NAB 2014 - REDRAY IN STOCK

[Jarred Land]

Yes Nick, you get a license free with the player. If you need more you can purchase from here which should be turned back on early next week.

http://www.red.com/store/products/rrencode-plugin

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

What? The SEK-2500V OneConnect upgrade box (hdmi 2.0/hevc/quadcore) for the 2013 4k tvs will be available June 1st in the US. Samsung is the only manufacturer of 2013 model that is upgradeable to h265/netflix 4k streaming, etc. The new 2014 9000 models continue to use the OneConnect box for future upgradability, just the cheaper series does not. Nothing to be unhappy about there.

Looks like I missed that one. And yeah, the only TVs that get the OneConnect are the flagship 4K models. Makes sense. Or it seems they also have a kit for non UHD models released prior to this year.

Not sure the point of RedRay now with out a distribution partner? Super compressed, 6 channel sound, usb 2.0, hdmi 1.4

RedRay is super compressed, but you can't tell. It looks better than any HEVC anything out there. It's capable of more than 6 channels of sound, there may be a restriction in the current encoder, I haven't explored the audio aspect that well. USB2 is a non-issue. Only there as one way to load .RED delivery packages onto the player. There's eSATA as well. And USB2 is plenty fast enough for playback, but it doesn't let you play off a USB media anyway, so… The HDMI 1.4 is an issue as we move on. Hopefully enough people jump into the system and use it to get them to develop an updated unit.

I would really like to see a REDRAY developer kit released the same way they have launched the REDLINK developer kit. It could turn into something good...

You can already playback h264 4k clips off a usb stick directly on the samsung and sony units at least.

Looks like total ass compared to REDRAY, but I've had REDRAY here for some time and use it for demoing all my 4K content to clients. Would love to use it for more, but it seems ODEMAX, as the only content provider, is dead.

 

[Jarred Land]

Yeah the monitor I received last week came with the SEK-2500V. We have a few other brand Japanese market 4K panels and it uses a very similar box to provide the same functionality... albeit a different master connector. It would be awesome if they standardized it quickly as I think the concept is good.

For desktop monitors, I am still trying to figure out what the ideal size is for my distance. I have been through pretty much every size. 65" is alot of insanity and 28" seemed like taking a step backwards. A week ago I settled on 42" being pretty much ideal, but this 55" curve panel which I kinda felt was a gimmick really threw a wrench into my thinking. Gonna need to spend some time with it.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

I think that I much favor the Curved Monitors...

However there is a fine line to watch out for when using Curved displays, as the viewing distance is particularly important here if you truly wish for an immersive viewing experience.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

That's the rub with the curved displays. You must sit within a very restrictive range in order for them to work. Otherwise they just look like an oddly-curved mistake of a TV.

I love how the curved displays work for making cylindrical profile video walls, though. Nifty.


As for 4K desktop monitors, many of my initial expectations have been proven wrong in terms of how they should work. And it seems like the monitor makers didn't research this all that well either. I'm really liking 3840x2160 on a 24" screen with "retina" scaling. I don't like it on a 28" to 32" screen all that well. At 32" we can run full unscaled resolution just fine, but it's just not great. Like the high-DPI / retina screen approach on phones and tablets, 4K needs to work the same way. It already does with HDTVs and related content. For the most part, screen sizes are not changing. Aside from large screens becoming more economical, the standard sizes are still 50, 55, 60, 65 inches, occasionally 70 or 75… Over 80" everything is still stupid expensive. 4K is about increasing the detail in an image. It's not about enlarging your computer desktop and sprawling out to a larger area.

When we start putting large screens on a typical desk, there's only so much we can fit in our field of view. a 50" is too big. A 65" feels like it's going to crash down on you. If you have a large enough desk or work table, wall mount at an appropriate distance, whatever, then these larger displays make more sense. I'm also liking the wider 2.35:1 CinemaScope aspect that's starting to become more common for monitors from the likes of LG. Their 34" is great, but it's 3360x1440 goofy resolution. It would kick ass at 5K x 2K though and the same dimensions. As we move into higher bandwidth connectivity with new versions of HDMI, Thunderbolt and DisplayPort, I think we're going to start seeing higher resolutions on the desktop. Just as desktop displays eclipsed 1080p TV… Actually had surpassed it before 1080p caught on in the TV market. 27" 1440p iMac… yeah, feels kinda stale. I'd really like a 29" one with a 5K panel or a 34 to 36 inch 2.35:1 aspect one with a 6K x 2560p panel. That would kick some serious ass.

