FAQ Q:What is Ultra 2? A: Ultra 2 makes chroma keying significantly easier and more practical for both studio and in-the-field video productions. Ultra 2 produces broadcast-quality composites from less-than-ideal keying environments and is optimized to deliver superb results from the limited color bandwidth of today s DV-format video sources. And with added support for HDV/HD, keying results are improved even more because there are more pixels, therefore more information, to keyed footage. Ultra 2 also gives video producers the ability to create sophisticated virtual camera-move effects from a locked down camera shot. When using Ultra VirtualTrak technology with its Master Sets Libraries virtual sets users can include breathtaking boom, dolly and flying camera shots into their productions that command attention and add high-end production value. Q: Why should I buy Ultra 2? A: Few would argue that chroma keying can add tremendous value to video productions. It adds a great deal of polish to corporate training videos and one-on-one interviews. And it is virtually a requirement for independent films and music videos to save costs and stay on the cutting edge of production. Unfortunately, the nature of current technology has made chroma keying one of those things that is easy to do poorly and very difficult to do well. The process has been so time consuming and complex often requiring optimal studio set-ups to achieve professional results the creative freedom of chroma keying has been limited to a small number of producers and restricted to projects with substantial budgets. Ultra 2 changes all that with its innovative Vector Keying and virtual set technology.
Q: Why is Ultra 2 Vector Keying technology so significant? A: Traditional chroma keying tools rely on a single color or range of colors to recognize the difference between the foreground and background. This is why a high-quality camera, uniform lighting and pristine backdrop are required to get professional results. However, Ultra 2 is built around an algorithm called Vector Keying which analyzes input sources to derive a unique combination of spatial, chromatic and temporal image information which it then uses to achieve unprecedented keying results. This means it recognizes the dark areas, hot spots or wrinkles in the backdrop, and allows for better results from DV footage. The result is a more flexible keying solution that is also drastically simplified; it does not require hundreds of sliders or endless tweaking. Q: What are the top features of Ultra 2? A: Get superior keying results even from marginal sources. Using Ultra Vector Keying technology, shots that used to be impossible to key uneven lighting, wrinkled backgrounds and frizzy hair can be finished in minutes. Ultra 2 will even preserve the shadows of your talent and achieve complex keys such as smoke, liquids and transparent objects with minimal effort. One-click keying. Ultra 2 offers an extraordinary one-click key feature for faster setup. Advanced controls, such as spill suppression, color restoration and edge softening can also be applied to fine tune composites. Sophisticated virtual sets made simple. Master Sets Libraries add high-end virtual set systems to Ultra 2. When used in conjunction with Ultra, these libraries save you tens-ofthousands of dollars by completely eliminating the need to rent specialized motion tracking cameras and 3D graphics workstations. Master Sets Libraries simulate traditional motion tracking by using a VirtualTrak system creating virtual camera moves from stationary camera shots and inserts video reflections into virtual scenes. Broadcast quality using DV/HDV/HD. Ultra 2 directly supports 16:9 widescreen and anamorphic widescreen sources and delivers excellent results from the reduced color bandwidth of today s DV video sources. It also supports HD and HDV resolutions including 1080i, 1080p, and 720p with support for a variety of standard frame rates including 24fp. High-speed GPU keying. Ultra 2 allows users with newer graphics cards (GeForce 5700 and Radeon 9600 or better for SD. GeForce 6600 and Radeon 9800 or better for HD) to dramatically increase rendering speeds by shifting processing demands to the graphics processing unit (GPU). Using GPU-based
processing, Ultra 2 can typically perform vector keying in near-real time at HDresolution (depending on system configuration and file types). High-resolution keying with standard definition cameras. Ultra 2 offers a Plus-90 Mode which enables standard definition cameras to generate high-resolution footage. Users simply rotate their camera 90 degrees and capture their subject using the maximum screen resolution available. In Ultra, users output a high-resolution key that will increase subject resolution up to 33% in 4:3 and nearly 50% in 16:9. Virtual Shadows and Reflections. Ultra 2 enables users to insert virtual shadows into their scene and includes options to adjust the shadow s size, perspective and transparency. When using photographic or rendered backgrounds, users can insert virtual reflections displaying an inverted image of their keyed talent. Create custom virtual environments Add your own backgrounds, B-Sources and semi-transparent foreground images to create your own virtual environments complete with multiple point pan & zooms. Combined with high-resolution support, large custom background images can be explored with complex camera moves. Support for high-resolution stills Ultra 2 offers support for high-resolution stills up to 4096 x 4096 allowing digital images to be used as high definition input sources and backgrounds. With image support for.bmp,.jpg,.psd,.png,.gif,.tiff,.tga, and.ppm files, users can export high resolution keyed stills for further editing or output to print or Web. Extensive input and output Video inputs include AVI, MPEG, and DV files or any format for which you have a compatible codec installed. Ultra 2 supports QuickTime input and output as well as direct support for input in MXF format. New Flip Alpha option inverts alpha channels for 100% compatibility with Mac non-linear editors. Output files can be uncompressed AVI, DV, QuickTime, Flash (FLV or SWF). 24-bit or 32-bit AVIs with alpha channel can be exported for later compositing with any standard video editing system. Q: What editing software is Ultra 2 compatible with? A: Ultra 2 is compatible with all major editing applications. Output files can be uncompressed AVI, DV, QuickTime, Flash (FLV or SWF). 24-bit or 32-bit AVIs with alpha channel can be output for later compositing with any standard video editing system, such as Avid, Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Apple Final Cut Pro, Sony Vegas and more.
