What would the NAB show be without some sort of announcement from RED? This year we’ve got a slew of news from the company, including Scarlet Dragon shipping info, a 4K broadcast module to send out up to 4K 60fps over 4 3G-SDI ports, Epic-M Monochrome details, new color science and even a handy RED-specific multi-tool. Hit the jump for the details.
Scarlet DRAGON
Attempting the quell the rumors of Scarlet’s discontinuation, this RED announcement should be encouraging for Scarlet owners. Here’s some footage from the regular Scarlet and Epic that Jarred Land posted as a reminder of the DRAGON predecessors’ quality (download the 2k ProRes here):
Since RED isn’t allowing the video to be embedded yet, check it out over at the RED forums.
House of the Rising Sun - Five Finger Death Punch
$14,500
“Likely” shipping in June
6K FF: 12 fps
5K FF: 48
4K FF: 60
3K FF: 75
2K FF: 120
5K 2.4:1: 60
4K 2.4:1: 75
3K 2.4:1: 100
2K 2.4:1: 150
New RCX with Dragoncolor and REDgamma 4
Potentially the most important of RED’s announcements today, this ushers in the next generation of Graeme’s color science that the RED cameras rely on. Here is a little bit that’s new with the REDCINE-X:
Updated: New look and feel.
Added: DRAGONcolor and REDgamma4.
Added: Advanced Dragon Debayer (A.D.D.) with HDRx and motion support.
Added: Support for camera generated markers.
Added: CUDA support.
Added: Ability to filter wav files from the browser.
Added: Rating can now be applied to both clips and frames through context sensitive keyboard shortcuts.
Added: Rating a frame now automatically creates a frame marker.
Updated: Default keyboard shortcuts for rating, video out and L/R stereo toggling have been changed.
DSMC Firmware v5.2.8
REDLINK Module support (wireless networking and wireless hand controller)
4K Broadcast Module support
Switchblade Module support
Dragon Monochrome support
Scarlet Dragon support
Public REDLINK Control Protocol support
DRAGONcolor (Dragon only)
REDgamma4 as default gamma
4 User Calibration Maps available (Dragon only)
Calibration map programming time optimized (Dragon only)
Added frame processing (Dragon)
Increased max exposure time to 1 sec (Dragon)
Rack point UI enhancements
Optimize color science updates
Clean format transitions
Video markers support
Video markers / regions in playback
Pre-trigger added to trigger mode
Burst mode capture
Updated UI theme
6:5 formats added for full height 2.40:1 2x Anamorphic de-squeeze
Horizon line UI overlay
A-X track toggle in preview and playback
Added additional supported lenses
SSD fragmentation detection
Added Exposure Assist
RED 4K Broadcast Module for DRAGON
Designed for broadcast professionals, this DRAGON-only module is due to make a lot of people happy who have wanted to use their RED cameras in broadcast environments.
Since RED isn’t allowing the videos to be embedded yet, check it out over at the RED forums.
RED 4K Broadcast Module for DRAGON
RED QUICK START: 4K BROADCAST MODULE from RED Digital Cinema on Vimeo.
Live uncompressed YCbCr 4:2:2 video feed
Up to 4K / 60 FPS via Quad 3G-SDI
BNC ports for timecode and genlock
RED Switchblade-M
An alternative to the touch-screen REDmote, this machined-aluminum attachment goes in place of the side-handle and will be helpful for camera assistants who want information on the side.
$950, availability TBD
Side-mounted tool-less camera control interface
OLED
DRAGON Epic-M Monochrome
The Fincher-tested Monochrome camera finally has price and shipping dates.
$31,500
Shipping April 28th
REDlink and REDLINK Development Kit
This is an open protocol that allows 3rd parties to control the camera via the REDLink module or via Serial/Ethernet. This could be a useful tool for controlling the camera when on a Movi, a crane or other rigs where the camera is not immediately accessible. Foolcontrol is an example of a 3rd party utilizing the REDLINK SDK.