 

[Alex Kiritz]

What ever happened to that 5120 x 2880 screen that you talked about seeing a few years ago? It sounded like Apple was about to release a retina cinema display.

 

[Jarred Land]

It's not about enlarging your computer desktop and sprawling out to a larger area.

I agree with everything you just said except for this one above.. explicitly in terms of computer desktop use.

For years I have been a dual 30" side by side guy. The increase in efficiency ( at least for me ) of having more physical area with high resolution is hard for me to go back on.. in almost all applications. Larger area afforded by gains in resolution to me is fantastic.

I do agree with the 50" and up being big for a normal desk... I have tried it a dozen different ways with different heights and distances and we have even made prototypes of desktop monitors in that class and it just is a bit too much. The curve makes a 55" feel like a 42" in some ways which is odd.

42".. I'm telling you, is a really nice size. I am glad they are keeping that one alive. Samsung has one of them coming you need to try out. Seiki makes a 39" monitor that is in the same ballpark but the quality just isn't there for anything serious.

I also agree with you the 2:1 wide displays are nice. Hope that trend sticks, even though if you understand how panels are currently cut to make all these sizes it's not the most efficient of ways to divide the large blanks. It does however give manufactures something to do with column fall out at the edge so maybe it cancels out the yield loss.

The one thing I am mildly concerned with these curved displays up close is the perception of geometry... I am starting to second guess what a square is supposed to look like, but it's a bit premature to raise a flag, it could just be my mind playing tricks on me.

 

[jon honeyball]

I have had redray for months. And its a good piece of kit, although the UI sucks donkeys through a straw. Its pretty hideous, especially when you try to move things around.

The carcrash with it is the lack of HDMI 2 support and 60Hz playback.

Which is why I have just bought this, which does it. https://www.aja.com/en/products/io-4k the new firmware opens up the full 4K at 60Hz, and there is no need for any .RED encode. Just play straight from FCPX or whatever is your editor of choice. See https://www.aja.com/en/news/top-stories/262

OK, you need to add a MacPro to the mix. But for our uses, thats fine. Redray will now gather dust, which is disappointing. Oh, and dont forget the new Thunderbolt2 on fibre cables. Lets you put the AJA box a long way away from the computer, and right next to the screen or projector.

 

[Peter Majtan]

The reason I will get it is for a simple and straightforward playback of finished projects.
No need to tieup a workstation and high-performance storage.
No hick ups half way through the screening.
Plus I can take it (along with a projector) and screen stuff pretty much everywhere.
As all projects I work on finish in 24P or 30P - the lack of HDMI2 is not a deal breaker...

:sifone: Peter

 

[Detlev Eller]

i agree ... 3 desktop screens trump 2 in efficiency, though ... ))

...
For years I have been a dual 30" side by side guy. The increase in efficiency ( at least for me ) of having more physical area with high resolution is hard for me to go back on.. in almost all applications. Larger area afforded by gains in resolution to me is fantastic.

...

 

[Jarred Land]

i agree ... 3 desktop screens trump 2 in efficiency, though ... ))

Agree. But with the new Mac pro you pretty much are restricted to 2 x 2560 or a single 4k monitor.. Which makes size even more important.

 

[George Tsai]

i agree ... 3 desktop screens trump 2 in efficiency, though ... ))

or 9

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

Does the REDRay support gapless playback? Also is it possible to do fades between shots? We're looking for a device to drive a quad display system and are currently going through a PC plus some custom software written to handle the transitions. But if it supported gapless playback of multiple clips we just might be in business with the perfect solution for them.

Also is there an API/SDK for remote control over Ethernet?

 

[jon honeyball]

The reason I will get it is for a simple and straightforward playback of finished projects.
No need to tieup a workstation and high-performance storage.
No hick ups half way through the screening.
Plus I can take it (along with a projector) and screen stuff pretty much everywhere.
As all projects I work on finish in 24P or 30P - the lack of HDMI2 is not a deal breaker...

:sifone: Peter

If you are happy at 30P or less, then thats just fine -- redray is a good transportable tool.

 

[Detlev Eller]

Agree. But with the new Mac pro you pretty much are restricted to 2 x 2560 or a single 4k monitor.. Which makes size even more important.

