DALSA Reinforces Leadership in 4K Motion Picture Capture

DALSA has announced today that it is expanding its 4K motion picture product line to include new 4K camera models, an on-board 4K data recorder and new 4K anamorphic lenses. The new products will be on display at the upcoming 2007 National Association of Broadcasters.

These new products are expected to be available over the next year, solidifying DALSA's reputation as an international leader in high-end digital imaging, and a pioneer of 4K digital acquisition.

In the announcement Rob Hummel, President of DALSA Digital Cinema LA is quoted saying “Basically, we’re talking about the ability to shoot at 4K resolution, 16-bit, uncompressed, untethered, using the highest quality anamorphic lenses. I think cinematographers will be particularly thrilled that, for the first time, a digital camera will be able to capture the CinemaScope 2.40:1 aspect ratio without compromising image quality.”

These new products, to be showcased at NAB 2007, include the following:

DALSA Evolution™ 4K Camera, a smaller form factor model that incorporates a real optical viewfinder and a new live HD/SDI output feature for enhanced on-set monitoring and direct HD recording if desired. To be available early 2008.

The DALSA Origin® II is a new 4K cinematography camera based on the original award-winning Origin® camera. The newly updated model features DALSA’s latest generation CCD image sensor and includes new ease of use features such as 24 reference white balance curves/display LUTs and an enhanced "Visualize" on-set image analysis toolset.

Flashmag™ is a unique untethered solution for recording RAW, uncompressed 4K data from the Origin II and Evolution 4K cameras. Based on high speed, non-volatile, solid-state memory, the DALSA-designed compact device captures 20 minutes of RAW, 16-bit, uncompressed 4K data or 40 minutes of RAW, mathematically-lossless data. The recorder also doubles as a fully portable playback device for on-set review of dailies.

DALSA is expanding its own line of high performance PL-mount cine lenses to include new 4K Anamorphic lenses. Built for DALSA by Eric Peterson of A&S Precision and designed by legendary lens designer Dan Sasaki, the new anamorphic models will give cinematographers the unique opportunity to shoot anamorphic widescreen digitally using the full resolution capability of DALSA’s frame-transfer CCD image sensor.

See DALSA's news center, as well as there dedicated 4K Digital Cinema website for details. On a side note, DALSA's new digital cinema website has links to a number of 4K / digital cinema related white papers and primes.