V-RAPTOR [X] - Extended Highlights

Extended Highlights is a beta feature of RED Global Vision in the V-RAPTOR [X] and V-RAPTOR XL [X]. This article is designed to be a comprehensive explanation of the feature, and provide important information for the use of it.

WHAT IS EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS?

Extended Highlights is a beta feature designed to capture more color and detail in the extremely bright portions of your image. It uses multiple exposures to reconstruct previously clipped detail in the most faithful way possible. There are no adjustments or levers for the Extended Highlight process, it is simply an On or Off feature.

POST-PRODUCTION COMPATIBILITY

Clips which are captured with Extended Highlights enabled require RED’s SDK 8.5 or later. Please ensure the NLE of your choice has implemented RED’s latest SDK. If your post tool has not implemented 8.5 or later, use REDCINE-X version 62 or later to transcode the Extended Highlight clips into another format for compatibility with your NLE. Extended Highlights clips take more processing power than standard clips, and are only compatible with ½ or Full Resolution decoding.

WHAT IS THE RECOMMENDED USE CASE FOR EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS?

Extended Highlights is only recommended to be enabled on a scene-by-scene basis, essentially anytime uncontrollable highlight clipping is seen either in the Exposure False Color, Gio Scopes, or RGB Scopes. When enabled, Extended Highlights shows a preview of the image with the reconstructed highlight information.

DOES EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS HAVE ANY LIMITATIONS IN-CAMERA?

When Extended Highlights are enabled, the maximum frame rate per-format is reduced by half. In addition, data rates are doubled and in some cases available R3D Qualities may be reduced. In-camera ISO selection is also limited to ISO 1600. 

WHEN IS EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS NOT RECOMMENDED?

Extended Highlights are not recommended when shooting within an LED Volume, or any other environment where sync is critical. It is also not recommended to use Extended Highlights in high action handheld scenes. 

CAN EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS BE DISABLED IN POST?

Yes, Extended Highlights can be disabled in Post Production, it is a non-destructive process. 

ARE THERE ANY ARTIFACTS FROM EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS?

It is possible there may be additional motion blur or “ghosting” in the image if excessive motion is present in the region of reconstructed highlight detail. 

HOW DO I EXPOSE WITH EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS?

Exposing with Extended Highlights is no different than exposing without them. Exposure False Color, Gio Scopes, and the RGB Stoplights all reflect the new dynamic range with Extended Highlights Enabled.

False Color: Exposure

Using the Exposure False Color tool, the system references the Log version of your image using the set ISO value. Parts of the image which are clipped are indicated by the color red. If red is seen in the Exposure False Color, you can enable Extended Highlights to recover additional information, and the new clip point will be reflected. Your middle grey will remain unchanged.

Gio Scope

Using the Gio Scopes tool, the system is referencing the linear sensor data and does not take into account the ISO you have set. Parts of the image which are clipped are represented as black within the 16th step of the tool. All steps of the Gio Scope tool are represented by a single color except for 16. The 16th step has multiple shades of red throughout it to represent approaching clip, with black being true clip. If black is seen in the Gio Scope, you can enable Extended Highlights to recover additional information, and the new clip point will be reflected. Your middle grey will remain unchanged.