What is /i Technology?

/i Technology is a metadata protocol that enables film and digital cameras to automatically record key lens and camera data for every frame shot. Equipment identification is by the serial number and lens type. Metadata includes focal length, zoom position, focus distance, near and far focus, hyper focal distance, T stop in 10ths of a stop and actual. It records in either metric or imperial and information may be adjusted for the chosen format.

The information is digitally recorded for every frame, at any frame rate up to 285 fps and is stored as metadata. Human error is eliminated because there is no longer a need for the script supervisor to manually write down lens settings for every shot.

How is the Cooke /i lens system implemented?

The electronics inside each /i lens connects to resistive sensing strips calibrated in absolute values. As soon as the power is applied, the data is available instantly without the need for an initialization procedure. The lens accepts specific commands that control the data output, including a continuous mode that can send a constantly updated data stream at up to 285 fps. For a manual with complete protocols and specifications, visit: imetadata.net or cookeoptics.com.

How is it used?

On set:
Equipment from the following manufacturers take advantage of being able to communicate directly with the lens to help them do their job better, faster and more accurately: Aaton, Angenieux, Arri, Avid, Cinematography Electronics, Cmotion, The Foundry, Mark Roberts Motion Control, The Pixel Farm, Preston Cinema Systems, RED, Service Vision, Silicon Imaging, Sony and Transvideo (list as of this writing). Transvideo monitors allows you the freedom of having a continuous remote readout of this data on the monitor.

For post production:
The data may be imbedded as metadata on cameras with /i capability, like the Sony F3, the RED One, the Alexa and the Epic.  Cameras such as the Sony F35 and Sony 9000PL record the data on a memory stick.  For cameras without the ability to store the metadata with the picture information, record onto your camera’s internal memory card or use the Cooke /idataLink to record the data onto its SD card. Retrieve the data on the memory card and sync the lens parameters for each frame via Timecode.

Why do I need it?

By ensuring that /i is used during production, having that dead-on, accurate frame-by-frame information, painlessly obtained, will save valuable and expensive time in post, because you just helped them take the guesswork out of the mix. Artists create visual effects and 3D models that are more accurate, with much greater speed. You achieve a better quality end product in less time. Everybody wins -- ACs, DPs, Directors, Producers, VFX Artists – EVERYBODY.

Really, how painless is it to set up?

Attach the lens to the camera and forget about it. The RED, the Sony F35 and F3 digital cameras, and Aaton Penelope and Arricam film cameras all have /i contacts in their lens mounts that will read your /i equipped lens. Easy. Normal operations on set are not affected. Metadata recording takes place without having to monitor or manipulate anything. Note that /i Technology provides the framework; the extent of camera data made available is the choice of the camera manufacturer via their software and software upgrades, so check with the camera manufacturer for details. (Direct customers as well to imetadata.net for information.)

What does the data record to?

Data records to digital or film recording medium or to a memory card. No specialists are required on set and the DP needn’t worry about fussing with complicated accessories. If the camera you use does not have /i contacts in the lens mount, then you use an /i dataLink box. This only applies to /i lenses with an external connector. The metadata will record onto an SD card that you pass through to post. This small box links via a supplied cable to the connector on the lens (see cookeoptics.com and imetadata.net for information about the idataLink).

Will /i interfere with Timecode?

The metadata is synced to Timecode.

Will the /i metadata remain intact through to post production?

Yes, if the equipment and software that is used in post respects metadata integrity. Avid Media Composer editing system takes lens metadata captured with /i and passes it through to VFX.

Can it benefit me when shooting 3D?

Yes. With systems like the Cmotion or Preston Cinema Systems motor controls, the /i metadata is used to automatically and precisely drive both lenses. As the electronic calibration of the /i metadata represents the exact optical parameters of the lenses like the focus setting and aperture, the two lenses are matched much more precisely than when driven in open loop without /i.

Why should I look for the /i Technology logo?

Products that display the “/i” logo, from acquisition through post, are compatible with all other /i Technology products. This means you can use your /i lens from Cooke, RED, Angenieux or DigiOptical with any other /i Technology product, confident of compatibility throughout the production process. The integrity of the metadata will be maintained.

 

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