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Silicon Imaging SI-2K User Manual

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SI-2K Digital Cinema Camera
User Manual
Thank you for purchasing this Silicon Imaging/P+S Technik
Product. Before operating this unit, please read the Instruc-
tions carefully to ensure best possible performance.
Art.No. 22709 v0807

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Summary of Contents for Silicon Imaging SI-2K

  • Page 1 SI-2K Digital Cinema Camera User Manual Thank you for purchasing this Silicon Imaging/P+S Technik Product. Before operating this unit, please read the Instruc- tions carefully to ensure best possible performance. Art.No. 22709 v0807...
  • Page 2 SI 2K Manual...

  • Page 3: Introduction

    Introduction The SI-2K Digital Cinema Camera and SI-2K Mini Camera Head are camera systems operating in conjunction with SiliconDVR software. SiliconDVR Software controls the SI-2K Mini from either the Recording Unit or a PC Laptop/Workstation. Silicon DVR is preinstalled on the Recording Unit and auto-starts by switching on the Recording Unit.

  • Page 4: Important Safety Instructions

    Important Safety Instructions Read all of these instructions carefully. Keep these instructions. Heed all warnings. Follow all instructions. Do not use this apparatus near water. Clean only with dry cloth. Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufac- turer’s instructions.
  • Page 5 FCC NOTE This device complies with Part 15 of CAUTION the FCC Rules. To assure continued RISK OF ELECTRONIC SHOCK compliance follow the attached instal- DO NOT OPEN lation instruction and do not make any unauthorized modifications. CAUTION This equipment has been tested and TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK, found to comply with the limits for a DO NOT REMOVE COVER (OR BACK).
  • Page 6 SafetyInstructions SI 2K Manual...

  • Page 7: Contact Information

    Contact Information Contact Information Web Support: http://www.siliconimaging.com/DigitalCinema/ http://www.pstechnik.de/en/digitalfilm-sik.php Support Forum: http://www.siliconimaging.com/support_forum/index.php In the U.S.A.: Silicon Imaging Inc. 17534 Von Karman Avenue Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92614-6208 Phone: 949-650 1766 Sales: hd@siliconimaging.com Support: support@siliconimaging.com Worldwide : P+S TECHNIK GmbH Siemensstraße 12 D-85521 Ottobrunn / München GERMANY...
  • Page 8 ContactInformation SI 2K Manual...

  • Page 9: Table Of Contents

    Contact Information ................6 Table Of Contents ................7 Chapter Delivery Content ................11 Chapter Mechanical Specifications ............13 SI-2K Mini Camera Head ............. 13 SI-2K Recording Unit ..............14 Chapter Quick Start Guide................17 Mechanical Preperation ............... 18 Inputs & Outputs ................20 Recording Data & Storage ............23 Start the Camera ................

  • Page 10: Table Of Contents

    10 TableOfContents SI 2K Manual...

  • Page 11: Delivery Content

    Delivery Content Thank you for choosing SI-2K Digital Cinema Camera products. Please check your delivery content with the following parts and accessories listing and your order confirmation: SI-K Mini Camera Head (#000) • SI-2K Mini Camera Head equipped with the IMS (Interchangeable Mount System) •...
  • Page 12 1 DeliveryContent SI 2K Manual...

  • Page 13: Mechanical Specifications

    BACK IMS Interchangeable Mount System (for Mounts: PL, B4, Nikon, Canon etc.) 2/3“ CMOS Sensor 2K with Optical Low Pass Filter SI-2K Mini Camera Head Serial number SI-2K MINI LEFT Lemo 8-pin Socket „PWR / CTRL“ 1) IMS Interchangeable Mount System (+12V DC Power Supply / Multicam Sync Signal) 2) 2/3"...
  • Page 14 81mm 81mm 36mm 36mm 280,50 20,22 Sensor surface to P+S Technik IMS 14 MechanicalSpecifications SI 2K Manual...

  • Page 15: Si-2K Recording Unit

    SI-2K Recording Unit 1) SI-2K Mini tray with Camera Head connectors and locker bars 2) Hirose 12-pin (+Batt power) 3) Lightweight support prepared for 15 mm rods 4) Handle with vIewfinder holder mechanics 5) Anton Bauer Gold Mount (Battery Mount)
  • Page 16 1 MechanicalSpecifications SI 2K Manual...

  • Page 17: Quick Start Guide

    Quick Start Guide SI-2K Mini Camera Head The SI-2K Mini is a small camera head with a 2/3” single chip CMOS sensor working with a Bayer pattern. The frame size is 10.24mm x 5.76mm (w x h) (16mm frame: 10.3mm x 7.5mm) (w x h).

