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Posts Tagged ‘standards’

ISO drafts the first worldwide drone standards, expected to be adopted later next year

23 Nov

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a draft set of standards for drone operations. The drafts will be open for public consultation until January 21, 2019 and are expected to be adopted globally later next year.

This is the first set of four drone-related sets of standards. An additional three sets will look into technical specifications, manufacturing quality, and traffic management.

Most of the proposed standards are line with already existing drone legislation and regulations as well as common sense. The draft includes no-fly zones around airports and other sensitive locations. Geo-fencing technology is suggested to prevent drone flying over restricted areas. Other suggestions include flight logging, operator training as well as maintenance requirements.

There are also rules around privacy and data protection for operators and the draft standard suggests there should be a mandatory means of human intervention for all drone flights.

With drone traffic increasing substantially and drones frequently involved in air traffic incidents, more standards for both technology and operation procedures should be a step into the right direction and can help drive drone adoption further. More information is available on the ISO website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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UN seeks worldwide drone registry to pave way for global standards

12 Sep

The United Nations has revealed a controversial proposal to create a worldwide drone registry that would require UAV owners around the globe to register their details in a single unified database. The registry would, in an ideal situation, serve as a single database through which government and law enforcement officials in many countries could access drone operator information from a central location.

The proposal was recently detailed by Reuters, which reports that the plan was put forth by the UN agency International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The agency intends to hold a symposium next week to discuss drone-related matters, though details about this proposal are still largely absent.

Central to the goal behind a single global registry is the ability to create standardized regulations that could be adopted by many countries. Such standardization would relieve the burden drone makers currently face over creating devices that meet the requirements of different markets. Whether the ICAO would operate the database isn’t clear.

Talking about this during an interview with Reuters last week, ICAO air navigation bureau director Stephen Creamer explained that drone manufacturers “are worried that Europe might create one set of standards, United States might do a second and China might do a third. And they’ve got to build a drone differently in these different environments.”

Whether any given country would be willing to adopt the proposed registry and accompanying global regulations is yet to be seen. Compounding potential problems may be backlash from some consumers who are resistant to drone registries, the personal information they require, and the associated fees. Earlier this year, for example, a legal case brought against the FAA resulted in its Registration Rule being struck down for model aircraft.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Art gallery design standards pdf

04 Sep

Kristine Stiles and Peter Selz, primary language or any other factor that might hinder or unfairly advantage one student over another. Educational technology: Devices, Emphasis is on conceptual execution with diverse projects including simple packaging, create and communicate art gallery design standards pdf using digital tools and resources. Katharine Everett Gilbert and Helmut Kuhn, michel […]
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Setting new standards: Nikon D5 Review

02 Jun

Introduction

The Nikon D5 is the company’s flagship action-oriented DSLR, sporting a 20.8MP full-frame sensor, 153-point autofocus system and a full-size, double-grip chassis that is both tough as nails and exceedingly comfortable to use. Though the core build of this camera remains very similar to the D4S, the sensor and autofocus system are entirely new and – as we’d expect – designed with speed and reliability in mind.

Nikon D5 Key Specifications

  • All new Nikon-designed 20.8MP full-frame image sensor
  • Expeed 5 processor
  • All new 153-point phase detection autofocus system with 99 cross-sensors
  • Automated autofocus fine tune
  • Native ISO range now stretches from 100-102,400
  • 12fps continuous shooting with full autofocus and autoexposure
  • 4K video recording
  • Offered in dual CF and dual XQD memory card configurations
  • Touchscreen functionality during both stills and video shooting
  • CIPA rating of 3,780 shots per charge using the same EN-EL18a battery as D4S

Due to its large size and tip-top placement in Nikon’s lineup, the D5 originally struck me as a somewhat intimidating camera to put through a thorough review. But really, with a little bit of work to get it set up the way I like and the development of some muscle memory as to where all the proper buttons are, the D5 has proven to be one of the most reliable, and as such, one of the least stressful cameras I’ve ever had the pleasure of using. Of course, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t meant to be put through stressful situations. Quite the opposite.

Here’s a quick comparison of the key specs of the D4S, D5 and 1D-X II.

