Idea to improve Scarlet via firmware/software if possible.

[Darrin Taylor]

There have been 3 types of complaints on scarlet that I have heard on here.

1) It doesn't quite shoot usable motion in 5k needed for 4k after bayer.

2) It doesn't shoot the higher speed the motion guys want at lower res except at 1k which some feel is too low res.

3) Even though its the cheapest for its feature set it isn't $3000 or $6000.

I have an idea that may just be a pain in red's side or may be interesting for this product which could be slightly helpful on 1 and 2.

First lets realize the real world limitations. The ASIC bandwidth isn't something that can be easily fixed without bringing more money and calling it an epic. Its a hard stop.
However its unclear if there is a way around this or not.

Interleaving frames:

If the scarlet shot 5 frames of Quad HD and then a single frame of 5k it appears that the total bandwidth used would be the same as 12 frame 5k or 30 frame quad. If the context switching doesn't cost too much It may be possible to shoot 5 quad frames and then a 5k frame for an effective frame rate of quad at 24 frames/s and the outer edge of 5k at 4 frames/s This is very limiting but if the outer edge of your shot will have essentially no motion this may give you a 5k look. The right tools in post to strip the 5k window out, combine the inner 5k with the quad footage, stretch the 5k outer window from 4 fps to 24 fps (while matching the corresponding quad HD 24 fps border) and then render the 5k outer window back in with the 4k 24 fps. The outer window would be very limited but allow 5k filming under strict limitations. And if it looked bad you still have quad HD at 24 fps to fall back on.

At the lower end this could possibly be more useful

taking 4 frames at 1k and then 1 frame at 2k it may be possible to get 20 frames per second at 2k and 80 frames per second at 1k. This would give you 100 fps for a center window with 20 fps for an outer window. If your motion is all within the window this gives you quasi 100 fps at 2k. 20 fps stretched to 100 fps for background may not look completely terrible in post ( I have never done this so maybe I am way off base here).





This may be impossible. It may be possible but not a good idea for the red brand. It may be possible for red and impossible for the NLE tools that would need to add frames to the outer window and some blurring at the transition. It may be completely possible and just look bad.

But its fun to think about

And red sorry if this is a complete waste of time

 

[Christian Jadot]

I am reposting this from another thread.

I would be happy with a 1.5K at 96 fps setting. This goes in line of what RED has already posted 2K @ 60 and 1K @ 120 and the 3K @ 48. It does not canniblize the Epic or Red One, but it definately hurts the competition. I see no negative of adding 1.5K @ 96 fps setting unless it is something to do with the hardware.

It is a nice in between, and it is still shooting above 720p. I would use this option often for web work and highschool/college sports. (Maybe at higher levels than myself it would be a selling point for a good 720p pro-sports camera.)

1.5K is just more usable than 1K, well at least closer to 720p. It just seems like another setting software wise. 96 fps seems like it is enough for sports and such, and does not seem out of the ASIC bandwidth.

For the PAL people as well. Maybe a 3K PAL mode? Loose a little resolution to get those extra 2 frames, it can be a head ache saver if you are converting to 50i. Again, I see no disadvantage, and just positive. It opens up a larger market, unless it is a hardware setting.

 

[Christian Jadot]

Also I was thinking something similar to the interleaving, but using the 2nd video channel used for HDRx.

Don't forget though you actually are cropping the sensor when shooting lower res. So the image will be "zoomed in" on the lower resolution settings.

However, I think it would be cool to shoot 12 fps at 3K, and 72 fps at 1.5K. It would be limited use, but this can give you a '300' type look to an action sequence. Fast motion, then zoom in for the slow-mo close ups (put together in post.) With one camera.

Again, this would be real cool for sports. It would be a niche feature, for people doing something action-e, but it would be awesome!

 

[Matt Johnston]

I'd be stoked on a 89.91fps mode, since I could make it 29.97 for broadcast. Which I don't believe is possible with 48.

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

Just a thought, you can shoot QHD 30fps and 15 hdrx. What if you shot QHD 24 fps wouldn´t it be possible to have 21 hdrx fps? Is this correct maby its even possible to squeeze in 3 -4 frames for 24 and 25fps.

 

[Brian Merlen]

considering the support and firmware/color science updates the red one has gotten since its been first introduced i think scarlet improvements are almost sure to eventually come along... and even if they don't dragon update will help out i am sure....so there is nothing worry about. this company is constantly improving their stuff, i think they just wanted to get it to market and will do more with the frame rates and hdrx as time permits down the road, though this is entirely speculation on my part, not definitive fact....

 

[Christian Jadot]

I am not worried. Just kind of "brain storming" on what the Scarlet can do with the known hardware limitations. Like a wish list that could be possible and RED would benefit from it as well.

I order my Scarlet in about 4 hours!
*Ordered*

 

[martin.kryjom]

well, for 1 and 2 buy EPIC, why do u think Epic is 5 x scarlet?