  • Page 18: Mechanical Preperation

    Mechanical Preparation Mounting the SI-2K Mini camera head The SI-2K Mini is mounted (i.e. to the SI-2K Mini Rig, to the ergonomic hand grip or a tripod) either from the top or bottom by 1/4”x20 mounting holes. Two mounting holes are provided along with one alignment hole.
  • Page 19 Mounting Accessories to the SI-2K Recording Unit The bottom mount on the SI-2K matches a Sony Quick-Lock mounting plate. With a baseplate the Recording Unit can be adapted to various oth- er systems like 16 mm and 35 mm bridge plates available from Silicon Imaging and P+S Technik.

  • Page 20: Inputs & Outputs

    NETWORK connector to a workstation or laptop computer. For operation tethered to an SI-2K Recording Unit, a special tether cable is used with integrated power and data over the single NETWORK connector. The purpose of this is to minimize cabling involved in POV shooting.
  • Page 21 , shut down Windows properly using the Shutdown Icon in your SI Folder. Front 1-pin Hirose connector The 12-pin hirose on the front of the SI-2K provides power input for B4 lens servo motors mounted on the camera using the B4 lens adapter. Monitoring Monitoring option with the SI-2K should be conceived as pure Video-Assist Function.
  • Page 22 SiliconDVR user interface. The HDMI Port at the SI-2K Recording Unit carries a DVI Signal (1280 x 720 @ 60Hz). By using off-the- shelf HDMI to DVI Converters every kind of DVI Monitor can be fed.

  • Page 23: Recording Data & Storage

    - a male RJ-45 connector for input into a computer or a laptop or the LAN 1 connector on the backside of the SI-2K recorder unit - a female Lemo for tethered use with an SI-2K Recorder Unit – in this case power for the SI-2K Mini head is provided via the same cable The maximum length of the connection is 30 m when the camera head is pow- ered through this connection and 100 m if only data is transferred.
  • Page 24 IMPORTANT: If you want to use additional USB recording devices on the SI-2K please al- ways add and remove them on and from the RUNNING SYSTEM (hot plug). Do NOT perform a reboot with any USB storage device attached to the SI-2K!! For more information please refer to the chapter Notes on Write Protection Filter.

  • Page 25: Start The Camera

    (such as when only the electronic viewfinder is used). In addition USB operating tools like a computer mouse, track ball or keyboard can be used with the SI-2K Recording Unit when connected to the USB con- nectors at the rear of the camera. Create a Project After Silicon DVR has started, browse to UTILITY MENU >...
  • Page 26 IMPORTANT: Please note, that the software is designed for cross system use. That means that functionality could exceed recording systems which are restricted in per- formance. That makes the system futureproof in terms of upgrade options, but the user has to be careful in choosing settings. Inside SiliconDVR go to UTILITY MENU/CAM PREFS to access Recording and View Settings.
  • Page 27 SET BLACK operations performs. Furthermore, Altasens CMOS sensor designs exhibit extremely low amounts of fixed pattern noise, further enabling the SI-2K to maintain clean blacks after a calibration operation. After a SET BLACK operation, SiliconDVR saves the black frame for that reso- lution on the disk, so that it can be recalled the next time you boot the program or swich modes.
  • Page 28 SiliconDVR and Operating System SiliconDVR Software is a Windows Application. The SI-2K Digital Recording Unit runs an embedded Windows Version. SiliconDVR Interface has been designed to record and playback files and to embed metadata such as non-destructive colour information or timecode.
  • Page 29 Note: The on-screen Hotspots inside the picture area are touch sensitive for quick access tools for focus and exposure control. The picture below shows the arrangement of the hot spots. For a detailed ex- planation of tools and the menu structure of SiliconDVR in general refer the the chapter SiliconDVR >...
  • Page 30 DVR\Data\*.look Exposure Control ISO Rating The CMOS sensor in the SI-2K is approximately „daylight“ balanced for 5600K at ISO 160. When shooting green-screen or blue-screen footage, in order to prevent higher digital gains (that in-turn produce higher noise) in the blue and green channels in order to match the response of the red channel, it is suggested to shoot with daylight balanced light-sources.

  • Page 31: Silicondvr Software

    There are two levels of software activation required for a fully operational work- flow: the CineForm RAW encoder that works in conjunction with the SI-2K DVR application to encode the video stream, and the CineForm editing tools for your editing suite.
  • Page 32 SI-2K Recording System with Silicon DVR Software installed to pre- vent misuse or Virus Attacks. (Recording Unit or Laptop/Workstation). If you would like to deactivate or reactivate licenses on the SI-2K Recording Unit follow these steps: Run ActivateRaw.exe C:\Program Files\ CineForm\CineformRAW-2K-Codec\ActivateRaw.exe...
  • Page 33 In normal operation mode the Write Filter MUST be “enabled” all the time – otherwise you run into danger of a corrupted software image and therefore a complete breakdown of your SI-2K camera. Even with enabled write protection you can change all settings within the SiliconDVR software.
  • Page 34 “fbwfmgr”. Restriction when using USB storage for recording There is a conflict between the BIOS setting of the SI-2K camera and the Write Protection Filter on the system drive (CF Card - path c:\). So when attaching an additional USB recording Device (like a USB thumb drive/ USB stick/ USB HDD) besides the SATA drive in the internal 2.5“...
  • Page 35 When using the integrated SI-2K camera, when the SI-2K Mini is detached from the front of the SI-2K, SiliconDVR can still be used for recording on up to three total computers (including the SI-2K Recording Unit). To record with the same SI-2K Mini on a workstation or laptop, a second CineForm RAW soft- ware license must be procured from Silicon Imaging.

