DataVideo CKL-100 Dual Color LED Chromakey Ring

[wess]

I was wondwering if anyone has any expereince in using a light ring such as the one produced by Datavideo (CLK-100, $1,000) with VT5's virtual sets. I would like to simplify the chroma keying process.

1. How well dose the product work?
2. Can you get a full body shot with this product?

http://www.datavideo.us/fs/products/ckl100_fs.htm
http://www.datavideo.us/pdf_and_msword/product_reviews/dvk_100_review.pdf

Reflecmedia has one that costs twice as much.

Thanks for your input!

[Matt D]

I am planing on getting Datavideo's chroma screen solution; the major difference, on paper anyway, seems to be that reflect has a 90 degree axis and Datavideo has only 70 deg. This means you could scruch reflects into a ball and still get a key; they do this in one of their demo's. But as most screen use is 0-30 degrees, maybe 45-70? on multi-cam sets.
I have seen a quick demo at SMPTE but not on VT.
Would love to hear if anyone has used it also.

[bbeanan]

I had one of the reflecmedia single color systems... it worked pretty well but takes some practice to get it all set-up perfect...

Some of the tricks are make sure you can get your camera at least 8 feet away from your talent and backdrop. Also a good trick is to make your hair light the opposite color as your key color (I would use a pink or red when I did green screen work) don't make it super bright jus enough to help you pull the key.
Also if possible have your VT system right there with your camera hooked up to your sx-84 via the YUV. Finally capture in RTV or NT25 and capture 30 sec. of just the background with no talent or anything... that way you can get your key setting right on the edge of perfection, then add talent and you should be good to go...

[wess]

Thanks for the reply. Here is a review on reflecmedia from Digital contenet Producer:

http://digitalcontentproducer.com/cameras/prods/video_reflecmedia_chromatte_litering/index.html

[ted]

We have the green and blue LED from Play, reflecmedia is the same I think.
We've done a fair amount of location work with it and it's great for that. It also really impresses clients. But compared to a well lit greenscreen, I'd take the greenscreen any day.

The LED option tends to leave a slight "halo" around the subject. But it's not something you can't greatly minimize with key choke. But sometimes you need to compromise fine tuning other details to handle the halo.
You also have to watch any reflective material like jewelry, tie clips, even eye reflection that can show the LED color.

We used it to key an 8 Ball and had to mask the reflection of the LED. But we might have had a harder time to eliminate green spill on the shiney 8 ball. So just be aware of the pros and cons.

[bob anderson]

i worked NewTek's booth at siggraph last year..They had one where i was demoing... it did a great job.... looked great under poor conditions

bob anderson