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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 :)

My Big Idea: the Bottle Rocket

Hmmm....

While I kinda like the idea, and it's been discussed before, I think this is not a very forward-thinking approach or what people really want. They might think they want it, but in the end, we all want/need to be free from add-on hardware for transcoding or intermediate processing of R3D files.

That said, I would love to see a ThunderBolt version of the Rocket that is geared for transcode purposes, if it can be made soon and relatively cheap. Small footprint, even bus-powered, although that bus-powered thing is probably unlikely. I'm thinking something smaller than a RED Station module that has no connectors other than two ThunderBolt ports so it can connect and exist within a device chain. No video I/O, etc.. Just a wavelet/R3D processor, possibly coupled with a programmable hardware encoder that can handle ProRes, DNxHD and X.264...

Going back to my point above, I'm not sure if it's really what people ultimately want. No one is going to give a crap about getting footage converted to ProRes and DNxHD or whatever once they can seamlessly play and edit R3D files just as easily. I prefer RED continue focusing their efforts on the software tools and SDK. If they want to invest in more resources and people, then put them on those tasks. The latest crop of GPUs coming up in the near future have vastly improved compute engines and should be much better suited for wavelet decoding -- the computationally-expensive portion of R3D decode. I would rather see efforts concentrated there. IMO, if software can evolve to match current and upcoming (known) hardware, then such a Rocket product would (should) be obsolete within a year or two.

I'm also expecting to see new hardware and software tools that may obsolete the current Rocket when RedRay is finally released.
 
Maybe David knows something we don´t...

Today my laptop i7 processed 5Ks to ProRes to an incredible speed, in a few months a E5 Dual Xeon platform will be even faster. A "as fast as Rocket" solution will be a super hit today.

If David find a kind of "Thunderbolt processor expander" ....or a magic wand.
 
Jeff Kilgroe said:
That said, I would love to see a ThunderBolt version of the Rocket that is geared for transcode purposes, if it can be made soon and relatively cheap. Small footprint, even bus-powered, although that bus-powered thing is probably unlikely. I'm thinking something smaller than a RED Station module that has no connectors other than two ThunderBolt ports so it can connect and exist within a device chain. No video I/O, etc.. Just a wavelet/R3D processor, possibly coupled with a programmable hardware encoder that can handle ProRes, DNxHD and X.264...
Click to expand...

This is what I am thinking too Jeff. Something that is just there to chew through R3D data. A dedicated (offboard) solution is needed to chew through the processing needed to make R3D real time.

We are past watching render bars or seeing 4K footage play at 1/8 resolution.

The RedRocket is a great tool.

BUT

It costs almost half the price of a Scarlet. You can't have a revolution like that. You need to put both the inexpensive cameras AND the inexpensive post tools to go with it to form a complete system. Seeing your footage in high resolution in real time should come at a premium, but four years after the initial rocket, there has to be some tech out there that can create a lower priced, equal performance alternative.

Not giving all users slightly more affordable Realtime, will, IMHO eventually turn people off and move them to move toward what they percieve is an "easier" workflow. Note that I said perceive, because I do not think posting RED or posting ALEXA is any different or more complex.

David
 
I know nothing.

I just think out loud here because maybe someone will listen or come up with a better solution.

RED has a kick ass camera. The goal would be to have an little box that really leverages the true power of RAW. Smal extremely powerful little boxes designed for every user and every post house that sees red material.

David


Vico Martin said:
Maybe David knows something we don´t...

Today my laptop i7 processed 5Ks to ProRes to an incredible speed, in a few months a E5 Dual Xeon platform will be even faster. A "as fast as Rocket" solution will be a super hit today.

If David find a kind of "Thunderbolt processor expander" ....or a magic wand.
Click to expand...
 
Taking into account various types of productions and their requirements, as well as personal preferences, searching for a single optimal solution may go on for a long time. I see benefits in all solutions suggested 1) onboard Prores module, 2) Portable Rocket and 3) RedDeck which Ray suggested.

1) Onboard Prores module - DP wants the negative "developed" as seen on set, with minimal post-related variables, editing ready on any comp, sees 12 bit ProRes as "good enough"

2) Portable Rocket - makes any production .r3d RT ready with less fuss, portable and practical

3) RedDeck - Minimizes the need for additional .r3d playout & backup related computer hardware, additional parts, maintenance, cable clutter, modules etc...
Cam > deck = minimal variables and risk in handling the material, independent to camera body


As everything, none are perfect and all also have downsides, which are completely irrelevant for this point, as well as for the user whose priorities match devices advantages. I think all of those devices would find their customers.


