File-based color correction theory and practice: there are lots of theories and it takes lots of practice. At Henninger Media Services, we use our two Da Vinci 2Ks for file-based color correction. These are the same systems we use for tape-based color correction. Our colorists much prefer the 2k to any other system because the control panels and user interface allow fast and efficient operation and we never have to wait for renders (we hate that). Our theory is, we like the 2Ks because our colorists are in a comfort zone of experience. Our senior colorists have over 40 years of combined experience with Da Vinci, and they practice, practice, practice which means high quality and high value for you.
Tape or file? We use both. If your program is on a tape, any format at all, we can put the tape in a deck and start correcting immediately. No exporting, no converting, no copying (well, maybe a copy). This is a very efficient workflow. When color correction is finished, you would have an inexpensive tape on the shelf as an archive that plays anywhere instantly, and is easy to move around for titling, versions, fixes etc. Having projects on tape makes it easy to stop and start different projects in a day. Eject tape A, insert tape B, and start correcting the new project (like maybe a fix from last month). No loading, restoring, importing, ingesting or head scratching. And one day, if that videotape should find itself accidentally accelerating towards a hard surface, you probably wouldn’t gasp in horror. You would say “whoops.”
But, “what if our new company didn’t budget for any tape decks” you say, “and besides, we like recording on memory cards, we don’t ever want to use tape.” Fine, bring in a file. We will color correct from your file using the same Da Vinci 2Ks we use for tape, using the same excellent rooms and the same excellent colorists who have a ton of experience. When color correction is finished we will copy the new, corrected file to your hard drive, its bits never having been tarnished by touching videotape. But please don’t drop the drive.
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David Markun
Senior Colorist
Henninger Media Services
