EPIC QUAD BATTERY MODULE

[Nik Harper]

This is seriously awesome, can't wait to see your video on this Tim. Thanks to you an Jarred for this treat!

 

[Nik Harper]

Hey Tim, next time you get around to taking/posting pics, can you take a pic of the module with just one side empty (no batteries) i'm just curious haha.

 

[Fredrik Callinggard]

But two redvolts only run for 40minutes feel very short in production...u will find yourselves keep plug in and out the battery

Actually its more or less the same as quad - as you probably change the battery when it has run out on the quad as well. Secondly a batt change every 40 min without disrupting the camera is not that bad. Also don't forget that if you have the side handle on there would actually be 3 batt in total. So you could theoretically be running for an hour. Just trying to think small. The beauty and the strength IMO is the size.

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

Hey guys... Jarred has agreed to imbed the video as I just cant figure it out... but in the meantime here is the first in the series... made in a couple hours
shot on EPIC
lit by 1 x 1200 W and 1 x 600 w LED Coolights
Transcoded by Red Rocket with slight S curve applied in RCX
FCP ingested edited and subtitled in FCP

I will also take some high res DSMC stills for you who want to zoom in an analyze its construction.

We used it on a music video yesterday all day and walking up and swapping a couple tiny volts in between takes had the DP all giddy with how fast an unobtrusive it was.

EDIT: and yes, that is a 300 mm in the Ti PL Mount with no support... shhhh

 

[Jarred Land]

thanks a lot, Häakon for your answer, but I guess I wasn't asking clear enough... I meant: can you keep rolling while swapping? I know they're hot swappable so you don't have to power down.
But it might be different when you're actually rolling?!

And also, when you take them out, you would most probably shake the camera. Or is that neglect able as long as the body is rock solid on its sticks?
(I already bugged Jarred with that question )

thanks a ton!

yes you can keep rolling... no interruption. and if you are out of batteries completely you can plug in a battery belt/ RED BRICK/ AC adapter in the bottom port as well to keep going.. no interruption.

 

[Zac C]

yes you can keep rolling... no interruption. and if you are out of batteries completely you can plug in a battery belt/ RED BRICK/ AC adapter in the bottom port as well to keep going.. no interruption.

I think this is the greatest thing about the DSMC, keeping a redvolt in the handle for when you forget. My only question is, does it tell you that its switched to a new power source?

Say I was using a redbrick, and that drained, so its switched to the sidehandle redvolt. Do I get a notification of the switch? If not, thatd be awesome to see implemented "Switched to REDVOLT (SH)"

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

yes you can keep rolling... no interruption. and if you are out of batteries completely you can plug in a battery belt/ RED BRICK/ AC adapter in the bottom port as well to keep going.. no interruption.

indeed you can, and will include that in next video

 

[Jarred Land]

I think this is the greatest thing about the DSMC, keeping a redvolt in the handle for when you forget. My only question is, does it tell you that its switched to a new power source?

Say I was using a redbrick, and that drained, so its switched to the sidehandle redvolt. Do I get a notification of the switch? If not, thatd be awesome to see implemented "Switched to REDVOLT (SH)"

yup in the bottom of your LCD it will tell you which power source is being used, and even tell you which battery is currently used in a module. If you tap the battery icon on the touchscreen it will pop up a window that shows you all the power supplies as well, what the power level is for each battery in a module, etc.

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

yup in the bottom of your LCD it will tell you which power source is being used, and even tell you which battery is currently used in a module. If you tap the battery icon on the touchscreen it will pop up a window that shows you all the power supplies as well, what the power level is for each battery in a module, etc.

awesone to hear! - Question... can you add a dual and quad module ? or 2 quads or 2 duals? not that you would need to., just curious as I could see having one for accessories and the other for camera. as I understand there is
a solution in the work for accessory power. thanks

 

[Zac C]

yup in the bottom of your LCD it will tell you which power source is being used, and even tell you which battery is currently used in a module. If you tap the battery icon on the touchscreen it will pop up a window that shows you all the power supplies as well, what the power level is for each battery in a module, etc.

Thats awesome to know.

It's sad to say I'm more excited about this than a lot of features...

 

[Tom Lowe]

Quick question: why is the Epic Adapter necessary between the back of the camera and the battery module? Sorry I have not read the entire thread.

 

[A. Clint Litton]

Quick question: why is the Epic Adapter necessary between the back of the camera and the battery module? Sorry I have not read the entire thread.

Module adapter bolts in via hex bolts, allows a firm connection to the body without modules tweaking the actual brain. Tim mentioned that the modules connect, but are then tightened via a locking screw on the underside of the module...seems like it was just easier to design this way.

Surely one might think "why add anything unnecessary," but if it keeps the brain safe, that's the way I'd want to go. The upside is it gives you a few more connection points up top...

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

Module adapter bolts in via hex bolts, allows a firm connection to the body without modules tweaking the actual brain. Tim mentioned that the modules connect, but are then tightened via a locking screw on the underside of the module...seems like it was just easier to design this way.

Surely one might think "why add anything unnecessary," but if it keeps the brain safe, that's the way I'd want to go. The upside is it gives you a few more connection points up top...

Precisely. its minimal weight and very strong Tom and the last thing anyone wants is a module to get bumped and tweak the brain's back or wall structure. its not like you need them between modules. just the one on the back of the brain.

 

[Patrick Grossien]

yes you can keep rolling... no interruption. and if you are out of batteries completely you can plug in a battery belt/ RED BRICK/ AC adapter in the bottom port as well to keep going.. no interruption.

awesome thank, and thanks again!

I'm in love with it!

 

[Tom Lowe]

Precisely. its minimal weight and very strong Tom and the last thing anyone wants is a module to get bumped and tweak the brain's back or wall structure. its not like you need them between modules. just the one on the back of the brain.

Is it possible to use the Quad battery module without the adapter in between? my concern is size/volume/weight of the camera.

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

Is it possible to use the Quad battery module without the adapter in between? my concern is size/volume/weight of the camera.

No. there is no female groove to attach. Nor is there a latch under the brain to attach the moidule. we are talking ounces here tom and less than 1" (cant post exact specs) the DUAL module will probably be better for you than the QUAD

BUT remember the good news is the Quad with 4 Volts weighs LESS than 1 Red brick with V Mount Plate

 

[Tom Lowe]

Tim, what is the weight of the Quad module, with four RVs, plus the adapter?

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

Tim, what is the weight of the Quad module, with four RVs, plus the adapter?

As this is a prototype, Jarred has asked I not list dimensions or weight until they are ready.. but again if you weigh a Red brick and its V Mount plate... this weighs a significant amount less. more than 2oz and less than 1lb less

The adapter is also really light. despite how robust it is. Im guessing its an X infrastructure inside and mostly air space.

 

[Randall Brown]

Tim, can you put a REDMOTE on the module adapter plate? or only at the end of the battery module? Like tom, i worry about making a 5 foot sub out of this thing.

EDIT: just saw the video. I think we should be able to mount right to that.

 

[Tim Whitcomb]

Tim, can you put a REDMOTE on the module adapter plate? or only at the end of the battery module? Like tom, i worry about making a 5 foot sub out of this thing.

EDIT: just saw the video. I think we should be able to mount right to that.

I think in a year its going to be " the battle of the longest EPIC " - freudian implications and all, LOL! Modules are THE BOMB!