Jeff Kilgroe said:
Going back to my point above, I'm not sure if it's really what people ultimately want. No one is going to give a crap about getting footage converted to ProRes and DNxHD or whatever once they can seamlessly play and edit R3D files just as easily.
Click to expand...

If various professionals on Reduser working with the material daily suggest various potential solutions to their workflow, it does make sense that the same variety (at minimum) can be mapped onto a larger group as well.

I agree on the advantage of widespread seamless .r3d RT support, but that takes time.
 
Hrvoje Simic said:
1) Onboard Prores module - DP wants the negative "developed" as seen on set, with minimal post-related variables, editing ready on any comp, sees 12 bit Prores as "good enough"

edit

I agree on the advantage of widespread seamless .r3d RT support, but that takes time.
Click to expand...

Great Post!

I think the DP, baked in look thing can be achieved with a look file generated in RCX Pro and loaded into the camera via an SSD card. I think post number one is a big compromise, but I think you might agree with me on that. :)


I think the key to your second point is to make RCXPro a fantasic I/O software. One-light and get into and out of the software for offline/online workflows.

R3D is a very friendly format for people who understand what they are doing. For noobs and people who are used to a "video" (as opposed to film) workflow, then a single box like this, even if it just handles the wavelet CODEC decompression and lets the computer and GPU pick up the slack, would go a lond way toward more RT workflows.

David
 
I'll take two as well. I need a thunderbolt ssd reader that connects to a thunderbolt raid that I can do one-lights and transcodes off of and then jump straight to editorial on set. I really hope the rocket and the ssd readers get updated soon......
 
Thunder Bolt Maxx Digital Mobile Rocket Raid April 2012

Thunder Bolt Maxx Digital Mobile Rocket Raid April 2012

All
We are finally ready to announce that our Mobile Rocket Raid will in fact be Thunder Bolt ready by NAB 2012. We will be taking orders at NAB and we are also proud to announce that all existing Mobile Rocket Raids will be upgradeable in the interest of keeping happy REDUSERS. We will still offer our PCI Express version as many REDUSER still have a need for this technology. For info please contact info@maxxdigital.com or call us at 714-374-4944. Thank you to all of our REDUSER customers and see you at NAB booth #SL13105.

Sincerely,
Ron Amborn
Maxx Entertainment Digital
21562 Newland Street
Huntington Beach , Ca 92646
Direct 714-374-4944
Cell 714-713-4492 Fax 714-374-3404

ron@maxxdigital.com

www.maxxdigital.com

www.reducation.net/community_day.html

www.red.com/gear_we_use
 
sounds great. I'll take one. Oh can you throw in one golden goose along with that?
 
Golden goose would short out the circuitry.
 
The golden goose would be a pleasant surprise.

David
 
What about a bottle rocket pre set with Redcolor3 Redgamma 3 or switchable to Redcolor 3 Redlogfilm, ssd reader built in, and that has a built in hot swappable 6 drive bay which simultaneously transcodes to each drive with those settings at the push of one button. (So you would insert the Redmag SSD, flip the switch between the two Gamma settings, press the copy button and the footage is automatically transcoded to those drives.) It would be cool if 3 of the 6 drives were simultaneously backing up the Redmag R3D's so its a complete one stop solution. This would eliminate a lot of issues and would simplify things completely. I know im asking a lot but im allowed to dream as well....
 
David Battistella said:
That is true. You need a DIT weather you shoot ALEXA or RED, so why is everyone saying they need prores onboard when the data has to hit the DIT station first?

If people think they are loosing jobs to ALEXA because of workflow, there is a minor differnece between RAW an baked in, minor.

It's time to update the Rocket the way the M was updated to MX

David
Click to expand...

You got some good ideas here David. A more affordable, upgraded, Rocket? Sounds great to me!
 
Red is certainly, certainly, certainly working on this. I can't possibly imagine selling a million Scarlets and telling everyone to work with a 4-year old card.
 
Ryan

I really hope you are right. There is probably a rocket tipping point. Like they have to sell six more before they can release the new version. But a four year old card in this world?

Like comparing EPIC to RED one. One is great. One is better smaller faster.
 
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