UHD vs 3.2K

[Elliott Balsley]

From what I understand, shooting UHD on the mini is basically the same as shooting 3.2K and up-rezzing in post. Is this true? Then I suppose the only benefit to shooting UHD instead of 3.2K is a simpler workflow in some cases. Is there any other benefit to the UHD to justify the larger file sizes?

[Jan Heugel]

Dear Elliott,

you are right, ease of workflow (pre-upscaled vs. post-upscale) and running length on the card are the two arguments at hand.

Best,
Jan

[Elliott Balsley]

Okay. That makes the choice easy for me.
Are you aware of any content producers demanding their content be originated in true 4K? I have heard that Netflix allows Alexa UHD, but they do not allow 3.2K; not for technical reasons, but to avoid being sued, since they are advertising an "all 4K" pipeline.

[Jan Heugel]

Hey Eliott,

I'm not an expert in acceptance demands, but having a quick look at the Netflix Originals TS, they state that the footage must be delivered at 3840x2160 or 4096x2160 respectively. That is possible with ALEXA Mini, AMIRA and ALEXA SXT

In the 4K Workflow Document they write:

Camera acquisition higher than 4K is acceptable (i.e. 5K or 6K).

Best,
Jan

[Steve Conry]

Unfortunately in another article they explicitly say the camera needs to have a true 4K sensor and list acceptable cameras--leaving Alexa's off.



It is pretty widely known that while some studios, such as Amazon, are using Alexa because of the general image quality and dynamic range advantages is has over other cameras, Netflix has taken a hard line that it's true 4K or bust for originals. I believe that content that was shot on Alexa but not commissioned specifically as an Original from its conception will still be considered, regardless of format.

http://www.arri.com/news/news/leading-the-way-with-hdr/

The great irony is that you know many cinematographers prefer the Alexa over other cameras (partly for its softer look) and yet you have a studio forcing them to use another camera based on resolution. What do the cinematographers often do? They use filters and lenses to soften the image--delivering a file that's from a "true 4K" sensor, but likely at or below the Alexa's 3.2k starting point.

http://www.theasc.com/ac_magazine/Decem ... /page2.php

http://www.panavision.com/marco-polo-ad ... e-approach

And then of course they compress the images so much that even in "4K" they aren't coming near displaying the image quality Alexa is capable of.

That said, I imagine Alexa 65 is more than acceptable for Netflix so that list of cameras might be a little out of date

[Jan Heugel]

Steve,

In the end, it is all about super-killer-good-content. Content is king

Jan

[Steve Conry]

Very true!