Build 18 feature request

[RivaiC]

When plugging in an empty mag, I would like automatically to get a screen that says "Unformatted mag - click joystick to format" would make mag changes quicker.

I have second this request to red directly months ago. Altho it doesnt make it significantly faster, but it will be faster a little and more convenient. Hopefully they will implemented it.

We empty our CF on DIT station as well, but after several thoughts and consideration on several occasion. i think Mark idea is better. Much better. I second his request also.

 

[Casey Green]

I think the best policy when working with CF Cards (if possible under your budget) is to use as many as you need and not erase any of them until at least the next day of production.

This way you never have any confusion of which cards are formatted or when or how that takes place throughout the day. After a day has passed, and all data has been backed up and verified, the cards all can be reformatted.

(If renting, this shouldn't be that costly, and can often be good reassurance to the production and insurance company).

 

[Chris Parker]

i just tried deleting only the digital.magazine.profile files off a RED Drive. gave it back to crewpix to put on the camera (it was his idea) and the camera said unformatted. this seems to work pretty good. same as ian said, but not deleting everything off the drive, just the profile files...

 

[Jason Diamond]

yeah thats the file im sure mark is talking about modding you just did it the old fashioned way

 

[A. Bastaki]

Yes that's accurate.

Erasing all the data off the mag makes a card that the Red recognizes as "Unformatted" even if the mag is formatted FAT32 it needs those files in the root directory.

The feature I'd want actually is auto-prompting format for unformatted mags. And a lock switch in the menus that makes it impossible to format a mag with clips on it. I think this is the best mix of human and machine elements.

Also the format prompt should state which type of media is about to be formatted. Normally I use a piece of tape to force this issue.

IBloom

That is exactly what I was referring to.

 

[brandon thomas]

the reason i don't like mark's idea and favor ians is a couple things.. but the main being for those of us who don't use something like r3d data manager, if you're required to have a piece of software to change the flag on the mag to allow it to be formatted, if you don't have that software you're locked out.

i've never used any kind of p2 data manager or r3d data manager, and have not had a single problem to date. knock on wood.

it's only $80.. but still.

 

[Jason Diamond]

agreed...i believe mark is talking about a potential automated or preferential process and ian is taking the manual route which i think is prob a safer bet.
especially when you're dealing with multiple drive sources and should be more in control of whats happening without needing to worry about if the software did it or not.

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

agreed...i believe mark is talking about a potential automated or preferential process and ian is taking the manual route which i think is prob a safer bet.
especially when you're dealing with multiple drive sources and should be more in control of whats happening without needing to worry about if the software did it or not.

I AGREE with Ian's approach, I just don't see the downside of offering a copy protect flag -

 

[Jason Diamond]

yeah i wasn't quantifying either concept actually, they are both valid and solid workflows per need. i think any and all options to better protect and determine the state of the media is welcome.

and by 'preferential' i meant as in "preferences or settings" not more desirable. :whistling:

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

i think any and all options to better protect and determine the state of the media is welcome.

My point.

 

[Jason Diamond]

My point.

i know :nerd:

 

[Trevor Meier]

Both Ian and Mark are right - the point is there needs to be a RED-endorsed system for erase-protection.

Right now, on my shoots, it's a piece of "EXPOSED" tape with a velcro back stuck to the front of the mag. When that mag gets copied on the data cart, a pink or red strip of tape goes over the exposed tag, meaning DON'T FORMAT - this mag is HOT. That usually means the mag cannot be reformatted until we get a call back from the Dailies facility that everything is transferred, backed up, and checks out OK. When I hear back from post, the red tape and the exposed tag come off, and the mag is good for reuse.

The one advantage to leaving the footage on the mag until it is reformatted on camera is that there is always a copy of the footage, in case something happens down the line.