Codex Digital - Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of frequently asked questions:

What formats can Codex record in?
Codex always records images in the camera source's native format - e.g. if you are recording from a Panavision Genesis™, it records in uncompressed HD and if you're recording from a Dalsa Origin™ it records the raw Bayer pattern data from that camera.

But you need to post-process Bayer pattern data to turn it into recognisable image frames? How do I do that?
Codex has a Bayer conversion process built-in. When you view Dalsa Origin™ material recorded on the system, it's automatically converted to preview-quality RGB image frames on-the-fly. However, the raw Bayer pattern data is stored unprocessed if you choose to use a higher-quality, non-real-time algorithm at a later stage.

If I record with two HD cameras, can they be started/stopped independently?
Yes. When running in A/B camera mode, Codex can either gang these two streams together for ease of use, or the A & B cameras can be split with an independent set of transport controls for each.

If I use a Codex system on my film shoot, doesn't this tie me into using post houses who also own this system?
No. Codex contains a unique Virtual File System feature, which allows all original material to be exported in a wide variety of industry-standard formats. There is no such thing as a 'Codex format' shot - all source material recorded into the system is recorded in native format (rather than being converted on the way in) meaning that you and your post-house can choose the most suitable file-formats after the shoot, rather than being 'stuck' with material recorded using a format you later regret!

If I export my image data in a file format such as AVI which doesn't support a lot of the data fields I need (such as source timecodes, colourspace information etc.) how do I access the metadata about those shots?
When you access a shot in a format that does not contain extended metadata, this data is available as a separate file (in various formats, including XML and text) which contains all logged information about that shot and can be imported into any standard 3rd-party database for viewing.

Can Codex perform colour-correction?
Codex has in-built LUTs (Look Up Tables) allowing a wide range of colour adjustment to be performed on a shot-by-shot basis. These can convert the output of the camera to be suitable for previewing on a video monitor, i.e. log to linear, gamma curve conversion and white balancing. Whilst the system is not intended to be used for grading of source material, this feature does allow a number of 'film looks' to be applied non-destructively to the source material for previewing and evaluation purposes.

How does Codex integrate with other equipment such as film scanners?
One useful application is to connect a Codex system to the output of a film scanner and use its Virtual File System's network transcoding to serve scanned material in a wide variety of file-formats and resolutions simultaneously. Also, when scanning at high resolutions such as 4K, Codex's removable DiskPacks are actually a much faster way of transferring this scanned material around the post house (or between post houses) than using a computer network!

Can I use the network to put material back onto the Codex system?
Yes. One particular application of this could be when working with VFX shots. The raw source material can be accessed via the Virtual File System during shooting, and rough (or not-so-rough) test shots can be created by the VFX department. These completed shots can then be uploaded back to the Codex system, so they can be viewed back on set, giving a much better guide to how the source material is 'working' during the shoot.

Can the DiskPacks simply be connected to another computer to access the data?
The Codex DiskPacks feature proprietary hardware connectors designed for thousands of connect/disconnect cycles and this precludes them from simply being connected to any other computer to access this original data. Moreover, the material on the DiskPacks is not stored in an industry-standard format (such as DPX frames) but in the camera source's native output - conversions to DPX, QuickTime, HD video, AVI etc. are done only when the material is accessed in a Codex system.

Can the processor and DiskPack bays be separated, or is the Codex an 'all-in-one' recorder only?
The system was designed as a self-contained field recorder, but is in fact made from two separate halves. The top half contains the interface, I/O connectors and network access whilst the bottom DiskPack bays are built as a separate unit. For field recording use, you would need the complete system, but it is possible to use either the top half or bottom half separately. Contact us for more information about your specific requirements.

Is there an online jigsaw puzzle featuring the Codex recorder?
Yes. You can access it by clicking here.

I see from the specs page that there is a DVD writer built into the system. Doesn't this pose a security problem?
Not at all. All features on the Codex system can be password-protected or, in the case of the DVD writer, completely disconnected. Many people have asked for the ability to 'burn' a DVD containing that day's shots for viewing purposes, but for those that feel uneasy about this feature, the recorder's write-ability can be completely removed for peace of mind.

I currently shoot to HD tape using film-style HD cameras. How can Codex help me there?
If you prefer to shoot to compressed HD tape, Codex can be used on-set to back up, collate, review and distribute all your HD tape-originated material. By transferring your 'digital negative' tapes onto Codex, you have all the other advantages of shooting directly to Codex, such as format-independent file formats, reliable mirrored storage, the ability to quickly review all shots at full resolution and with colour-adjustment.

Also, with Codex's Virtual File System - you can send all HD tape-originated material instantly anywhere in the world in a wide variety of file formats. Compare this with the long turnaround time for couriering, sorting, digitising, file-format converting, colour-adjusting and redistributing HD tapes and it's easy to see how Codex can be of immense use in this particular field!

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