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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 :)

Everything I Hate About My Scarlet!!!

Terry VerHaar

Terry VerHaar

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OK - I gotta say it, there are things I just don't like about my Scarlet and I am going to list them all right here and get it off my chest!

#1 - The 7" LCD cable! What MBA thought that by making the very shortest cable that could connect the LCD with the body RED could save millions of dollars in cable costs? It's an incredible PITA!! The 12" cable (which a lucky friend of mine received with his Scarlet) is the right length. I certainly hope they scrap the silly 7" version. Maybe the rationale was that RED would make zillions when everyone had to buy a decent length cable; like the 18" one that I bought for 240 dollars!!! :mad5:

#2 - Let's get some power management going!! While framing, composing setting up the shot and dicking around with a finicky director, we have to change batteries almost before we get a shot off. The REDvolts partially drain even sitting in the camera overnight when it is off. But, if I remove the battery, the internal clock has to be re-set each time I fire it up. So, please, power management in the nest firmware! PLEASE!!! :emote_headwall:

#3 - Hmmm... can't think of a number 3. Everything else about my Scarlet I pretty much love. Guess that's not so bad. :wink5:
 
Terry VerHaar said:
power management going!! While framing, composing setting up the shot and dicking around with a finicky director, we have to change batteries almost before we get a shot off. The REDvolts partially drain even sitting in the camera overnight when it is off. But, if I remove the battery, the internal clock has to be re-set each time I fire it up. So, please, power management in the nest firmware! PLEASE!!! :emote_headwall:
:wink5:
Click to expand...

Your internal clock should NOT be resetting each time you remove power - please open a support ticket to address this problem.
 
That's a short list Terry. Why is the cable a big deal? The shortie is for a basic, minimal set-up ie: mounting the LCD directly on top, and that is about it. The longer cables are expensive and I feel your pain, but that's LEMO, love it or hate it.

I'm happy to share your experiences. Keep the posts coming.
 
Scott - actually, I was being a little sarcastic about my "hate" but the cable really is annoying. I't just too damn short even to flip the mount around. I even feel like the short length with the "L" connectors stresses the connections.

Having set up a camera with the 12 inch, I feel there is no downside to that length but the extra few inches really make it connect more smoothly. I'll live with it. :-)

Interesting about the internal clock...
 
I happen to like the 7" cable for the majority of my setups but a longer cable is needed for the odd ball setups. Recently I mounted my Scarlet in low mode on a Steadicam.. Really needed something longer than the 7" but made it work. I ordered the 18" cable for future shoots. I guess it's good to have spare anyway.
 
Trent Lillehaugen said:
Your internal clock should NOT be resetting each time you remove power - please open a support ticket to address this problem.
Click to expand...

Trent - Now that you mention it, I just looked at the internal clock after my Scarlet has been sitting all night with a REDvolt in it and the clock is still way off. So, it's even a little different than I posted. :-( I'll open a support ticket.
 
So, technically, the only thing you hate about Scarlet is that it drains redvolts? I'm not sure if that's a Scarlet hate or a battery hate, but either way that's awesome! I can think of a few other cameras where I hate the battery life on them, but I can also list many other things I hate about them.
 
The 7" Cable is kind of obnoxious. If you buy a 5" LCD by itself you get a 12" cable. If you buy the package (which is the same price as just buying the 5" separate you get a 7". I would have wanted a 12" as well.
 
Anthony Survant said:
So, technically, the only thing you hate about Scarlet is that it drains redvolts? I'm not sure if that's a Scarlet hate or a battery hate, but either way that's awesome! I can think of a few other cameras where I hate the battery life on them, but I can also list many other things I hate about them.
Click to expand...

Yep - that's about it. :-) And I have eternal optimism that the battery thing will be improved with firmware updates!!
 
While I can understand the frustration with the short cable, and I have been limited by it myself, I must state that I am actually impressed with the Redvolt performance. If one considers what that little power cell is doing, then it is difficult to see much fault in it. The way I view it is a very creative way to allow the camera to be ultra portable, but not for sustained periods of time. Larger and much heavier battery options are out there for those of us who need to work on more complicated shoots. That said, battery technology is always improving, so they may get better in time.
 
Marie Turock said:
While I can understand the frustration with the short cable, and I have been limited by it myself, I must state that I am actually impressed with the Redvolt performance. If one considers what that little power cell is doing, then it is difficult to see much fault in it. The way I view it is a very creative way to allow the camera to be ultra portable, but not for sustained periods of time. Larger and much heavier battery options are out there for those of us who need to work on more complicated shoots. That said, battery technology is always improving, so they may get better in time.
Click to expand...

Totally agree as to form factor, love it. I have a rear Quad Battery module and a couple of XL batteries. So, it is not so much the absolute power shortage, just that the REDvolts go quickly. If you understand that there is not yet proper power management in the firmware (which is what we have been told) then it is easy to be optimistic about the future with these batteries. My post was something of a cry to get this implemented sooner rather than later.
 
Go V-Mount, terry! I know you've visited the forums enough to know thats the way to go.
 
Zac C said:
Go V-Mount, terry! I know you've visited the forums enough to know thats the way to go.
Click to expand...

Actually, I have a Wooden Camera AB mount as well - use it mostly on a shoulder rig. It's great. For tripod, I have a Quad Module and a couple of XLs. I do like the side handle option, though, with a REDvolt in it and a WC handle on the left side, it is very quick to move around. Options are good. And, I think the power management upgrades are going to make everything better!
 
You really need both lengths of cable. I find myself alternating between them: the short one for running around with a battery in the side handle and the longer one for when you are in a studio setup. The advantage of the short cable is that it doesn't get in the way in a run and gun setup.
 
I agree about the 7" cable. Very limiting, and seems like most people have to buy the 12" if they want to do any significant customization. Also, $240 for a cable is ridiculous.
 
Niko Pueringer said:
I agree about the 7" cable. Very limiting, and seems like most people have to buy the 12" if they want to do any significant customization. Also, $240 for a cable is ridiculous.
Click to expand...

I bought the bigger cable as soon as I received the package, absolutely necessary unless you are going to have the touch live on top of the camera

cable pricing just had me thinking about this hdmi cable
http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Digit...ection/dp/B003CT2A6I/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
lol
 
Charging my Redvolts while reading this :)

Yeah, power management definitely won't hurt, I hope that we'll see it in the next firmware build.

Quad Module is out, Dual is on the way, XLs are in Stock — there's no reason for not including it in the firmware anymore.
 
Marie Turock said:
While I can understand the frustration with the short cable, and I have been limited by it myself, I must state that I am actually impressed with the Redvolt performance. If one considers what that little power cell is doing, then it is difficult to see much fault in it. The way I view it is a very creative way to allow the camera to be ultra portable, but not for sustained periods of time. Larger and much heavier battery options are out there for those of us who need to work on more complicated shoots. That said, battery technology is always improving, so they may get better in time.
Click to expand...

Ok, since we're talking Redvolts here, I think I spotted a design issue (open to stand corrected on this one). I was shooting a small doc and after a while, towards the end of my battery life the camera started to overheat. My fan settings were 25% recording /75% stand-by, and past 43 degrees and change the camera stopped recording and switched the fan automatically to 100%. Could there be a connection between the Redvolts getting very hot towards the end of their charge and the camera overheating? Maybe the side handle case transmits heat to the camera? Should I shoot smaller takes? (none went over 10 minutes) and this was an aircon environment.

Again, everything else I absolutely love about the camera. The reason why I developed this theory is because with v-locks, there hasn't been any issues with overheating.

Glad if someone could chip in on this. Thanks,

Antonio
 
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