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CinemaDNG Initiative

CinemaDNGMore than a decade ago, photography experienced a technological shift with the proliferation of digital cameras. As photographers embraced digital cameras, their desire to access low-level image data increased, resulting in the increase of RAW file formats and workflows. Unfortunately, the Digital Still Image RAW workflow brought with it a slew of file formats (over 200 for still cameras!) that are proprietary, closed, and sometimes even encrypted.

Today, the cinema industry is experiencing a similar transition as many filmmakers are foregoing film in favor of digital cinema cameras and workflows. Digital cinema cameras have led to an increasing trend in the usage of RAW workflows and proprietary RAW formats. Proprietary RAW formats lock participants, both vendors and users, into walled gardens with limited interoperability and longevity. Adobe is leading the CinemaDNG Initiative to improve interoperability in Digital Cinema RAW workflows.

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The CinemaDNG Initiative offers a solution by defining an open file format for digital cinema files to streamline workflows and ensure that digital cinema files can be easily archived and exchanged. By providing a unified, publicly-documented file format, the CinemaDNG Initiative offers several core advantages for camera manufacturers, software vendors, and filmmakers.

Advantages for Camera and Software Vendors

Reduce costs and time to market by eliminating the need to develop and maintain proprietary formats and conversion utilities.

Remove a key obstacle to the adoption of new products by providing instant interoperability with existing workflows.

Advantages for Filmmakers

Avoid roadblocks caused by incompatibilities in workflows that involve multiple devices, vendors, and file formats.

Industry Support for CinemaDNG

A broad range of industry-leading companies are supportive of the CinemaDNG effort, including:


See the CinemaDNG presentation at Siggraph 2010

If you are interested in participating in the CinemaDNG initiative, please respond to the discussion forum thread.

Getting Started

Follow these steps to get started with CinemaDNG:

  1. Learn more about the CinemaDNG File Format
  2. Download the CinemaDNG Specification
  3. Download the CinemaDNG Importer for CS5.5, CS5 or CS4
  4. Follow the installation and setup instructions in the release notes
  5. If you would like to use the CinemaDNG logo in your product or web page, download the CinemaDNG logo package.

  6. Ask questions and share your feedback in the CinemaDNG forum

    Please note that your submission of comments, ideas, feature requests and techniques on this and other Adobe maintained forums, as well as Adobe's right to use such materials, is governed by the Terms of Use.

Community

Below you'll find references and links to help you participate in the CinemaDNG community.

Online Forum

Ask questions and discuss ideas with other CinemaDNG users in the Labs forums.

Please note that your submission of comments, ideas, feature requests and techniques on this and other Adobe maintained forums, as well as Adobe's right to use such materials, is governed by the Terms of Use.

Resources

If you want to learn more about releases on Labs as well as other Adobe technologies, visiting a user group or connecting with an Adobe Community Expert is a great place to start.

Product Details


Documentation

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FAQ

What is CinemaDNG?
The CinemaDNG Initiative offers a solution to interoperability problems that arise from proprietary raw digital cinema formats by defining a single open file format for digital cinema files to streamline workflows and enable easy archival and exchange of files. The CinemaDNG file format ensures the preservation of a pristine version of the original raw image and its associated metadata. As cinema production becomes completely digital, CinemaDNG fulfills the same role as the original film negative. Based on the successful DNG file format for still photography, the CinemaDNG file format adds features for cinema-related workflows, as well as support for XMP metadata. You can learn more about the DNG format and XMP metadata on Adobe.com.
What are the advantages of CinemaDNG for content producers?
Proprietary raw file formats are specific to certain manufacturers or cameras. This presents workflow and interoperability roadblocks since content producers are limited to hardware and software solutions that support the format from their camera. By using the CinemaDNG format, content producers can simplify their workflows and ensure maximum compatibility. Content producers also bear the risk that particular raw formats will not be supported in the future. Business dynamics cause cameras to be discontinued and proprietary raw formats to be abandoned. Like the original film negative, the CinemaDNG format is designed to archive pristine data in a format that will be available to content producers for many years.
What are the advantages of CinemaDNG for manufacturers?
The CinemaDNG format removes barriers to new camera adoption since files from new models will be instantly supported by more applications. Manufacturers can reduce development costs by removing the need to develop proprietary formats and conversion utilities. CinemaDNG files may contain proprietary metadata, which allows for product differentiation.
What are RAW images files?
A raw image is an unprocessed image taken from a digital camera's image sensor.
What Adobe software works with CinemaDNG?
A public beta of a plug-in to deliver CinemaDNG support for After Effects® CS5 and Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 is available for download now.
How does CinemaDNG compare to DPX?
The DPX file format is designed for workflows that originate on film. Its goal is to represent the characteristics of film and not to preserve raw data from digital cinema cameras. CinemaDNG, in contrast, is designed specifically for workflows using digital cinema cameras—where physical film is not used.
Will the Adobe DNG converter work with CinemaDNG sequences?
Yes, it does.
What metadata is required for CinemaDNG?
Same as for DNG.
Is there a CinemaDNG logo that I can use in my product or web page?
Yes, there is. Learn more about and download the CinemaDNG logo package.
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System Requirements

The minimum system requirements for the CinemaDNG Importer for Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5 are:

The minimum system requirements for the CinemaDNG Importer for CS5 are:

The minimum system requirements for the CinemaDNG Importer for CS4 are:

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Release Notes

This release of the CinemaDNG Importer is prerelease software and is designed for evaluation purposes only. The software contained within each download is not final; but, many portions of the technology are fully implemented and ready for you to try and discuss.

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Samples

Below you will find sample implementations of the CinemaDNG format specification.

Short Sample

CinemaDNG Short Sample

This download provides a mini movie which illustrates the use of many concepts in the CinemaDNG file structure, including both MXF and DNG image essence, metadata files and thumbnails.

Long Sample

CinemaDNG Long Sample

These downloads provide a longer clip (100 frames), courtesy Nick Paton, ACS. Two versions of the sample are available - one encoded as a DNG image sequence and the other as MXF.

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