MPC’s Data Lab has developed a new iPhone app to help producers and camera operators calculate the data requirements necessary for all stages of the shooting and post pipeline.  The application was developed by MPC's R&D team led by Damien Fagnou.

The Data Calculator will work out the disk space needed for given running times of most digital cameras available and how much this will take on disk once transcoded.  It also has a reverse function so users can also enter a data amount to calculate a running time.  All commonly used high-end digital camera formats are supported including RED, Phantom, SI-2K, EX-1, AVC, Canon 5D & 7D.  There's also a film footage calculator for those who prefer the good old format.  You just need to select a film gauge, frame rate and running time to give the footage used.

Digital Imaging Producer Chris Vincze says the app will also help camera techs, editors and post producers better manage rushes and archives during each step of the production and post process.  ‘Digital acquisition is a new frontier, still in its early stages, where cameras and workflows are changing all the time – explains Vincze – This tool will hopefully aid the transition into a tapeless workflow’

MPC’s Data Calculator will also allow you to find out storage needed by calculating the uncompressed media (TIFF or DPX) from a given running time.

Click here to download the Data Calculator for free.

MPC Data Lab provides support for all data-acquisition projects, and offers assistance and production management across all stages of your digital pipeline. Building on the strengths of MPC’s non-linear digital workflow and data management services, the state of the art facility also offers workflow consultancy, digital dailies, rushes for editors and a full range of digital transcoding for commercials, feature films and broadcast.

For more information about the Data Lab, contact datalab@moving-picture.com.