  • Page 36: Silicondvr User Interface

    SiliconDVR User Interface SiliconDVR consists of three main user interface screens to make general set- tings, operate the camera and playback recorded clips. In the following the three menu screens UTILITY MENU, MAIN MENU and PLAYBACK MENU and their tools are described in order of first use. The Status Information is visibly in all three menu screens.

  • Page 37: Utility Menu

    Utility Menu Always leave the MAIN MENU and go to the UTILITY MENU, when you first start the camera to make the basic settings and create a project name. Ac- cess the UTILITY MENU from the upper right corner of the MAIN MENU. Each time the Record mode is entered, a new file will be created in the Project directory with a file name of the project followed by a timestamp.
  • Page 38 Quality 4) 3.5:1, or approximately 18-20MB/s from a 2K/24P stream at 0db gain. Quality 3) 5:1 compression, or approximately 15-16MB/s from a 2K/24P stream at 0db gain. Quality 2) 8:1 compression (approx), or approximately 10MB/s from a 2K/24P stream at 0db gain. Quality 1) 10:1 compression, or approximately 8MB/s from a 2K/24P stream at 0db gain.
  • Page 39 Project Setup The Open Project and New Project buttons allow the user to create a new project or open a previously existing project. • New Project The project setup screen selects the location for the main project file (<proj- ect>.sil) and all of the individual captures. The project can be stored on any drive - exepect the system drice C:\ - with a drive letter mapped into the system representing an internal, external or network share as long as the continuous throughput to the drive is at least 15MB/sec.

  • Page 40: Color Bars

    GUI interfacing. This should only be done as suggested by P+S and Load Firmware The firmware in the SI-2K Mini can be updated in the field. On occasion the op- erator may be provided by SI with a file. This file is pointed to by Load Firmware and will be automatically sent to the SI-2K Mini head for updating.

  • Page 41: Main Screen

    Main Operation Menu Black Setting During the initial use, the software will detect a lack of a black reference im- age and automatically requests the capture of a reference: Completely cover the lens and click on OK. This performs two functions. First, the image black level is set for every pixel.

  • Page 42: Shutter Control

    Resolution/Frame Rate The standard resolutions supported are 2K (2048x1152 / 2048x1080 / 2048x856 ), 1080p (1920x1080), 720p (1280x720), 540p (960x540). For 2K, the supported frame rates are 23.976 and 24fps. For 1080p, the sup- ported frames rates are the same as 2K plus 29.97 and 30fps. For 720p, the frame rate is currently 72fps.
  • Page 43 RAM Buffer Indicator The buffer space allocated in the CAM PREFS menu is used to buffer the in- coming video. This buffer space is shown visually and numerically. When the buffer is filled, the recording operation will stop. No data to that point will be lost but no further data can be recorded until the buffer is emptied to disk.
  • Page 44 Edge-Based Focus Assist When the focus assist is enabled, a real-time Sobel edge detector is run. As an edge in the picture turns redder, it is in better focus. This is because the edge is sharper. This does not mean that the smoother areas are out of focus, just that they have no well defined edges.
  • Page 45 Histogram A real-time histogram is displayed across the bottom of the image. Individual channels of red, blue and green are shown. This is a total histogram of the image showing the number of pixels (vertical axis) vs. the digital value from dark to bright on the horizontal axis.

  • Page 46: Operating Menu

    Additional Tools Spot Meter/Loupe A 10 pixel by 10 pixel section of the display is enlarged with a 4x zoom. This spot meter shows the average luminosity within the enlarged area. If a white balance is done while the spot meter is active, only the white region within the loupe is used for the white balance.

  • Page 47: Look Control

    Look Control Set Look and Look Library The SET LOOK command opens the LOAD CAMERA LOOK LIBRARY. Inside this library control panel are a selection of up to 4 .looks that can be loaded and quickly selected between, and also controls for modifying those looks, select- ing preview and record LUT‘s, and managing which .look files are placed inside of a project‘s folder for inclusion with recorded files.
  • Page 48 There are two important columns of note in the LOOK LIBRARY, the REC and VIEW selection columns. When the ENABLE SEPARATE PREVIEW LUT check-box is selected, this allows the end-user to select a different .look file for recording and embedding as metadata in the header of the AVI/QT file, versus what will be viewed on screen.

