OFFHOLLYWOOD OMOD Modules for RED WEAPON

[Colin Nusbaum]

Mark-

For what it's worth, I agree and am firmly in the "full tilt boogie" audio OMOD camp. The mechanical push knobs and high-end pre-amps will be fully appreciated

In fact, (to throw a big wrench at you) have you looked into SuperSLot integration??
Frankly, I don't totally understand how SUperSlot even functions, so if someone can shed light on that it would be great. But it seems to be an industry standard in the making, which certainly be future-proof, if true.

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

Mark-

For what it's worth, I agree and am firmly in the "full tilt boogie" audio OMOD camp. The mechanical push knobs and high-end pre-amps will be fully appreciated

In fact, (to throw a big wrench at you) have you looked into SuperSLot integration??
Frankly, I don't totally understand how SUperSlot even functions, so if someone can shed light on that it would be great. But it seems to be an industry standard in the making, which certainly be future-proof, if true.

SuperSlot integration is already in the works. Our audio board was spec'd for that.

 

[Patrick Grossien]

Sounds great! - No pun intended

I believe that there's a huge variety of people out there who use RED cameras
Starting from stills photographers who don't need audio at all
Drone pilots who can't use the audio
Shooters who record audio externally so scratch will be enough
Shooters who record audio externally and send it back to camera wired or wirelessly
...

So the variety for pro Audio to me is from "don't need" over "got this covered" to "yes, finally!"

Everybody who truly needs audio will care for its quality. But a lot of self made solo operators just need the affirmation from someone they trust that "this is perfect" because they wouldn't be able to tell the difference at fine tune levels. As long as their audio levels are dialed in correctly, the main concern is, if the noise level is ok. Don't want to sound rude or like I'm on a high horse, but this is what I gather from real world experience starting from my students to self made shooters where a lot of people start from the image side of things. Even if it doesn't make sense and audio guys will be upset about the comment, but there's not always the budget for a separate audio guy to record externally.

About the price situation, I sure hope you'll be spared. But since Raven there will be an even bigger semi pro or self made user group out there.

Those users who will own just that single camera, and be using it as solo operators, will need I/O and need something that doesn't cost as much as their camera the REDVOLT expander is overkill price wise even for a lot of Scarlet users and even though the Base I/O is cool, it's not cheap from a raven point of view at about a third of the price of the camera. (Although I believe the Base I/O v-mount is an awesome deal) If there would be an audio only + power solution - something basic like the jet pack with audio (or something like the Base I/O with a a more "pro" plug than 3.5mm) I believe it could be a huge thing.

Solo operators, in addition to the camera, will need power, audio in and a headphone jack. Not saying that omitting these is a good idea, but for a lot of solo op situations even CTRL and SYNC won't be needed. (If you're thinking about a cheap/er all in one module, sugar on top would be HDMI to use a cheaper (or secondary) monitor solution like a small HD, since FoolControl is a viable control option without a RED touch display, plus some sort of power out for the gear). The Scarlet-X users have been missing an affordable but pro audio plug solution since day one. (What stuff like the A box from WC tried to solve)

I can't wait to see your line up!

Btw are those 3.5mm in the base I/O screw on plugs?

Short answer .... YES. Loaners and test/demo units of OMOD's with the audio board will go out for validation before shipping.

Long answer .... I am still waiting for the rev 1 of the audio boards - due any day now. As soon as I have it talking to the brain correctly - Gotham Sound in NYC is going to validate the quality of the audio signals for me. When they are happy - I'll field test.

I am considering doing an analogue only version without the mechanical push to operate knobs - which is lower cost - and can be fit in smaller OMODs - but I want to see the reaction to our "slightly over the top" audio board first.

My take - and I could be wrong - is folks either care a TON about audio - or they don't care at all.

So, since DSMC2 camera have internal scratch mics - I'm starting the OMOD line with no OMOD audio (only internal scratch mics) - or "full tilt boogie" OMOD audio - now ... if folks bitch about the push to operate and size, etc. and price (bitching about price? could it happen??) ... I can scale back and make a solution in-between internal scratch audio and top of line internal digital/analog with high end pre-amps. But I wanna see how people react to our high end option first.

 

[Jake Wilganowski]

Mark can omod work both with and without the base expander?

