computing, counting and displaying colors

let's count the number of color when allocating more bit per pixel..
there are 3 channels of visible color per pixel (RGB)
bits per chanel	bit per pixel	colors per pixel		value (min)	value (max)
8	24	16,78	millions	0	255
				(8bit integer)
10	30	1,07	billions	0	1023
				(10bit integer)
12	36	68,72	billions	0	1
				(16bit float number)
16	48	281,47	trillons	0	1
				(16bit float number)
32	96			0	no limit
				(32bit float number)
about 32pbc or HDR mode :
Instead of storing a pixel's on-screen 'color', HDR Shop stores the amount of light red, green and blue) it represents. Since there is no limit to how much light you can have in the real world, HDR Shop stores these pixel values as floating point numbers. That is, instead of storing pixels using the numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, ... 253, 254, 255) like in an 8-bit image, it uses numbers like 0.01534, 0.9429, 1.0500, and 1,356,035.0253.
HDR : (4,4,4) is 4 time "whiter" than (1,1,1) with correspond to white in 16bpc.
But the color is STILL white.
SDI (proffessional video cable and link):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_Digital_Interface#Video_payload_and_blanking
sdi single link, single cable is limited (caped) to 10bpc, SDI 10bit.
SDI 12bit can only be done by using dual link, or the new 3Gb SDI link.
4:2:2 YCbCr, 4:4:4 YCbCr, and 4:4:4 RGB, with 12 bits of color information per sample, rather than 10. Note that the interface itself is still 10 bit; the additional 2 bits per channel are multiplexed into an additional 10-bit channel on the second link.
HDMI (consummer video link) :
hdmi numbers are in bit per pixel, not bit per channel.
divide by 3.
from 1.0 to 1.2a
24bit maximum, means 8bpc
1.3 and up :
30, 36 and 48 bit, means 10, 12 and 16bpc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdmi#HDMI_1.3c
so yes, HDMI is much more colorfull than SDI !
video monitor :
almost all panel of TV lcd are limited to 8bit.
the HDTV for 10bit and beyond is xvYCC.
Sony renames new HDTV standard xvYCC to x.v. Color
new xvYCC TV lcd are avaible since january 2008
KDL-40XBR6 KDL-40XBR7 KDL-46XBR6 KDL-46XBR8 KDL-52XBR6 KDL-55XBR8 KDL-70XBR7 KDL-52XBR7
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/xvYCC-The-Future-of-Color-34362.htm
computer monitor :
hdmi numbers are in bit per pixel, not bit per channel.
divide by 3.
18 bit	262144	6bpc
24 bit	16,7 millions	8bpc
32 bit	4,3 billions	10bpc
So even if you have your display settings in 32bit, that only means that
your graphic card compute internaly in 10bpc.
You monitor doesn't.
low consumer LCD monitors display in… 6bpc, 18bit color.
standard consummers LCD, [even those with Wide Gamut],
monitors LCD display in 8bpc, 24bit colors
one of the best LCD is 10bpc, 30bit color.
Nec LCD2180WG LED
http://www.necdisplay.com/Products/Product/?product=6eec56b3-7ee7-4487-9e3f-9dd308215618
graphics cards :
most of today graphics cards have 10-bit display processing and 10-bit DVI output.
nvidia quadro, nvida 8/9/GT, ati fireGL, ati radeon, matrox
special effects and video workflow
http://www.cineform.com/products/FAQ.htm#ProspectHD3
http://help.adobe.com/fr_FR/AfterEffects/9.0/WS81984DEB-D195-4822-9A06-EA0D00A0ECC7.html
cineform is one of the few codec that can properly handle 10bit,
in full HD and up, and in 4:4:4 mode.
after effects, one of the best software made by adobe, can compute into
8bpc, 16bpc or even 32bpc !
if you follow the cineform link, you will see why it's so important to compute
all your effects with the MAXIUM colors available :
the final product will use all the color range of your output available.

