8K CAMERAS GE AR .
outputs on a sensor like that of the Ursa Mini Pro. Circling back, we may not see a distinct difference in pure resolution when viewing this footage anywhere outside the optimal conditions, but the impact can’t be overlooked. Artefacts are reduced, and it’s hard not to ignore that Blackmagic’s secret formula is pushing the boundaries of ultra high-resolution acquisition further than ever. NEXT-LEVEL BROADCASTING It’s not just the big screen that’s being taken over by growing pixel counts. The next level of broadcast is well within reach. Cameras like the 8K Ikegami SHK-810 have been out in the world for some time, leaving only an effective delivery method somewhat unticked. Excitingly, Japanese broadcaster NHK screened some of this year’s Olympic Games in gleaming 8K. The TV giant actually had a hand in the development of the SHK-810 itself. Only 200 hours of footage was captured across eight events, plus the opening and closing ceremonies. You’d be forgiven if you missed it in any other part of the world, too, as it was scarcely screened non-domestically. To appreciate the full advantages as viewers, it’s likely we’ll need to see advancements in the surrounding workflow, such
it records, and how it compresses files in particular.” So, how does the Mavo Edge actually perform? “I think it has a really attractive sensor,” says Yates. “The colours are gorgeous, it has a very nice log curve that’s quite comparable to that of Arri cameras, and the dynamic range is up there with the best available.” Many aspects of the future of resolution are obvious. If history is anything to go by, display technology will catch up with today’s capture capabilities, by which time the cameras themselves will have taken another leap forward. How exponential that growth is remains to be seen, but sensor technology looks like it shows no signs of slowing down. Pixel-hungry brands like Blackmagic Design are doing some very impressive things and, as we’ve established, the 12K-capable Ursa Mini Pro is leading the race by quite some margin. In some senses, though, camera sensor design is more exciting – and perhaps a clearer indicator of what the future may hold – than the resolution it’s capable of. It remains a closely guarded secret, for obvious reasons, but we are aware it’s full RGB. Without red, green and blue values at every pixel site, the 4K, 6K or 8K of a Bayer pattern sensor can’t really be compared to the same
as handling in the cloud and better displays in our homes. Still, first tests of 8K broadcast were only conducted at London’s 2012 Games. In another eight years, cameras could have broken the 20K threshold, 8K televisions may be as commonplace as those capable of 4K today, and we may be able to experience the world’s most exciting sporting event as if we were really there. And that’s without considering the storytelling potential within cinema, likely to be in place over the same time frame. An exciting prospect.
EYE-OPENING When it hit the mirrorless market with its 8K capabilities,
the Canon EOS R5 was nothing less than revolutionary
35. OCTOBER 2021
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