Symmetry is Bluefish444’s proprietary integrated DI acquisition, review and play out software for Windows and is included with all Bluefish444 video I/O cards.
Symmetry was designed as a Digital Intermediary or as a capture and playback solution for digital content creators, compositors and editors that work in either 10 bit RGB or 10 bit YUV color space. Its flexibility and intuitive interface means that it easily integrates into any video or film post production environment.
Bluefish444 continually updates Symmetry’s feature set allowing customers to constantly upgrade to new features – at no charge. Symmetry is a FREE integrated software solution for the Bluefish444 I/O video card product range.
Intuitive and Flexible User Interface
Symmetry customers value its flexible and highly intuitive graphical interface which allows it to easily integrate into any production environment. Simplicity was the key specification when designing Symmetry. Symmetry has all the tools required directly in front of the user, offering unsurpassed ease of use.
2K Support
Symmetry supports 2K digitizing and playback for HSDL and real time 2K x 1080 capture and playback for DPX and Cineon file format.
Video Processing
Take advantage of the new Epoch and Create range 12bit video processing feature for simultaneous hardware conversion to SDI 4:2:2 of 4:2:2 YUV and 4:4:4 RGB video modes. Hardware scale and convert, on the fly, for preview and mastering to a range of video modes.
- HSDL to HD video output preview
- 2K 1080 to HD/SD video modes
- HD to SD or 2K
- SD to HD or 2K
- 3:2 Pull down ( 23.97 Psf to NTSC SD HD video output)
- 1D LUT Processing
Command Line Support
Since version 3.5, Symmetry has introduced a command line interface to control Symmetry functionality without the need to use the GUI. Via command line you can access Symmetry's features by passing command lines or providing XML scripts for more advanced and lengthy processes.
With Command line, Symmetry can provide an integrated and proven I/O solution to 3rd party applications without having to re develop or code with another API or SDK.
For advance users you can automate repetitive process and evoke core I/O functions from a range of custom or in house conversion tools that support XML without ever using the Symmetry GUI.
Symmetry Command line supports Python
Ingesting Industry Standard File Formats for a Seamless Workflow
Symmetry can handle any type of media in any type of resolution, bit depth, color space or file format in real time. Whether you use uncompressed 10 bit YUV QuickTime or 10 bit RGB uncompressed Cineon and DPX file formats for both HD and SD in single link 4:2:2 and dual link 4:4:4 modes, Symmetry can handle them with ease.
File formats supported are industry standards and can be moved seamlessly between high end solutions such as Avid, Autodesk, Quantel, Eyeon, D2 Software, Assimilate, Iridas, Digital Vision, Chrome and Da Vinci, no file conversions and no risk to quality of your workflow.
Linear or Log DPX
Symmetry supports capture and playback of Log based DPX files. This enables the ability to preserve video data as Logarithmic or linear during the capture process.
This feature is supported by the DPX file format only and is disabled for other selected file formats
Logarithmic (log) data is used in digital file formats because it can store more information for each bit of data compared to linear. This is great for when you want to preserve deeper blacks and more information for each color channel.
Log DPX files need to be converted to linear space for applications to process the data, this is done via a LUT, which adds overheads to process power.
Symmetry with the 2K Lust card, supports Log to Linear hardware conversion preview via the SDIX and with in the Symmetry video preview window.
LUT’s are not applied to LINK A and or B outputs.
EDL Support
Symmetry now supports EDL CMX 3600. Editors can now import cut lists from a range of 3rd party applications such as Assimilate Scratch. Conform to DPX uncompressed at higher resolutions for a seamless Di workflow.
Edit offline with your favorite editor then import in Symmetry for conform to DPX.
Symmetry supports EDL handles and preserves EDL file names via it EDL import customization tool.
Intelligent Data Management
For optimal file management, Symmetry’s bin features a library of clips complete with filename, size, format, color space, audio track info, as well as associated metadata. For example, the sorting feature allows assets in the bin and playlist windows to be sorted by their file properties such as clip name, clip duration and reel name etc. Symmetry’s proprietary export, capture and play list files are already supported by Avid DS Nitris and Chrome Matrix. Support for XML allows Symmetry to save and archive projects in the XML format preventing loss of data and allowing for the sharing of project information with other XML compatible applications.
Finishing and Review
Symmetry supports extended features such as play list for clip assembly and review of supported file formats. Symmetry allows you to assemble clips in a specific order from imported or captured media from assets, trim clips for in and out points, export the playlist for archive or import playlist from supported 3rd party applications.
Symmetry can be used as a dedicated Digital Intermediary solution allowing direct dual link capture and playback with 10 bit RGB dual link cameras and film scanners such as the Thompson Viper camera, Panavision Genesis camera and Telecine film scanners. With built in deck control, Symmetry allows you to connect to wide variety of single link and dual link SD and HD decks such as the Sony SRW5000 10 bit RGB deck and field recorders.
Symmetry has a single frame grab feature allowing digital artists to capture one specific frame. The 3D artist can also import sequential file formats that have been rendered from 3D and rendering applications such as Maya, XSI or 3D Studio Max for real-time playback in the highest SD and HD quality. |