After Effects RAM, disk, preview, nucleo

there are 2 differents levels of render in AE workflow (design choice)
1 - for viewing your comp, you need to make a preview
1-1 the ONLY realtime preview avaible, is RAM preview. Disk preview is almost never realtime !
2 - for exporting your comp as a footage (final file), you have to render AGAIN
no preview here, it's a simple transcoding process like premiere export.
there are 4 channels per pixel RVB + alpha
AE cs4 is still a 32 bits product, so you CAN'T have more than 4GB for the main instance, even in 64bits OS with 16GB RAM and 8 cores.
max ram avaible for preview		3	GB	(maximum RAM Cache size in preferences menu)
ram used per frame		MB	frames avaible for preview	time available in NTSC (sec)	time available in PAL (sec)
SD full D1	8bpc	1,33	2301	76,7	92,1
	16bpc	2,67	1151	38,4	46,0
	32bpc	5,34	575	19,2	23,0
HD full 1080i60	8bpc	7,91	388	12,9	15,5
	16bpc	15,82	194	6,5	7,8
	32bpc	31,64	97	3,2	3,9
so… that means, you CAN'T get more than 7 sec realtime preview of your composition !
if you want to see more, you have to select another start time in your time line, wait for a RAM preview render, and see again a little 7sec.
it's not a joke.
how works the disk cache ?
is there a way to render all the work area by using disk cache ? And when i hit "preview", the RAM preview is used as a buffer filled up by disk reading ?
it will be like a "disk preview" ? Instead of wasting 3GB RAM for storing the preview, take 1GB and give 2GB to be allocated to ram for rendering.

CS4 & GPU accelerated effects

so what ? Adobe wakes up and realized that nowdays, a lots of power is not used in your graphic cards. And so, you could have very fast processing power to allocate to graphics operations !
(that's why Nvidia build their own way of programming their GPUs using CUDA specific language. more on CUDA on another post...)

that's mean that some effects are now REALTIME !!!
but they use OpenGL instead of directX, so you have some limitations...

http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb404898

OpenGL/GPU features in Adobe Photoshop CS4 are:

• Smooth Display at ALL Zoom Levels
• Animated Zoom Tool
  
• Animated Transitions when doing a One Stop Zoom
• Hand Toss Image
• Birdseye View
• Rotate Canvas
• Smooth Display of Non Square Pixel Images
• Pixel Grid
• Move Color Matching to the GPU
• Draw Brush Tip Editing Feedback via GPU
• 3D GPU features include:
  
  • 3D Acceleration
  • 3D Axis
  • 3D Lights Widget
  • Accelerated 3D Interaction via Direct To Screen

see the video here :
http://www.nvidia.com/object/builtforadobepros.html

As usual Nvidia is trying to convince you that's you can get this only when using their expensive Quadro cards, but that completely false, as Adobe itself explains :
http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=kb405445&sliceId=2

and "The NVIDIA® Quadro® CX is the accelerator for Adobe® Creative Suite® 4" let me laugh :
- this apps ONLY works in premiere CS4, and ONLY for export into H.264 video
- it is NOT MADE BY ADOBE itself, they buy the licence from elementals technology
(http://www.elementaltechnologies.com/ the RapiHD™ Accelerator, that is a bundled and light version of Badaboom™ Media Converter)
- yes it's not the full version but a special bundled one.
- and sorry to kill you again, but as you can see on Anandtech review "Elemental also indicated that performance scales linearly with the number of SPs in the GPU, so presumably the GeForce GTX 280 should be nearly 90% faster (at least at the GPU-accelerated functions) than a GeForce 9800 GTX. "
- in fact the quadro CX is a brand new hardware card based on.. Geforce GTx260. So lower that GTX280. cost 2 000$ !!! and the Geforce GTX 260 is about 300$
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_Quadro and http://www.vr-zone.com/articles/nvidia-quadro-cx-speeds-up-adobe-creative-suite-4/6127.html)
- as elemental list themselves , http://www.badaboomit.com/?q=node/4
Minimum System Requirements
1.6 GHz Intel or AMD dual core CPU
NVIDIA GeForce 8 series or later CUDA enabled GPU


adobe CS4 supported OS :
Windows XP 32
Windows Vista 32
Windows Vista 64

Windows XP 64 : OpenGL is not supported on Windows XP 64 because XP 64-bit drivers aren't written to support this technology.
what a joke !!! I mean, i HAVE personally worked on IBM workstation with XP64 and quadro cards, and tested 3dsMax 9 with openGL. And nvidia does have drivers on XP64...
i will test this at work ASAP and report it here...

from Nvidia documentation :
Hardware and Software Support
Supported Operating Systems
This Release 178 driver includes drivers designed for the following Microsoft®
operating systems:
• Microsoft Windows® XP
• Windows XP Professional
• Windows XP Home Edition
• Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 x64 Edition1
• Microsoft Windows 2000

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp64_178.26.html

UPDATE : tested at work with xp64 sp2, 8800GT and latest drivers... doesn't work ! so seem something is locked. if it's true, that means that the only avaible option is Vista 64. so bad...

text style in Photoshop

i'm looking for a very simple text style in PS... too complicated for it lol.
basically i want a way to create/edit/deleted text style, like i do in word. yes PS is not a word processing tool, but so little think...

what i want to be able to do is :
1) select a text with a style i made. save it at a text style.
2) select an another part on the text (can be a letter only, anywhere in the paragraph), and apply the style of 1).
3) redo the step 2) very fast and easily using "redo" action / short cut keys.

for now on, i'm doing it all manually. what a waste of time !

quadro demystified

hi ! let's talk a little about Nvidia "quadro" cards...

i just copy and past here an excellent article from Tech ARP website :
"The NVIDIA Quadro family of professional graphics cards are very, very expensive. They are generally 2-5X more expensive than their gaming counterparts, the NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards. But everyone knows that Quadro and GeForce graphics cards are virtually identical in hardware.

