine is made by DFT Digital Film Technology GmbH inDarmstadt, Germany.[1]
The operator of the unit is called a Colorist or Colorist Assistant. The Spirit DataCine has become the standard for high-end real-time film transfer and scanning. Over 370 units are used inpost-production facilities around the world.[2] Most current film productions are transferred on Spirit DataCines fortelevision,digital television,cable television,satellite television,direct-to-video,DVD,Blu-ray Disc,pay-per-view,in-flight entertainment,stock footage,dailies,film preservation,digital intermediates,[3] anddigital cinema.
The Spirit DataCine opened the door to the technology ofdigital intermediates, wherein telecine tools were not just used for video outputs, but could now be used for high-resolution data that would later be recorded back out to film. The DFT Digital Film Technology, formerlyGrass Valley Spirit 4K/2K/HD (2004) replaced the Spirit 2000 Datacine and uses both 2K and 4k line array CCDs. The SDC 2000 did not use a color prisms and/or dichroic mirrors, color separation was done in the CCD. DFT revealed its newest scanner at the 2009NAB Show, Scanity.[4]
A Spirit DataCine outputting DPX files was used in the 2000 filmO Brother, Where Art Thou?. The DPX files were color corrected with aVDC-2000 and a Pandora Int. Pogle Color Corrector with MegaDEF.[5][6] AKodak Lightning II film recorder was used to put the data output to back to film. To output the movie the Spirit Datacine's Phantom Transfer Engine software running on an SGI computer is used to record the DPX files from the Spirit DataCine. These files are stored in thevirtual telecine or on aSANhard disk storage array. The Phantom Transfer Engine has been replaced with Bones software running on a Linux-based PC. First generation of DPX interface for data files was theoptical fiberHIPPI cables (up to 6 frame/s at 2K), the next generation interface is GSN-Gigabit Ethernet fiber Optic (up to 30 frame/s at 2K). GSN is also called HIPPI-6400 and was later renamed GSN (for Gigabyte System Network). The SAN hard disks are interfaces to by dual FC-Fibre Channel, cables. The newest DPX output interface isinfiniband.[7][8]
Most Spirit DataCines are controlled by aDa Vinci Systems color corrector, 2K or 2K Plus. Some are controlled byPandora International Pogle, some with a their MegaDEF or a Pixicolor grading system. A Spirit DataCine comes with a full function control panel that can be used for control and color grade.[2]
Ken Burns createdThe Civil War, a shortdocumentary film included in the DVD release, on how he used the Spirit DataCine to transfer andremaster the film.[9]
Spirit DataCines use acharge-coupled device Line Array – CCD for imaging.[10] In print mode a “white” light is shone through the exposed film image into a lens and then to prism, color glass separates out the image into the three primary colors, red, green and blue. Each beam of colored light is then projected at a different CCD, one for each color.[11] The CCD converts the light into an electrical signal that produces amodulatedvideo signal which iscolor corrected andsized so it can then be recorded ontovideo tape or astorage area network (SAN)hard disk array. Spirit DataCines can output to differentTV standards: (NTSC or PAL) orHDTV. The Spatial Processor can change the size of the image:pan and scan,letterbox or make otheraspect ratio androtation changes, also productinterlaced video if needed. The Spatial Processor also produces the2:3 pulldown, if needed for the format. An optionalScreamgrain reducer can reduce film grain in all three color channels.[7]
The image pick up device is asolid statecharge-coupled device. This eliminated the need forglassvacuum tubeCRTs used on older telecines. The units can transfernegative film,primetime,intermediate film and print film,stock. One option is a Super 8 gate for the transfer ofSuper 8 mm film. With a sound pick up option, optical16mm and 35mm sound can be reproduced, also16mm magnetic strip sound.[7] The unit can operate stand alone or be controlled by a scene by scenecolor corrector.
