EPIC-W & DSMC2 confusion

[Nikhil Kamkolkar]

Hi, is there confusion in the marketplace about whether EPIC-W is DSMC2 or not? Especially if you are talking about the EPIC-W that does not yet have the board upgrades? I unfortunately can't afford that upgrade at the moment, and, there seems to be no crossgrade to a GEMINI which I might (very reluctantly) consider.

But it seems like RED's messaging no longer positions EPIC-W as a DSMC2 camera including on the software upgrades page where EPIC-W has its own section instead of just being part of the DSMC2 combo build download.

Maybe i'm misreading - but curious to know how people are positioning their EPIC-W without the board upgrade. Thanks.

[RJ_Ortiz]

Hi, is there confusion in the marketplace about whether EPIC-W is DSMC2 or not? Especially if you are talking about the EPIC-W that does not yet have the board upgrades? I unfortunately can't afford that upgrade at the moment, and, there seems to be no crossgrade to a GEMINI which I might (very reluctantly) consider.

But it seems like RED's messaging no longer positions EPIC-W as a DSMC2 camera including on the software upgrades page where EPIC-W has its own section instead of just being part of the DSMC2 combo build download.

Maybe i'm misreading - but curious to know how people are positioning their EPIC-W without the board upgrade. Thanks.

I would absolutely consider it a DSMC2 brain. I think you can better differentiate things by saying it is a DSMC2 brain vs a DSMC2 Unified Brain.

[Fabricio Morato]

There is a "sidegrade" to Gemini, it costs the same as upgrading the boards...

[Cody Hurd]

The OG Epic-W is definitely a DSMC2 camera. Its just not part of the DSMC2 UNIFIED. Unified gets you 8k60p as well as lower compression options.

[Nikhil Kamkolkar]

Ah, I get it - so DSMC2 vs DSMC 2 UNIFIED. Not sure producers are thinking this way. I'd have gone for the Gemini sidegrade if it was zero cost as I see it as a mixed bag. Everytime I've bought a camera or upgraded (EPIC X, EPIX X upgrade to Dragon, and then an additional EPIC-W), I've been slammed with a huge drop in value - so just holding tight for now. LOVE the cameras though. Just wish I had a way to get some of the newer workflow improvements without a big dent in my wallet.

[Aaron Lochert]

But it seems like RED's messaging no longer positions EPIC-W as a DSMC2 camera including on the software upgrades page where EPIC-W has its own section instead of just being part of the DSMC2 combo build download.

If you downloaded the .zip's you would see it's the same download for both DSMC2 Helium and Epic-W Helium, despite having different pages.

Epic-W is a DSMC2 camera in form factor and accessory compatibility, but it is not a "named" DSMC2 camera.

Personally I thought it was really confusing for RED to go that route. It's like if Honda had the Accord LX, and decided to remove the model name and just call it the Sedan LX. This is why people call the current lineup DSMC2 "Unified", even though that is not the official name, it was just on the marketing materials promoting the change in direction.

I feel like they should have called it DSMC2.5 to avoid all confusion. It separates it from the earlier cameras which are also DSMC2 while also noting that it's not different in form factor and accessory compatibility.

[Nikhil Kamkolkar]

Epic-W is a DSMC2 camera in form factor and accessory compatibility, but it is not a "named" DSMC2 camera.

That makes it a non-DSMC2 camera in the eyes of the regular beholder sadly. It's a real bummer.

[Andrew Dease]

DSMC2 is a body type. The end.
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Yes it's DSMC2, as is Raven or any camera with the DSMC2 body type.
That simple.

Unified is just internals and processing.

You will always have a DSMC2, until you go Komodo or DSMC3.

God willing.

[Björn Benckert]

The unified as I understand it can be in the sensor swap program. W has little bit weaker boards, I guess a bit like Scarlett that had less buffer memory than epic.

But yes, no different in picture quality at the same setting as a helium. So if not going for high frame rates I very much doubt that producers will really care if its a W or helium.

On the secondhand market I'm sure the difference is showing in the price with about the same amount as the cost for the upgrade which I find reasonable.

But yes, as I see it the DSMC2 is the body type.

[Nikhil Kamkolkar]

I very much doubt that producers will really care if its a W or helium.

It sounds like you are saying the W is different from a "helium" when they infact, both have the helium. This is exactly the confusion I'm talking about. :(

Anyways, I get it. Moving on...