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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 :)

Magma ExpressBox 3T or Sonnet Echo Express Pro Thunderbolt Expansion Chassis

unfortunately at 5k, it's difficult to get real time playback. you can't even really get it on a tower, you still have to let it buffer. and if you skip around any bit you have to let it re buffer. i prefer reviewing footage at, at least half res especially looking at critical focus. that's something I always double check on as well.

magma has been a bit strange, they got pre orders like no other but couldn't fulfill the demand so were instantly into backorder they second they officially launched. i got a pre production unit because I was one of the first people in line to pre order one. not sure how it's any different to the production models. but they have been completely unresponsive with emails as of late. you have to call them directly to have any kind of contact. they were a pretty small company to begin with, with a limited amount of pci expanders, in only so many configurations. i think the high volume demand of their thunderbolt expander kind of overwhelmed them.
 
Our tests today with the Sonnet and RED Rocket was awesome.
I get the warning in RCXPro about needing 8x but able to view R3D 4K files in Full debayer and 100%.
Is this right?
The clips are about 30 sec to 1.5 min long and no stutters period.
Im reading this off the REDMAG 1.8 via NewerTechs eSATA to USB3 converter.
 
rats, just got my sonnet.. anyone want to buy a sonnet thunderbolt echo pro? used once. :)
 
I have the sonnet now. Needed to pick it up for a travel job for a month out of state and the Magma just wasn't going to ship in time.

I must say, the sonnet is FAST. I have mine paired up with a rocket and a sonnet e4p esata card and it is just churning through the footage. We're shooting 5k WS 5:1 and I'm adjusting WB and throwing everything into redlogfim for resolve and rendering out prores444 1920 and it's doing it in real time if not faster at times (it's cold here in WA, so I'm feeling that may help as well). A three minute clip will render out in about 2 minutes and 40 seconds or so.

Only ONE thing I'm noticing. Occasionally I'll plug it in (turn the retina on with the thudnerbolt connection plugged in) and it wont recognize my esata card. Only way I get it to work is to remove the drives then re-install them. Maybe it's a thunderbolt thing? Not sure.

Retina specs are minimal, 2.3 i7 with 16gb of ram.
 
What sort of test did you perform to come to this conclusion?

10min of 4khd... with audio to QT wrapped DNxHD and also DPX
exact same Laptop (top of the range new 15")
but swaping the TB chassis (each has their own RR and H680)

Will try when I have a min with a 17inch and see what we get..

M
 
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