User guide
6
Introduction
The Datavideo DVK-100 is a two camera live chroma keyer. It has many advanced features which can give
excellent results even from less than perfect Chroma Key setups. Although the DVK-100 is equipped with
excellent edge controls it is always best to start with the best keyable image your setup is able to produce.
Please read these advisory notes before using the DVK-100 as the camera, backdrop and lighting setups all
play an important role in producing the best result.
We would strongly recommend the use of a three chip (3 CCD) camera for chroma effect shooting. The extra
image clarity that a three chip camera produces greatly improves the quality of the keying. It is also best to
use S-Video (Y/C) cables wherever possible. An S-Video signal offers better colour separation than a
Composite video signal, and again this greatly improves the quality of the keying.
Backdrops
There are many different possibilities when it comes to setting up a Chroma Key Studio.
In a permanent set up the use of Green Screen or Blue Screen Paint is ideal. Painting a wall is the cheapest
way of producing a Green or Blue backdrop and there are several suppliers of specialist backdrop paint
which is exactly the right shade and texture for keying purposes.
For a less permanent arrangement cloth is an excellent option. Again there are specialist manufacturers
producing Green and Blue Screen cloth which is the right shade and texture to give excellent keying results.
Cloth is quick to setup, and roll away, and is far more durable than paper. Cloth is also less likely to fade
than paper, and generally gives far better performance. It is important to ensure there are no creases or folds
in the backdrop as these may produce areas of uneven lighting.
Another alternative well worth considering is the range of backdrops from Reflecmedia -
www.relecmedia.com.
Reflecmedia produce unique backdrops which are embedded with tiny glass beads. These backdrops are
used in conjunction with LED LiteRings that mount on the lens of the camera. The unique properties of the
backdrop will allow you to get away with having the odd crease line, and the whole system is extremely quick
to set up. If you are looking for a portable system you will be hard pushed to beat the Reflecmedia systems.
Lighting
Lighting of your chosen backdrop is extremely important; the more even the lighting on the backdrop the
better the finished result. Lighting setups for the foreground will vary according to the effect youre after, but
as far as chroma keying backdrops are concerned even lighting with no hotspots or shadow areas is the aim.
This is easiest to achieve with a set up something like this:
In the diagram you will see we recommend a minimum of 1m between subject and backdrop, it is always
easier to get even lighting if this distance is greater, so please think of 1m as the absolute minimum. The
foreground lighting on the subject will obviously vary according to the effect that you are looking for and as
long as the backdrop is evenly lit this should not be a problem.