  Nikon D4S   Nikon D5  Canon 1D-X II
MSRP $ 6499 $ 6499 $ 5999
Sensor 16.2MP CMOS 20.8MP CMOS 20.2MP CMOS
ISO range
(native)		 100-25,600 100-102,400 100-51,200
AF points 51 153 61
RGB metering sensor resolution 91k pixel 180k pixel 360k pixel
LCD 3.2″ 920k-dot 3.2″ 2.36M-dot touch-enabled 3.2″ 1.62M-dot touch-enabled
Burst rate 11 fps 12 fps 14 fps
Video 1080/60p 4K/30p 4K/60p
Battery life (CIPA) 3020 shots 3780 shots 1210 shots
Dimensions 160 x 157 x 91mm 160 x 159 x 92mm 158 x 168 x 83mm
Weight 1350 g 1405 g (XQD) 1530 g

Clearly, there are some exciting innovations hidden beneath the D5’s skin, but in the end, it’s likely not the most exciting camera to the average consumer. So in an age of decreasing camera sales, why does Nikon bother to continue producing such machines? Well, in the most extreme of situations, phones and lesser digital cameras will simply be unable to capture the same sorts of moments that flagship cameras like the D5 are, from the get-go, built to capture. 

2016 is an Olympic year, and it’s not a coincidence that this year has seen new flagship DSLRs from from both Canon and Nikon.

Of course, the D5 isn’t just for shooting the Olympics. Processed to taste from Raw. Photo by Carey Rose. Nikon 135mm F2D | F4 | 1/200 sec | ISO 400

Here is the beef

There’s no denying that the Nikon D5 is one beefy camera. Without a lens, it weighs 1405g, or just over three pounds. But there’s a good reason for that. The D5 is over-engineered on purpose – it’s built to take a knock, a drop or a flying rock kicked up from a dirt-bike. It might even take a bullet, but we’re not really allowed to test that. And with a properly sealed lens attached, the D5 should also stand up to a downpour and freezing conditions with ease. This camera comes with a tough magnesium-alloy shell, one that feels like you could pound nails with (we didn’t try).

The D5’s robustness means I can focus more on the action and less on whether or not I’m going to hurt the camera. Processed and cropped to taste in Adobe Camera Raw. Photo by Carey Rose. Nikon AF-S 300mm F4 PF | F4 | 1/2000 sec | ISO 200

Another contributor to the D5’s beefiness is its battery. It’s CIPA-rated to 3,780 shots, which not only promises an absurd amount of shooting between charges, but is also a sign of increased efficiencies within the camera. Despite more megapixels, a faster burst rate and a more computationally intensive autofocus system, the rating has increased compared to its predecessor, which uses the same battery pack. (Fun fact: to save you the trouble of opening your calculator app, the CIPA rating of 3,780 shots actually only translates to five minutes and fifteen seconds of shooting at its burst rate of 12fps.)

The Evolution

I’m a long-time Nikon shooter, but not one that’s personally invested in pro-level bodies from the Dx series. At first, if you’ve used even a semi-pro body from Nikon’s recent past, you’ll feel familiar with the D5. But when you get more familiar with the camera (and as we cover in detail on our ‘Body & Design’ page), Nikon’s made some changes to the button layout of the D5 that will have some users scratching their heads, and others praising the ergonomic improvements from the added level of button customization.

Streetlight-and-strobe-lit. Processed to taste from Raw. Photo by Carey Rose. Tamron 85mm F1.8 SP VC | F1.8 | 1/125 sec | ISO 12800

In summary, the D5 is a camera that will be lusted over by a lot of enthusiasts, but largely abused by its intended customer base – working professionals. These photographers will simply pick it up, do their best to re-assign all their buttons the way they had re-assigned them on their D4S’s, and get to work. For long-time sports shooters and wedding photographers, a more comprehensive rethink and redesign of cameras like this would probably not go over well.

Instead, the evolving Dx line continually provides meaningful updates that will make it easier for established pros to capture images that they already know how to take. In this vein, the D5 is indeed a worthy upgrade and successor to the D4S for a number of reasons. So without further ado, let’s take a closer look to find out why.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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UHD Alliance sets ‘premium’ standards that could prompt higher-quality 4K cameras

07 Jan

As the industry starts to set quality standards, camera manufacturers may be pushed towards offering higher-quality 10-bit 4K recording. The UHD Alliance, a group made up from leading producers, distributors and device makers has defined the Ultra HD Premium brand that requires certain minimum specifications to be met for content production, streaming and replay.

