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NASA & 4K Current & Future Applications

NASA & 4K Current & Future Applications. Rodney Grubbs Marshall Space Flight Center With contributions from Kennedy Space Center’s Advanced Imaging Laboratory. What is 4K?. 4k, Digital Cinema, UHDTV Technical definitions & resolutions Digital Cinema uses k, as in 4k & 8k

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NASA & 4K Current & Future Applications

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  1. NASA & 4KCurrent & Future Applications Rodney Grubbs Marshall Space Flight Center With contributions from Kennedy Space Center’s Advanced Imaging Laboratory

  2. What is 4K? • 4k, Digital Cinema, UHDTV • Technical definitions & resolutions • Digital Cinema uses k, as in 4k & 8k • 4k resolution is 4096 x 2160, 8k is 8192 x 4320 • Television resolutions for 4k & 8K use UHDTV • The UHDTV resolution is in multiples of 1920 x 1080 • 4k TV is UHDTV-1, 3840 x 2160, also called 2160p • 4x 1080p • 8k TV is UHDTV-2, 7680 x 4320, also called 4320p • 16x 1080p

  3. NASA early use of 4K • After Columbia accident NASA started looking at high-speed, high-resolution digital cameras as possible replacement for film cameras for Shuttle launch documentation • Lack of standards, proprietary formats and reliance on spinning disks for recording hindered use beyond experiments • Red One digital cinema cameras purchased to document historic events, end of the Shuttle program • Archival, most footage down-converted to HD for release and original files stored for future use

  4. Early lessons learned • Engineering uses • Spinning disks lock up in extreme weather and pressure environments • Use flash or solid state drives • Bayer pattern sensors introduce unique artifacts • Dynamic range not up to film standards • 3D possible but required precise camera mounts & control • Documentation uses • What frame rate to use? • Shooting 24 fps requires different shooting style vs. documentary style video shooting • Shallow depth-of-field produces different look that is noticeable if footage is intercut with regular video footage • Full 4K work flows were difficult to implement and often “beta” quality • Very difficult to shoot, edit, distribute and display in 4K

  5. Industry Status • 4K+ options improving • DSLR’s can shoot 4K • Smaller, less expensive, more options from vendors • Better dynamic range • More options for work flows and playback • Monitors getting less expensive • HDMI supports 4K (sort of) • Resolutions expanding to 5K+ • Use by broadcasters for sports coverage pushes innovation and creates more tools and applications at lower prices

  6. NASA Applications • Replacement for film applications • “Big-Sky” or large field-of-view coverage for launches and other dynamic events • Ability to digitally “zoom” into static wide shot • 2-in-1 capability allows combining functionality of film and video cameras • 4K+ recording at high frame rate can replace high-speed film camera • Live HD output from same camera can replace dedicated HD video camera • Big screen space-based documentaries • IMAX film cameras can no longer be used in space due to lack of return vehicles since retirement of Shuttle • Digital work flow allows file downloads or use of small memory cards instead of large, heavy film magazines • Proxies or down converted previews provide assurance the desired shots were obtained vs. waiting for film return and processing • Historic documentation for use today and by future film-makers

  7. Example of bayer pattern artifacts “Sparklers” should be white

  8. 4K Testing at KSC • Advanced Imaging Lab (AIL) began 4K testing at KSC in 2010. • STS-131 - 10 RED ONE cameras in 5 locations as stereoscopic (3D) pairs at 4K resolution. Composite of concurrent RED ONE images from five camera sites. Advanced Imaging Lab

  9. Stereoscopic 4K from STS-131 Sample 4K 3D from Camera Site 3 (CS-3) Advanced Imaging Lab

  10. RED ONE 4K During STS-133 AIL tracker 1000mm @ 2.93 mi (UCS-3) Advanced Imaging Lab

  11. RED ONE 4K During STS-134 • Approximately 1,300ft from Vehicle (CS2) – 500mm Lens Advanced Imaging Lab

  12. RED ONE 4K During STS-135 CS-2 @ Approx. 1,300ft CS-4 Infield @ Approx. 550ft Advanced Imaging Lab

  13. Comparison of Imagery • Orbiter Flag taken from Launch Footage RED ONE STS-135 4K frame @ CS-2 EE045 Phantom HD Gold HSD 2K frame E040 16mm film Film-to-HD transfer E040 16mm film Engineering scan Approximately 1,300ft from Vehicle (see top pic previous slide) Approximately 70ft from Vehicle On Fixed Service Structure

  14. What’s next for NASA & 4K • Monitoring adoption of UHDTV-1 for possible expansion of NASA TV • NASA TV is primarily a “wholesaler” to media television outlets…if they adopt UHDTV-1 in the future NASA will need to provide feeds in that format • The demise of film will require use of 4K+ cameras with high dynamic range and high frame rates for engineering purposes • Trying to “future-proof” new infrastructure for post-shuttle era launch pads • Fiber optic based communications • Expandable routers

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