Technical Guides: X-OCN LT and the Power of 16-bit Linear

X-OCN LT represents a bridge format that enables productions that might not otherwise consider shooting in a raw format to take advantage of 16-bit linear encoding.
In layman's terms, the difference between capturing in 16-bit versus 10-bit equates to a 64x increase in tonal resolution. This means that all the rich color, highlight detail, shadow depth, and subtle skin tone variations in a scene are recorded. As a result, the ability to create pleasing, technically accurate, or artistically rendered tones in the final color grade is significantly enhanced and much smoother.

X-OCN also delivers exceptional color depth, retaining detail deep in the shadows for darker scenes and varying skin tones, while preserving color even in extreme highlights. This allows overexposed elements such as light fixtures, windows, or sunlit exteriors — which other camera systems might clip to white — to maintain color information.

All X-OCN variants (including X-OCN ST and X-OCN XT) are fully compatible with modern post-production and dailies generation software.

Technical Guides: X-OCN LT Archival, Long Life, and Remastering

Recording or capturing in X-OCN LT is also the best method for archiving projects shot with the BURANO. Shooting in X-OCN LT allows for 8K and HDR remasters to be made should the need arise in the future, as well as providing the best basis for post-production on technologies that have yet to be invented or implemented.

Technical Guides: X-OCN LT Lowered Data Rates

64 times the amount of tonal range does require an increase in data rate but it’s less than the numbers would suggest.  Sony’s engineers have achieved a data rate allowing for up to 148 minutes of footage per card in the Burano’s highest resolution (8.6K 16:9 mode at 24fps, using Sony CFexpress Type B VPG400 1920 GB memory cards) by storing the image in its original bayer pattern configuration and leveraging their advanced knowledge in wavelet compression. Downloading over USB3.1 allows for full backup of a 2TB card in under 40 mins.

Since X-OCN LT writes the files as original bayer pattern data from the sensor and not rendered out to RGB, the resulting files are approximately 1/3 the size of comparable Prores 4444. This can help dramatically with data storage requirements and postproduction bandwidth.

Technical Guides: X-OCN LT Use Cases

X-OCN LT is a proven codec that has been in use since 2016. Bringing a history of being used on projects with the Venice Original and Venice 2 camera systems, before its inclusion in the Burano platform.  It has proved its worth on documentary projects where its compression allows for very long record times. With two slots in the camera, this can keep up with the most long-winded interviews, simultaneously offering the assurance that you are capturing in a pixel resolution, bit depth, color space and dynamic range that you can repurpose far into the future. 

Not only has it been used in many cinematic documentaries, X-OCN LT has found a home in episodic television, including such shows as Law and Order and Bel-Air.  It is also a common format on national commercials and independent films that don’t require much CGI manipulation.  Finally, it has also carved out a space in the world of branded content, as it allows for precise color correction to match strict brand imaging requirements in both logos and in product colors.

Technical Guides: X-OCN Beyond LT

The X-OCN ST and XT formats available on the Original VENICE and VENICE 2 have their place, as formats of choice for large budget narrative (ST), and for complex VFX environments (XT), but all variants can be easily mixed on the same project.  XAVC-I and XAVC-H formats similarly are great formats for when you need to deliver content nearly instantaneously which will see no final color or limited final color correction.

To see test footage using the X-OCN codecs, visit Sony-Cinematography.com.