Weisscam
Encyclopedia
The Weisscam Company manufactures digital high-speed cameras. The cameras are mainly used in commercials, imagefilms and in shootings of athletic activities.
The Weisscam Company was founded by Director of Photography (DoP) Stefan Weiss.
Starting the development of the first prototype of WEISSCAM HS-1 and using this camera for international commercials.
2006–2007
After many successful highspeed shootings with the very first prototype, WEISSCAM in cooperation with P+S Technik developed and launched a completely redesigned camera for the international market.
2007–2008
With the set experience of the HS-1, WEISSCAM started the development of the next generation with the aim to create a standalone camera, which is able to work in both „worlds“: HD SDI
and RAW. This development created a whole product family: WEISSCAM HS-2 Camera, WEISSCAM DM-2 Digimag, WEISSCAM DBB Debayerbox, WEISSCAM HU-2 Handunit.
2009
After more than 2 years of development WEISSCAM launched the new complete product family on the international market with P+S Technik.
WEISSCAM HS-1 includes the camera HS-1, the Hand Unit and the Controlunit.
Camera
The Weisscam HS-1 camera body is designed as a combination of the classic form of 2/3“ video camera
and the clarity of a film camera
body. P+S Technik’s interchangeable mount is integrated to make available the maximum range of lenses designed for 35mm format – motion or still photography
You can choose any frame size to fully utilise the camera’s memory. Frame rate
up to 1000 frame/s are possible. Maximum resolution of the HS-1 model is 1280 x 1024 pixel.
Hand Unit
With the Hand Unit most important recording features of the camera can be remote controlled: START/STOP, frame rate adjustment, frame rate ramp settings, frame rate jumps. The ergonomic design allows comfortable one hand use to start and stop recording. With the well fitted hand wheel the frame rate can be changed smoothly while recording.
Control Unit
The WEISSCAM HS-1 Control Unit is a complete, portable power PC
with the newest dual core
processor technology
. The unit comes with up to 1 TB internal disc space (which can be expanded), a removable S-ATA
hard disk drive
for easy data exchange, an integrated monitor and a water proof keyboard. The software offers extensive features for image control, color correction
, frame size adjustments and shutter control.
Filmed with WEISSCAM HS-1 (alone or with other cameras)
Camera
The WEISSCAM HS-2 is developed as a stand-alone camera aiming especially the needs of cinematographers.
The HS-2 has a full format Super35 CMOS sensor with a global shutter. By using the Interchangeable Mount System (IMS) you can attach nearly every lenses on the camera (PL Mount, Nikon F-Mount
, Panavision Mount, etc.).
The output of the WEISSCAM HS-2 offers two streams at the same time and uses the HD SDI interface for both signals. With the WEISSCAM "RAW IN HD SDI" mapping, you are able to transport the RAW files via the worldwide standard and fast HD SDI single and dual link
interface.
The HD stream offers YCbCr
in 4:2:2. You can choose between linear standard curves like ITU-R
709 or log curve for a higher contrast range within the HD SDI image.
The RAW stream is a 12-bit uncompressed WEISSCAM RAW file
and gives you the freedom to debayer in post production
.
With the WEISSCAM HS-2 there are 2000 frame/s in full HD possible. To record more speed one needs to reduce the recorded resolution on the sensor. For example in 720p one can record up to 4000 frame/s with the WEISSCAM HS-2.
Digimag DM-2
The WEISSCAM DIGIMAG DM-2 is an uncompressed and extremely compact HD-SDI single and dual link recorder, which has the uniqueness of recording either YCbCr/ RGB streams or RAW data.
The RAW data are stored by using the WEISSCAM "RAW in HD SDI" mapping, which allows you to map up to two RAW images in one HD SDI frame and therefore download for example 100 RAW file in 1080p 50 mode.
There is the possibility to record other cameras signals like ARRIFLEX D20/21, Sony F35, GrassValley Viper, Phantom HD and Standart HDTV (like Sony F900).
For downloading the files you can either use the HD SDI single and dual link output but also the IT interfaces like Fire wire.
In conjunction with the external WEISSCAM DEBAYERBOX DBB, you are able to do a realtime debayering of the stored RAW data on the DIGIMAG DM-2. You can offer the post house immediately a standard HD YCbC.
Debayerbox DBB
The WEISSCAM DEBAYERBOX is a realtime hardware debayerer with newest FPGA technology and sophisticated color algorithm. All WEISSCAM RAW formats can be converted into HD SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 single or dual link by just connecting the RAW Input with the HD SDI Output. For the debayering you can choose between 16 different curves from lin to log.
Hand Unit HU-2
The WEISSCAM HANDUNIT HU-2 fully controls the camera and image processing
of the WEISSCAM HS-2. It can either be connected directly by cable or wireless remote control
led. You can set your frame rates, formats, gamma curves, log curves, black level
, RGB values, gain, offset, black gamma etc.
