10 Scarlet Questions from Joseph Hutson

[HD Hildebrand]

Selfishly - I sure hope Epic is a significantly better camera then the Scarlet. I do appreciate the difference of 2/3 vs full frame as well as 120fps, but after spending a chunk of change on both the MX sensor and the reserve on an Epic, it would be nice to feel there is still a substantial bump in the bang for the buck when you compare the two.

Scarlet sounds amazing. Is it too amazing compared to what we will get from the Epic?

I know Red needs to be one step ahead of the competitive products coming up the food chain - I just want my Epic to be at the top of the food chain.

So far however, Red keeps coming up with surprises that reward the faithful, I can only hope that business model keeps us smiling.

[Philip Lipetz]

As long as we are talking sound, are Scarlet's zoom and fans silent?

[Quentin Brown]

No offense taken :-) First of all, I'm glad that I asked about image stabilization. We finally know the answer. Thanks, Jarred! Second, now I understand that I need either OIS or sensor shift, that is "real" stabilization, not post-production tricks that will cause "individual frames will be accompanied by blur in the camera movement direction" - Thanks, Quentin_B. So, I've got all answers that I needed, no sarcasm, honest thanks to all people that explained this stuff to me!

I wouldn't let those things put you off. We still have only just heard of the feature and no one has tested it yet, those who have tried to stabilise shaky footage shot with a 180 shutter in post can tell you their experiences but if you want it for stills you may be surprised at how much the high ISO ability of the camera coulped with the wide aperture can give you the shorter exposures you need to avoid blur. Depending on what that turns out to be of course...

And as others have mentioned you can build it out into a much more stable shoulder rig or use other traditional camera stabilisation devices, with the lightweight you might be able to fly it on some of these cheaper steadycam style devices.

[brian hanson]

much appreciated update. seems like things keep getting better.

[Michael Hastings]

Each brain sports a couple of balanced 1/8" ports on the front under the lens (or where the lens is to be attached)


You can see on Jarred's "LUCKY" EPIC, the inserted scratch mics.

Is it too late to add a 6-32 threaded hole between the two jacks (or two outside them) to Allow us to make a little plate with two plugs and cables so we can securely attach them?

[Martin Weiss]

Is it too late to add a 6-32 threaded hole between the two jacks (or two outside them) to Allow us to make a little plate with two plugs and cables so we can securely attach them?

Why not glue on two screw nuts?

Holes would need internal reinforcing, and would change the layout of the inner workings and body. Also know as: delay.

[Michael Hastings]

forgive me for not looking up which, but I know some DSLRs out there swear by moving the sensor, i guess to make lenses cheaper? Someone can confirm which maker does this.

for me, I will most likely leave it (stabilization) off, as I am the kind of guy who mounts 5+ lbs of pure weight to my XHA1 / DSLR shoulder rig for feel and smoothness. Heavy camera rigs move in a more focused way, imho

jeff

Sony (previously minolta) moves the sensor - I saw a demonstration unit with the sensor out of the body and it's amazing how far and fast it moves.

Why not glue on two screw nuts?

Holes would need internal reinforcing, and would change the layout of the inner workings and body. Also know as: delay.

Well it's pretty small so might be possible and two outside near the edge probably wouldn't require internal mods. (2-56 or 4-40 would work too and they are tiny)

[Leo Sardello]

You know I’ve been reading on this forum for years. I don’t pipe up much which is why I only just now signed up again after the real name change. But I just had to add to the audio discussion here.

My first reaction when reading that Scarlet had 1/8” jacks instead of full XLR’s was “What the ___ is RED thinking!?” If I had a dime for every stupid adapter I’ve had to use on all kinds of Pro Audio gear wondering why they didn’t just put an XLR input or output there, well I could probably afford an Epic with all those dimes. I mean nearly every microphone I’ve ever used that has been worth anything is XLR. I’m sure I’ll get some opposition here, but really if you are plugging a mic into something then that thing is either an XLR port or an XLR adapter cuz they didn’t give you the connector.

However, in review, it becomes clear that what RED has done here is made the fixed Scarlet capable of recording both audio and video out of the box within their design, space, and ergonomic limitations. I mean seriously are these solid platinum, gold plated, diamond studded XLR connectors that would add $2k to the camera? No, it’s a space issue the connectors are relatively cheap. So having that onboard audio out of the box, that’s gunna be handy for a lot of people regardless of adapters and workarounds. And I’ll even venture a bet that in the end it will be a deal breaker for nobody.

I do hope RED continues its history of listening to the customers and provide a mid-range audio module of some sort. I mean THAT is the point of a modular system is it not? I WANT XLR’s but don’t NEED HD/SDI, so I get the module that suites me, as long as there is a module that suites me. But I’m also not expecting that module to necessarily be available on day one. The system should expand. Day one gets me a sweet camera that has audio capabilities and I’m cool with that. I’ll work around the limitations for now and hope they expand the modular system in the future with all kinds of options.


Leo

[Chris Pickle]

ok... just my opinion... blah blah blah... I'm not sure if Jarred & Red are angry at the feedback about the possible price of the XLR module, or maybe they're just angry at people upset about needing the module over & above the camera body. Whatever. If the XLR module is fairly priced, then all is well. However... I gotta believe that a 2/3" chip would service a market that very much needs pro audio recording IN the video stream.

You can convince the cinema market to record 2nd system sound, or buy another module, but not docs or low budget filmmaking. Truly, I thought my days of Beachtek were over when I made an experimental film 5 years ago with a Canon GL1.

[Jeffrey T. Morgan]

Simple answer: NO!

HAHA! I love simple answers.