  • Page 49: Iridas Color Correction Mode

    IRIDAS Color Correction Mode Hitting the MODIFY button in the LOOK LIBRARY will open up the IRIDAS color-correction control panel. This control panel has a powerful set of compre- hensive controls that allows the end-user to color-correct the preview image in real-time to obtain the look for the image they desire in-camera.
  • Page 50 Right-clicking on any of the color-adjustment widgets activates a „virtual track- ball“ mode. This allows the user to move the mouse around like a trackball control for fine increments of the image. This is especially effective with the color-hue wheels in CONTROL SET 1. To exit the virtual trackball mode, right- click a second time.
  • Page 51 Keyer Module The Keyer mode in the IRIDAS color correction panel is a special mode that allows users to preview keys on-set in the context of the subject they are shoot- ing. Keys can be set on either green or blue-screen using a real-time RGB difference keyer, and backgrounds can be composited behinds subjects to give the shooter an indication of how a final key and composite in post will look.
  • Page 52 The RGB difference keyer works on a „threshold“ principal, where the lower the threshold, the more green or blue is keyed out. The general workflow is that the user picks the screen color using the GREEN or BLUE buttons, and then reduces the threshold until a proper key is made.

  • Page 53: Shooting With The Si-K

    2K images. B4-Mount Because the SI-2K is a single chip camera, from an optical point of view, it behaves more like a film camera than typical 3 chip cameras. The B4 adapter includes optics to correct for the color path length that is inherent in 3 chip digital camera systems.

  • Page 54: Cleaning Optics

    Next a soft lens brush can be used to dislodge particles. If this fails to properly clean the optics, a liquid optic cleaner and lens tissue, micro fiber cloth or lintless lens swab can be used with care. 4 ShootingwiththeSI-2K SI 2K Manual...

  • Page 55: Exposure Control

    Exposure Control Introduction And RAW Pipeline At the heart of the SI-2K camera system is an Alta- Sens 2/3" CMOS sensor with an overall dynamic CMOS Sensor range of 69 db from the noise floor to white-clip. Using an on-board A/D converter, data is con-...
  • Page 56 DP to see exactly where on the scale of 0%-100% a pixel value is exposed at, rather than thresh- old values which would only show what given zone a pixel is being exposed at.  ShootingwiththeSI-2K SI 2K Manual...
  • Page 57 RAW data level. Nominal Exposure Control The RAW 10-bit log curve of the SI-2K camera delivers over 11 f-stops of dynamic range. By nominally exposing the native log curve at an ISO of 320 under a 3200K light-source and 250 under a 5600K light-source, 4.7 f-stops of dynamic range can be visualized between an 18% middle grey card and the highlight clip point.
  • Page 58 ADC. Using .look 3D LUT files The SI-2K camera system has an integrated 3D LUT engine that utilizes IRIDAS .look files and color-correction data from Speedgrade OnSet. By exporting a DPX color image to Speedgrade using the SAVE IMAGE button (see Chapter...

  • Page 59: Technical Specifications

    Technical Specifications Digital Cinema Initiatives Compliant K Digital Cinema Camera • 2/3" 16:9 high-dynamic range CMOS Imaging sensor with 5um pitch • Full-raster, 2K DCI-compliant resolution progressive scan sensor • Direct-to-Disk Recording • AVI and Quicktime files compatible with widely spread Cineform De coders and Iridas Products •...
  • Page 60 • Cineform 3.5 : 1 compression 10 bit Log • uncompressed recording mode 12 bit Lin • Auto-file naming and project management with metadata • Up to 4 hours of recording on 160GB HDD in highest quality mode Metadata-Manage Color Pipeline • Industry ’s first complete color-managed pipeline from acquisition through post •...
  • Page 61 • 2-4x Digital Focus Assist • 4x Loupe and integrated spot meter and focus tool • Safe-zone Markers for 16:9 / 4:3 / 1.85:1 / 2.35:1 • Virtual VTR interface • File management and metadata capabilities Audio and SMPTE Timecode Support • L/R balanced line-level inputs with 16-bit/48Khz sampling •...
  • Page 62  TechnicalSpecifications SI 2K Manual...

  • Page 63: Dealer And Partner Contacts

    Dealer and Partner Contacts In the U.S.A.: Silicon Imaging Inc. 17534 Von Karman Avenue Suite 200 Irvine, CA 92614-6208 Phone: 949-650 1766 Sales: hd@siliconimaging.com Support: support@siliconimaging.com In Europe: P+S TECHNIK GmbH Siemensstraße 12 D-85521 Ottobrunn / München GERMANY Tel +49 (0)89 45 09 82 30...

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