Development of Electronic Camera Systems Using Progressive Scanning

A current trend in media production is the use of electronic camera systems that capture moving images using “progressive scanning” techniques as a replacement for film. Testing in both the lab and field are refining these systems to make them adequate for the needs of episodic television. The overarching goal is to develop an imaging system that combines the natural qualities of film while taking advantage of the immediacy and efficiency of electronic (video) imaging systems. Some of the natural qualities of film are high spatial resolution, wide dynamic range (latitude), color gamut, and archivability. Image capture systems are limited in resolution and latitude by the conversion of optical images to electronic signals. Thus the requirement for a new imaging system is to be better than the video system employed for mastering. The approach was to study this application from the ground up to determine goals, then survey existing and near-future image technology. Once the best fit from a goals/technology standpoint was decided, the next step was to develop prototype camera systems. Further testing, both in the lab and in the field, refined the prototype and led to creation of the first production camera systems. Each of these steps, and the results, will be described in detail, as will issues related to p24 production such as lenses, lighting, depth of field, shutter angle, overcranking, undercranking, and viewfinders.

Print ISSN

0036-1682

Published

2002-06

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J16359