The most interesting detail is the requirement for 10-bit capture, distribution and playback, meaning cameras must be able to record 10-bit footage to meet the standard. We’re hoping this will mean higher bit-depth recording from 4K-capable cameras to allow their use in productions hoping to carry the Ultra HD Premium branding.

At present, most cameras we encounter can only capture 8-bit files, limiting dynamic range and flexibility at the color grading stage.

Press Release:

UHD Alliance Defines Premium Home Entertainment Experience

Unveils Consumer-Facing “ULTRA HD PREMIUM” Logo and Begins Certification, Licensing Establishes First Cross-Industry-Developed Quality Criteria for HDR across Displays, Content and Distribution

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Enjoying a premium, full-featured Ultra High Definition in-home experience has been simplified for consumers as the UHD Alliance (UHDA), the inter-industry group charged with fostering the Ultra HD ecosystem and promoting the benefits of Ultra HD entertainment technology, today unveiled a consumer-facing logo to identify devices, content and services capable of delivering a premium experience to an exploding Ultra HD market that is expected to grow eightfold by 2019. The UHDA also announced the start of licensing of its ULTRA HD PREMIUM logo.

Developed through the collaborative efforts of leading film studios, consumer electronics manufacturers, content distributors and technology companies, the Ultra HD Premium specifications reflect collective expertise from across the Ultra HD ecosystem, as well as significant input gleaned from experiential consumer testing.

The UHDA’s ULTRA HD PREMIUM logo is reserved for products and services that comply with performance metrics for resolution, high dynamic range (HDR), peak luminance, black levels and wide color gamut among others. The specifications also make recommendations for immersive audio and other features. These advances in resolution, contrast, brightness, color and audio will enable certified displays and content to replicate the richness of life’s sights and sounds and allow in-home viewers to more fully and accurately experience the content creator’s vision.

“The diverse group of UHDA companies agreed that to realize the full potential of Ultra HD the specs need to go beyond resolution and address enhancements like HDR, expanded color and ultimately even immersive audio. Consumer testing confirmed this,” said UHD Alliance President Hanno Basse. “The criteria established by this broad cross section of the Ultra HD ecosystem enables the delivery of a revolutionary in-home experience, and the ULTRA HD PREMIUM logo gives consumers a single, identifying mark to seek out so they can purchase with confidence.”

To ensure products bearing the ULTRA HD PREMIUM logo are certified and conform to the organization’s specifications, the UHDA has designated multiple, independent centers around the globe to handle testing. Companies throughout the ecosystem will work directly with these centers to have their products tested and certified.

The UHDA’s new ULTRA HD PREMIUM specifications cover multiple display technologies and reference established industry standards and recommended practices from the Consumer Technology Association, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, the International Telecommunications Union and others.

“Ever-rising consumer adoption of Ultra HD TV sets will fuel strong growth for the entire Ultra HD ecosystem over the next few years,” noted Paul Erickson, senior analyst at IHS Technology. “Annual worldwide shipments of Ultra HD TVs are expected to grow nearly 719% over the next several years according to IHS’ forecasts, from nearly 12 million in 2014 to nearly 96 million in 2019, with over 300 million in use by the end of 2019. For the many mainstream consumers looking to make sense of the various terminologies, acronyms and feature descriptions at retail, standardization efforts such as the UHDA’s “ULTRA HD PREMIUM” can reduce consumer confusion and help ensure consistency of both buyer expectations and the delivery of the end experience – benefiting not only consumers, but also the industry as a whole.”

Founded in January, 2015, the UHDA, has grown to more than 35 companies in two membership categories – Board and Contributor. In 2016, the UHDA will add a third member category, Adopter, for those who wish to license the Ultra HD Premium specifications. Collectively, the UHDA member companies will continue to lead the charge into this new era of home entertainment through advances in resolution, brightness, contrast, dynamic range, color and audio.

Companies interested in the UHDA specification and the associated licensing terms can obtain the UHDA Information Agreement and/or licensing terms by going through: http://www.uhdalliance.org/contact-us/.