Bummer! ...
I always thought the effortless multi-multi-screen handling to be a big plus in the mac world (among other things, of course)

or 9

hehe ... that´s pretty much how it looks around here, too ..... LOL
coupling 3 screens per machine .... or 1 .... never 2, makes me nervous!!! ... LOL

to me, the physical separation helps (a lot) with focus and organisation of the screen space ...
with every screen having as much resolution possible, of course ...

taking that away, is taking away a major usability + workflow efficiency plus


hmmm.




However (since it is going OT):

Looking forward to get a REDRAY Player sooner than later ... )

 

[Elsie N]

... Redray will now gather dust, which is disappointing. ...

Wanna sell it? How much you want for it?

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I agree with everything you just said except for this one above.. explicitly in terms of computer desktop use.

For years I have been a dual 30" side by side guy. The increase in efficiency ( at least for me ) of having more physical area with high resolution is hard for me to go back on.. in almost all applications. Larger area afforded by gains in resolution to me is fantastic.

I'm in agreement, with that. I've used dual 30" setups for years as well. Ever since Dell and Samsung first shipped a 30" display. I guess what I'm trying to say is that adding more desktop real estate by adding more pixels is simplistic solution, but not really all that we need. I think what we're all really looking for is a combination higher DPI with moderately larger screens. I don't foresee multi-monitor setups going away. Or not until we get some other revolution in terms of UI design or can project images straight onto our corneas.

42".. I'm telling you, is a really nice size. I am glad they are keeping that one alive. Samsung has one of them coming you need to try out. Seiki makes a 39" monitor that is in the same ballpark but the quality just isn't there for anything serious.

After buying the 50" SEIKI, I couldn't get myself to try the 39". I understand they're trying to hit a price point, but jeez. I can't wait to see the 42" Samsung and I believe LG has one coming somewhere in the range of 40". But ultimately, I think when desktop monitors are really going to get awesome is when they break away from UHD/4K resolution and go for even more pixels. A typical smart phone or tablet is 285 to 350 PPI and people hold those about 1 foot closer to their faces on average than where they sit in front of typical computer monitors. I think desktop monitors need 250 to 350 PPI as well.

I also agree with you the 2:1 wide displays are nice. Hope that trend sticks, even though if you understand how panels are currently cut to make all these sizes it's not the most efficient of ways to divide the large blanks. It does however give manufactures something to do with column fall out at the edge so maybe it cancels out the yield loss.

Hard to say. Although, if the wider sizes become more popular, the fab process and blank sizes can be adjusted and scaled to match. And still there's quite a bit of promising newer tech coming along that can change all of this. Some of the OLED films that can scale to arbitrary shapes and sizes, for example.

The one thing I am mildly concerned with these curved displays up close is the perception of geometry... I am starting to second guess what a square is supposed to look like, but it's a bit premature to raise a flag, it could just be my mind playing tricks on me.

Yeah, I wouldn't want one for any serious design work or modeling/ CAD use.

Agree. But with the new Mac pro you pretty much are restricted to 2 x 2560 or a single 4k monitor.. Which makes size even more important.

You can run 3 x 3840x2160 @ 30Hz. I've done it. Currently I have mine running 1 2560x1600 30" and the 24" Dell 4K @ 2160 60Hz. Need OSX 10.9.3 to get the DP 1.2 MST 60Hz support… I've been wanting to run dual 2160p @ 60Hz, but haven't had two of them here at the same time since before the 10.9.3 seeds.

 

[Sergio Perez]

Hi Jarred, I have a small concern. Will we have .red in 25p, and the player be capable to playback 25p content? If not, Will Redcine X convert in a good way 25p material to 24P ? I shoot mainly in 25P (pal country) and this is sort of a big deal for us. Thanks!

 

[Mike Dreesman]

Can the REDRAY Player play back @ 30fps? The specs show only 23.98 and 24fps but some of the posts suggest it can handle 30P.

 

[Jarred Land]

I

You can run 3 x 3840x2160 @ 30Hz. I've done it. Currently I have mine running 1 2560x1600 30" and the 24" Dell 4K @ 2160 60Hz. Need OSX 10.9.3 to get the DP 1.2 MST 60Hz support… I've been wanting to run dual 2160p @ 60Hz, but haven't had two of them here at the same time since before the 10.9.3 seeds.

Sure you can you can do it.. but you are using almost all your bandwidth if you do so.... so no Rocket card, no Storage options over 1000Mbps.. etc.