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The
CamAlign Story
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CamAligns on Location
A CamAlign
ColorBar/GrayScale hits the track
in Valencia, Spain.
Photo
courtesy of Michael Brennan.
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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:
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In the Lab - to evaluate cameras
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In the Studio - to set-up and match
cameras
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On-the-Set - as a production test
standard
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In Post Production - to optimize image
quality
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CamAligns Help:
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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.
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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.
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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".
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Make better looking images come rain or shine!
Treated with a clear protective laminate, CamAligns
are virtually weather proof - ideal for location
shooting.
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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).
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CamAlign charts are your environmentally friendly
choice. Major components are recycled on
trade-in.
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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. |