Yes, you read that right. Even with the unbelievable price tag, the NVIDIA Quadro is really no different from their desktop GeForce counterparts. So why is NVIDIA charging you so much for a Quadro?

It all revolves around the driver support for professional 3D applications like 3ds Max or Maya. Quadro drivers allow the Quadro to be used to accelerate the rendering operations of such professional 3D applications while GeForce drivers do not. This is the basis for the premium prices NVIDIA (and ATI) charge for their professional-grade graphics cards."

some facts :

1) quadro is using the SAME hardware than geforce (and in fact older one)

2) you just paying to get... specific drivers, that works ONLY in very few applications. As a QA analysis for autodesk 3DS max 9, i can say :

- the drivers for quadro (and especially openGL) are always old, and get few updates. because the certification process is very long. and vendors are afraid of compatibility issues. so you get something working, but do not benefit from updated drivers boost.

- 3DS Max 9 (and more and more others) has jumped into directX world, so i don't think you get any benefit using a quadro here !

3) by the end the best world is to get a nice new hardware part for a good price : the geforce, and then use the "quadro specific openGL drivers" on it. that's called "sof mod", very easy and secure to do. http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=539&pgno=0

4) quadro family specs : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_Quadro

PS : for now, the best geforce are GT280 and GT260... but only 1 year old, and NO QUADRO comparable card are available. i remember you that the GT2xx cards have about 2x horsepower that anything before (in nvidia). so why to pay 5x the price to get an old and half powered quadro card ?

UPDATE : yes nvidia as the new Quadro CX based on Geforce GTX260 chipset avaible for $2 000 (instead of 300$ for the geforce equivalent lol)

http://www.vr-zone.com/articles/nvidia-quadro-cx-speeds-up-adobe-creative-suite-4/6127.html

blackmagic and vodoo on 64 bits

http://www.blackmagic-design.com/support/detail.asp?techID=160

date : 14 may 2008, so something recent :)

but COMPLETELY WRONG !!!

sorry mister magic, but professional wise, you HAVE TO USE A 64 bits system :
- [premiere] go on the net and check forums about premiere stability. you will discover that everybody says that premiere is much more usable, stable and fast when using 64bits OS with lots of RAM, especially on big projects, in HD. Exactly what we need...

- [photoshop] the rule of thumb here is very easy : the more RAM you give to PS, the faster it will become. with xp32 and /3GB switch you will get about 2.2GB. with xp64, doing nothing, you will get about 3GB for PS, and all other RAM for you're system.
but that is "old" days, because since CS4, on you're PC, you'll get the 64bits version of PS... that at least you can use ALL YOU RAM. 8GB, 16GB and more !!! do i say you HAVE to use a 64bits OS ?

- [after effects] as adobe as taken the very nice idea of mutliprocessing form Gridon Nucleo plugin (at least they weak up a realize that people use worksations with plenty of unused cores for AE !), the rule is easy : you'll need 1 or 2GB of RAM per core to make a render.
so let's say you have a quad-core... you need 8GB RAM to make complex render in HD mode. Oh do you remember that xp32 can use a maximum of 3GB ???

about 64bits OS avaible now :
windows XP 64 professionnal -> VERY recommanded
all vista 64 bits editions -> it has the worst word from microsoft "vista" lol
windows 7 64 bits edition -> surrely the best, in one year ahead.

dell coupon codes

hello !
here is my conversation with a dell agent about coupon code saving....
it tooks me exactly 20min to get the correct answer lol !
this story is like a big joke !
enjoy :)

