Atomos has just released AtomOS 8.4 to the public – a major free update for our Shogun Inferno and Ninja Inferno 4K monitor/recorders with stunning new features.

The AtomOS 8.4 release makes capturing and delivering in HDR as seamless as in standard dynamic range (SDR). It also brings 2K 240fps Raw-to-ProRes and 4K 12-bit CDNG Raw recording to the Panasonic Varicam LT, when coupled with the Shogun Inferno. This adds to the existing Raw support for several Sony and Canon cinema cameras, as well as improving support and enhancements for many more cameras.

The Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) HDR output of cameras like the Sony FS5, Z150 and Panasonic GH5 can now be recorded directly to the Inferno series recorders with the correct metadata flags embedded into the Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHR .MOV files. With this metadata the recorded clips can be used seamlessly in an end-to-end HLG workflow, just like Rec709!These HLG clips can be natively edited in NLEs that support HLG, or uploaded directly to YouTube HDR in HLG to be seamlessly played back on any SDR TV for stunning improvements using the current SDR infrastructure.

This is achieved with the metadata flag from the Atomos recording following the file through the NLE, then on through to YouTube HDR upload. Finally, it is then played out from HDR supported devices like the Google’s ChromeCast Ultra and Amazon’s Fire TV with 4K Ultra over HDMI correctly to any SDR or HDR TV! – Atomos makes it simple to produce HDR in HLG today.

For both HLG and PQ formats, the HDR info frames detected on HDMI input can be used to automatically set the gamut and gamma of the Shogun or Ninja Inferno’s own display, making the user experience of shooting in HDR seamless. The HDMI output will also transmit the correct HDR info on loop out to other devices downstream. There is also the useful option to convert regular camera Log inputs from a wide range of cameras to display in HDR using either PQ or HLG, with a choice of output colour gamut – great if you want to connect an HDR TV in the chain.

The AtomOS 8.4 release also allows owners of the Shogun Inferno to use the Panasonic Varicam LT to create gorgeous slow-motion footage in 2K at up to 240 fps, direct from the Raw output of the camera. A Shogun Inferno running the firmware also brings 4K 12-bit Raw to CDNG shooting at up to 30 fps and 2K 10-bit Raw to CDNG at 100 and 120 fps. The quality of this footage is astounding and makes the Varicam LT / Shogun Inferno combination an obvious choice for Raw and high speed, but without the costly media, licenses, or proprietary Raw recorders that are usually associated. Also included is improved support and enhancements for several other cameras:
Users of RED DSMC2 cameras will benefit from the updated support of the IPP2 pipeline. Inferno monitor/recorders can now be set to display the output of the camera or footage shot using the Log3G10 curve with REDWideGamutRGB. Analogue audio embedding is now supported on loop through, making the Infernos great gaming recorders, perfect for developers and other recordings like live gameplay up to 4Kp60 in amazing 10-bit quality.

Audio support with Nikon cameras is also enhanced, which should prove especially useful with the new D850 full frame 4K DSLR which was recently launched. Support for 2TB drives has optimised providing extra-long recording times for 2K/4K high frames and CDNG RAW workflow. AtomOS 8.4 firmware is available now from the Atomos website.