Popular test charts that fit in your briefcase!

Mini-Charts

Camette's, Camfocus and White'n Warm 

Don't underestimate the importance of resolution and backfocus, especially in HD

The CamAlign Story

A New Approach to Front-Lit Test Charts

CamAlign™ is a very different kind of test chart designed to optimize the performance of today's HD/SD cameras.  Developed Ten years ago for the space program. CamAligns are now widely used in broadcasting and digital cinematography, both in camera alignment and as an on-the-set test targets.  CamAligns are extremely accurate, high dynamic range, test charts that combine precision with practicality.

CamAlign - is a Multipurpose tool used:

CamAligns Help:

• Shoot richer-looking pictures and achieve optimal tonal reproduction.  CamAlign's unique smooth surface and wide dynamic range illuminates more consistently and provides true black levels typical of those in a scene. Optional "CaviBlack" DSC's unique 3-D cavity black provides the ultimate black level.  

• Make shadows neutral, every time.  DSC patented DSC technology helps users reproduce grays faithfully through the entire tonal range, because every gray tone is designed to be spetrophotometrically neutral.  

• Match cameras quickly and easily to current ITU-R 709/SMPTE 274M Colorimetry.  All CamAligns (except FrontBox series) include calibration sheets, simulations and instructions.  Following good engineering practice, all DSC primary vector colors are at a saturation level lower than the 75% electronic color bar, but higher than typical real world colors.  From 1966 until May 2007 all DSC colors were designed to produce a combination of 80 and 40 IRE units (560 and 280mV). These numbers were chosen because in the early days many high-end clients used RGB waveform levels to adjust color as this produces more accurate color reproduction by automatically setting the correct luma level for each color. For those using vectorscopes the 80/40 split produced a gain factor of 1.875. This was also convenient for vectorscope users because simply increasing the variable gain to position the vectorscope burst on the horizontal axis opposite the outer corner of the yellow box resulted in the 1.875 factor.  With the switch to digital, in May 2007, because most clients used vectorscope's for color adjustment and some digital scopes only featured X2 and X5 fixed gain settings all DSC colors were changed slightly to produce a combination of 78.75/41.25 IRE (551.25 and 288.75mV) this resulted in the simple X2 vectorscope gain. It should be noted that while most users prefer and use this setting, a few individuals while using this as an accurate reference point, then make some modification to develop their own unique "look".

• Realize the full potential of your HD and SD cameras!  CamAligns are available in combined HD/SD (16:9/4:3) or SD format in Maxi,  Senior, Standard and Junior.  CamAlign's ideal for the shop, studio, stadium and truck.

• Set up your CamAligns in seconds with CamStands.   Level and tilt charts instantly, using a standard 5/8" lamp stand - with innovative, fully-adjustable CamStand and CamStandle.   

• Protect your investment - tough, easy-care charts go everywhere you go.  CamAligns mounted on aircraft aluminum (1/16 in, 1.6mm thick), have protective flexible edging.  Dust and fingerprints wipe off quickly with a damp cloth.  Store and carry your charts in soft-sided CamFolders. 

• Make better looking images come rain or shine!   Treated with a clear protective laminate, CamAligns are virtually weather proof - ideal for location shooting.

• Prices are affordable, trade-in options attractive.  Ask about quantity discounts, and periodic trade show specials.  Trade in charts after one year, and receive a 15-30% discount on their replacements (discount depends on number traded in).

• CamAlign charts are your environmentally friendly choice.   Major components are recycled on trade-in.

• This page contains information about regular CamAlign Chip Charts only!  Please see Front Box Series Charts for DSC's economical and compact production charts.  Please see White'nWarm Card Sets for DSC's camera white and "warm balancing" system.  Please see CamFocus Cards for DSC's backfocus star and white balance cards.

Align with CamAlign - and See the Difference!

Patterns include crossed grayscales, ITU-R BT.709 vector colors, skin tones, multibursts, hyperbolics, flare and monitor registration and backfocus - in various combinations.  4:3 or combined 16:9/4:3 models.  All charts include operating instructions and CamAligns (except FrontBox Series Charts) include individual calibration sheets.

CamAlign Charts are Smooth Operators

CamAlign's smooth surface has visible reflections in it if charts are set up incorrectly.  A problem?  No, as it's easy to eliminate these reflections by slightly tilting the chart forward. AntiReflect and CamStand are accessories for expediting and optimizing chart use.

Flare is the reason we make CamAlign charts with a smooth surface, not a matte one.  Our tests indicate that, while cameras see flare on matte-surface test charts, the technicians aligning them often don't.  An elusive and insidious problem, flare can make charts generate inconsistent and misleading information - resulting in serious gamma errors and crushed blacks.  A reduced dynamic range adversely affects both tonal reproduction and color saturation.

However, in some multiple camera situations matte charts may be preferable and CamAlign charts are available in matte finish by special order.  Bear in mind that matte charts cannot be cleaned or washed and damage easily.

Find out more about using CamAlign charts in maintenance and production, in these articles:

"DSC CamAlign is Key to HD Production"  (Reprinted from TV Technology, Feb '01 issue)
"Using Reference Test Objects: From Camera Setup Through Post-Production"  (Reprinted from the SMPTE Journal, Feb '01 issue)

Looking for incredibly accurate rear-lit test transparencies and illuminators? 
 Click here for DSC's Ambi/Combi System!

Go to "What Users Say" and read about the industry's leading CamAlign users!

DSC test products are covered by one or more patents, others pending.  Liability of DSC Laboratories is limited to the replacement of test products purchased from DSC.