TicoRAW : The future of Image Sensors

16.11.23 10:54 AM By Julie

How TicoRAW is revolutionizing image capture and processing 

for higher quality and more efficient RAW data flow

Image capture is an important part of our daily lives. Thanks to numerous technological developments, today it is easier than ever to capture, record, and store images of unparalleled quality whatever the content. However, the demand for higher-quality images and smaller devices, consuming less power, continues to grow.

OUR WORLD IS CHANGING

Our world is changing, and the demand for image acquisition is increasing across various applications: professional and consumer cameras, automotive and transport, medical imaging, eXtended Reality (AR/VR), cell phones, security cameras, and machine vision, ...

Image sensors are everywhere!

OUR CAMERA WORLD IS CHANGING

The demand for video quality is also continuously rising.

We need higher quality but no latency...

We need higher quality but with low power or battery consumption...

We need higher quality but with optimal connectivity and low storage cost...

The captured images must reflect in real-time the reality without any compromise on quality. 


Today, 4K, 8K, HDR, High Frame Rates technologies have turned from a jaw-dropping fantasy to an intriguing and attainable aspiration. 

And guess what… in some markets and applications, innovations are already talking about sensors and imaging going far beyond these aspirations !


WHAT CAN YOU DO IN THE IMAGE SENSOR WORLD?

Bring efficiency and unleash image sensor dataflows

Reduce power and 

extending battery

Capture more details with more efficiency using less bandwidth

Reduce data throughput and storage of any sensor devices

Today, with extra small and powerful advanced technologies, we are able to turn cell phones into professional cameras so that anyone can become a Hollywood film producer or a professional photographer.


We can capture the best image and video from a sensor for human vision or machine learning. Thanks to the technology’s innovative low-complexity, low-power processing and coding, the full dynamic of the image sensor pixels are preserved while significantly reducing the transmission bandwidth, power consumption, and storage needs.

The usage of "uncompressed" RAW (files or connectivity links) can’t be ignored. However, without using smart processing and coding, bandwidth and file sizes exceed the limits of most of our devices and interface capabilities, and increase significantly the power consumption of our devices.

Even though cameras acquire images in RAW format, based on a Color Filter Array that arranges RGB color filters on a square grid of photosensors, most popular compression techniques do not use the raw data itself. Instead, they process the RGB result of an interpolation algorithm (a complete ISP debayering process) of the raw data - a process that limits an image’s quality immediately and cuts down bandwidth efficiency for device and dataflow.

TicoRAW IS THE NEW RAW!


Other than commonly used codecs, TicoRAW processes and codes the direct output of the image sensor, so without applying a full debayering, and thereby preserving all the advantages of the captured RAW data – namely the chance to apply demosaicing algorithms, and the control over white balance, exposure, color grading, etc. – whilst file sizes remain at a very manageable level.

                                
                                                                                                  

TicoRAW compresses any type of Color Filter Array (CFA) RAW Sensor data by up to 10x with microsecond latency, preserve a perfect RAW quality with low complexity. It delivers RAW data with smaller size, faster speed, lower bandwidth from 1 Mpixel to 200 Mpixels at high bit-depth and lower power consumption. TicoRAW is the best solution to reduce power consumption and optimize the design of cameras and embedded IoT devices.

What are the features of TicoRAW?

MAJOR INDUSTRY LEADERS ALREADY TRUST OUR TECHNOLOGY!

TicoRAW EMPOWERS THE NEW NIKON Z9 & Z8 CAMERAS


The new flagship mirrorless cameras from Nikon are powered by intoPIX TicoRAW technology, enabling it to meet the demanding requirements of imaging professionals.


With the addition of TicoRAW, the cameras offer High-Efficiency RAW recording up to 8K and 60fps, while retaining all the benefits of the RAW format. This intoPIX patented technology ensures high image quality, manages very high resolutions and frame rates, and offers high dynamic range workflows. TicoRAW reduces bandwidth and storage needs while preserving the full quality of the captured sensor data. TicoRAW extends battery life when capturing stills and videos in RAW. 


The codec can be used for both still pictures and RAW movies, and retains a very fast format for editing: it is extremely fast to run in software too. With intoPIX and Nikon, camera enthusiasts can experience the limitless possibilities of high-quality imaging.

TicoRAW is all about that !

THE BEST OF RAW AT LOWER BANDWIDTH & FASTER SPEED

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Available for CPU or GPU, our TicoRAW SDKs provide the highest quality, visually lossless codec for the optimization of your application's infrastructure. ​

intoPIX has developed ideal solutions to embed video coding in industrial cameras and carry bandwidth-optimized content for video analysis, inspection or remote monitoring with lossless quality compression: