Scanner development advances with speed increases and new capabilities
At IBC 2004, FilmLight Ltd., pioneers of digital film technology, will reveal details of Northlight 2, a new higher speed version of the Northlight digital film mastering scanner. Planned for availability in mid 2005, Northlight 2 will feature a 4-6x increase in speed while maintaining its industry-leading quality. In addition, new features and options will further increase its capability and value for digital filmmaking applications.
Leading film labs, effects houses and post facilities worldwide have chosen the Northlight scanner as a high quality source for the digital mastering of entire feature films for current release and back catalogue preservation. Completely new sensor technology, optics and electronics will provide a 4-6X increase in scanning speed – the upcoming version will scan faster than two frames/second at 2K and 1 frame/second at 4K. The new 9K custom multi-tap TDI CCD sensors deliver the extra speed while providing the same quality that Northlight provides today.
Also new for Northlight will be an infrared option for dust busting and scratch removal. Customers can choose to add this option to their existing scanner, which will enable first-pass scratch removal during the scanning process, resulting in cleaner output.
FilmLight’s Commercial Director, Peter Stothart, said, “As more films are graded digitally the highest quality scanning has to happen at the highest speed. The easier we make it for facilities to move entire films to the digital environment, the easier it is for them to grade those films. The new Northlight 2 technology will deliver the quality and speed that people need at a price in line with industry economics.”
Availability
The Northlight scanner will continue to be available. Pricing begins at $460,000 USMSRP. Northlight 2 is planned for availability in mid 2005, as a new system and as an upgrade to the Northlight scanner and pricing will be announced at shipment.
About the Northlight Scanner
Northlight is a high quality, pin-registered digital film mastering scanner supporting 35mm, 65mm and 16mm formats. It has been used to scan films including Creep (LipSync Post), Alien vs. Predator (Cinesite), Chronicles of Riddick, The Village (Pacific Title), The Bourne Supremacy, Lemony Snicket’s a Series of Unfortunate Events (ILM), and many others for facilities worldwide.
Contact – Deepa Parbhoo ([email protected]) +44 20 7292 0400
