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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

BreakOut Box Prototype

All This has really left me confused. I really appreciate the work Jay has done and look fwd to marks friends box as I can imagine advantages in larger production in reducing to one large snake the various audio out in tc out and hdsdi out etc.

1. If the Idea is to reduce the number of cables coming from the camera then why doesn't the proposed box have a big multipin connector out on the rear to various snakes according to what type of production is being done?

2. If the idea is to adapt to standard XLR connectors there are even readymade cables... though maybe not this $27 cable at B&H since it says it is unbalanced. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/287337-REG/Remote_Audio_CAXMTA3F_
Unbalanced_3_pin_Mini_XLR_Secondary.html
I know several cable makers who can make very rugged right angle mini xlr to full size xlr adapter cables. simply using a wire tie on the rear of the camera could assure that there will be no pressure applied to the camera body audio cables.

3. As for the other cables in the breakout box, these just seem to be extensions of the connectors already on the side of the camera? I've used lemo and bnc connectors regularly for up to 14yrs on some pieces of gear without failure. These are very rugged excellent connectors. When a bnc fails it is almost always the cable side not the body side.

4. As I imagine the Breakout box mounted at right angles it will make hand holding left handed near impossible because there will be the tangle of cables coming out of the side of the camera going back to the box which will stick out to the right of the camera. Am I missing somthing here?

Just one of many alternatives: Perhaps there would be benefit in a box which sits tightly against the dummy side and plugs into all the ports on that side. On the rear of this box there would be a large Lemo or other high quality ruggedized connector.
Snakes would be sold that took all the in outs or whatever partial list was desired for the particular type of production.
ie for eng: only 4 ch audio in and monitor out. For full movie production: every in and out. The snake would have the advantage that it could move the plugging unplugging interface away from the dolly in complex production.
 
tj williams said:
3. I've used lemo and bnc connectors regularly for up to 14yrs on some pieces of gear without failure. These are very rugged excellent connectors. When a bnc fails it is almost always the cable side not the body side.
Click to expand...

I don't think a breakout box is a bad idea though for many not a necessity. BNC connectors aren't the issue Tom. I think the big concern is the mini BNC used on the camera. I've never used them in almost 30 years in the business and the idea of them sticking out of the side of the camera is what many are leary about. Can they handle a day to day production environment? Will they break or bend if accidentally hit? The idea of the box is to keep stress off these connectors as much as possible. Maybe there is nothing to worry about. But these mini connectors are unproven.
 
Once you get 8 or more cables pouring off the right side of that thing, then you will see the problem.

Since I have been down this road before, I know I need this mess as far from the operator as possible, and I don't want to be plugging them in and out everytime I move the camera.

Jay
 
Jay A. Kelley said:
Once you get 8 or more cables pouring off the right side of that thing, then you will see the problem.

Since I have been down this road before, I know I need this mess as far from the operator as possible, and I don't want to be plugging them in and out everytime I move the camera.

Jay
Click to expand...

I am a bit confused too...how does the breakout box eliminate the need to unplug the cables everytime you move the camera?
 
TJ seems to be on the right track-(large quick release multipin on camera)-a tripod mounted breakout would mean reconnecting all those connectors (in the correct order ) with every camera move-DG
 
pigway said:
TJ seems to be on the right track-(large quick release multipin on camera)-
Click to expand...

That was a design feature I was pushing for. Maybe there's a way via the USB to do it. I've always thought the ability to offload all non-essential cables via one cable was the perfect design. I still think the critical stuff should be on camera too.

Noboby wants 8 cables plugged into the camera when one could run to an outboard box.
 
tj williams said:
...
I know several cable makers who can make very rugged right angle mini xlr to full size xlr adapter cables. simply using a wire tie on the rear of the camera could assure that there will be no pressure applied to the camera body audio cables.

...
Click to expand...

Hi TJ,

I edited the above quote to the part I'm really interested in. Although I must say I quite agree with your comments about the dummy side, being a left eyed user myself. Now to the above, I've been looking and asking around for right angled mini-XLRs with no luck until now. Can you say who you're writing about or simply order me a few ? While I'm curious to see if and what kind of break out box is eventually made, I know it won't be practical for most hand held stuff. So I want right anlged connectors for all my essential cables, which is mainly XLR and maybe one mini-HD-SDI and the TC in/out.

To the break out box, I like your idea of a very thin box which would cover all the connectors however it should allow to plug in a few directly on the back : two regular XLRs, the headphone jack, one HD-SDI and the TC in/out. Then a single cable which you could plug in and out, connected to a break out box which you could have some distance away from the camera. In this way you could use just this thin part for handheld and add the break out box when necessary.

Cheers,
Damien
 
RED Connect

RED Connect

In a short time we will be launching our website specifically geared towards accessories for the RED One Camera. Already in design phase is the "RED Connect", a break-out box that addresses the concerns of multiple cables attached to the camera (image attached). The system will attach to the dumb side of the camera a single cable will then lead to a break-out box that contains : full-size BNC connectors, XLR inputs, XLR monitor outpu, 2 headphone monitor outputs, An LCD screen, HDMi, USB, and a few other features. The box can mount off the 19mm rods from the back of the camera, or off to the side.
The team at Off Hollywood, in NYC have been really helpfull in giving us access to the camera since we have no idea when our sytem will arrive. With any luck "RED-Connect" will be available within a few months.

We will post more info on a site real soon.
 
airsealand said:
We will post more info on a site real soon.
Click to expand...

This looks like a great product except one thing. It appears from the last posted image that you're breaking out the EVF and LCD connectors from the camera body. That doesn't make sense to me... I would think those would be best plugged directly into the camera. Am I missing something?
 
Actually, they will remain available (as well as the HDMI, and USB) to access directly to the camera. The RS232 will be passive for some functions. The panel will work as a stand alone unit as well. In other words, if you choose to disconnect the breakout box for; Stedi-cam, handheld, crane, etc..just unplug the multi-pin that leads to the box and connect right to the panel. The panel also offers an additional preview output, TC in/out (via BNC), HDSDI, and 2 mini-xlr inputs. Would have gone with standard XLR connectors, but this would make the panel too wide. All connections are on on top, or off the back of the panel. No need to touch the cameras I/O's . The panel will will have a gasket that will seal the unit agains the RED body. This will help protect the Camera's I/O's from moisture, dust, elements of nature.
We will post an updated image of the Breakout box within the next day or two.
We are developing this with feedback & a wish-list from the crew at OffHollywood, in NY. Feel free to contact me off this thread if you are a current owner and have some feedback.

Anthony S. Lenzo
 
We are aiming for a release date this coming January, 08. As we all know, delivery dates are subject to change in every manufacturing industry. But we are working on keeping that schedule. Prices are still to be determined and will be posted on our distribution website, soon.
 
airsealand said:
Would have gone with standard XLR connectors
Click to expand...

Sounds all really good except the XLR's. I'd sure get a lot more feedback about that from people who are actually planning on recording into the camera. I think the product sounds really good overall though.
 
The TiniQ (mini XLR) connectors will be at the back of the panel/back of the camera. You can plug your audio source into that and feed directly to Ch#1 or Ch#2. To feed to 3&4, you will need to have the breakout box connected. The breakout box can mount onto the 19mm rods off the back of the camera, or off to any side of the camera.
 
Correct. The Box itself has full size XLR inputs, and full size monitor outputs. We are deciding (based on demand) whether to incorporate the LCD display monitor into the design, or just have the I/O's. Would having an LCD with the preview feed be something that RED users would like to have?
 
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