Specialized post-production facility designed for Digital Intermediate work – a controlled environment with calibrated monitors, professional grading systems, and proper viewing conditions for color correction, finishing, and quality control of motion pictures.
What is a DI Suite?
A DI Suite (Digital Intermediate Suite) is a specialized post-production facility for professional color grading and finishing. The controlled environment with calibrated displays ensures accurate color assessment.
Core Components
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Reference Monitor | Calibrated primary display |
| Grading System | DaVinci, Baselight, etc. |
| Control Surface | Grading Panel |
| Projector | Optional for cinema preview |
| Audio | 5.1/7.1 for context |
Technical Requirements
| Aspect | Specification |
|---|---|
| Wall Paint | 18% Gray (D65) |
| Lighting | D65, dimmable, 10 lux |
| Ambient Light | Controlled |
| Monitor Calibration | Daily/Weekly |
| Temperature | Constant (18–22°C) |
Display Chain
| Element | Specification |
|---|---|
| Client Monitor | OLED/LCD Reference |
| UI Monitor | For Colorist |
| Scopes | Waveform, Vectorscope |
| SDR/HDR | Dual-monitor setup |
Grading Systems
| System | Manufacturer |
|---|---|
| DaVinci Resolve | Blackmagic |
| Baselight | FilmLight |
| Lustre | Autodesk |
| Mistika | SGO |
| Nucoda | Digital Vision |
Control Surfaces
| Panel | System |
|---|---|
| Advanced Panel | DaVinci Resolve |
| Blackboard | Baselight |
| Tangent Element | Universal |
| Wave | Tangent |
Facility Standards
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| SMPTE ST 431 | Cinema Reference |
| ITU-R BT.1886 | SDR EOTF |
| ITU-R BT.2100 | HDR Standards |
| Dolby Vision | HDR Mastering |
Suite Types
| Type | Application |
|---|---|
| Hero Suite | Feature Films |
| Secondary | Dailies, Prep |
| Review Room | Client Viewing |
| Nearline | Remote Sessions |
Workflow in the DI Suite
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Conform | Project Setup |
| Primary Grade | Base Look |
| Secondary | Selective Corrections |
| Finishing | Finals, Cleanup |
| Output | Mastering |
Calibration
| Element | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Monitor | Weekly |
| Projector | Daily |
| Scopes | Monthly |
| Full Audit | Annually |
Client Comfort
| Element | Importance |
|---|---|
| Seating | Ergonomic |
| Line of Sight | Optimal to monitor |
| Communication | Talkback/Intercom |
| Catering | For long sessions |
Costs (Hourly Rates)
| Level | Price |
|---|---|
| Junior Suite | €300–500/h |
| Hero Suite | €800–1,500/h |
| Premium | €1,500–3,000/h |
| Day Rate | €4,000–15,000 |
Remote Grading
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Streaming | Live video feed |
| Latency | Minimized |
| Color Accuracy | Calibrated clients |
| Communication | Video conferencing |
Renowned DI Facilities
| Facility | Location |
|---|---|
| Company 3 | LA, NY, London |
| Goldcrest | London, NY |
| ARRI Rental | Munich, LA |
| Technicolor | Worldwide |
| Harbor | LA, NY |
Suite Etiquette
| Rule | Reason |
|---|---|
| No harsh light | Eye adaptation |
| Quiet | Concentration |
| No bright clothing | Reflections |
| Punctual | Expensive time |
Today
DI Suites are the heart of the visual finishing pipeline. From Netflix series to cinematic blockbusters – this is where the final colors that audiences see are determined. The investment in controlled environments is essential for consistent, high-quality results.
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