RED is finally releasing final details about their DSMC system. We will keep track of the bits and pieces as they come out and collect them all in this post.
Scarlet and Epic Details
Jarred Land has just posted a list of Scarlet details over at reduser. You can read the whole thread here: www.reduser.net/45431
- Scarlet fixed zoom focal length: about 7.5mm-58mm or FF35 Equivalent of 28mm-224mm.
- Mysterious item #21: It is still far enough out that you need not worry about it right now. It is however worth the recognition that it mysteriously has received
- RED ONE owner priority: RED ONE owners who have not executed their cameras for Stages 1-3 of the EPIC program will have a short window of priority on Scarlet packages.
- Scarlet brain weight: Current weight of Fixed Scarlet is just over 4.5 pounds.
- First Scarlet to ship: Scarlet 8x is first to be brought up in the lab. It is still in engineering form, not “run around and take pictures form”. Think of a mini-Franky. There is alot of effort is going into the autofocus algorithms and lens optimization, and alot of waiting for bits of code to come down from it’s big brother. ASIC, Sensor and Lens work have been complete ( the hard parts ), but there is still alot of firmware work to be done and some minor mechanical changes waiting on tooling.
- 2/3″ image quality: The images coming off of it are incredible…remember, the 2/3rds sensor is part of the Mysterium-X family, and you all know what that looks like.
- 120fps is working on the CF-Module with 64GB cards at a reduced REDCODE rate. The highest REDCODE number you can use with the CF cards are still being determined as optimization work is progressing.
- Scarlet sensor read/reset: The read/reset will be on par to the read/reset times of EPIC S35.
- Dynamic range: Compared to the EPIC S35 they will be close. The actual delta changes every day, as both systems continue to independently improve.
- Delivery dates: Scarlet Fixed 2/3″ is currently behind EPIC and likely will be for the forseable future. Some things are caught up, but as a whole it is a step or two behind it as it inherits a good portion of EPIC’s development efforts.
- Biggest change: The autofocus is actually the most impressive work going on right now… Nobody has seen autofocus on a video camera work like this before, and it is pretty impressive to actually see it work. Of course #21 is pretty incredible. And the (optional) Titanium Lens mount is pretty cool.
- Custom colors: Kind of… the side”cosmetic” pieces on Scarlet are removable.. and you can get different finishes. I can’t remember if we officially mentioned that before for the 2/3″…… but you can. But please… No pink.
Here are a couple other details Jarred mentions in the thread:
- The motors are in the lens, both autofocus, iris and zoom. That 8x lens all by itself is a technical achievement all by itself. This is a cinema lens: with custom actuators and lens group movements designed for both motion and still.
RED is making a new module for Scarlet and Epic that will stream h.264 1080 over WiFi to any iPhone, iPad, or live internet broadcast. It also records high quality h.264 1080 scaled proxies to Compact Flash cards. The module will cost $2,500 and will be available around September 2010.
This module will allow you to hand iPads to your directors, producers, script supervisors etc. and they can all view what the camera is shooting real time. more…
RED has confirmed that they are working on ProRes and AVID DNxHD modules as well. These will allow you to record RAW to you main media and simultaneously ProRes or DNxHD files to a CF card in the proxy module.
RED is making some announcements and clarifications leading up to NAB 2010. Here is a list of new information that has come out this past week.
- Epic @5K 2.37:1 (5120 x 2160) is now 120 fps. 5K 16:9 is 96 fps. 5K 2:1 is 100 fps.
- Epic can process 1.5 gigapixels per second. 5x as powerful as the RED One.
- Epic body with CF module weighs 5lbs
- The new Redvolt batteries last 40-60 mins, while the old RED bricks last 3 hours
- Epic has Clean 1080p HDMI/HD-SDI output feeds while also displaying menus on the LCD/EVF
- DSMC EVF/LCD ports are dual use
- Boot up time on the prototypes is currently 12 seconds from completely off to monitors on and ready to record. Goal for shipping brains is 10 seconds.
- Jannard confirms that their will be discount packages for not only the fixed Scarlet kit, but the other DSMCs as well.
OTHER STUFF:
- RED 64gb CF cards will be shipping by summer. They skipped the 32gb cards.
- PL Mount Diascope for setting PL Backfocus / Flange distance on the RED ONE / EPIC / SCARLET cameras announced.
RED SIDEHANDLE
- Flash triggering options: PC/X SYNC port integrated into the side handle is compatible with Pocketwizards, Profoto, Hensel, Elinchrom, AB, etc. Wireless triggering options are in development
- RED side handle now has a working LCD display
- Side handle has a motion/stills switch on the front
CF MODULE:
- Now has push button eject mechanism
- CF module now has a record button
- Also has two user assignable buttons
The Epic brain in the images below is prototype “Thirteen”.
Jim Jannard just announced that REDCODE 2.5:1, a mathematically lossless compression option, will be available on the Epic. more…
EPIC has a REDCODE mathematically lossless compression option (2.5:1) that records to onboard SSD module (not to CF).
Jarred has just posted the first ever image from a working Epic/Scarlet prototype. Meet “Charlie” the peacock at 5120 × 2560 resolution. Shot with a 300mm RPP on a prototype form-factor Epic. More… Click the image to see the full 5k version:
This photo of the setup is the first picture of a working Epic brain:
Jannard has just confirmed that RED now has 3 working Scarlet/Epic prototypes. They are named “Blackie”, “Lucy” and “Desi”, an ode to Ren Mar studios that RED has just purchased.
The names are references to movies/shows shot at RED Studios Hollywood which was previously Ren-Mar Studios and before that Metro Pictures Back Lot #13. “Blackie” refers to the “Boston Blackie” films that were produced by Metro Pictures at the beginning of the 20th century and Lucy and Desi refer to “I Love Lucy” which was shot on the location while under the Ren-Mar name. More…
Deanan DaSilva and Graeme Nattress have also been twittering about the image coming off the prototypes:
From Deanan:
- 9:05 PM Mar 7th Almost 7 HD frames in one Epic frame
- 2:27 PM Mar 7th 5k, 14 megapixel 24p blows away 4k. Pretty exciting to see how beautiful MX sensor looks at it’s full resolution.
From Graeme:
- 6:27 PM Mar 7th 5120 pixels across. Can you say effortless detail? Even half rez spills over onto my 2nd monitor.
Jannard has just announced that the added specs to the Scarlet and Epic line now mean that the DSMC start up time will be 10 seconds.
In an effort to get the bad news out as soon as we have it, it looks like we will likely miss (at least) one proposed spec on EPIC/Scarlet. The engineers tell me that a 2 second startup time is now not possible given all the changes/additions to the program. Our current prototypes are starting up in 15 seconds and we think a reasonable target for production cameras is about 10 seconds. more…
If “sleep mode” is still in the final specs this shouldn’t be a big problem.
If you read between the lines it looks like RED finally has a working ASIC for the DSMC. Jannard mentions a prototype and it must fully functional if they can deduce a start up time.
We just got back from RED Day at RED’s newly purchased RED Studios Hollywood in downtown Hollywood, CA. The RED team showed off new footage from their Mysterium-X sensor and had Scarlets, Epics, and DSMC accessories out for people to play with. Here are some of the new bits of information and pictures from the event:
- RED now will have 3 locations in the US: RED Studios Hollywood, RED Ranch Las Vegas and the original Lakeforest location.
- The miniRED primes are TINY and have butter smooth focus and iris rings.
- Matt is designing a tiny mattebox to go along with the tiny miniPrimes.
- The RED Gunner is a platform that allows you to mount picatinny rails and any NATO accessory on the market. RED will also be making their own NATO accessories for cameras. Maybe now weapons manufacturers will get into the camera accessory market?
- FLUT: stands for “Floating-point Look Up Table”. From Jannard: “If you haven’t clipped RAW, you haven’t clipped any ISO. Move your mid grey anywhere you want without fear of clipping. FLUT works with the Mysterium sensor. It works better with Mysterium-X sensor.” Basically there is a new color science that includes REDcolor and REDgamma which will be options in camera and in Redcine-X. This means we can go back and re-process old RED One footage and take adantage of FLUT. If you expose between the new “goal posts” in camera and in Redcine-X your footage will not clip at any ISO.
- Matt is designing a rail mount option for the RED clip on mattebox.
We have gone through RED’s Nov. 30th announcement and subsequent forum posts with a fine tooth comb and posted the interesting details that might have slipped through the cracks for some.
- RED will be announcing a slew of accessories aimed at the Scarlet in the coming weeks
- Jarred states that the ‘machines’ are already churning out parts in order to meet the huge demand
- The fixed 8x fixed zoom lens on the 2/3″ Scarlet will be f2.4 and t2.6. Focal lengths have not been announced
- The 8x fixed zoom has three ND positions built in: OFF, .9ND, and 1.8ND
- Lens info from the 8x zoom is saved as meta data to the .r3d file
- Fixed Scarlet has Headphones, HDMI, RS422, Sync (Video and Shutter), Gigabit Ethernet and D.C Power in ports on the back
- A mini PL mount will come standard with the 2/3″ Cinema Scarlet brains. Seperately, it will cost less then $500
- The depth of field you can achieve at t1.5 on the miniRED primes is similar to an S35 lens at t4. ( Thanks David Mullen)
- The battery module for the fixed zoom kit was not announced as they have not decided which to include yet
- The auto focus built into all of the DSMC brains includes face tracking
- The focus knob on the REDmote Pro has a 2.5″ diameter
- The Bomb EVF has an internal heater built in for cold situations. Production will begin in Jan. ’10
- REDCODE 100 (now available on the 2/3″ Scarlets) will need SSD to handle that much data. REDCODE 42 works on all media
- The Epic brains will have the capability to overlay a frame from the previous scene
- Files can be copied off the media via gigabit ethernet
- Both the aluminum and magnesium DSMC bodies are going through thorough thermal and environmental testing right now. One design will be chosen based on the results
- The RED drive module will be very thin and allows current RED drives to be plugged into the DSMC system
- Remote camera control via 802.11 WiFi AND REDLink wireless interfaces
- There will likely be a discount on a full set of miniRED primes
Latest Scarlet pricing.
RED now estimates that we will see the first 2/3″ Scarlets shipping right after NAB ’10 in May or June. Here are the latest estimates:
- Tattoo- early 2010
- EPIC S35 Stage 2- NAB 2010 (or shortly after)
- EPIC S35 Stage 3 & 4- pre-summer 2010
- Scarlet 2/3″ (both models)- May-June 2010
- Scarlet S35- Summer 2010
HD video of Ted Shilowitz showing off the Epic-X at HD Expo 2009. He says things are looking good for getting the “Tatto” beta cameras out before the end of ’09 which is great news. Ted goes on to say that we should see a lot of Epics out in the field within the next 6 months.
Jarred has just posted the 1st picture ever of the 8x fixed lens for the 2/3″ 3k Scarlet. A few details about the fixed lens Scarlet are being released as well.
- Zoom control is programmable The ring can be set to control focus, iris, or zoom.
- The RED side handle has multiple rings/wheels that you can assign to the iris, or the focus, or the zoom
- Fly by wire
- Touch focus tracking allows you to touch on the LCD where you want to focus and even follow a subject with your finger.
We have gone through FX Guide’s Oct. 30th podcast where they interview Ted Shilowitz and pulled out a couple of the quotes that we think you will find interesting. The position of the comment in the podcast is listed if you want to jump in and here it directly from Ted. Download the mp3 here: www.fxguide.com/redcentre-048.mp3
Interview with Ted starts at 16:30
19:30 Ted talks about responsibilities of Tattoo owners
22:35 Regarding the Epic-X “Tattoo” cameras: “There won’t be a bunch of these cameras, there will be a small amount of these cameras”
23:50 “Oct. 30th was about Epic” Scarlet details will be released Nov. 30th
27:30 “Mysterium-X upgrade relatively near term…stage one beta testers get priority.”
45:50 How many “Tattoo” cameras will be released? ”I can tell yah it won’t be thousands…it will be a relatively small number of cameras…it will be a fairly small group of people”
Here are some of the tidbits the RED team has dropped since the Oct. 30th announcement yesterday.
- Epic-X will be 15 bit.
- [EDIT] The fixed lens for the 3k Scarlet is finished and being tested at RED. Pictures coming soon.
- Fixed lens Scarlet will have a 3 position ND filter wheel built in
- The front diameter of the fixed lens on the Scarlet will be 77mm.
- Epic and Scarlet brains will have a little removable scratch mic that plugs in to the front
- The new XL batteries will be 100Wh and safe for air travel
- There is a Word Clock out pin in the same connector that ingests the AES/EBU digital audio.
- The 18mm RED Pro Prime should be shipping in Jan. 2010
- The 18mm RED Pro Prime will be the same size as the rest of the lenses
- The RED mattebox is a clip on with two 4 x 5.6 filter trays
- The ability to tether modules is still in the plans
- Movement of the 5 axis sensor plate will be manual
- All Epic and Scarlet brains will be able to control focus tracking and auto focus
- The Canon and Nikon electronic mounts are currently functional and being tested at RED
- Canon and Nikon mounts will feature a PL mount-Style lock-ring
- The RED FF35 electronic lenses will have OLEDs for focus marks
- Epic and Scarlet brains will come with a non electric PL mount
- RED side handle has an X-sync port to sync with the pocket wizard
- RED Ray is coming along very nicely
- S35 Epic and Scarlet and 2/3″ Scarlets are being developed simultaneously
RED has been fine tuning the Mysterium-X sensor and Jannard is very happy with the results:
I’m telling you… it is getting pretty exciting around here. We are finally “tuning” the sensor and figuring it out. The results are really incredible. It was great last week… even better today. There are a few more knobs to twist and we’ll be ready to post some frame grabs.
I’m now shooting only ISO 800 and 2000 for testing. 800 is the new 320… only better.
Jim
Jim also mentions that the results are the same on the 2/3″ Mysterium-X sensor.
Read the full thread here: www.reduser.net/36340
Graeme Nattress put together a stouffer chart using the new Mysterium-X and it looks to have about 1.5 more stops then the original Mysterium sensor:
This graph is from the calibrated Stouffer data on the 41 step Stouffer chart that I have here. The log intensity is calculated direct from measured raw data from the R3D, then normalized to the 0,1 range.
Graeme
Full thread here: www.reduser.net/36368/
