High Definition Telecine Services

The exhilaration of the HD viewer's experience requires outstanding image quality. Therefore, our primary mission is to offer high definition telecine transfers that maximize the picture attributes of the original film material, whether from archival sources or newly shot film.  In 2002, we set up a new division called Bonolabs to develop new technical initiatives. Our initial project: to investigate the HD "landscape." The first task was to contact our diverse client base to collect the predominant HD transfer preferences. We conducted numerous interviews to ensure that our system would produce images that would meet the critical criteria of government archives and commercial and independent producer clients. We also polled national programmers to confirm the formats and standards that were being applied in the broadcast and entertainment industry, as well as in the educational and museum presentation arenas. The mastering medium of choice at the time was the Hi Def D5 (Panasonic) videotape format.

However, it soon became apparent that the cost of ANY high definition tape format was proving to be a significant barrier for our clients. Our alternative to the hi def "format wars" was to pioneer the tapeless workflow. We went into full R&D mode and by February 2004 we were sending out our first files to clients. By transferring film 1080/24p (23.98sf) 10-bit uncompressed, clients are assured of being able to go “back to film” or to deliver broadcast HDTV or even downconvert to NTSC for the present market with the potential to distribute in hi def later.  Our direct-to-drive services have continued to grow and we are now "totally tapeless." Given the cost effectiveness and versatility of the tapeless workflow, we are always skeptical when a potential client says "my post-house says I need to stick with HD tape." We suspect the the post house is just trying to make the payments on those outrageously expensive decks.

We currently transfer bestlight, flat, and scene-to-scene color corrected transfers transfers direct to drive for MAC & PC platforms. Our transfer options include  16x9, 4x3 with pillar box, or inverse anamorphic. See the tapeless "spec" sheet (under forms). To learn more about the tapeless workflow visit our tapeless section.

To learn more about our high definition telecine system and its capacities, visit the overview page.

Revised 29 April 2008