Programmable Tone Reproduction Curve? at DVinfo.net

Mike Sanchez · March 3rd, 2004, 03:35 AM

After some months working in the video domain after so many years in still imaging I have a question.

Are there video cameras that allow the user to set the tone reproduction curve? By this I mean a full input/ouput tone mapping curve?

I notice that Panasonic seems to be getting a little bit of attention with its "cine-like" tone mapping. But, why offer a hard coded tone reproduction setting when it would seem to me that it is pretty easy to offer a tone curve transfer function that could be downloaded to a chip for execution in real time.

Why don't the manufacturers give full control of the tone curve to the user?

Canon, in the GL2, does offer control of the darker region with the black point setting.....but this is very partial control.

Do the 60,000 dollar cameras offer transfer function tuning of tone reproduction?

Ignacio Rodriguez · March 4th, 2004, 12:37 PM

I think some Sony HD camcorders offer programmable curves. For the price of one of those you can by about 20 PDX10 cams, though... :S

March 3rd, 2004, 03:35 AM	#1
Mike Sanchez Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Rochester, NY (USA) Posts: 54	Programmable Tone Reproduction Curve? After some months working in the video domain after so many years in still imaging I have a question. Are there video cameras that allow the user to set the tone reproduction curve? By this I mean a full input/ouput tone mapping curve? I notice that Panasonic seems to be getting a little bit of attention with its "cine-like" tone mapping. But, why offer a hard coded tone reproduction setting when it would seem to me that it is pretty easy to offer a tone curve transfer function that could be downloaded to a chip for execution in real time. Why don't the manufacturers give full control of the tone curve to the user? Canon, in the GL2, does offer control of the darker region with the black point setting.....but this is very partial control. Do the 60,000 dollar cameras offer transfer function tuning of tone reproduction? __________________ New to Video but Learning Fast. Sony TRV-950 Canon ES-970 Canon Elan Canon AE-1 Canon Z-135 Yashica Mat124G

March 4th, 2004, 12:37 PM	#2
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	I think some Sony HD camcorders offer programmable curves. For the price of one of those you can by about 20 PDX10 cams, though... :S __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands.