The Digital Technician’s Command Center
Developed by the German company Pomfort, Silverstack is the definitive, go-to software tool for data wranglers and Digital Imaging Technicians (DITs) on professional film, television, and commercial shoots. It provides a comprehensive and reliable environment for managing the entire on-set data workflow, from the moment a camera card arrives to the generation of the final end-of-day report.
Its widespread adoption is due to its robust feature set, unwavering reliability, and its ability to create a transparent, well-documented trail for all digital assets, ensuring the security of a production’s most valuable material.
Core Features and Functions
Silverstack integrates all the critical tasks of on-set data management into a single, unified interface:
- Cascading and Simultaneous Offloads: It can copy data from a single source (like a camera card) to multiple backup destinations at the same time, saving valuable time on set.
- Checksum Verification: The software provides a range of checksum algorithms (including MD5, SHA1, and the ultra-fast xxHash) to perform bit-for-bit verification on every file transfer, guaranteeing data integrity.
- Advanced Metadata Handling: Silverstack automatically reads and organizes the extensive metadata embedded in modern cinema camera files (e.g., lens, ISO, shutter angle, timecode). It also allows DITs to add their own metadata, such as scene, take information, circle takes, and notes for the editor.
- Playback and Quality Control (QC): It includes a high-quality video and audio player that supports virtually all professional camera formats. This allows the DIT to review footage for focus, framing, and technical issues without needing separate software.
- Comprehensive Reporting: One of its most valued features is its ability to generate detailed, customizable PDF reports. These reports provide a complete log of all offloaded media, verification status, and metadata, serving as a crucial piece of documentation for producers, editors, and post-production houses.