 

[Michael Maes]

Sounds great! - No pun intended

Solo operators, in addition to the camera, will need power, audio in and a headphone jack. Not saying that omitting these is a good idea, but for a lot of solo op situations even CTRL and SYNC won't be needed. (If you're thinking about a cheap/er all in one module, sugar on top would be HDMI to use a cheaper (or secondary) monitor solution like a small HD, since FoolControl is a viable control option without a RED touch display, plus some sort of power out for the gear). The Scarlet-X users have been missing an affordable but pro audio plug solution since day one. (What stuff like the A box from WC tried to solve)

I can't wait to see your line up!

Btw are those 3.5mm in the base I/O screw on plugs?

3.5mm in the base I/O are NOT screw on plugs (and stereo instead of L+R).
I agree with Patrick. Even in my own situation I could benefit from various setups.
> Filming underwater I just need power and 1 audio channel for the hydrophone.
> Filming on the pack ice in the Arctic, low and close to a (skittish) animal, I want to be as light and compact as possible – hell, I'd even leave the monitor/evf off if I could
> Filming "studio", I want all options as weight and volume is of lesser worry

BTW: the WC A-box worked great on my Dragons. A bit bulky, but better then fragile mini-jacks.

 

[Michael Maes]

Mark can omod work both with and without the base expander?

+1 'Without' I would love that very much

 

[Kip Evans]

Could not agree more. If you're a solo shooter, or do a lot of natural history field work, than having a compact I/O with XLR would be the ideal situation. I've been using the A-box for a long time and would love to have a clean XLR connection at affordable price. It's been an ongoing frustration for way too long. I use an external recorder for important interviews, but it's time consuming to sync audio in post. Waiting and watching for the perfect solution Mark!

 

[Nathan DuMoulin]

Mark can omod work both with and without the base expander?

This should answer if it can work "without".

And here's some more info from the other OMOD thread, regarding the audio abilities:

No you can't "stack" modules. But the "Audio Only" OMOD module has 1 x HDMI, 1x SDI, CRTL + AUX PWR 2-pin Lemos + 4-pin AUX PWR/RunSTOP, USB power & TC IN. So, not sure why you would want a Base Expander.

And the "audio" is not just two full size XLRs - it's a serious audio board - AES/Analog/LINE/Mic/Limiters/Pre-Amps/push-to-operate controls/LED meters/LED peak indicators

EDIT: Looking at the above picture.... dear god Scarlet-W is going to look hideous with the duo tone colors of the camera, and then the entirely different finish on the OMOD. Mark, any chance the final product will match the black finish on the Weapon? Function before fashion so it is what it is, but it doesn't hurt to hope.

 

[Mark George]

Thanks for doing the research and confirming, Nathan. I really appreciate how helpful you are on this forum!

 

[Nathan DuMoulin]

Thanks for doing the research and confirming, Nathan. I really appreciate how helpful you are on this forum!

I appreciate the kind words, however I'm pretty sure that I'm more of a nuisance than anything. I also tend to be wrong more often than not.

Anyway, as far as OMOD goes, I'm just a big fan of what Mark is trying to accomplish (and seemingly doing so successfully). I know he's gone through countless changes and refinements, so hopefully he can shed a little more light on the current iterations once he gets online. Like everyone else, I'm eager to hear more.

 

[Alex Bros]

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the OMODz will ONLY work WITHOUT another expander (ie the Base IO).

Heh it's funny, I actually kinda miss the dual tone of my old Scarlet X (3 years ago), the way it looked kinda like a Franken-Camera. As if I built it/modded it myself in my secret evil laboratory/basement...

 

[Colin Nusbaum]

I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure the OMODz will ONLY work WITHOUT another expander (ie the Base IO).

Heh it's funny, I actually kinda miss the dual tone of my old Scarlet X (3 years ago), the way it looked kinda like a Franken-Camera. As if I built it/modded it myself in my secret evil laboratory/basement...

While I wasn't an owner myself... I agree with this actually. Something about the dual tone gives it a real DIY, throwback, swiss army knife appeal.

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

While I wasn't an owner myself... I agree with this actually. Something about the dual tone gives it a real DIY, throwback, swiss army knife appeal.

Yup. It really grows on you. Especially with an OMOD attached to the back I'm really looking forward to my initial Scarlet-W's. I actually think the Scarlet-W will be a much bigger deal than the original Scarlet. 4.5K RAW + ProRes at that price is pretty crazy. You can't shoot RAW + ProRes at the same time on anything from SONY or CANON or Panasonic. And in order to shoot RAW and ProRes on an ARRI camera at the same time - will set you back 6+ times the cost of a Scarlet-W with a resolution hit.

