FRAME ACCURATE METADATA
ANY CAMERA. ANY LENS.
DCS defines a new industry standard by introducing the Lens Data Translator.
A revolutionary system to efficiently encode, stream and record frame by frame lens metadata in real time for cameras and virtual production software.
SMALL FOOT-PRINT, EASY TO RIG
COMPATIBLE WITH ANY DIGITAL OR FILM CAMERA USING ANY LENS
UNREAL ENGINE 4 COMPATABILITY
COMPATIBLE WITH A VARIETY OF REMOTE FOCUS SYSTEMS
MINIMAL POWER CONSUMPTION
NO ADDITIONAL MOTOR ENCODERS ON THE CAMERA
How does it work?
The LDT is connected directly to the Preston MDR or DXL CMotion FIZ module. It reads the Focus, Iris and Zoom motor movements and translates this information into compatible data for the host camera. This metadata is then written directly into the RAW camera files in real time. For virtual productions this information can also be live streamed into Unity or Unreal Engine 4.
Accurate frame by frame lens metadata is extremely valuable for many departments, both during production and post production. Having frame accurate lens metadata allows VFX to easily create CG elements in the correct focal plane.
If working with virtual production software, such as Unreal Engine, the LDT can stream live data. Meaning any adjustments made to the physical lens will be immediately reflected in the virtual set or LED wall.
The data is equally valuable on-set. For example, knowing the precise Focus, Iris and Zoom position of the lens for every single frame makes matching previously shot footage as accurate as possible.
LDTs are also a great tool for the camera department, script supervisors and VFX data wranglers, because all lens metadata is accurately recorded and overlaid to the on-set monitors in real time. There is no need to manually track (or guess!) the T-stop, focus distance and focal length of each shot.
Lens data is recorded directly inside the RAW camera files on compatible host cameras. This metadata is retained downstream in renders and can be used directly in post-production. Metadata can also be optionally exported as an CSV file or a human readable text file.
How do you know that the lens metadata is correct? Easy: LDT provides a frame accurate overlay in real time on the SDI feed. As an added bonus, the film model also converts a composite SD signal to HD-SDI. This avoids the need for a separate analogue to digital converter on camera.
Our Credits
Different devices for different cameras