How Semiconductor Technology is Used by the Film Industry

Technology has pervaded every face of the film industry. Semiconductors can be found in nearly every piece of equipment used in producing films. Let’s consider the details of how semiconductors are used below:

Audio Compressors and Processors

Sound plays a huge role in how we perceive movies. The sound effects are often much different than what the actual actions on screen would produce of themselves as a method of intensifying the experience. These sounds are captured using digital recording equipment and then processed and compressed using specialized equipment that contains semiconductors.

Compression is a sound processing system that reduces the excessive detail of sound waves. It relies on complex chaos theory and fractals to measure organic patterns and condense them into smoother waveforms. Compression is the reason why popular songs stick in your head. The compressed sound waves are more uniform and easier for us to remember.

Various processors are also used to enhance the tone. Processors can also pan the sound to play out of particular speakers and filter the sounds. Many special effects are also added to create unique sounds using processors powered by semiconductor chips.

Visual Production Devices

The modern film industry relies on high-definition digital imagery. The footage is captured on CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) sensors that transform optical light into electrical signals that are then converted and stored as digital data.

Powerful software is then used to edit the frames and scenes of the videos. These tools allow producers to splice and cut scenes and frames as needed to tell the story. They can also add visual special effects or adjust coloring and lighting. The sounds are also incorporated to coincide with specific video frames and scenes. None of this would be possible without semiconductors powering the computer technology.

Green screen technology allows producers to incorporate live footage of real-world actors and elements with fully digital backgrounds. This is how many Sci-Fi movies can create the appearance of the actor flying a spaceship through space or flying through the skies.

Green screen technology is being used pervasively to reduce budget costs. It is much cheaper to design a synthetic background on a computer than to build a brick-and-mortar set. The drawback of green screen technology, however, is that it tends to darken the overall scenes as a method of seamlessly incorporating the actors into the digital backdrop.

Digital Media

The user end of the digital media chain relies on streaming platforms powered by semiconductors in massive computer servers. The Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) used by the theaters are also stored on semiconductor devices for distribution.

Restoring Classic Films

Digital technology powered by semiconductors is also being used to scan and enhance old movies recorded on film reels. This preserves the film reels and allows the copyright owner to release classics with improved sound quality, color rendering, and clarity.

Black and white films can be converted into full color to breathe new life into timeless classics, and this is important so classic films can be enjoyed both today and for years to come.