Adobe's open raw format for digital cinema, based on the DNG specification.
Technical Details
Cinema DNG is based on the TIFF container and stores each frame as a single DNG file with sequential numbering. Compression can be uncompressed, lossless compressed (3:1 to 4:1), or a lossy variant (up to 12:1). The format supports various demosaicing algorithms for Bayer pattern sensors and stores metadata such as white balance, ISO values, and camera-specific parameters. File size varies between 2-8 MB per frame at 4K resolution, depending on compression and bit depth.
History & Development
Adobe announced Cinema DNG in April 2012 at NAB, with Blackmagic Design as the first implementation partner. The Blackmagic Cinema Camera was the first camera with native Cinema DNG support in 2012. Hasselblad followed in 2013 with the Lunar series, while Kinefinity and other manufacturers adapted the format by 2015. Adobe integrated Cinema DNG support into Premiere Pro CC and After Effects CC, while DaVinci Resolve offers native support. Since 2018, further development has stagnated, as proprietary RAW formats like RED R3D and ARRI RAW dominate.
Practical Use in Film
Cinema DNG is primarily used in independent productions and documentaries, such as for special VFX shots in "The Jungle Book" (2016) or for Blackmagic camera applications in "Mad Max: Fury Road" (2015). The typical workflow involves recording to CFast or SSD media, subsequent color grading in DaVinci Resolve, and export as ProRes or DNxHD for editing. Advantages include full control over exposure and color grading in post-production, as well as manufacturer independence. Disadvantages include large data volumes (up to 1TB per hour at 4K) and a limited camera selection.
Comparison & Alternatives
Cinema DNG differs from proprietary formats like ARRI RAW or RED R3D through its openness and cross-platform compatibility. Unlike compressed codecs such as ProRes RAW, Cinema DNG retains all original sensor data. Modern alternatives include Blackmagic RAW (BRAW), introduced in 2018 as a successor, offering better compression with similar quality. Apple ProRes RAW and Sony X-OCN serve similar purposes but are manufacturer-specific. Cinema DNG remains relevant for archiving and cross-platform workflows, while BRAW is the more practical choice for current Blackmagic cameras.