All Spirit DataCines use continuous transport motion, using acapstan and constantfilmtension. An optionaloptical audiopick up system can be mounted in the capstan. All Spirit DataCines use axenon lamp forillumination into a diffusion chamber to minimize dust andscratch visibility. With the standard 35mmlens gate: super 35 mm and academy 35 mm are supported. Also 2, 3, 4,perf are supported.VistaVision 8-perf and6 perf are an option. The unit comes with select-a-speed, this gives the section of afilm speeds from 2.00 frames per second to 57.00 fps in SDTV and 2.00 to 31.00 fps in HDTV interlace format. With the optional16mm lens gate standard 16mm and Super 16 mm are supported. With the 16mm lens gate an optionalSuper 8 mm film gate can be added. 16mm audio system also support 16mmmag or magnetic strip soundtrack on the motion picture would be picked up by a head and could be fed to anaudiosoundmixing console or to theVTR.[7]
TheRobert Bosch GmbH,Fernseh Div., which later becameBTS inc. –Philips Digital Video Systems,Thomson'sGrass Valley and now is DFT Digital Film Technology introduced the world's first CCD telecine in 1979, the FDL-60.[12][13][14][15] The FDL-60 was designed and made inDarmstadt West Germany, this was the first all solid state Telecine.[16] FDL is short forFilmDigitalLine. The FDL-60 uses a three CCD single-line array system, whereby three lines, Red Green Blue (RGB) each with 1,024 pixels per line to record a single line of the film image.[17] FDL60A uses threeFairchild SemiconductorCCD 133 CCDs for the image pickup. FDL60A released in 1979 used a 115 Volt lamp to light the film.[18] The FDL60B released in 1982 added improved video quality features to the FDL60. The FDL60C released in 1987 used a FairchildCCD 134 and a 24 volt light source. In 1983 an optional Grain Reduce was introduced by Bosch for the FDL-60, modelFDGR 60. This was the first all digital noise reducer. The FDL 60 could operate stand alone or with a color grade system. Bosch made a scene by scene color corrector, model FRP 60, as an option for the FDL-60.Da Vinci Systems also made the Wiz color corrector for the FD60. About 568 FDL-60 telecines were manufactured from 1979 to 1989. FDL 60 were ordered in PAL or NTSC or Secam, a few were multi standard by changing a few electronic circuit cards.[19][20]
Philips-BTS eventually evolved the FDL 60 into the FDL 90 in 1989 and then updated to the Quadra in 1993. These units were able to support super 35mm, super 16mm and super 8. The units were able to zoom and position the picture. The units outputted 4:4:4 digital video to feed acolor corrector like theDa Vinci Systems 888. The units also had an optional analog output. The film path was similar to the Spirit Datacine, but this was the only similarity. FDL 90 and Quadra used three FairchildCCD 181 CCDs. Both had an optional Pal/NTSC switchable option. Both were 3/4 perf switchable. Many FDL-90 were updated to have the Quadra electronic circuit cards improvements. A true Quadra had a new capstan position closer to the film gate and with a blue color deck.
A line of stand alone SDTVNoise/Grain Reducers were made for use on the FDL 90, later telecines and tape to tape use, models: DNR7, MNR9, MNR10, MNR11 and the VS4.[21]
In 1994 the FLH-1000 was demonstrated byBTS inc. This unit was never released for sale.[22][23] This was the first HDTV telecine. The FLH-1000 was improved – redesigned and released as the SDC 2000 – Spirit DataCine.[24] The Scanning system and CCDs were made by Kodak in New York. FLH-1000 and Spirit DataCine were a joint effort between Philips and Eastman Kodak. Beta sites for the FLH-1000 were: Producers Color inDetroit andChannel 4 inLondon.[19][25]
In 1996 Philips, working withKodak, introduced the Spirit DataCine (SDC 2000), which was capable of scanning the film image atHDTV resolutions and approaching2K (1920 Luminance and 960 Chrominace RGB) x 1556 RGB. The SDC 2000 Spirit DataCine uses two physical CCD, one for Chrominace and one for Detail/Luminance. The unit used two CCDs for improvedSignal to Noise ratio. The chroma CCD gave the unit high signal to noise ratio and the Luminance CCD gave the unit its high bandwidth. Inside the Luminance CCD are 4 electrical CCDs. In side the Chrominace are 3 electrical CCDs: red, green and blue. With the data option the Spirit DataCine can be used as amotion picture film scanner outputting2KDPXdata files as 2048 x 1556 RGB. The normal input data file standard isDPX. The data files are often used in DI –digital intermediate post-production using afilm recorder forfilm-out.[7] Thecontrol room for the telecine is called thecolor suite or sometimes a color bay. In a two years time span the Spirit DataCine took over the number one spot of telecines from RankCintel.[7]
In 1999 Philips introduces the VDC-2000-Specter the firstvirtual telecine. It is able to color correct, re-size and grain reduce 2K DPX files in real time. Used in DI work and to make multiple video formats off one film transfer scan (HDTV, PAL, NTSC, Pan scan, letter box...). This was accomplished by playing the DPX files back through the Spirit Datacine's process electronics and aPandora International'sMegaDef Colour Correction system.[27][28][29] This allowed the film to be scanned only once for all needed formats or be used on DI workflow.