Weapon 8K at a sub-$100,000 price point is highly disruptive. But Scarlet-W at it's price point is INSANELY disruptive IMO. It's like RED ONE disruptive IMO.

 

[Patrick Grossien]

Yup. It really grows on you. Especially with an OMOD attached to the back I'm really looking forward to my initial Scarlet-W's. I actually think the Scarlet-W will be a much bigger deal than the original Scarlet. 4.5K RAW + ProRes at that price is pretty crazy. You can't shoot RAW + ProRes at the same time on anything from SONY or CANON or Panasonic. And in order to shoot RAW and ProRes on an ARRI camera at the same time - will set you back 6+ times the cost of a Scarlet-W with a resolution hit.

Weapon 8K at a sub-$100,000 price point is highly disruptive. But Scarlet-W at it's price point is INSANELY disruptive IMO. It's like RED ONE disruptive IMO.

+1

I don't want to badmouth my own Scarlet-X and now Scarlet-Dragon, but actually the Scarlet-W is the camera I and a lot of others were waiting for. This thing is sick.
(Although the 6K on the Scarlet-Dragon is a huge plus for Stills, Stop-Motion and Time-lapse.) But especially the 4.5K is something I've been missing - and 5K @ 50fps + 9:1RC ... oh man..!

Too bad I can't afford the switch for now after jumping onto the Dragon upgrade. Holding out would have been the smarter move.

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

+1

I don't want to badmouth my own Scarlet-X and now Scarlet-Dragon, but actually the Scarlet-W is the camera I and a lot of others were waiting for. This thing is sick.
(Although the 6K on the Scarlet-Dragon is a huge plus for Stills, Stop-Motion and Time-lapse.) But especially the 4.5K is something I've been missing - and 5K @ 50fps + 9:1RC ... oh man..!

Too bad I can't afford the switch for now after jumping onto the Dragon upgrade. Holding out would have been the smarter move.

Got this question emailed to me - figured I'd post the answer here:

"When will the Tx modules be ready/available? Is the plan still that they only work with OH battery modules?"

Two initial OMOD TX units -

OMOD TX MR (medium range) - works with BOTH Teradek 600 RX units and also PARALINX ARROW-X RX units.

OMOD TX LR (long range) - works with BOTH Teradek 2000 RX units and also PARALINX TOMAHAWK RX units.

They lock directly onto the back of OMOD with 4 M4 screws. No wires. Any RED DSMC2 or RED approved 3rd Party DSMC2 battery module bolts onto the back of the OMOD TX.


We are tracking to be shipping OMOD TX units by NAB. Maybe sooner. Prices should be $100 more than Teradek 600 and 2000 TX units respectively.

We are making our own battery modules that work with and without OMODs. V-Mount is coming first - because it's easier Gold Mount OMOD Battery Module will follow the V-Mount about a month after.

Showing them at NAB - MAYBE shipping at the same time - at least the V-Mount version. And YES they have 3-pin Fishers.

 

[Ben Graham]

Hi Mark, will the omod for Epic Dragon also have the TX module and the Mini Motor controller?

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

Hi Mark, will the omod for Epic Dragon also have the TX module and the Mini Motor controller?

Short answer - yes.

Long answer - OMOD for EPIC Dragon (non DSMC2 cameras) are going to come after the DSMC2 modules start shipping. It is actually MUCH harder mechanically to do the EPIC stuff than the DSMC2 stuff - so, I can only really make only 1 or maybe 2 different versions of the non-DSMC2 OMODs.

After we start shipping OMODs (very soon) I'll take a POLL and lock down the non DSMC2 versions - and then we can fast track production on those as it's "only" a mechanical pain in the ass

 

[Andrei Goaga]

So, Mark, will there be an Omod Tx for short range that will pair with a Bolt 300 reciever?

Thanks

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

So, Mark, will there be an Omod Tx for short range that will pair with a Bolt 300 reciever?

Thanks

No, sorry.

The short range units present the challenge that the antenna is on the PCB itself - instead of a SMA connector allowing you to move the antenna anywhere you want and swap antennas to to larger /longer ones - which is why you have that plastic "cover" on the 300. In our tests antenna placement and gain is rather critical since a fully loaded OMOD is a a lot of RF radios hugging each other So, it would take a lot of extra mechanical effort to do this and it would be highly compromised.

Also, 600 or ARROW-X really destroy the 300 with respect to reliability.

 

[Andrei Goaga]

Ok, got it!

So for the most entry level system we might be looking at 2500 USD for the omod + 3500 USD for the Omod TX?