Since RED isn’t allowing the video to be embedded yet, check it out over at the RED forums.
$395, shipping now
Integrated THC wireless lens control
REDMAG 1.8″ 240GB
This new faster SSD is replacing the previous REDMAG 256GB. Also, all media purchased from RED in the past 6 months and in the future will come standard with a 1 year warranty.
$1,450
Shipping in 6-8 weeks
Includes 1 year warranty.
RED Sidewinder Multi-tool
This is a custom tool that covers all the standard screw sizes found on RED equipment, with threaded holes to carry spare bolts.
$28 (tool-only) or included in the DSMC Bolt Set ($50)
Carbon RED Mini-Mag Side Module + Magnesium Mounts
Carbon mini-mag side modules can now be ordered with all Carbon Dragon orders. Red is also expanding their Magnesium mount options for Carbon Dragon owners to Leica, Canon, Nikon and PL mount.
Side modules shipping by the end of April
Phew! That’s it for now from RED. Stay tuned for more NAB announcements throughout the week and join the discussion in the comments below.
Link: Recon — REDUser Forum
It has been relatively quiet on the RED front regarding their fire-breathing beast known simply as DRAGON. We saw the first actual images from the camera back in February, and there was mention a few weeks ago that some internal power supplies needed to be redesigned as they were getting additional noise in the shadows. While development seems to be edging towards completion, Jarred has finally posted our first glimpse of the monster in the wild:
The picture above also includes a new XL battery module, as well as an upgraded top plate that they will be releasing to compensate for the newer fan.As you can see.. The Dragon roll out is happening a little differently than we have in the past. I promise you there wont be a sudden email from out of nowhere that goes out that says ” ok send your camera in or you loose your spot “.
We are keeping the progress very internal… there will be a stage where the testing becomes much more public, you will start seeing footage and test results, and you will start to get a better sense of when notification will happen.
There is still work to do.. the Dragon has more than we are squeezing out of it. We are sitting on one of the best sensors in the world and it deserves the time to make sure it is the best that it can be.
He also addressed what can we expect for stability with the camera when it is released and where the testing currently is:
Right now the Dragons are many, many times more stable than when we shipped the first Epics. Getting the camera to work isn’t what we are working on, it is fine tuning the sensor.. the icing on the cake. So yeah, as with any new product the first ones out will be a bit Janky, but we have already made those. We started actually doing the sensor upgrades at NAB remember. We have made a ton of Dragon cameras already. Once the sensor is tuned.. the power boards are in, its a pretty ” safe ” upgrade ( I am sure I just jinxed it.. )
It certainly seems like an attempt to get everything right the first time (instead of after many firmware updates), but as with anything, the more time you take to perfect and optimize, the longer it’s going to take to release. Unfortunately, they are at a point where any moving image that comes out of the camera has to absolutely blow people away, especially as many are still sitting on the fence about whether or not to upgrade. I thought Sony did a pretty good job showing people what the new F55 could do, and there is no doubt having a video like that can help convince people to try out a particular camera.
I think if RED really wanted to impress, they would get a high-profile director to make a film for them, very similar to the early days when Peter Jackson shot Crossing the Line with the original RED ONE:
And if you want to impress us with low-light capabilities, getting David Fincher to shoot something only with cigars and candles would be pretty interesting. Here he is testing the RED ONE MX:
If you want to show off the dynamic range, give us these kinds of images without HDR-X:
in other RED news, they are currently shipping the upgraded fans that were talked about during NAB that should be quieter and more efficient. They have also released a firmware update for EPIC and SCARLET that provides support for these fans. There is still no word yet on when we can expect the newer fan speed algorithms that should also greatly improve fan noise and efficiency. This may very well be an update that coincides with the release of DRAGON, but at this point Jarred has not mentioned any more about it.
It will be interesting to see what happens over the next few months, and if they start delivering DRAGON-upgraded cameras this summer.
What kinds of tests would you like to see with DRAGON? What would really impress you?
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