14:03:04 Customerfredsky
Initial Question/Comment: hi ! i want to buy a studio 15. i have a 100$ coupon code, i wonder if it works ?
14:04:35 SystemSystem
You are now being connected to an agent. Thank you for using Dell Chat
14:04:35 SystemSystem
Connected with CA SALES Vishnu 1289
14:04:40 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
Thank you for choosing Dell Canada Chat sales and Finance. My name Vishnu and I’ll be your personal sales advisor today. When you place your order online, ensure my Sales Rep ID number (1289) appears in the Dedicated Sales Representative field during checkout. Ensure it is under Sales Rep Extension, so that I can assure a quick delivery and a flawless order process. While I review your question, check out our current ISP deals!!!
14:04:45 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
CA SALES Vishnu 1289 pushes page, http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topics/reftopic.aspx/gen/en/setrepcode?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&rep_id=1289&rep_type=CHAT&redirect_url=http%3A//www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/isp%3Fc%3Dca%26cs%3Dcadhs1%26l%3Den%26s%3Ddhs%26%7Eck%3Dmn
14:04:50 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
Hello Fredsky
14:05:00 Customerfredsky
hello
14:05:14 Customerfredsky
so i've this coupon : 3QH2$TXHLPD8M8
14:05:14 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
May I have the coupon code #
14:05:34 Customerfredsky
when i enter it in my basket, it's not clear if it works or not...
14:05:45 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
Give me moment
14:05:49 Customerfredsky
k.
14:07:25 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
May I have your phone # where I can reach you now
14:07:33 Customerfredsky
http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/affiliates?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1
14:07:39 Customerfredsky
??? lol no
14:08:15 Customerfredsky
my quwestion is very easy : on the page i give u, there is a saving of 190$ on studio 15. can i add the 100$ coupon too ?
14:08:42 Customerfredsky
if not, can i use the coupon for a standard price ?
14:09:10 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
I will assist you give me moment
14:09:23 Customerfredsky
ok no problem
14:10:25 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
Could you please provide me your First and Last Name, Home Address and Home Phone # so that I will create a profile for you
14:11:03 Customerfredsky
...............[grrrrr]
14:11:07 Customerfredsky
why ?
14:11:17 Customerfredsky
so much things to give for a stupid question lol
14:11:35 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
I will place the order manually for getting $ 100 discount
14:11:44 Customerfredsky
pfff
14:11:53 Customerfredsky
i CAN DO it also right ?
14:12:02 Customerfredsky
it s the purpose of the code ?
14:12:30 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
Some time due to technical error you may not get the discount
14:12:45 Customerfredsky
so crazy
14:12:57 Customerfredsky
could PLEASE answer my question ? at least ?
14:13:11 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
Please tell me
14:13:20 Customerfredsky
lol... see upper
14:13:39 Customerfredsky
http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/affiliates?c=ca&cs=cadhs1&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1
14:14:01 Customerfredsky
my quwestion is very easy : on the page i give u, there is a saving of 190$ on studio 15. can i add the 100$ coupon too ? if not, can i use the coupon for a standard price ?
14:14:31 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
No you cannot use the coupon on that link
14:14:53 Customerfredsky
??? why this is a dell link !
14:15:16 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
Sorry just a moment let me go through once again
14:15:25 Customerfredsky
lol
14:15:48 Customerfredsky
100$ represent the time to check if it works in fact !!!
14:16:45 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
The link which you sent now is applicable for $100 discount. But you cannot use the coupon code # 3QH2$TXHLPD8M8 on standard link
14:17:41 Customerfredsky
???????????????????? this line says "Save $100 on the following systems when you spend over $799 with coupon code 3QH2$TXHLPD8M8 - Expires 10/23/2008"
14:17:50 Customerfredsky
so it's false ?
14:18:05 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
No its not false one
14:18:19 Customerfredsky
so crazy right ?
14:18:24 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
You will still get the discount but may be due to web site error it is not working
14:18:29 Customerfredsky
this is misinformation
14:19:02 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
You want I will assist you in placing the order
14:19:12 Customerfredsky
ok... let's say it work. can i have it with the 190$ saving too? or i muste use a regular system without saving ?
14:19:25 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
and will also see to it that you will get the discount
14:19:42 Customerfredsky
ok i undersatand,, but i will not do that now.
14:19:50 Customerfredsky
ok... let's say it work. can i have it with the 190$ saving too? or i muste use a regular system without saving ?
14:21:10 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
With the link you provided you will get $190 online discount and also coupon code discount of $100
14:21:32 Customerfredsky
ok nice:) at least i'v got my answer !
14:21:50 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
Sorry for the confusion
14:21:56 Customerfredsky
thanks for you time, and to have so dark answers lol
14:22:00 Customerfredsky
bye
14:22:10 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
Were there any other questions I can answer for you today?
14:22:26 Customerfredsky
nope, thanks
14:22:35 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
Thank you again for choosing Dell
14:22:51 Customerfredsky
yep ;) have a nice day in india !
14:23:20 AgentCA SALES Vishnu 1289
Thanks



PS : please note that only english-indian chat or phone works on week-end. You'll have to wait for working day hours to get a french support !