In 1999 the SDC 2001 replaced the SDC 2000, the SDC 2001 had the addition of an optional 6 vector resolution independent color corrector. An optional RGB resolution independent film grain reducer also became available for both the SDC 2000 and SDCs 2001 called the Scream film grain reducer.[7] Scream film grain reducer is a resolution independent three channel RGB grain reducer. Scream can be used on the Spirit DataCine and the VDC.[2] Also in 2000 the firstD6 HDTV VTR is shown.[16][30]
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In 2000 the Shadow telecine was demonstrated by Philips. The Shadow (STE) is a Spirit DataCine without a Kodak front end (lens, optics and CCDs). This made for lower cost telecine transfers, good for SDTV and HDTV.[31][32]
In 2003 the SDC 2002 replaced the SDC 2001, the SDC 2002 had the addition of being GSN data output ready. Data interface, GSN-Gigabit Ethernet fiber Optic has speeds up to 30 frame/s at 2K. Also a Color Graphical Control (GCP) panel now came standard and replaced the monochrome functional control panel (FCP).[7][8][33]
In 2005 SDC 2K[34] Spirit DataCine was demonstrated by Thomson's Grass Valley,[35] The Scanning optic system are made by Kodak in NY. The CCD are made by Dalsa. SDC 2K has a full 2K (2048) RGBresolution. Like the SDC 200x the unit is made in Germany. SDC 2K Spirit DataCine uses three physical CCDs: red, green and blue. The optional RGB resolution independent Scream film grain reducer is now internal to the Datacine. The SDC 2K Spirit DataCine could be configured as just a data scanner output on a GSN fiber Optic with speeds up to 30 frame/s at 2K or just a video telecine (with a spatial processor) or both. TheDPXdata files are outputted to a BonesLinuxworkstation that is connected to a SAN.[16][36]
Same as the SDC 2K[1] Spirit DataCine but with the optional4k (4096) data scanning license, It can output 4k DPX files at 8 frames per second, SAN speed permitting. With the optional scaler the 4k CCD output could be used as an oversampled 2K output. The unit can also output 16 bit data.[16][36]
In 2007 the SDC HD[2] Spirit DataCine, that is similar to the SDC 2K Spirit DataCine and SDC 4K Spirit DataCine was introduced. The SDC HD can output HD and SDTV video from rack 2. As the spatial processor is now part of rack 2, eliminating the need for the many electronic cards in rack 3. The option Data interface output is now usinginfiniband fiber Optic, rather than GSN, 2nd generation SDC 2K-SDC 4K.[16][36]
In 2007 Bones Dailies was introduced, aLinux non-linear post-production software system. Bones Dailies can control alldailies production process: ingest to a SAN, up to 30 frame/s – faster than real-time and make color-graded Dailies masters. It has an audio ingest, audio syncing,ASC CDL based primary, and secondary color-correction. It will work in multiple formats: SD, HD, or 2K-4K material and can ingest content from the Spirit DataCine or other devices like video tape or digital acquisition cameras. Bones can also be used in avirtual telecine mode.[37][38]
On September 5, 2011, DFT announced a new product Flexxity. Flexxity is a suite of software for a host of post-production applications. Flexxity can process DPX, R3D, ARRIRAW, QuickTime clips, stereoscopic 3D support with stereo color matching and parallax adjustments, left and right eye synchronization and more. Flexxity has a unique fast image and audio synchronization feature.[41][42]
