Sony recently announced HDR support by implementing the Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) standard in free firmware updates for the FS5 and Z-150 cameras, to be released in July 2017.

Sony has been quietly updating multiple video product lines for over a year to be HDR-compliant. We expect this trend to increase in pace over the next year, industry-wide. Panasonic also recently pre-announced a summer HLG firmware update for its new GH5 DSLR.

What is HLG, and why should you care?

HLG is a broadcast standard developed to economically deliver 4K HDR video across large networks. The most important thing to understand is that HLG combines a gamma curve (rec. 709 is an SDR gamma curve) in the darks with a log curve in the highlights. This hybrid creates an overall greater dynamic range in images.

Hlg_curve_wikipedia The HLG CurveCredit: Wikipedia Commons

Color-space Color spaceCredit: Wikipedia Commons

Because HLG does not rely on metadata, like the HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR standards, it is much simpler and cheaper to implement into production and distribution workflows. HLG requires few hardware updates, meaning upgrades can be implemented incrementally, rather than having to create entirely new—and expensive—broadcast production pipelines. By comparison, Dolby Vision HDR requires that all hardware in the process be Dolby Vision-compatible.

HLG also allows for a more gradual adoption rate by end-users because the signal is display-independent. Since a large portion of the HLG signal is a gamma curve, the image will appear correctly on legacy SDR displays. This flexibility is the ticket that broadcasters are hoping will make HDR an everyday reality. (To be clear, at this moment there is little HLG consumer content being broadcast, aside from limited proof of concept experiments.)

Media producers will need to be on top of the trend, especially as networks start expecting HLG content. With camera manufacturers now implementing HLG into all levels of their gear via firmware, HDR is becoming more accessible for all creatives.

Are you dreading learning HDR or relishing the creative possibilities? Let us know in the comments.

Sony hdr firmware update HLG FS5 Z-150 high dynamic range

Mark Duplass Has Some Thoughts on Sundance Acceptance

Mark Duplass Shares His Thoughts on Sundance Acceptance

The Calvary King delivers a hopeful message to filmmakers who didn't get into Sundance.

Mark Duplass has always been a filmmaker's filmmaker. He famously delivered his "The Cavalry is Not Coming" speech at SXSW as a call to action for independent filmmakers to stop waiting and start shooting. Duplass also historically creates and works on small-budget indie projects, including being a key member of the lo-fi, bare-bones mumblecore movement. He's also a charismatic actor who brings a relatable ethos to every role he plays—not to mention seems like an overall cool dude.

We love Mark Duplass.

All the above considered, it's no surprise to see Duplass take to social media with an encouraging statement following the recently announced 2025 Sundance lineup this past Wednesday. Duplass, hot off positive reviews for the recently released The Creep Tapes on Shudder, warmly comforted filmmakers that if you happened to apply to Sundance and weren't selected, hey, that's okay. They curate 15,775. It happens.

We all know rejection sucks, but don't sweat it. Be proud of your project no matter what. And watch Mark Duplass's full snippet of encouraging wisdom below.

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