Re: Your question

What I try to do BEFORE I go into the field is find out how my client will "key" footage (if we aren't cutting the material!). I ask them what hardware/software they will be using. Then I spend about 10 minutes on the internet looking to find the answers to the "IRE" question.

Within SECONDS, I was able to find a link on the Ultimatte website that states they'd like a "1:1 ratio of foreground and background lighting for our software to work properly..." For clarification, I sent them an email... and THEY TOLD ME to use 80 IRE for best results with their software package!

I found the Imagica website in seconds (the MAKERS of Primatte... although they don't have the IRE level suggestions in their posted "whitepapers...," they do post an email address and phone number to contact them directly. I have done so, just to satisfy my own curiosity. I called Scott Gross on his cell phone and asked him directly... "the what levels? I have no idea... I don't know what an IRE is! In 14 years of selling Primatte, no one has ever asked that question before! It would probably be good for me to know too! I will call the guy who wrote the program in Japan tonight and get back to you tomorrow!"

It was that easy to find out... I'm looking forward to Scott's response!

So I recommend that procedure for ANYONE who performs chroma keying! I've found other "IRE" settings for different programs and software. (Keylight for example suggests "74 IRE" in their whitepapers!) It's best if you KNOW the process all the way through the post process for your footage... Then set up accordingly!

Good luck and happy Keying!

Curt Pair
Picture This Productions
Sony ICE Team
F900/F800/F350/PDW700/EX1/EX3/D790/D600
Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 HD/Matrox
Phoenix, AZ