DFT – Digital Film Technology revealed its new film scanner at the 2009NAB Show, Scanity.[3] Scanity usesTime Delay Integration (TDI) line sensors andFPGA image processing. The TDI CCDs have 4300 horizontal active pixels, and up to 96 TDI lines, with a 6μ pixel size. Scanity uses a continuous film transport servo system, using a capstan and aLED light source. Transfer speeds are up to: 15 frame/s @ 4K, 25 frame/s @ 2K, 44 frame/s @ 1K, 69 frame/s @ 0.5K, 96 frame/s @ 0.25K. Scanity LED light sources is variable and programmable. Like all the telecines above it uses a continuous motion capstan film transport. New for scanity is the use of aninfrared CCD channel for dirt mapping.[43] Also new is large drum gate that give better performance with older film and the use of CCD camera to take pictures of the perf hole. The perf hole camera image is used for real time picture stabilization, thus no pins are used in the perf sprocket holes.[44]
The Scanity can be set to use just on edge of the perf sprocket hole. Scanity has a new optical audio scanning option for 16mm and 35mm, also 16 mag strip audio.[45][46][47][48][49][50][51]Dot Hill Systems as partnered with Digital Film Technology to capture 4k DPX files at 15 frames per second.[52][53] Scanity has an optionalInfrared-IR camera option. The IR camera channel can be used with the Scanity's optionalIR dirt and scratch removal system or be outputted on a four IR channel for downstream dirt and dirt and scratch removal systems. Popular downstream dirt and scratch removal systems are PF Clean andDigital ICE.[54][55]
At NAB in April 2014 DFT introduced the Scanity HDR. A Scanity withHigh-dynamic-range imaging option. The Scanity can scan very darkblack-and-white film with moredynamic range and lowernoise, using specialdigital processing. With the use oftriple exposure all at once, HDR scanning can be done without reducing the speed of the scan transfer, so 4k can still be scanned at 15pfs and 2K at real time, 24 fps. Scanity HDR bring out more details in black and white film.[56][57]
DFT has demonstrated and delivered a full immersionwet-transfer film gate for Scanity 16mm and 35mm film in 2015. The film is run through a tank of fluid. This both hides surface scratches in the film and helps clean the film. Full immersion also eliminates the risk ofbubbles appearing in the film optic path. The gate uses rollers, so the film is not at risk of scratches. At the gate exit, the film is dried.[58][59][60][61]
DFT introduced a new16 Plus gate in 2017. The new gate supports the many small film format gauges, likeSuper 8 film,8 mm film and9.5 mm film.[62]
DFT POLAR HQ is a native 8K archive film scanner released in 2023. DFT POLAR HQ is designed for new film and archive remastering film, able to putput both 4K and8K resolution.[63] DFT POLAR HQ has: Touchless film handling, Optical Pin Registration, Visible shuttle, Dual & Triple HDR modes, Keykode, full edge-to-edge scans, Diffuse light source, optional (IR) Infrared and optional Audio pick system.[64]
At NAB in April 2014 DFT introduced Phantom 2. This software is for outputting the Spirit Datacine's DPX files. Phantom 2 Transfer Engine software runs on a Linux computer and is used to record the DPX files from a Spirit DataCine with a data option. These files are then stored on a storage area network. A Phantom 2 can replace a Phantom one or Bones ingest system. Data interface output uses infiniband fiber optic,[65][66]
OXScan 14K is65mm film and70 mm film scanner at up to a depth of 16 bits, released in 2022. Able to outputTIFF and DPX files. File sizes for mastering has a max size of up to 14.3K horizontal and 10.7K vertical resolution. A 35mm gate is also available. File output can be DPX or TIFF 10 or 16 bit output. 65/70mm film is supported in both 5 perf and 15 perf. In 2024 the OXScan 14K was moved to the Prasad Studios line, no longer a DFT product.[67][68]
On December 9, 2016Digital Film Technology (dft), completed the acquisition ofSondor. Sondor products were manufactured inZollikon,Switzerland. Sondor was founded in 1952 by Willy Hungerbuehler. Sondor is noted as inventing the standard for bi-phase interlocking pulse signals tosyncsound to film. Current products:[69]
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