Kinefinity has released the KineOS 6.0 firmware update for the Terra 4K & Terra 6K cameras with a major overhaul of the UI and adds new recording options.
New Modern User Interface
The user interface of the camera has been redesigned for ease of use and speed.
- Interface redesigned: new layout of key parameters, the clip name, timecode, codec format, in accordance with the operation way of the cinematographers or assistants;
- Key Parameters Tuning: with short-cut buttons, you can change key parameters you need quickly and accurately, such as ISO, iris, color temperature, ND stops and so on;
- full Waveform: it is much easier way for cinematographers to check the exposure of the image from left to right;
- New Setup Menu: easy to read and operate: readability much improved.
Compressed RAW (CinemaDNG) 3:1/5:1/7:1 Recording for Terra 4K
Currently, recording on the Terra cameras is either to ProRes or KineRAW (KRW). Kinefinity is now adding in the capability to record to compressed RAW in a CinemaDNG format at 3:1, 5:1 or 7:1 compression ratios.
This feature is still in beta and currently has a few caveats listed below.
- TERRA 4K can in-camera record compressed RAW with CinemaDNG;
- configurable compression ratio: 3:1/5:1/7:1; the bit rate of ratio 7:1 is smaller even than ProRes422, then saves storage of SSD and time for back-up;
- Compressed CinemaDNG is natively supported by Da Vinci Resolve; more convenient for RAW post production.
Note: KineLOG is burned into CinemaDNG, but the colour of CinemaDNG is very different from ProRes due to the processing of Da Vinci Resolve.
Note: when playing back, CinemaDNG footage is very slow for current firmware. Playback will be improved in future with a new firmware.
Note: Since CinemaDNG in Da Vinci Resolve has different workflow compared to ProRes, you can not load the LUT into cinemaDNG footages to restore what you see when shooting.
Oversampling
With the new firmware update, the Terra 4K can downsample the full sensor readout for a 2K image. Doing this results in an image with lower noise and claims to be of better image quality.
- Oversampling ratio: 2:1 or 3:2;
- when Sub S35, output 4K to 2K by 2:1 Oversampling;
- when Sub M43, output 3K to 2K by 3:2 Oversampling;
- Oversampling works for 4K at any FPS, 4K Wide 100fps can be oversampled to 2K Wide 100fps; anamorphic mode and open gate can also work with oversampling;
- The advanced oversampling also permits the higher ISO of TERRA 4K for 2K shooting with lower noise level and better image quality.
Anamorphic and Open Gate
Anamorphic and Open Gate shooting modes have also been added.
- TERRA 4K supports 4:3 anamorphic shooting: 3700×2700; with 2x anamorphic lens, the desqueezed resolution is 7400×2700;
- TERRA 4K also supports Open Gate: 4096×2700, all pixels of the CMOS imaging sensor are used effectively, leave maximum room for post-processing;
- when anamorphic and open gate modes, frame rate is up to 50.
Other improvement and fixed bugs
- Optimized In-camera LUT: more balanced color for fast workflow;
- Added project frame rate: 48, 50, 59.94, 60fps;
- Fixed the abnormal image when startup;
- Fixed freeze issue at some operations;
- Fixed system crash when adjusting ISO under certain colour temperature;
- Fixed the mismatch of exposure compensation in menu setting;
- Optimized the highlight performance for TERRA 6K in some special case;
- Optimized black shading of TERRA 4K;
- Change the minimum frame rate of TERRA 4K to 6fps;
- Other bugs.
Kinefinity seems to be on a roll lately, with the announcement of the MAVO and MAVO LF. It’s good to see that they are still continually updating the software for their existing line.
If you have questions about the camera or want to hear from existing users, the unofficial Kinefinity Facebook group is the place to go.
