BoxIO

Advanced dual-channel color management device / LUT Box.
 
BoxIO is an advanced color management device designed for both color critical post production environments and demanding on set color management applications.
BoxIO supports both 3D and 1D LUTs for unparalleled image control. BoxIO can be used for calibration, on set grading, and other LUT based operations.
 
On Set Grading
BoxIO supports real-time LUT updates over IP allowing for direct integration with popular on set color management tools like Pomfort's Livegrade Pro, QTAKE’s Grade module, Filmlight's Prelight, and Assimilate Live Assist and Live Looks.
 
Camera Metadata
Livegrade Pro 4.1 has the ability to read camera metadata from SDI signals connected to BoxIO. Compatible with ARRI, Panasonic, and Sony cameras.
 
 
HDR Workflows
BoxIO is uniquely well-suited for HDR workflows thanks to 4 key features that are not typically found in combination on other devices:
 
33x33x33 3D LUT support
Twice the data points of devices with 26^3 3D LUTs and over 7 times the data points of devices with just 17^3 3D LUTs
 
4096 entry point 1D LUTs both before and after the 3D LUT
Many LUT devices offer no 1D LUT support or only support 1D LUTs or 3D LUTs, but not a combination of the two. The few devices that do offer 1D LUT support typically only offer 1024 entry point 1D LUTs in a single position, either before or after the 3D LUT.
 
Tetrahedral LUT interpolation
Trilinear LUT interpolation, found on many LUT devices, can be particularly problematic in HDR workflows. Tetrahedral LUT interpolation can provide significantly improved accuracy and visual performance.
 
Full 12bit 444 signal support
Many LUT boxes limit support to 10bit signals, but some HDR specifications are specifically optimized for 12bit signal paths.
 
 
Frame Capture
BoxIO supports frame capture over IP allowing select applications including FSI’s IP Remote Utility and Pomfort’s Livegrade to grab reference still frames from incoming video signals.
 
Frame Callback
Frames captured in BoxIO’s own .RAW format from the IP Remote Utility can be displayed using Frame Callback. This feature has many potential uses including review of reference stills in on set environments, display of complex test patterns, and preview of new looks on previously captured content. Frames can be loaded quickly from a connected computer or directly from 16 available memory slots on BoxIO for even faster frame recall.
 
Pomfort’s Livegrade Pro and Livegrade Studio also support Frame Callback functionality without the need to first capture in BoxIO’s RAW format. You can simply display a shot’s graded still image (or thumbnail frame from a recorded movie) on any connected BoxIO device. By toggling the frame callback on/off, you can conveniently compare a look from your shot library with the current live signal. This way, you transform BoxIO into an SDI output device for reference still frames with just a few clicks.
 
IP Remote Utility
The IP Remote Utility provides useful toggles and controls for management of your BoxIO and can be used in conjunction with other applications from FSI’s software partners.
Quickly change mode and channel settings, load LUTs to BoxIO, toggle LUTs on and off instantly, update, manage BoxIO IP and WiFi settings, and capture frames at full resolution that can be saved instantly as a .JPG or .BMP
 
ScopeStream
Waveform and Vectorscope transmitted directly from your BoxIO to your computer with no additional equipment needed. Simply connect your BoxIO and computer to the same network and use the IP Remote Utility. ScopeStream is also directly integrated in Pomfort’s Livegrade Pro allowing you to view BoxIO generated Waveform and VectorScope without having to leave the application.
 

Connectivity
BoxIO comes equipped with 2 x 3Gbps SDI inputs, 2 x clean SDI loop throughs, 2 processed SDI outputs, and 1 mini-DisplayPort output. The mini-DisplayPort output mirrors the processed SDI output allowing for LUT application on mini-DisplayPort as well as SDI outputs.
BoxIO can be used with consumer 4K and HDTVs using SDI to HDMI adapters such as the BMD Micro Converter for HD signal formats and the AJA HI5-4K for 4K signal formats.
Clean loop through SDI outputs mean BoxIO isn't limited to being an "end of chain" device. Both clean and processed SDI outputs cleanly pass incoming ancillary data.
 
All inputs and outputs offer full 12bit signal support.
Communicate with external devices over LAN and ad hoc WiFi.
BoxIO features a 4pin mini-xlr connector supporting 12V to 18V power and draws less than 10W of power.
 
Single-Channel Mode
BoxIO can operate in a single-channel mode with a switched input. This allows a single-channel at a time to be outputted on the two processed SDI outputs so that your signal can be distributed to two locations from a single BoxIO. In single-channel mode BoxIO supports 33x33x33 size 3D LUTs.
 
Dual-Channel Mode
Two LUT Boxes In One.
BoxIO can apply two separate LUTs to two independent signals at the same time essentially operating as two LUT boxes in a single device. In dual-channel mode each channel supports 17x17x17 size 3D LUTs.
 
Channel Stacking
Internal Channel Stacking in dual-channel mode allows users to select Channel 2's output as the input for Channel 1. This capability has many potential applications including the ability to use a single device for both calibration and real-time look LUTs.
Use a single device for simultaneous use of Calibration and Look LUTs without having to rely on LUT concatenation while supporting both 1D and 3D LUTs at each step in the signal processing chain.*
*Channel Stacking requires firmware 0.1.26 or later and BoxIO Utility 0.17.1 or later.
 
Advanced LUT Processing
BoxIO processes 3D LUTs using tetrahedral LUT interpolation allowing for a much higher degree of precision with better visual performance than less advanced trilinear LUT interpolation.
An effective way to understand the performance benefits of tetrahedral LUT interpolation is to compare the necessary average 3D LUT size for equivalent performance using each interpolation method.
 
 
Average 3D LUT Performance Equivalency Between Interpolation Methods
Interpolation Method      Tetrahedral              Trilinear
3D LUT Size                         17x17x17                    22x22x22 would be required
3D LUT Size                          33x33x33                  43x43x43 would be required
 
Calibration
Have a display that doesn't offer built-in 3D LUT based calibration? BoxIO interfaces directly with the industry's leading calibration software solutions for simple and accurate 3D LUT based display alignment.
Specially priced versions of Calman and ColourSpace for FSI are available. BoxIO will also work with fully licensed versions of Calman Studio and ColourSpace CMS.