Sphere Studios and STMicroelectronics reveal new details on the world’s largest cinema image sensor
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Insights
The collaboration between Sphere Entertainment Co. and STMicroelectronics to create the world's largest cinema image sensor represents a significant technological advancement with potential implications for the entertainment industry and its supply chain. The custom 18K sensor developed for the Big Sky camera system is poised to set a new standard for immersive visual experiences. This innovation may drive demand for high-resolution content, which could, in turn, influence the strategic decisions of content creators and technology providers alike.
Considering the scale of the LED screen and the resolution of the content it displays, Sphere's investment in proprietary technology could lead to a competitive edge within the entertainment sector. The ability to capture ultra-high-resolution content without the need for stitching could streamline production processes and enhance the quality of viewer experiences. The technological leap represented by the 316 megapixel sensor, with its high dynamic range and low noise capabilities, has the potential to disrupt the market for high-end commercial cameras and may lead to a new wave of innovation in the field.
Furthermore, the success of this sensor could signal Sphere's entry into the market as a potential supplier of advanced imaging technology, which could diversify their revenue streams and impact their financial performance positively. The market should monitor Sphere's ability to capitalize on its patents and the adoption rate of its technology by other industry players.
The partnership between Sphere Entertainment Co. and STMicroelectronics to develop a groundbreaking image sensor may have significant financial implications for both companies. Sphere's Big Sky camera system could become a key differentiator in the market, potentially increasing Sphere's market share in the entertainment industry. The ability to offer a unique visual experience could translate into higher ticket sales and increased revenue for Sphere's Las Vegas venue.
For STMicroelectronics, this venture into a novel sensor technology could enhance its reputation as an innovator in the semiconductor industry, potentially attracting new customers and partnerships. The successful manufacturing of the sensor from the first wafer indicates high technical proficiency, which could lead to improved operational efficiency and yield optimization, thereby potentially reducing costs and increasing profit margins.
Investors should consider the long-term growth prospects of both companies, as the technology could be licensed or sold to other entities, creating additional revenue streams. The market will likely watch for the financial impact of this innovation on Sphere's and ST's upcoming quarterly financial reports. The number of patents filed in association with Big Sky's technology could also be a leading indicator of the future commercial potential and intellectual property value for Sphere.
The introduction of the Big Sky camera system by Sphere Entertainment Co., with its custom 18K sensor, marks a milestone in cinematography technology. This sensor's unprecedented size and resolution could revolutionize the way content is captured and displayed, offering filmmakers new creative possibilities. The technical specifications, such as the ability to capture 120 frames per second and transfer data at 60 gigabytes per second, indicate a significant improvement over existing high-end commercial camera systems.
The practical benefits of using a single camera system to capture large-format images without stitching could lead to a new standard in film production, reducing post-production time and costs while improving the visual integrity of the final product. The sensor's high dynamic range and low noise performance are critical for capturing the nuanced details necessary for Sphere's immersive display environment.
As the first cinematic production to utilize Big Sky, Darren Aronofsky's Postcard from Earth may serve as a benchmark for future productions, showcasing the sensor's capabilities. The industry will likely monitor the adoption of this technology by other filmmakers and studios, as it could influence the direction of future cinematographic and visual effects advancements.
Sphere Studios and STMicroelectronics reveal new details
on the world’s largest cinema image sensor
Sensor custom created for Big Sky – the world’s most advanced camera system – and is used to capture ultra-high-resolution content for Sphere in Las Vegas
Burbank, CA, and Geneva, Switzerland -- January 11, 2024 – Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) today revealed new details on its work with STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) (“ST”), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, to create the world’s largest image sensor for Sphere’s Big Sky camera system. Big Sky is the groundbreaking, ultra-high-resolution camera system being used to capture content for Sphere, the next-generation entertainment medium in Las Vegas.
Inside the venue, Sphere features the world’s largest, high-resolution LED screen which wraps up, over, and around the audience to create a fully immersive visual environment. To capture content for this 160,000 sq. ft., 16K x 16K display, the Big Sky camera system was designed by the team at Sphere Studios – the in-house content studio developing original live entertainment experiences for Sphere. Working with Sphere Studios, ST manufactured a first-of-its-kind, 18K sensor capable of capturing images at the scale and fidelity necessary for Sphere’s display. Big Sky’s sensor – now the world’s largest cinema camera sensor in commercial use – works with the world's sharpest cinematic lenses to capture detailed, large-format images in a way never before possible.
“Big Sky significantly advances cinematic camera technology, with each element representing a leap in design and manufacturing innovation,” said Deanan DaSilva, lead architect of Big Sky at Sphere Studios. “The sensor on any camera is critical to image quality, but given the size and resolution of Sphere’s display, Big Sky’s sensor had to go beyond any existing capability. ST, working closely with Sphere Studios, leveraged their extensive expertise to manufacture a groundbreaking sensor that not only expands the possibilities for immersive content at Sphere, but also across the entertainment industry.”
“ST has been on the cutting edge of imaging technology, IP, and tools to create unique solutions with advanced features and performance for almost 25 years,” said Alexandre Balmefrezol, Executive Vice President and Imaging Sub-Group General Manager, STMicroelectronics. “Building a custom sensor of this size, resolution, and speed, with low noise, high dynamic range, and seemingly impossible yield requirements, presented a truly novel challenge for ST – one that we successfully met from the very first wafer out of our 12” (300mm) wafer fab in Crolles, France.”
As a leader in the development and manufacturing of image sensors, ST’s imaging technologies and foundry services cater to a wide range of markets, including professional photography and cinematography. Big Sky’s 316 megapixel sensor is almost 7x larger and 40x higher resolution than the full-frame sensors found in high-end commercial cameras. The die, which measures 9.92cm x 8.31cm (82.4 cm2), is twice as large as a wallet-sized photograph, and only four full die fit on a 300mm wafer. The system is also capable of capturing images at 120 fps and transferring data at 60 gigabytes per second.
Big Sky also allows filmmakers to capture large-format images from a single camera without having to stitch content together from multiple cameras – avoiding issues common to stitching including near distance limitations and seams between images. Ten patents and counting have been filed by Sphere Studios in association with Big Sky’s technology.
Darren Aronofsky’s Postcard from Earth, currently showing at Sphere as part of The Sphere Experience, is the first cinematic production to utilize Big Sky. Since its debut, Postcard from Earth has transported audiences, taking them on a journey spanning all seven continents, and featuring stunning visuals captured with Big Sky that make them feel like they have traveled to new worlds without leaving their seats in Las Vegas. More information about The Sphere Experience is available at thesphere.com.
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About Sphere Entertainment Co.
Sphere Entertainment Co. (NYSE: SPHR) is a premier live entertainment and media company. The Company includes Sphere, a next-generation entertainment medium powered by cutting-edge technologies to redefine the future of entertainment. The first Sphere venue opened in Las Vegas in September 2023. In addition, the Company includes MSG Networks, which operates two regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network and MSG Sportsnet, as well as a direct-to-consumer and authenticated streaming product, MSG+, delivering a wide range of live sports content and other programming. More information is available at sphereentertainmentco.com.
About STMicroelectronics
At ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.
Contacts:
Sphere Entertainment – spherepr@thesphere.com
STMicroelectronics – Alexis Breton, alexis.breton@st.com
Attachments
- T4598D -- Jan 11 2024 -- ST Sphere BigSky sensor_FINAL FOR PUBLICATION
- 300mm wafer for BigSky sensor
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