Q: Can Ultra 2 be a plug-in for my NLE? A: No, Ultra 2 is a standalone application. Think of Ultra as a clip processing tool that can be used in conjunction with your editor or independently of your editing software. It is a streamlined stand-alone tool and is not a plug-in to ensure that it always works with any video editing platform. Q: What kinds of files does Ultra 2 support? A: Ultra 2 works with standard uncompressed AVI files, compressed AVI, DV, MPEG, QuickTime, and Avid files, as well as virtually any other file type for which you have a standard codec installed (such as Motion JPEG, MPEG2, HuffYUV and many others). Additionally, HD and HDV resolutions are supported including 1080i, 1080p, and 720p with support for a variety of standard frame rates including 24fps. Ultra 2 outputs standard video files in virtually any AVI codec installed on your PC. Ultra 2 can output uncompressed AVI files, with or without alpha channel (24 or 32-bit). ULTRA 2 also reads high-resolution stills up to 4096 x 4096 to allow digital still camera images to be used as input sources and backgrounds for output to print or HD resolution video. (File formats support include.bmp,.jpg,.psd. png,.gif,.tiff,.tga, and.ppm) Q: Does Ultra 2 include any kind of color correction to help match the talent into the scene? A: Ultra 2 provides real-time color correction on input and output clips along with spill suppression, color curve, and desaturation controls. New in Ultra 2 is Gamma correction and Offset for RG & B along with helpful on-screen color charts that show what color correction is being applied to the image. Q: Will Ultra 2 run on a laptop? A: Most laptops purchased today meet Ultra 2 s requirements, but some older laptops do not. Check the minimum system requirements to be sure. Running Ultra 2 s Live Preview on a laptop is a great way to check how the key will look on-location and correct for any problem areas before you get to the edit bay. For optimum performance, we recommend running Ultra 2 on 3D accelerated hardware. Q: How fast is Ultra 2? Is it Real Time? A: When using Ultra 2, you are always looking at a high-resolution, 30 frame per second, real-time preview of your final composite as you make changes. The screen updates instantly while sliders are dragged, clips are scrubbed, and scenes are played. The only limitation is the performance of the PC and the number of clips. For example, if you use several large uncompressed AVIs in one scene, the preview may not update all secondary sources while scrubbing until the scrub bar stops moving. This is dependent on the speed of your hard drives. If your drives deliver the frames in real-time, Ultra 2 will display them in realtime. The speed of saving final composited output also depends on the
speed of the host PC. For example, depending on the file format you select for output and the number of sources in your scene, saving output can be faster than one-half real-time on a 2.4 GHz P4. Additionally, Ultra 2 introduces GPU-based processing. Users with more recent graphics cards can dramatically increase output speed by shifting rendering demands to the graphics processing unit (GPU). Using GPU-based processing, Ultra 2 can typically perform complex compositing in real time at HD-resolution and faster than real-time at standard definition (depending on system configuration and file types). Q: What features do Master Sets Libraries virtual sets have that I don t get with other virtual sets? A: Master Sets Libraries offer: Multiple camera angles: Each set has multiple camera angles, labeled Tight (for waist-high shots) Medium, and Wide. Most sets include two or more alternate views at each angle. Built-in Picture-in-Picture monitors: Most sets have a video display monitor in the scene. Use these monitors to drag-and-drop video footage or still pictures. Reflective Surfaces: Where appropriate, floors inside the virtual scene are reflective automatically. In Ultra 2, you can add your own virtual shadows and reflections and adjust their size, perspective, transparency and more. VirtualTrak TM moving set shots: These shots simulate realistic motion tracking within the scene using your stationary, lockdown camera. Q: How much time and effort will it take me to set up a usable green-screen shot? A: Obviously, each shot is different but Ultra 2 s unique Vector Keying