Filmed with WEISSCAM HS-2 (alone or with other cameras)
The Weisscam Company was founded by Director of Photography (DoP) Stefan Weiss.
History
2005Starting the development of the first prototype of WEISSCAM HS-1 and using this camera for international commercials.
2006–2007
After many successful highspeed shootings with the very first prototype, WEISSCAM in cooperation with P+S Technik developed and launched a completely redesigned camera for the international market.
2007–2008
With the set experience of the HS-1, WEISSCAM started the development of the next generation with the aim to create a standalone camera, which is able to work in both „worlds“: HD SDI
Serial Digital Interface
Serial digital interface is a family of video interfaces standardized by SMPTE. For example, ITU-R BT.656 and SMPTE 259M define digital video interfaces used for broadcast-grade video...
and RAW. This development created a whole product family: WEISSCAM HS-2 Camera, WEISSCAM DM-2 Digimag, WEISSCAM DBB Debayerbox, WEISSCAM HU-2 Handunit.
2009
After more than 2 years of development WEISSCAM launched the new complete product family on the international market with P+S Technik.
WEISSCAM HS-1
The equipment of the digital high-speed cameraHigh speed camera
A high speed camera is a device used for recording fast moving objects as a photographic image onto a storage media. After recording, the images stored on the media can be played back in slow-motion...
WEISSCAM HS-1 includes the camera HS-1, the Hand Unit and the Controlunit.
Camera
The Weisscam HS-1 camera body is designed as a combination of the classic form of 2/3“ video camera
Video camera
A video camera is a camera used for electronic motion picture acquisition, initially developed by the television industry but now common in other applications as well. The earliest video cameras were those of John Logie Baird, based on the electromechanical Nipkow disk and used by the BBC in...
and the clarity of a film camera
Photographic film
Photographic film is a sheet of plastic coated with an emulsion containing light-sensitive silver halide salts with variable crystal sizes that determine the sensitivity, contrast and resolution of the film...
body. P+S Technik’s interchangeable mount is integrated to make available the maximum range of lenses designed for 35mm format – motion or still photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
You can choose any frame size to fully utilise the camera’s memory. Frame rate
Frame rate
Frame rate is the frequency at which an imaging device produces unique consecutive images called frames. The term applies equally well to computer graphics, video cameras, film cameras, and motion capture systems...
up to 1000 frame/s are possible. Maximum resolution of the HS-1 model is 1280 x 1024 pixel.
Hand Unit
With the Hand Unit most important recording features of the camera can be remote controlled: START/STOP, frame rate adjustment, frame rate ramp settings, frame rate jumps. The ergonomic design allows comfortable one hand use to start and stop recording. With the well fitted hand wheel the frame rate can be changed smoothly while recording.
Control Unit
Control unit
A control unit in general is a central part of the machinery that controls its operation, provided that a piece of machinery is complex and organized enough to contain any such unit. One domain in which the term is specifically used is the area of computer design...
The WEISSCAM HS-1 Control Unit is a complete, portable power PC
PowerPC
PowerPC is a RISC architecture created by the 1991 Apple–IBM–Motorola alliance, known as AIM...
with the newest dual core
Multi-core (computing)
A multi-core processor is a single computing component with two or more independent actual processors , which are the units that read and execute program instructions...
processor technology
Processor Technology
Processor Technology Corporation was a microcomputer company founded by Bob Marsh and Gary Ingram in April 1975. Its best known product is the Sol-20 computer.-History:...
. The unit comes with up to 1 TB internal disc space (which can be expanded), a removable S-ATA
Serial ATA
Serial ATA is a computer bus interface for connecting host bus adapters to mass storage devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives...
hard disk drive
Hard disk
A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...
for easy data exchange, an integrated monitor and a water proof keyboard. The software offers extensive features for image control, color correction
Color correction
Color correction by using color gels, or filters, is a process used in stage lighting, photography, television, cinematography and other disciplines, the intention of which is to alter the overall color of the light; typically the light color is measured on a scale known as color temperature, as...
, frame size adjustments and shutter control.
Filmed with WEISSCAM HS-1 (alone or with other cameras)
- 2009: LU („Le petit déjeuner“), Wagner Pizza („Die Hitze des Vulkansteins“),
- 2008: Nestlé („Nestlé Classic“), Suzuki („Rock the Road“), Head („Racket“), LIG TV („Station IDs'08“), LU („Le petit déjeuner“), Baden Württembergische Bank („Tee“)
- 2007: Nike Europe („Nike T90“), BMW Mini („Urban Style on Tour“), Schwarzkopf („Bunch of Roses“), 4711 („Das Wunderwasser“), BMW (Showroom Film „Mini Collections“)
- 2006: Braun Multiquick („Celebration“), Milka („M-Joy“), Cortal Consors („Gold“), SWR-Trailer („Sport im Dritten“)
WEISSCAM HS-2
The equipment of the digital high-speed camera WEISSCAM HS-2 includes the camera HS-2, the WEISSCAM Digimag DM-2, the WEISSCAM Debayberbox DBB and the WEISSCAM Hand Unit HU-2.Camera
The WEISSCAM HS-2 is developed as a stand-alone camera aiming especially the needs of cinematographers.
