Just An Idea

[Tim Naylor]

I know RED has an obsession with resolution far beyond making a difference on most TV screens. I'm sure blown up to a big screen the differences begin to show. But instead of just offering higher and higher rez chip options how about offering lower rez with higher optimum ASA's and lower noise.

The current 4k chip at 320 is great. But I'd love to have the option of a 3k at Super 35mm but with an optimum ASA at of 500 or so. With all the announcements of 5,6,7 and higher k chips. I think offering lower rez with higher asa and lower noise thresholds at a full size chip would be a great option, especially for projects just for broadcast.

Considering most broadcast stuff gets downrezzed and finished at 1080x1920, this wouldn't be a bad compromise. It would be practical as hell, especially for low light night exteriors, etc.

I am naive on what this would take to develop but if it could be done, than you really give film a run for its money in area once exclusive to it. Now you can offer optional chips like different film stocks. Hell, while you're at it, how about a daylight or tungsten optimized chip offering.

If these ideas could be done, we all win. We get more options and RED more money.

 

[Julio Quintana]

I also would rather have lower resolution with higher ISO, but I think the theory is that since higher resolution creates an image with lower noise, this is effectively like raising the ISO.

 

[Tim Naylor]

I was basing it on the notion that bigger pixels give higher ASA and lower rez reduces the the compression demands. At 2k, the phantom delivers a very quiet but high asa image. I'd love that option with RED, especially now that they're in the optional chip business. More pixels isn't always better, especially when the deliverable and broadcast is 2k or under.