PRO RES / DNXHD - MINI MODULE

[Mark Toia]

Until My laptop can EDIT R3D's in real time at full res...(not quarter) without stuttered playback, without hour(s) long renders...

I'm sticking with PRO RES editing until the day it becomes reality.

And Im not saying that time won't come... it's just that RED is a couple of years in front of everyone else.

I'd love nothing more than to edit in real real time R3D's as smooth and as buttery as PRO RES... without any rendering. I pray that day comes sooner than I hope for.

Till then... this module would serve is all well.

 

[Mark Toia]

Mark,
I'll raise both hands! The use of the EVF and LCD is so long overdue. A constant explanation on set is always necessary. "Really, it's coming, soon". One thing you omitted in your "build" was the EVF/LCD port (or did I miss it)......

Have another look

 

[Nick Morrison]

So maybe they should get one, if they insist to do the post production themselves? A basic 6-core 3.2 ghz workstation with a GTX580 costs about the same as three days with an epic camera...

Most of my clients aren't that tech savvy. All they want is a drive with good looking quicktimes.

 

[Matt Ryan]

This is a necessary option and one more reason for clients to choose Epic over Alexa.

EVF and LCD at same time is a must. 4K ProRes and 4K DNXHD would be perfect to keep their 4K finish motto alive.

 

[Rob Castiglione]

Ok, Jon I knew that raising FCPX was a mistake but not for the reasons you suggest. The general Apple approach has some of the merits of a benevolent absolute monarchy. However, it is highly inflexible - the same factors that might lead to spectacular success for some products will lead to absolute failure of others.

Anyhow, not really worth developing the argument because I dont see a whole lot of evidence or even disposition on the part of Red to go in the Apple " non communication you will simply accept what we offer" you approach.

 

[shashbugu]

I don't really think a new module is actually necessary. Red already has the technology to create a prores file right next to an r3d. Do you remember the R1 and its hires QuickTime proxies. In the rebuild of the cameras internals for the Dragon, a mini converter can can be built right into the camera, and voila we'll have 4k prores 12 bit 4444 in all it's glory.

 

[Jon MIchael Puntervold]

Anyhow, not really worth developing the argument because I dont see a whole lot of evidence or even disposition on the part of Red to go in the Apple " non communication you will simply accept what we offer" you approach.

I absolutely agree with you on that regard, and I don't salute their communication skills! Apples communications skills are truly incompatible with professional customers...

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

Ok, Jon I knew that raising FCPX was a mistake but not for the reasons you suggest. The general Apple approach has some of the merits of a benevolent absolute monarchy. However, it is highly inflexible - the same factors that might lead to spectacular success for some products will lead to absolute failure of others.

Anyhow, not really worth developing the argument because I dont see a whole lot of evidence or even disposition on the part of Red to go in the Apple " non communication you will simply accept what we offer" you approach.

Nor do I want them to.

What works in the consumer field doesn't always work with pros.

 

[Mark Toia]

In the rebuild of the cameras internals for the Dragon, a mini converter can can be built right into the camera, and voila we'll have 4k prores 12 bit 4444 in all it's glory.

You have just given me woody ! That would be perfect. ! I'd pay extra for that without blinking an eye lid !

 

[Jon MIchael Puntervold]

"4k prores 12 bit 4444"

Hmm, what will the benefit of 4k ProRes 12bit 444 be? How is the datarate compared to RedRaw? I can understand the wish for 1080p ProRes, but 4k?

 

[Tom Gleeson]

I don't really think a new module is actually necessary. Red already has the technology to create a prores file right next to an r3d. Do you remember the R1 and its hires QuickTime proxies. In the rebuild of the cameras internals for the Dragon, a mini converter can can be built right into the camera, and voila we'll have 4k prores 12 bit 4444 in all it's glory.

There is a big difference between R1 abilities to produce proxy files which were simply a way of Quicktime programmes like FCP to see the R3D files and the ability to produce self contained video files in the Epic. Its a nice idea though and I would be VERY happy if they could do it. As Pro Res clones of the R3D files is not for everybody then the module concept seems perfect.

 

[Richard N. Metzker]

Please Please Please - This would be ideal especially if metadata and everything else followed the proxy...

Love it.. I will purchase 11 of them... MEIZLER MODULE is too much

 

[Brendan Isaac]

i had a dream about this last night!

 

[Shane Duckworth]

Please, please, please

 

[Robert Hofmeyr]

This may well have been mentioned in one of the many threads clamouring for this module, but in case it hasn't, here's a thought: the mini module need not even convert to ProRes / DNxHD while the camera is recording. In fact, live conversion may be limiting. If it does the conversion between takes, it will need much less horsepower (especially for slowmo shots). It would also mean the mini module could use slower media (off the shelf 2.5" SSDs or *cough* spinning drives?), convert to multiple formats and make a backup of the R3Ds (no need to carry a laptop if you are short on RedMags). Let's say it has 3 options: RAW, ProRes and DNxHD. Select the format(s) you need and, between takes, the mini module checks for new clips on whatever RedMag is in the camera and converts them to your selected format(s). Three LEDs indicate if conversion/backup to the desired formats is in process or complete. Ideally the backup/transcode would happen in the background, pausing and resuming when necessary, but even if it needed to be manually started and stopped this would be a very useful module.


Some advantages:


- make backups in the field of the original RAW files (leave the laptop at home).
- transcode to multiple formats.
- tweak your look in camera after the shoot and re-compress without a computer.
- hand off standard 2.5" drive to client shortly after the shoot.
- clients get RAW and compressed footage (RED should like this because there's a better chance the RAW footage will be used or at least saved).
- media write speed not critical, so off-the-shelf SSDs can be used (though RedMags are still needed for recording).


Oh, and maybe put a USB port on it for firmware/looks/blackshades and charging the RedMote.

 

[Marc Wielage]

i had a dream about this last night!

Lots of dreams will become reality at NAB on April 8th.

 

[Nook Kim]

Let's hope so.

 

[Mark Toia]

Im worried that when and if RED do decide to knock these things out... it will be too late.
Im actually having second thoughts myself.
My RED ROCKET workflow is flying and the next gen or after laptops will just eat R3D's up... so PRO RES to me in a year or two will become just a mastering out format.
If RED made these 2 years ago... people would have been buying them in the thousands... now days, we have all found newer faster ways to work.

Bit like the battery module problem.... If these come out when RED delivered the cameras. then we would all be using them, but bring out the modules some year or two later.... means we all found different battery options and the battery modules become obsolete to many.... I still have two in boxes under a bench somewhere.
Same went with top plates, side rails etc... Every back door billy was knocking them out so quickly.... A year later before RED bought theres out.. but it was too late. We all just made Woodern cameras and Element technic richer.

Even though RED is a small company... I wonder why it takes so long to make a bracket compare to wooden? or a PRO RES module compared to balckmagic.

Just thinking out loud...


Anyways... still loving my EPIC's. thats the main thing.