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
The company known for developing and manufacturing one of the most popular unmanned aerial systems, the Phantom, DJI has decided to make their way into the handheld gimbal market. They’ve revealed a brand new handheld 3-axis gimbal stabilizer, Ronin. Its versatile, relatively inexpensive, tool-less design lets users shoot from several different positions, allowing them to achieve different kinds of shots quickly and easily.
Here are the key features listed on DJI’s website:
3-axis stabilized gimbal system
Supports a multitude of cameras and lenses (from micro four-thirds to RED EPIC sized)
Simple 5-minute setup and balance
Built-in tool-less balance adjustment system
Built-in receive and remote control available
Mobile Bluetooth assistant software
Based on DJI Zenmuse technology
Gimbal tuning stand
Firmware upgradable
The Ronin has a few very intriguing features. For one, the gimbal can be configured automatically by pressing its Auto Tune Stability (ATS) button, parameters will be intelligently adjusted based on your camera’s weight. Another great feature is its tool-less design, meant to make adjustments, setup, and tear-down faster and easier. However, the most impressive feature about the Ronin, to me, is its versatility. There are 3 different operational modes: standard, which is the typical two-handed position in which most gimbals are operated, upright, which allows the Ronin to be flipped over and operated closer to eye-level (instead of at the chest), and suspended, which is slung low to the ground for low-angle shots.According to Filmmaker Magazine, the Ronin has a 16 lb weight limit and will be under $5,000. To put that into perspective, compare the Ronin with its closest competitor, MōVI. The MōVI M10 (currently MōVI’s biggest guns) can carry up to 12 lbs, and the lower-end M5 costs $5,000. So, the Ronin can carry more weight than the M10, but it costs less than the M5. However, we won’t know much about how well this gimbal stabilizes images until we see some tests, so stay tuned, as I’m sure videos will start popping up over the next couple of days.
The Ronin will begin shipping by July.
Television commercial director, Mark Toia, recently shared an astounding video of the Southern New Zealand landscape.
While flying to different areas for a Natural Gas Australia commercial, Toia mounted a RED EPIC within a SHOTOVER – an aerial stabilization platform – to capture the visually stunning journey from Queenstown to the various shooting locations.
Though the video depicts a breadth of ecosystems and altitudes, all of the footage shown was shot in less than 3 hours.