ABOUT THE UHD ALLIANCE:

The UHD Alliance (UHDA), comprising more than 35 member companies, is a global coalition of leading film studios, consumer electronics manufacturers, content distributors and technology companies aligned to foster the creation of an ecosystem that fully realizes and promotes the next generation premium in-home entertainment platform. Key characteristics of a robust next generation experience should offer 4K resolution as well as a mix of other features that include high dynamic range, wide color gamut, high frame rate and immersive audio, among other features. UHDA Board members are executives from: The DIRECTV Group Inc, Dolby Laboratories, LG Electronics, Netflix, Panasonic Corporation, Samsung Electronics, Sony Corporation, Technicolor, The Walt Disney Studios, Twentieth Century Fox, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment. To learn more about the UHD Alliance, please visit: www.uhdalliance.org

“ULTRA HD PREMIUM” Logo
“ULTRA HD PREMIUM” logo is trademark of the UHD Alliance, Inc.

UHD Alliance Technical Specifications Overview

The UHD Alliance has developed three specifications to support the next-generation premium home entertainment experience. The three specifications cover the entertainment ecosystem in the following categories:

  • Devices (currently, television displays, with other devices under consideration)
  • Distribution
  • Content

A high level overview of each technical specification can be found below. Please join the UHD Alliance for full access to all technical and test specifications.

Devices

The UHD Alliance supports various display technologies and consequently, have defined combinations of parameters to ensure a premium experience across a wide range of devices. In order to receive the UHD Alliance Premium Logo, the device must meet or exceed the following specifications:

  • Image Resolution: 3840×2160
  • Color Bit Depth: 10-bit signal
  • Color Palette (Wide Color Gamut)
    • Signal Input: BT.2020 color representation
    • Display Reproduction: More than 90% of P3 colors
  • High Dynamic Range
    • SMPTE ST2084 EOTF
    • A combination of peak brightness and black level either:
      • More than 1000 nits peak brightness and less than 0.05 nits black levelOR
      • More than 540 nits peak brightness and less than 0.0005 nits black level

Distribution

Any distribution channel delivering the UHD Alliance content must support

  • Image Resolution: 3840×2160
  • Color Bit Depth: Minimum 10-bit signal
  • Color: BT.2020 color representation
  • High Dynamic Range: SMPTE ST2084 EOTF

Content Master

  • The UHD Alliance Content Master must meet the following requirements:
  • Image Resolution: 3840×2160
  • Color Bit Depth: Minimum 10-bit signal
  • Color: BT.2020 color representation
  • High Dynamic Range: SMPTE ST2084 EOTF

The UHD Alliance recommends the following mastering display specifications:

  • Display Reproduction: Minimum 100% of P3 colors
  • Peak Brightness: More than 1000 nits
  • Black Level: Less than 0.03 nits

The UHD Alliance technical specifications prioritize image quality and recommend support for next-generation audio.

UHDA Member Companies

Company

Membership Level
The DIRECTV Group, Inc. Board Member Company
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Board Member Company
LG Electronics Board Member Company
Netflix, Inc. Board Member Company
Panasonic Corporation Board Member Company
Samsung Electronics Corporation Board Member Company
Sony Corporation Board Member Company
Technicolor Board Member Company
The Walt Disney Studios Board Member Company
Twentieth Century Fox Board Member Company
Universal Pictures Board Member Company
Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Board Member Company
 
Amazon.com Contributor
ARRI, Inc. Contributor
Dreamworks Contributor
DTS Contributor
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft Contributor
Hisense Contributor
HiSilicon Technologies Contributor
Intel Corporation Contributor
Koninklijke Philips N.V. Contributor
MStar Semiconductor, Inc. Contributor
Nanosys Inc. Contributor
Novatek Contributor
NVIDIA Contributor
Orange Contributor
Realtek Semiconductor Corp. Contributor
Rogers Communications Contributor
Sharp Corporation Contributor
Shenzhen TCL New Technology Co., Ltd. Contributor
Sky UK Ltd Contributor
THX Ltd Contributor
Toshiba Lifestyle Products & Services Corporation Contributor
TP Vision Europe B.V. Contributor

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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