Adobe Leads High-Quality Raw Video Format Initiative

Adobe is working on a technology called CinemaDNG, named after the DNG (Digital Negative) raw digital still image format designed by the company. The new technology is a joint project of Adobe and other companies in the industry including camera makers and software developers. Initially, the specification will only affect "high-end Hollywood and top-end indie" filmmakers because equipment that supports this format would be the most sophisticated and expensive available, and eventually, this format could be used more broadly. CinemaDNG will provide with more image control to cinematographers and editors. The format can be useful for archiving films which could be reissued with a different look as well.

 

"It lays the foundation for the correct way that you want to do cinema in the future," said Simon Hayhurst, senior product manager for dynamic media at Adobe. According to him, creating a common standard will help accelerate adoption of higher quality imaging.

 

Adobe intends to support the format in future versions of its video work-flow products, like After Effects and Premiere Pro.

 

Separately, Adobe will give a preview at NAB 2008 of technology that automatically transcribes the audio track of a video file. This will allow editors to more quickly find passages within a clip based on a text read-out of the audio. The output of the video-editing software will also include that transcribed information.  

 

And last but not least, Adobe is adding support for H.264 standard, high-definition video format on its Flash encoding software. It added support for H.264 for Flash video playback last year.