TM technology was designed for quick set ups and enables you to tweak less. Whether you re on an outdoor location or in a studio, with Ultra 2 location is not an issue. Q: How do I buy the Master Sets Libraries? A: Master Sets Library 1 is included with Ultra 2. Additional Master Sets Libraries are available at Adobe.com for $399. Q: How many virtual sets are included in each Master Sets Library? A: There are 14 sets in each library Q: What languages is Ultra 2 available in? A: Ultra 2 is offered in English only. Q: How much will Ultra 2 cost? Where can I buy it? A: Ultra is available for the estimated street price (ESP) of US$499. Upgrade pricing is available for current owners of Ultra 1. Please note that prices are approximate, subject to change, and do not include taxes, shipping, or other related expenses. For pricing outside North America, go to your local version of the Adobe website or check with your Adobe Authorized Reseller.
System Requirements Windows XP or 2000 933 Mhz or faster processor speed Intel Pentium III, 4, Celeron 2, Xeon or equivalent or AMD Opteron, Athlon, Athlon XP or Duron processor or equivalent 256 MB RAM. DVD-ROM Drive. 1 GB available hard disk space. 16 MB AGP or PCI-Express graphics card with 3D acceleration (GeForce or Radeon class card recommended). For SD GPU Keying: 64 MB AGP or PCI-Express graphics card with 3D acceleration (GeForce 5700, Radeon 9600 or better card recommended). For HD GPU Keying: 128 MB AGP or PCI-Express graphics card with 3D acceleration (GeForce 6600, Radeon 9800 or better card recommended). Windows - compatible PC audio card & DV input required for real-time preview of external video. IDE hard drive or Ethernet card required for activation. Ultra 2 may be ordered directly from Adobe and is also available through Adobe s worldwide distribution network of software retailers and mail-order outlets, as well as through Adobe value-added resellers and systems integrators. In addition, anyone purchasing more than one copy of Ultra 2 may qualify for volume discounts. Details are available at www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/openoptions/main.html. Q: Can I try Ultra 2 before I purchase it? A: You can obtain tryouts of the Ultra at www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/main.jsp and try all the features. Q: Is there an education discount for Ultra 2? A: Yes. There is special education pricing available for Ultra 2. For more information, visit www.adobe.com/education. Q: Is there any training availble for Ultra 2? A: Yes, there is training DVD inside the box. Q: Are there any virtual sets included with Ultra 2? A: Yes, Master Sets Library 1 DVD is inside the box. Q: How is Ultra 2 installed? A: Ultra 2 is availble via electronic download or on DVD and is installed through a single unified installer with a single serial number. Master Sets Library is a separate installer and does not require a serial number. Q: What types of support are available if I need help? A: As a registered owner of the current version of an Adobe product, you are eligible to receive complimentary person-to-person support for all issues related to installation and unexpected behavior, including crashes and errors caused by the software. There is no charge for this service; you pay only for the cost of the call. Adobe also offers other support resources through a free online searchable knowledgebase, User to User Forums, and the Adobe Resource Center. In addition, Adobe offers a variety of person-to-person technical support plans for how-to help and real-time problem solving. Whether you choose to call or click, you can get dependable answers. To learn more, go to www.adobe.com/expertsupport. Adobe Systems Incorporated 345 Park Avenue San Jose, CA 95110-2704 USA www.adobe.com Adobe, the Adobe logo, Ultra, and Better by Adobe are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Intel, Intel Xeon, and Pentium are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2006 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. Q: Whom should I contact if I have questions? A: In North America, contact Adobe Customer Service at 800-833-6687. For all other areas, visit www.adobe.com/support/intlsupport.html to find out how to contact a local Adobe Customer Service representative. Licensing customers should contact their Adobe License Center.