Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1Technology
The LDK 8000 is a high definition multi-standard, multi-format digital camera head using three 2/3-inch HD-DPM+™ sensors. The camera head can be combined with the TriaxHD adapter for a flexible camera that is equally at home in the studio or out on location.
The SportCam version can capture true progressive HD images, natively, in multiple formats and frame rates. It supports 2x high-speed acquisition at either 100 Hz or 119.88 Hz.
1.1.1 HD sensors
The camera head uses HD-DPM+™ CCD sensors which offer superior performance and ultimate flexibility. Native wide screen pictures in the high-definition formats 1080i, 1080p (WorldCam) and 720p are produced at the touch of a button. This unique native multi-format capability is realized with innovative 9.2 million pixel 2/3" CCD sensors. These allow vertically grouping of different numbers of pixels on the sensors themselves. There is no need for HDTV format conversion during digital signal processing which would lead to quality degradation.
These sensors have a high dynamic range and high linear sensitivity across all camera lens apertures. They are based on Frame Transfer technology, which ensures that there is neither lag nor smear.
1.1.2 Digital processing
The advanced digital processing of the camera is based on 14-bit A/D converters and more than 22-bit internal processing. All major camera functions are processed in the digital domain, including knee, gamma, detail, matrix and colour correction.
The intelligent continuous automatics facility provides automatic control of black levels and black shading. Each sensor provides black reference signals that are used to monitor temperature changes. This means that continuous automatic correction is applied without operator intervention.
The digital detail processing uses full amplitude video RGB signals via an extended dynamic range detail circuit. Colorimetry is selected by means of a variable 6-point digital matrix or via preset matrices. Digital gamma circuits provide a wide range of standardised gamma curves and enable soft contrast in black scenes to be enhanced, together with hard contrast and saturated colour in bright scenes. The matrix and gamma sequence is software programmable for precise colour matching.
