Idea: "Personalized" Firmware App

[Christian Jadot]

I hope in a future date, RED has an App that allows a "personalized" firmware builds. I don't want to say custom, because thats not really the right word. After listening to the 6 hour live stream, and how much load time due to the data in the firmware. I would love away to slim it down, but my needs are not your needs.

So ... If there was an App that allowed the end user to select what data did NOT go into the firmware they load, it would be awesome. Each shooter is unique in there needs.



Select the lenses you use. I personally don't need 100's of lenses I don't own or intend to use in the firmware.

Select the resolutions you use. I don't need every resolution under the sun, but specific ones that fit my style and project. I will never shoot below 4K, but some need the fps. Some people will need Anamorphic settings, most of us don't. Some want as close to S35 or S16 size as possible others won't think about that. Etc .. etc ...

Select the compression ratio for HQ, MQ and LQ. Have the "Jarred" factory settings (I know RED is working hard to dial them in), but I personally like certain ratios in certain situations.



I can see the downside where this can lead to hacks and such, but I think it would really help the end user out, plus lead to quicker boot times without all the information which will never be used by a specific user. Definitely have a "factory settings" build of it, but to take stuff off that the specific user will never use would be awesome.

Just an idea.

 

[M Harvey]

I like this idea-- though there's certainly a lot to figure out about how to implement it effectively.

For comparison, I think about how the Sound Devices MixPre series have Basic, Advanced, and Custom modes. It's a little clunky, but basically lets you choose which menu options you want available. Never mess with the way your inputs are routed through the mix stage to the recorder? Suppress those settings. This could be really great for a camera. I'd also love to be able to dial in my compression ratio, and I'd like minimal scrolling through resolution/format menus. (That's why I suggested elsewhere at least splitting the resolution and aspect ratio dials on Komodo-- scroll each independently, rather than each flavor of 6k 5k 4k etc.)

That said, the sound devices approach streamlines menus, but probably not boot time-- it's one thing to make certain options invisible, it's another to make them unavailable without the use of an app or other mechanism. I can just imagine how crazy the "fast boot" customization could drive ACs-- sun's setting, the clouds are amazing, director wants to just grab a shot of the actress backlit on the balcony, the Litemat is on the truck...and you have to tell them that iso 3200 has been disabled by the DP's personal settings, because she doesn't like the grain. (I know, you're shooting raw, ISO doesn't really matter-- just the example that came to mind.)

 

[Clayton Burns]

Thats a great idea, but i do have some thoughts...

Thats a great idea, but i do have some thoughts...

That sounds like a great idea, I know my way around the RED ecosystem like its my human agency as a DoP but there comes a time when everything is just TOO much and I just need a simple ecosystem. That's why for lesser paying client shoots I still go back to my trusty c100 ii (I know its ancient and doesn't fit well with a dragon-x but I just find it better for faster turn around and declutter) I love the HQ MQ and LQ settings as those seem like an amazing way to simplify things but I would like to see a "pro" mode, and i know this isn't the word as KOMODO is already a professional camera, but something where I can customize my settings possibly though red control and then i just see what i need to see be it: 3:1, 6:1, and 10:1 and my most used resolutions and frame rates. It is this that would really speed up my workflow and get the director off my back about "taking my sweet time to press a button". I hope jarred sees this and something can come to fruition as judging from the 6-hour live stream (yes i watched it all:smilewinkgrin there is going to be some serious change happening.

And sorry since this is totally unrelated, but do we have a possible stormtrooper date. I don't think ill be selected for the CC ones since i am pretty new to REDUSER and Jarred said only the familiar people can get em, Unless Jarred if you see this, you would like to take my 8000 dollars and see some sample footage of some Canadian wildlife deep in rockies