External PTZ enclosure for a RED camera

[Benjamin Higginbotham]

Hey awesome forum,

We have been looking at upgrading video at our launch sites to possibly utilize RED cameras. Have no decided on Scarlet, Epic or the more likely mix of the two. One requirement we have is that each camera needs to have remote pan/tilt/zoom control ideally via IP commands (we may be able to work with serial if required). Each camera will be on a rocket launch pad pretty close to the actual vehicle itself. So we need to have 100% remote control of not just the camera but where the camera is looking.

My questions are:
1 - Does anyone have a good suggestion for an external PTZ enclosure that will work with RED cameras, not break the bank, and will survive the wonderful Florida weather?
2 - Any way to remote control aperture, shutter, etc. from the camera? WiFi is strictly forbidden on the range, and we will frankly be too far away to get WiFi to it anyhow.

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Benjamin Higginbotham
SpaceX - Video Systems Administrator

 

[Zac C]

Hey Benjamin,


I'm not the expert on exactly what you need for this, but have an idea.

Regarding #2, check to see what the range you need on the remote control for aperture, shutter, etc. is. RED might be able to work something up to boost the range of the REDmote. The redmote had some problems with connections, but over the last 7 months, it has gotten very stable. 50ft is the limit, so you'll definitely need something to boost that signal.

Viewfactor had been working on a prototype remote control, I think controlled via bluetooth, so rangewise, that's also out of the picture.



I think chatting with RED will be the best option, they'll take care of you.

Zac

 

[Phil Holland]

Hi Benjamin,

+1 on talking to Red. Since WiFi is a no go, the REDMOTE isn't the solution. However, cabling is.

I would talk to Red about potentially getting a long length of the LCD/EVF cable which provides you with a touch interface to the camera using the 5.0" or 9.0" LCD TOUCH. You would also have access and control to all of the settings on the camera, which would be convenient. You are going to be stringing power and additional video signals from the enclosures as well I imagine.

In regards to a PTZ enclosure. You are going to likely need a pan/tilt system with a separate controller to access zoom and focus (and iris if not using electronic lenses like Canon). Red cameras are not like traditional broadcast cameras in that way. The good news is there are wired controllers for this.

For instance the BUZ controller from Bartech:
http://webpages.charter.net/bartech/buz.html

Which will handle zoom.

Red is actually working on something right now called the Meizler Module which will have focus, iris, and zoom (or FIZ) motor powering capability as well as the ability to plug in a hard wired controller to access those motors. If radio signals are not an issue this can also be done wirelessly. cMotion, Preston, etc...

Additional thoughts. Take into account the launch/program duration when selecting your REDMAG SSDs. If your camera is going to be inaccessible for a long period of time you may want to explore 256GB or 512GB models and figure out which resolution and REDCODE compression ratio you'll be shooting at (typically 5:1-8:1). There is a link to the Red Quick Reference Guide pdf in my signature that contains all of the record times for the different formats for the Red Epic and Scarlet cameras.

Once you decide which lens you are going to equip the cameras with you can start figuring out how big that enclosure is going to be. I would contact Spacecam as they have build enclosures that are also gyrostabilized for aerial use and they could potentially build you a custom enclosure. It might be cheaper to build one yourself, even with the pan and tilt controls.

 

[John Marchant]

I'm sure for an interesting application like this the guys at Red will have more wisdom for you. I believe the camera has the potential to be controlled over a wired ethernet connection, with suitable knowledge and support. PTZ and FIZ functions could easily be extended to appropriate distances based on old-fashioned analogue wired systems.

 

[Paul Lee]

SpaceX + RED = Awesome

 

[Karl Gustav H.]

Ben,

There is guy on here (buggered if I can remember his name however!) who used the original Red One at SLC-41 for a number of launches; was contracted to Ames. Pretty sure the end solution for distance control and monitoring was sending everything down a fibreoptic connection. You could tap the Epic HDMI to fibre for monitoring, and there is basic control over RS232. As others have said, the Meizer module may give you the control you need.

Out of interest, are you planning on tracking the ascent from that close to the pad you need full remote control? Should be pretty cool, as the most I've ever seen is static cams on or about the pad, and then tracking being done from a distance with 400mm+ lenses on systems like DOAMS.

I know you boys took down a lot of the old infrastructure converting SLC-40 from it's Titan days but is there any connectivity left in the old camera bunkers?

Ah; found the original thread. http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...m-3-miles-away&p=436091&highlight=#post436091