Pro Video Output module for EPIC

[Nigel Thompson]

I RED TEAM GUYS:

Wanted some info on the Pro video OuTput module which is supposed to out at some point.

Since AJA was just certified as the the first outboard recorder for the epic. Im thinking down the road..... Will that module allow for 4:4:4 output capability ?
alot of people so TV work which goes to 1080 and having a 4:4:4 out to say a convergent design Gemini SSD recorder would be a HUGE time saver, while keeping the amazing latitude the EPIC allows, rather than going to to downconvert route.
And of course our cinema clients get their lovely 4 or 5 K for their movies.

Thanks
Nigel

 

[Tom.Wong]

the Gemini records uncompressed. If you REALLY need and only want to go to 1080 and not keep any raw or high resolution files (your choice, but bad idea) then you can always slap the RED ssd into a computer with a rocket and transcode to your codec/resolution of choice. it would be even faster than having to transcode uncompressed to whatever you codec you want. if you intended to keep and use the uncompressed 1080, than I don't see why you wouldn't rather keep and use R3D instead. file sizes would be relatively the same... and r3d workflow is getting easier by the second. It would make more sense to use a 422 offboard recorder like ki mini, sound device, or atomos, and use that for offline edit, and online directly to r3d, finish in r3d. and it wouldn't break any traditional workflows.

 

[Nigel Thompson]

Hi Tom:

Seems you didnt read my post properly or are unaware that uncompressed media does NOT have to be transcoded. If you have an AJA card (I have an LHi)or BMD card, uncompressed files are played back like any other quicktime prores or whatever in FCP. Hence my question. I love R3D's and will always use them for grading etc. Im hoping the new FCX X plays R3D back in real time so i wont have to ......

 

[Dominic Jones]

Well, yes, you can play back uncompressed 1080p in RT as long as your HDDs/storage of whatever type allow high enough consistent data rates. In actuality, you don't need the BMD/AJA card if that is that case - but I digress!...

The Epic itself will output a 1080p signal (albeit 4:2:2), and yes, I believe the plan is for the Pro I/O Module (I'm guessing this is the module you're referring to, not a new one I've not heard about yet?!) to output 1080p 4:4:4 (or rather, RGB). Should be good for those (like yourself) that sometimes/often have a need for 1080p with fast turnaround.

One slight issue, however, is that I'm not sure how it will (read, I'm guessing it won't!) support off-speed shooting. Of course, you could always play back off-speed clips after you cut and record them at native rate, but then you're burning time on set - fine for the odd shot perhaps, not so great for a whole day of high-speed! If you can live with that limitation, however, you're golden...

HTH,
Dom.

 

[Tom.Wong]

Hi Tom:

Seems you didnt read my post properly or are unaware that uncompressed media does NOT have to be transcoded. If you have an AJA card (I have an LHi)or BMD card, uncompressed files are played back like any other quicktime prores or whatever in FCP. Hence my question. I love R3D's and will always use them for grading etc. Im hoping the new FCX X plays R3D back in real time so i wont have to ......

i did read it, and the issue with editing with uncompressed footage can be limiting in the long run. if you got that fast raids for it great, no biggy, but it still leaves you file sizes that rival r3d, and limits you in other areas of workflow. mobile editing of a internal drive, or a bus powered drive for when your on the road, multi editor shared based projects (it will increase the size of the raid you need for added speed for multi users) etc. there are always reasons to transcode even if it seems like we are moving to a future where we don't need to. the advantage of smaller files and easy to work with on any system, even with slower hard drives and processors is a big place.

storage may be getting cheaper and larger but i still really don't see the advantage of 1080 uncompressed recording over the r3d itself. It's great for other cameras, but in RED's case, if you are gonna work with anything else in the editorial I'm a firm believer it should be purely a offline online scenario, if not the tools for direct r3d editing are in place already and only gonna get better.