Digital Camera Systems Expands with Acquisition of UMeT
Digital Camera Systems (DCS) has announced its acquisition of UMeT, a highly specialized frame-accurate media metadata application developed by CineDev.
This strategic maneuver represents a significant leap beyond traditional on-set capture hardware, as DCS aims to establish a comprehensive portfolio in visual effects (VFX) software and workflow solutions.
DCS has become synonymous with capturing precise lens data via its Lens Data Translator (LDT) ecosystem, which diligently records lens values on a frame-by-frame basis within camera RAW files and seamlessly streams real-time lens information into virtual production tools.
The integration of UMeT introduces an additional layer of post-production control, empowering teams to extract, modify, and re-inject frame-by-frame metadata from either sidecar files or embedded media using a node-graph workflow designed for streamlined pipeline use.
Within contemporary VFX and virtual production landscapes, accurate lens and camera metadata are pivotal for expediting transitions from initial plates to matchmove, compositing, and final outputs.
However, even when data is meticulously captured on set, it frequently suffers degradation or inconsistencies as the footage advances along the pipeline—especially in facilities lacking extensive proprietary tools.
Through this acquisition, DCS aims to facilitate productions in achieving over 99% frame accuracy for lens metadata whenever its systems are employed.
“Since the inception of DCS, our focus has been on the meticulous capture of lens data on set. Nevertheless, we have observed how often metadata can become compromised or inconsistent once it enters the production pipeline,” remarked Gary Keller, General Manager of DCS.
“Integrating UMeT within our offerings bridges that void, providing VFX and post-production teams with the means to normalize, rectify, and maintain lens metadata through to the final delivery. Our intention is to ensure that metadata remains trustworthy, shot after shot, frame after frame.”
“UMeT was created to grant teams frame-by-frame control over metadata, safeguarding it through the entire journey from set to post-production,” added Andrea Michelon, co-founder of CineDev.
“DCS has cultivated a reputation of trust within the industry due to its lens data expertise and customer-centric philosophy. We believe that UMeT is well-positioned to scale rapidly, reach a broader audience, and better serve the extensive lens metadata community integrated within the DCS ecosystem.”
Core Features of UMeT
- Frame-accurate metadata hand-off between camera, VFX, and finishing.
- Node-graph interface for detailed frame-by-frame metadata control, including modification, interpolation, conversion, and conformance of metadata streams.
- Workflow extraction, manipulation, and re-injection capabilities utilizing embedded metadata or sidecars, with options to save back into original files or export new media and sidecar CSVs.
- Automation and integration into existing pipelines via CLI and a Python API, tailored for studio workflows.
- Designed to integrate across digital content creation (DCC) software and render pipelines, ensuring consistent metadata flow into CG, VFX, and finalization workflows.
- Cross-platform compatibility with macOS, Windows, and Linux.
DCS plans to build upon UMeT’s foundation to enhance software development for VFX and post-production teams. This includes adopting a stronger API-first approach, exploring cloud deployment pathways, and expanding metadata format mapping capabilities required for VFX deliveries.
The long-term vision extends beyond mere lens metadata to encompass comprehensive management of camera and scene metadata, thereby facilitating a holistic digital representation of production inputs. This acquisition marks a foundational step in that strategic journey.
UMeT will undergo rebranding and will be supported by DCS as it becomes integrated into the broader DCS ecosystem, accompanied by a dedicated support hub and an expanded roadmap aimed for late 2026. It is slated for purchase through DCS in 2026.
Currently, UMeT offers a 14-day free trial requiring no credit card, and it operates under version-locked, perpetual licensing, negating the need for subscriptions. Pricing commences at £950 + VAT (one-time payment), correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
The DCS team will be present at the Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026 event in Barcelona from February 3 to 6, 2026, and is open to arranging meetings during the exhibition.
Source link: Animationxpress.com.
