Non-RED Brick battery level indicator? Let's have it soon!

[caseybramall]

Hey, I am aware there is a thread for this already:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15234

...but I was hoping to generate a bit more interest in this issue, as using non-RED batteries essentially turns the camera into a time-bomb on set...

I'm aware that checking the batteries themselves is an option, but an on-camera or LCD display, is really the only option.

I think that it is a major problem, camera shutdowns during takes, especially stunts or SFX, is simply unacceptable...

I am not sure why RED didn't include the level meters like all other pro cameras on the market... apparently the meters are in the batteries, and the ONLY reason I can think to do this, is to sell batteries.

Most people and rental houses have a current inventory of batteries,
AB mount, or V-mount, and it would seem to be a simple thing to incorporate the metering into the body instead of the battery.

So. The point is to generate a thread that will make RED take notice that this is something that professional camera crews don't just WANT... it's something they NEED.

Please feel free to post your support to get the ball rolling on this... maybe it will make a difference, RED is great about listening to it's users, so let's make some noise about this!

 

[Brook Willard]

It's been a huge request from day one. I just don't think that the camera has the appropriate circuitry to judge non-proprietary battery voltage.

The amount of industry-wide noise that has been made about this issue is pretty tremendous. If it hasn't happened yet, I personally doubt that the camera has the functionality.

There are third-party solutions like the ViewFactor's start/stop button that have built-in voltage meters.

It was an unfortunate design oversight to reinvent the voltage metering system for the RED ONE. While there are great benefits with RED's design [very accurate, predictable metering... a nifty percentage meter... auto-cut and shutdown functionality], they unfortunately ignored the voltage standard used by every professional digital cinema, HD and SD camera ever built. It left a lot of people scratching their heads.

I'd imagine that they will add industry standard voltage metering to the new cameras [in addition to the RED voltage meter to ensure backwards-compatibility with RED BRICKs].

But for the RED ONE? Buy or build an accessory with a voltage meter or pay close attention to the battery's built-in meter. Anton Bauer block batteries, for example, have a great little red light that flashes when they are dangerously low. Wire in a little beeper on the light circuit and you have the perfect solution. Sure the beep might kill a take for sound, but at least the take won't go away when the battery dies.

There are solutions out there. Your camera team will need to be more observant of voltage with the RED ONE than they would need to be with a film camera. Take the good with the bad, I suppose.

 

[David Battistella]

From what I understand the RED battery has a chip built into it. IF that chip were licensed to "other" battery makers , then they could take advantage of the RED ONE's ability to "read" that chip.

With that ability any battery could be equipped to have the RED ONE read it's power availability.

Currently (i think) only the RED branded battery can actually transmit battery level back to the camera because of this chip.

It's a proprietary RED thing.

David

 

[PaulClements]

All it should take is a modified battery mount that contains a voltage reader and battery chip so that it can work out how much is left on the battery and send the signal through to the camera via the chip. Red might as well make one for the camera if only to sell a few thousand "Pro" battery mounts and make more money!

Paul