The HS-2 has a full format Super35 CMOS sensor with a global shutter. By using the Interchangeable Mount System (IMS) you can attach nearly every lenses on the camera (PL Mount, Nikon F-Mount
Nikon F-mount
The Nikon F-mount is a type of interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its 35 mm SLR cameras. The F-mount was first introduced on the Nikon F camera in 1959, and features a three lug bayonet mount with a 44 mm throat and a flange to focal plane distance of 46.5 mm...
, Panavision Mount, etc.).
The output of the WEISSCAM HS-2 offers two streams at the same time and uses the HD SDI interface for both signals. With the WEISSCAM "RAW IN HD SDI" mapping, you are able to transport the RAW files via the worldwide standard and fast HD SDI single and dual link
Digital Visual Interface
The Digital Visual Interface is a video interface standard covering the transmission of video between a source device and a display device. The DVI standard has achieved widespread acceptance in the PC industry, both in desktop PCs and monitors...
interface.
The HD stream offers YCbCr
YCbCr
YCbCr or Y′CbCr, sometimes written or , is a family of color spaces used as a part of the color image pipeline in video and digital photography systems. Y′ is the luma component and CB and CR are the blue-difference and red-difference chroma components...
in 4:2:2. You can choose between linear standard curves like ITU-R
ITU-R
The ITU Radiocommunication Sector is one of the three sectors of the International Telecommunication Union and is responsible for radio communication....
709 or log curve for a higher contrast range within the HD SDI image.
The RAW stream is a 12-bit uncompressed WEISSCAM RAW file
RAW image format
A camera raw image file contains minimally processed data from the image sensor of either a digital camera, image scanner, or motion picture film scanner. Raw files are so named because they are not yet processed and therefore are not ready to be printed or edited with a bitmap graphics editor...
and gives you the freedom to debayer in post production
Post-production
Post-production is part of filmmaking and the video production process. It occurs in the making of motion pictures, television programs, radio programs, advertising, audio recordings, photography, and digital art...
.
With the WEISSCAM HS-2 there are 2000 frame/s in full HD possible. To record more speed one needs to reduce the recorded resolution on the sensor. For example in 720p one can record up to 4000 frame/s with the WEISSCAM HS-2.
| Frame Rates | Up to 1500 frame/s in 2K |
| Frame Rates | Up to 2000 frame/s in 1080p |
| Frame Rates | Up to 4000 frame/s in 720p |
Digimag DM-2
The WEISSCAM DIGIMAG DM-2 is an uncompressed and extremely compact HD-SDI single and dual link recorder, which has the uniqueness of recording either YCbCr/ RGB streams or RAW data.
The RAW data are stored by using the WEISSCAM "RAW in HD SDI" mapping, which allows you to map up to two RAW images in one HD SDI frame and therefore download for example 100 RAW file in 1080p 50 mode.
There is the possibility to record other cameras signals like ARRIFLEX D20/21, Sony F35, GrassValley Viper, Phantom HD and Standart HDTV (like Sony F900).
For downloading the files you can either use the HD SDI single and dual link output but also the IT interfaces like Fire wire.
In conjunction with the external WEISSCAM DEBAYERBOX DBB, you are able to do a realtime debayering of the stored RAW data on the DIGIMAG DM-2. You can offer the post house immediately a standard HD YCbC.
Debayerbox DBB
The WEISSCAM DEBAYERBOX is a realtime hardware debayerer with newest FPGA technology and sophisticated color algorithm. All WEISSCAM RAW formats can be converted into HD SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 single or dual link by just connecting the RAW Input with the HD SDI Output. For the debayering you can choose between 16 different curves from lin to log.
Hand Unit HU-2
The WEISSCAM HANDUNIT HU-2 fully controls the camera and image processing
Image processing
In electrical engineering and computer science, image processing is any form of signal processing for which the input is an image, such as a photograph or video frame; the output of image processing may be either an image or, a set of characteristics or parameters related to the image...
of the WEISSCAM HS-2. It can either be connected directly by cable or wireless remote control
Remote control
A remote control is a component of an electronics device, most commonly a television set, used for operating the television device wirelessly from a short line-of-sight distance.The remote control is usually contracted to remote...
led. You can set your frame rates, formats, gamma curves, log curves, black level
Black level
Video black level is defined as the level of brightness at the darkest part of a visual image or the level of brightness at which no light is emitted from a screen, resulting in a pure black screen....
, RGB values, gain, offset, black gamma etc.
Filmed with WEISSCAM HS-2 (alone or with other cameras)
- 2009: Panasonic Toyota Formula 1 – Track Day Ascari 2009, Pringles („Pringles Xtreme“)