System for optimizing the display and rendering of digital images for digital mastering

Abstract

A digital mastering system for processing digital image signals originating from scanned motion picture film includes a film scanner for scanning motion picture film and generating a stream of digital image signals corresponding to motion picture images, a color grading channel that pre-visualizes a certain 'look' that can be applied to the digital image signals and a digital rendering channel that renders the digital image signals pre-visualized for a certain 'look' into a digital master. The “look” includes the appearances produced by either a standard motion picture print film and/or adjustments applied to a standard appearance to obtain a creative effect. The color grading channel includes a parameter generator for storing parameters for a plurality of “looks”, a digital color grading processor for applying one or more selected parameters to impart a pre-visualized “look” to the digital image signals and a display device capable of reproducing the color graded signals. The digital rendering channel includes a digital rendering processor for applying one or more of the parameters selected by the parameter generator to the digital image signals in order to impart the rendered “look” into the digital image signals and a digital mastering device for producing a digital master from the rendered digital image signals.