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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 :)

OFFHOLLYWOOD HOTLINK + HOT TAP + HOTBOX R/S WIFI for RED DSMC cameras

Mikael Lubtchansky said:
Smart idea indeed Mark :-)
Click to expand...
Well ... before we all get hopped up on the crazy idea -

A) I don't know if it is even possible for RED to do this in the firmware

B) Assuming RED could do this - I would need to test to see if the current that hits the GPIO Output is in fact enough current to drive the HOTLINK PCB - it needs continuous TX: ~200mA, Normal (Ave): ~12mA ; Peak 200mA, Standby: <200uA - I have yet to meter the GPIO Output current on the CRTL port to tell if it could pull it off.

C) If we could do this - it would present a few "challenges" with respect to protecting the board if you did plug in power via 2-pin LEMO and/or USB Mini power AND the 3.3V was present on the CRTL pin 3 - there are some work-arounds I could implement without re-spinning the PCB - so ... all doable ... but it would have to be tested and hardware changes on HOTLINK assembly implemented prior to shipping any units.

So don't get too excited yet. But I do think it's a bitchen concept.
 
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Mark L. Pederson said:
Well .... I have a idea.

It's kinda one of those "think outside the box" ideas that just came to me.

The HOTLINK connects via CTRL port on the DSMC brain. We use Pins 1, 2, 4 for rs232.

Pin 3 is GPIO Output - which can present 3.3V when the camera is rolling.

So .... if the firmware wizards could add a little checkbox that would present the 3.3V on that pin ALL THE TIME - I could just grab the power from that pin since the HOTLINK PCB runs on .... 3.3V :)

Not sure if it's possible - BUT - that would mean everyone could power a HOTLINK with the one cables that comes with it.

Just thinking out loud ....
Click to expand...

Now ya talking Mark.

Mark L. Pederson said:
Well ... before we all get hopped up on the crazy idea -

A) I don't know if it is even possible for RED to do this in the firmware

B) Assuming RED could do this - I would need to test to see if the current that hits the GPIO Output is in fact enough current to drive the HOTLINK PCB - it needs continuous TX: ~200mA, Normal (Ave): ~12mA ; Peak 200mA, Standby: <200uA - I have yet to meter the GPIO Output current on the CRTL port to tell if it could pull it off.

C) If we could do this - it would present a few "challenges" with respect to protecting the board if you did plug in power via 2-pin LEMO and/or USB Mini power AND the 3.3V was present on the CRTL pin 3 - there are some work-arounds I could implement without re-spinning the PCB - so ... all doable ... but it would have to be tested and hardware changes on HOTLINK assembly implemented prior to shipping any units.

So don't get too excited yet. But I do think it's a bitchen concept.
Click to expand...

To late, i'm excited.
 
Hi Mark,

Pardon my ignorance, but I'm not sure I understand well the possiblities of the HOTLINK + FOOLCONTROL software.
Does it mean that you can control focus and iris of lenses like Canon L serie WITHOUT a wireless follow focus?
If it's the case, you can cosider me already sold, as I was always wondering why none thouht of taking advantage of using the internal motor of those lenses....

Thanks
 
olivier burri said:
Hi Mark,

Pardon my ignorance, but I'm not sure I understand well the possiblities of the HOTLINK + FOOLCONTROL software.
Does it mean that you can control focus and iris of lenses like Canon L serie WITHOUT a wireless follow focus?
If it's the case, you can cosider me already sold, as I was always wondering why none thouht of taking advantage of using the internal motor of those lenses....

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes that is indeed what it does among other things :-)
 
olivier burri said:
Just ordered HOTLINK with a P-Tap to Lemo cable.
Will be in NYC from October 18 to 22. Is it possible to arrange a pickup?
Click to expand...

Yes - there is a "hold for pickup at OFFHOLLYWOOD NYC" option that should appear in the list of fed ex options - and charge no shipping - Diamond Brothers told me that it would not allow them to checkout so they selected the cheapest shipping option and then sent an email to shop (at) offhollywoodny.com - and I refunded the shipping charge. I alerted my web dude - and he's on the case - so might be fixed now - if not - just send an email to shop (at) offhollywoodny.com - and we will email you when it's ready for pickup in NY and refund shipping. By law, we do have to charge NY sales tax to anyone that picks up product in NY. (unless you have a tax exempt/resale cert.)
 
Decided to upgrade my order to the HOTBOX WIFI and I don't regret it for a second.

I floated this question but I also throw it out there to fellow RU's, but I want to essentially replicate the Alexa in terms of power distro while using an AB VCLX battery setup, which is often the case in town when on a dolly.

In the case of the ALEXA I can just go right into the DC in port, then the internal power distro on that camera lets me run our TVLogics, Prestons, etc. So my question, is the best way to replicate this power 'path' to use something like the +1 Module, so that the VCLX would juice the epic brain, and then the brain would juice the +1 module, which in turn would go lemo-to-lemo to the HOTBOX?

That's the ideal. What specific cabling is necessary to go from the VCLX into the brain?
 
Isaac Marchionna said:
Decided to upgrade my order to the HOTBOX WIFI and I don't regret it for a second.

I floated this question but I also throw it out there to fellow RU's, but I want to essentially replicate the Alexa in terms of power distro while using an AB VCLX battery setup, which is often the case in town when on a dolly.

In the case of the ALEXA I can just go right into the DC in port, then the internal power distro on that camera lets me run our TVLogics, Prestons, etc. So my question, is the best way to replicate this power 'path' to use something like the +1 Module, so that the VCLX would juice the epic brain, and then the brain would juice the +1 module, which in turn would go lemo-to-lemo to the HOTBOX?

That's the ideal. What specific cabling is necessary to go from the VCLX into the brain?
Click to expand...

Stay tuned - I'm gonna present a VCLX + HOTBOX solution end of next week hopefully.

You do NOT want to power your HOTBOX from the +1 module. The best power management from VCLX is to split power between camera and HOTBOX before powering the camera - not through the camera - like when you grab power off of the P-Tap on the battery-plate.

I'm working on a solution that is more elegant, and safe for the camera, than just a Y cable. It's very high on the priority list over here - so - you will see something from us imminently.
 
Excellent. Holding tight, as it's been a drag to run the Epic off VCLX in the past, but all the MDRs, monitors, transmitters, are stuck being powered by the battery.

Stoked for your solution, Mark!
 
Isaac Marchionna said:
Excellent. Holding tight, as it's been a drag to run the Epic off VCLX in the past, but all the MDRs, monitors, transmitters, are stuck being powered by the battery.

Stoked for your solution, Mark!
Click to expand...

Hotswapping VCLX without having to recalibrate wireless FIZ & video is a huge demand. We are gonna try to solve a few problems in a single solution.
 
Mark, Is it possible to have more devices than the hotlink hooked up to the control port at the same time? Can I have a parallel cable....
 
Björn Benckert said:
Mark, Is it possible to have more devices than the hotlink hooked up to the control port at the same time? Can I have a parallel cable....
Click to expand...

No.

When you activate SERIAL > RCP in the COMMUNICATION menu - it is pushing and pulling RCP commands over the rs232 on the CTRL port.

Why would you want "a parallel cable"? Can you explain what you wanna do??
 
Mark, good meeting you at IBC, I will always remember the tram...re our discussion about the Helix-


Iphone 1/4-20 to Helix right handle with Foolcontrol, and Hotlink on Dragon- right thumb control of Red and ef lenses, left handle has Helix thumb controller.
 

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