Pixel Farm Announces PFClean 4.0 At NAB 2008

The Pixel Farm will be announcing the launch of the next version of its resolution independent, automated moving image review and clean up system, PFClean at NAB 2008.
The new version 4.0 has over 1,000 new features and enhancements, including improved media management, re-mastering and IO, smart folders, an enhanced timeline, improved grain management and a new scripting UI.
PFClean 4.0 software is now available as a 64-bit application for all platforms; Linux, Intel based Mac and Windows. Working with multiple resolution source material becomes much easier in v4.0 as new Project templates allow multiple resolution sources to be worked on with a project and then re-mastered within the timeline to single or multiple output resolutions.
New tools in version 4.0 include a fully featured tracking system. With the new Tracking Manager, 2D features tracks can be shared and utilised by many tools within PFClean. Masks can be attached to Trackers, as can paint strokes. Trackers can also be used to improve motion estimation and image stabilisation. Also included is a new De-fog tool, which is designed to fix images damaged by X-Rays, pre or over exposure and other issues common to some regions.
Project and media management enhancements allow for wider infrastructure support with user defined Vault locations, making for more flexible pipeline integration. Immensely beneficial to any facility having to deal with large volumes of work, PFClean 4.0 also introduces 'Automations'. These are scripted operations that can be applied within PFClean to carry out common or complex tasks. In conjunction with new 'Smart folders' within the application, users can now set up an automated workflow without the need to use command line tools.
A completely reworked timelines provides multi-point editing features while improved Grain tools now include strength presets, added edge protection, de-grain presets and improved analysis of linear images. Many of the tools that have made PFClean so successful in the fields of DI and Restoration have been greatly improved in version 4.0 both in terms of speed and functionality.
In addition to the software only version, two new turnkey systems are available running an extended range of fully hardware-accelerated tools providing a massive tenfold increase in processing speeds. An entry-level system designed for resolutions up to 2K provides a cost-effective platform to process both film and video for DI clean up and restoration. For those with greater demand, a larger system, working at 4K and above is available. Both systems can be extended using hardware accelerated processing nodes. The PFClean system has already been adopted in many demanding DI and Restoration pipelines all over the world.
Announce last year, version 4.0 turnkey systems offer an optional video IO module allowing for the direct ingest and layoff of SD and HD video material without the need to tie up other systems, providing a powerful workhorse for video restoration facilities.
Formed in 2002 and based in the UK, The Pixel Farm focuses on the integration of 'Best of Breed' technologies to provide collaborative and innovative products for digital composting.
Further information is available at: www.thepixelfarm.co.uk.
(KMcA/JM)