Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • 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 :)

Increasing flashing pixels

Christoffer Glans

Christoffer Glans

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
4,993
Reaction score
36
Points
48
Age
42
Location
Stockholm, Sweden
I'm not sure if this is just me being better at QC nowadays or something else, but it seems like sensors are getting more flashing pixels nowadays than before? We never needed the flashing pixel counter adjustment in RAW settings on Red files before, but now we have it because Gemini had so many problems with this.

I've also noticed that shows like Queen's gambit and Stranger Things in the last season had major flashing pixels showing up, even very notable at the episodes with lots of VFX where the flashing pixel appears and disappears behind the VFX elements. They stick out like a sore thumb in low-key footage and I'm generally surprised that it cleared through QC.

So why? It's not just Red, I've seen it on many systems. Is this related to the sensitivity of the sensors? Or are they more sensitive to photons from out of spectrum sources? So that sensors are generally more vulnerable to such light? Why is this happening so much nowadays?
 
Good question.

Remember Dalsa problem to make a good sensor, then the end of the Aaton Digital Penelope due to the sensor QC. Monstro Dragon having problems doing perfect sensors for VV rocketing the price of the sensor.

Nowadays where FF is groing to be the norm even in the lowbudget market (FX6, A7s3, Mavo...), need for more FF sensors at a lower price... even if manufacturing practices have been pushed to new levels, the QC and design choices could be the compromise? Who knows?
 
Does Blackshading help? They can change over time (which is why it's recommended as part of prep). Could be anything from temperature to altitude changes. Can you confirm that there are *more* or just that, again, the BS is slipping?

Also don't think Stranger Things was shot on Gemini (DSMC1 Dragon, to Helium, to Monstro, and the next season is all Arri LF.)
 
Mike P. said:
Does Blackshading help? They can change over time (which is why it's recommended as part of prep). Could be anything from temperature to altitude changes. Can you confirm that there are *more* or just that, again, the BS is slipping?

Also don't think Stranger Things was shot on Gemini (DSMC1 Dragon, to Helium, to Monstro, and the next season is all Arri LF.)
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm aware of that, but I've worked with Red material since the first generation of Red One and pixel problems were never a thing up through Dragon. It started showing up after Dragon up until the point of Gemini when it was so bad (which I think relates to it being dual-iso), that Red had to implement the flashing pixel setting in the R3D decode.

I can't confirm anything without other people having the same experience, so if people have seen an increasing number of it compared to Dragon and before that, that would be the confirmation of it.

Season 3 was the one with notable flashing pixels. I could be wrong since I've yet to do a full review of all seasons, but I don't remember much of it during season 1 and 2. But I didn't say Gemini is the only one with it, just that it increased since around after Dragon. But I also mean that all sensors, market-wise seem to start having problems with it around that time and up until now.
 
My hawk eye AC noticed a flashing pixel on my epic-w. What is the solve for this? Is that setting mentioned available in all editing packages? Os blackshading going to help? Thanks!
 
Nikhil Kamkolkar said:
My hawk eye AC noticed a flashing pixel on my epic-w. What is the solve for this? Is that setting mentioned available in all editing packages? Os blackshading going to help? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Sensor Calibration is the first thing you should do.

On the post side, in Resolve under Camera RAW for RED "Flashing Pixel Adjust" can help after the fact.
 
Phil Holland said:
Sensor Calibration is the first thing you should do.

On the post side, in Resolve under Camera RAW for RED "Flashing Pixel Adjust" can help after the fact.
Click to expand...

Thanks Phil, I’m aware of the flashing pixel setting in resolve and rcx - is it there in premiere and fcp?

I did do a blackshade, and did another one for good measure just now, but the flashing pixel didnt go away. Are there any other options I can pursue?
 
Speaking of firmware.. I checked the RED Download page nearly everyday hoping to see an update, almost a year since the last one, 7.4.1.
Firmware 8.0 with GUI overhaul, new interface, would be awesome.
 
It's been on the latest firmware for a while -- I will reinstall it, but somehow find it hard to believe that firmware update can fix this. Can someone from RED confirm a flashing pixel can happen due to a firmware issue? It'd be great to know as I'd never have thought to reinstall firmware for such an issue. Thanks!
 
I have seen it before. I've even seen stuck pixels that only showed up when the image was flipped vertically to be used on Steadicam, which doesn't have any sense.
Give it a try, it's easy to do and it may solve the problem.
 
I have had this problem too on my red epic w. There was only one solution in the end, send it in for recalibration at a certified red repair center. It is completely gone now, no blackshading will fix it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top