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4K Multi-Camera Shoots
For most multi-camera productions shooting in a pure 4K environment is
expensive and not worth the added cost. Many shows use 4K media
recording at the cameras, but monitor the cameras using convectional
HD-SDI. This allows the Director and Producers to see high quality
HDTV images from each camera, plus an HD-SDI line cut can be made
using certain models of switcher that create an EDL (Edit Decision List)
which can be imported into NLE (Non-Linear Editing) System.
Since most shows edit using proxies, shooting in an HD-SDI environment
is a natural alternative. It gives the director a clear view of
what the cameras are shooting, but reduces signal distribution costs
dramatically and allows the use of conventional Video Cable instead of
the more complex 4K alternatives.
The HD-SDI signal is of high enough quality that it can be used by the
Video Controller to color and shade the cameras, greatly reducing your
post-production color correction costs
This makes a 4K multi-camera shoot affordable without sacrificing
quality. I have a complete package spec sheet for shoots like this
and can offer you cost-effective 4 K multi-camera production for a
little more than a typical HD-SDI show.
4K Technology
Technology is always advancing and now HD-SDI HDTV is quickly being
overtaken by 4K HDTV. This technology is not a passing fad, but is
the future of broadcast and internet media distribution.
The technology requires enhanced media capture and far greater bandwidth
than typical copper cable can handle. Fiber Optics is going to
become the standard connection method, and with Fiber comes a huge
increase in the need for technical proficiency. Unlike Copper,
Fiber Optic Signals cannot be easily or cost-effectively split into
multiple paths.
When regular coax cable is used, you have to use 4 High Quality 75 Ohm
BNC Cables to deliver just one 4K stream, whereas a single Fiber Optic
Cable can deliver the media without compression. The signal can also be
sent on incredibly long lengths of cable without any distortion or loss
of signal.
But whenever Fiber Optics is included in the mix of signal connections,
the complexity of set up and distribution is greatly increased.
All Fiber Cables must be very clean, and the connections must match
precisely for ideal signal pass-through. This complexity can add
to the set up time because each fiber connection may have to be cleaned
and checked for quality of signal. With Fiber you either have a
connection or you don't. If there is any dirt on the connection
the signal will not be able to pass and the connection must be
thoroughly cleaned and evaluated.
One great advantage of fiber is that it can be multiplexed, so more than
one camera feed can go down a single fiber. This is especially
useful in environments such as a theater or arena where the signals have
to be sent to a remote control point. These same multiplexers can
also deliver data for camera control and add audio and intercom
communications.
The only thing slowing down the conversion to 4K is the enormous
infrastructure investments required by the media distribution companies.
The Cable and Broadcast Networks have not fully amortized their HD-SDI
upgrades and now they are being forced into a new media hierarchy that
is capital intensive.
As a producer you should always be looking to the future and the
immediate future is 4K HDTV. But further down the road there is
even higher definition, but it's influence on the market has not yet
been felt as much of the technology is not ready for full scale
manufacture.
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