CinemaDNG
Also known as: DNG video, raw image sequence
An open raw video format that stores each frame as a separate DNG raw image, used by some professional drones and cinema cameras for maximum grading room.
Updated
What it means
CinemaDNG was created as an open standard for raw video. Instead of one video file, a clip is a folder of individual raw frames, each a DNG image holding the sensor data before processing. Some professional DJI drones and cinema cameras record it.
Like other raw formats, it lets you set white balance, exposure and color in post with much more freedom than compressed video. It is closer to working with a burst of raw photos than with a normal clip, which is why it appeals to colorists and visual effects work. That flexibility demands a lot of storage and processing power.
How it works in practice
Working with CinemaDNG means handling thousands of files per clip and very high data rates. Editing software that supports it reads the folder as one clip, and many workflows convert it to a log or ProRes intermediate early, to keep editing smooth.
It made the most sense when compressed alternatives were weak. Today, formats like ProRes RAW and high-quality 10-bit codecs give much of the same flexibility in a fraction of the space, so many pilots only use CinemaDNG for specific high-end jobs. For travel and sport, a 10-bit D-Log M or similar profile is usually the practical sweet spot.
What to watch out for
Storage is the biggest issue. A short flight can produce more data than a whole day of normal video, which fills fast memory cards and drives quickly. Plan backups before you fly, not after.
Folder-based clips are also fragile. Renaming or moving individual frames, losing a few files, or copying only part of a folder can break a clip. Copy whole card folders, verify the copy, and keep the original until the edit is done. As with any raw format, the footage needs proper grading before it looks good, and skipping that step leaves flat, lifeless images that look worse than a standard profile.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip does not read CinemaDNG or other raw sequences. Grade and export your aerial clips as H.264 or HEVC video files first, then upload them with the rest of your footage for one highlight.