Digital Moving-Picture Exchange: File Format and Calibration

Eastman Kodak Co. has developed a high-resolution electronic intermediate system for the motion-picture industry that scans and digitizes motion-picture film images. The images are interactively manipulated on a computer-based workstation and then recorded back to motion-picture film. The film scanner, recorder, and workstation are collectively called the Cineon Digital Film System. The services provided by this system are available at a facility known as Cinesite Inc. Because the inputs and outputs of this facility could be digital images on some type of magnetic media as well as film images, there is a need to establish a file format standard for digital moving-picture exchange. This article will examine image attributes that are important to the industry, thus highlighting the need for a common file format that is easy to read and understand. The features of this file format, which was created by the SMPTE Working Group on Digital Pictures, will be described. Finally, a brief explanation of the color calibration steps and color pixel representation for the Cineon Digital Film System will be provided.