D-cinema is 'big area in standards work'

Kisor: ‘Building on the core standards that have been completed’

September 10 2007

SMPTE is moving forward with its digital cinema standards efforts, particularly reflecting 3D and alternate framerates, reported society president Bob Kisor. This overall effort in digital cinema is also reflected in the society's participation in several related panels here at IBC, writes Carolyn Giardina. The organisation's DC 28 digital cinema committee has been actively developing digital cinema standards. "It's a big area in the standards work in relation to giving the industry a uniform platform to build products and distribute the content," explained Kisor, VP, engineering and technical services at Paramount Pictures. "It's actually gaining significant traction in the US and other parts the world including Europe and Asia. Standards issues are being visited worldwide to facilitate an interchange of content," said Kisor. He reported that the society is currently working on inclusion of alternate framerates beyond 24 and 48, which was in the organisation's DC 28 digital cinema standards. "There's a study group that has published a report, and that will help generate standard recommendations for final approval," related Kisor. "They encompass 25, 30, 50 and 60 framerates. There are others that have been discussed. [These framerates] are for being able to project legacy work and alternative content, in addition to first run features." Reflecting a key topic at IBC, Kisor reported that the work has started toward developing standards for 3D digital cinema. "They should move much faster because it is building on the core group of standards that have been completed," he said. The next SMPTE DC28 committee meeting is scheduled for 25-27 September.

http://www.ibc.org/cgi-bin/enews_cms.cgi?story_no=91&issue=11