Gadget-in-Extremis: Sphere Entertainment’s Big Sky camera system

Considering buying a digital camera? How about Sphere Entertainment’s Big Sky camera system? STMicroelectronics makes the 316Mpixel 18K image sensor at the heart of the device…

Sphere Entertainment – creators of the Sphere LED dome in Las Vegas – has revealed details about its ultra-high-resolution camera system that is being used to capture content for the novel event site.

The dome – which has already hosted U2 concerts – features the world’s largest, high-resolution LED screen which wraps up and around the audience for a “fully immersive visual environment”.

In order to capture content for this 160,000 square foot, 16K x 16K display, the Big Sky camera system was designed by its own Sphere Studios, explains the company.

“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.”

Specifically, STMicroelectronics made the custom 316Mpixel 18K image sensor for the company, our technology editor has reported. The die measures 99 x 83mm (82.4cm2) – four fit onto a 300mm wafer (right) – and it can capture images at 120frame/s and transfer data at 60Gbyte/s.

“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.”

“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 – which is currently showing at Sphere – is the first production to use Big Sky. The content takes viewers on a journey across seven continents, featuring striking visuals. For example, flying around the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomites.