SDI Issue

[Austin Mulhern]

Hey all,

Prepping for a job today and discovered that my SDI port is intermittent. I have to keep the connector at a certain angle for it to work properly.

This happened out of nowhere, and I have babied this camera since I got it. The last job the camera was on, I used it and it was perfectly fine. Is this the precursor to the SDI port completely going out?

Camera is under warranty still so I'm hoping RED can help me out here, but this is pretty unacceptable.

Anyone have this issue in the past? If so, has it been fine since sending to RED?

 

[Bill Ravens]

you got a bad cable

 

[Austin Mulhern]

It’s not a bad cable. You don’t think I’ve tried multiple cables?

 

[Phil Holland]

General steps to see if there's an SDI issue of any sort:
- Check the cable, try different cables (you've done this)
- Examine the display's SDI port, if possible try a different display
- Examine the camera's SDI port.

When I say inspect cables and ports I am also saying ensure they are clean. Dirty connectors are often the issue for many, many people. SDI in particular is the condition of the pin as people just kinda wiggle jam them pretty often.

SDI port still acting up and you think it's the camera.

Contact RED support.

 

[Mike P.]

Did you follow this every time? If you didn't follow that, it could be damaged.

Also maybe the other massive thread should be stickied to the top of the Komodo forum.

It's hopefully *not* that issue, as it seems to completely fry the SDI port (and yours is still working albeit intermittently). Probably means it's more dirt/debris/cable.

 

[Alex Lubensky]

Try tightening the central pin on the monitor/teradek unit. Usually I get this when the central pin of the SDI port got loose on a monitor side.

 

[Vedran Strelar]

I had exactly the same issue and wrote to Red. This was a response I got:

This sounds like the SDI may be splayed, the centre pin of the SDI has x4 blades within it, and sometimes when you connect the SDI connection on an angle, it can spread them, can you please forward on the following.

So what I have done is carefully got those 4 blades in the center pin on the Komodo bit closer to each other. This completely fixed the issue, it's been working without any isses for last few weeks.

Hope that helps.

Vedran

 

[Austin Mulhern]

I had exactly the same issue and wrote to Red. This was a response I got:



So what I have done is carefully got those 4 blades in the center pin on the Komodo bit closer to each other. This completely fixed the issue, it's been working without any isses for last few weeks.

Hope that helps.

Vedran

Youre the man. I ever so gently took some needle nose pliers and adjusted the 4 blades closer to eachother, and I cant seem to replicate the problem anymore. Pretty shitty that this is even a thing but if this ever happens again, I can hopefully fix it.

Thanks man!

 

[Christoffer Glans]

This is part of the larger problems with the SDI monitoring solution for Komodo. The constant attaching and detaching of the cable when changing batteries will wear out the connectors.

But since there's no updates or word from Red other than continuing to just recite the "manual" or the "procedure", I'll guess this will never be fixed. I am still of the opinion that Red could easily make a native monitor for Komodo that uses the BP batteries directly and does not rely on the SDI cable. That way we have a good monitoring option with native Komodo batteries while SDI will be used for secondary monitoring applications. It will also make constant battery changes safe throughout any kind of disruption of power on set. But I guess they have abandoned developing more gear for Komodo and just focused on "the next big thing", meaning we're left with these half-baked solutions.

 

[Robert Hofmeyr]

This is part of the larger problems with the SDI monitoring solution for Komodo. The constant attaching and detaching of the cable when changing batteries will wear out the connectors.

But since there's no updates or word from Red other than continuing to just recite the "manual" or the "procedure", I'll guess this will never be fixed. I am still of the opinion that Red could easily make a native monitor for Komodo that uses the BP batteries directly and does not rely on the SDI cable. That way we have a good monitoring option with native Komodo batteries while SDI will be used for secondary monitoring applications. It will also make constant battery changes safe throughout any kind of disruption of power on set. But I guess they have abandoned developing more gear for Komodo and just focused on "the next big thing", meaning we're left with these half-baked solutions.

Perhaps they are working on it. Else why would they have those pogo pins on the top? If they are just for a USB-C port to connect a phone, they could have just included a regular USB-C port.

 

[Phil Holland]

Perhaps they are working on it. Else why would they have those pogo pins on the top? If they are just for a USB-C port to connect a phone, they could have just included a regular USB-C port.

At the moment, the pogos on top of Komodo are the main line for RED LINK. Basic stuff is Start/Stop via the Komodo Outrigger Handle. It's also the hard line for RED Control, which does feed a monitor signal, though slight delay and MJPEG it seams. Benefit to that though is the phone is trickle charging via that port as far as I can tell as well. But we're talking real, real low power output, which is why we aren't seeing a dedicated "cableless" thing. It can't drive it. What isn't known is what type of monitoring output can come from the top pogo and if there would be a delay. It's a different world than what is on Raptor for instance. I mean the max power draw of the 7" DSMC3 Touch is like 66% of so of Komodo's power draw. Don't think that screen can ever work. It's a very tight system on what can be done.

The other uses for LINK are various network connected camera operations, which is pretty nice.

Hard to know exactly what's really possible up there. 720p? 1080p? Is it even possible to feed a signal without delay?

Whatever the case, Komodo is clearly a popular camera, it's real hard to find one and I'm certain they surpassed 10K units some time ago. I'm sure RED is still working on stuff for it. We also don't know exactly what else the tiny body can do.

What Christopher is suggesting gives access to direct touch screen control without the use of the SDI cable, which is something DSMC2 and 1 peeps rely on a great deal. Most I've seen from hardcore Komodo work are splitting the SDI signal or converting it even to HDMI for 3rd party displays. Or using the 3rd party displays that provide wired or wireless GUI. All require a battery and SDI connection.

SDI though gets you zero lag and up to 4K, so that's where it's strength is.

I'm wondering if a 5" monitor is possible with a built in battery, much like a mobile phone, maybe 600 nits that can tap into the protocol, but again we don't know the variable of what can actually be outputted from the top pins. I have certainly mounted my cellphone up there in a pinch with the LINK via RED Control and really like that concept.

 

[Robert Hofmeyr]

At the moment, the pogos on top of Komodo are the main line for RED LINK. Basic stuff is Start/Stop via the Komodo Outrigger Handle. It's also the hard line for RED Control, which does feed a monitor signal, though slight delay and MJPEG it seams. Benefit to that though is the phone is trickle charging via that port as far as I can tell as well. But we're talking real, real low power output, which is why we aren't seeing a dedicated "cableless" thing. It can't drive it. What isn't known is what type of monitoring output can come from the top pogo and if there would be a delay. It's a different world than what is on Raptor for instance. I mean the max power draw of the 7" DSMC3 Touch is like 66% of so of Komodo's power draw. Don't think that screen can ever work. It's a very tight system on what can be done.

The other uses for LINK are various network connected camera operations, which is pretty nice.

Hard to know exactly what's really possible up there. 720p? 1080p? Is it even possible to feed a signal without delay?

Whatever the case, Komodo is clearly a popular camera, it's real hard to find one and I'm certain they surpassed 10K units some time ago. I'm sure RED is still working on stuff for it. We also don't know exactly what else the tiny body can do.

What Christopher is suggesting gives access to direct touch screen control without the use of the SDI cable, which is something DSMC2 and 1 peeps rely on a great deal. Most I've seen from hardcore Komodo work are splitting the SDI signal or converting it even to HDMI for 3rd party displays. Or using the 3rd party displays that provide wired or wireless GUI. All require a battery and SDI connection.

SDI though gets you zero lag and up to 4K, so that's where it's strength is.

I'm wondering if a 5" monitor is possible with a built in battery, much like a mobile phone, maybe 600 nits that can tap into the protocol, but again we don't know the variable of what can actually be outputted from the top pins. I have certainly mounted my cellphone up there in a pinch with the LINK via RED Control and really like that concept.

Yeah, I agree Phil. The point I was trying to make is this: if the only purpose of the top pins was the link, then they could have just put a USB-C port on top (I guess there's also run/stop, but they could have provided a port for that as well). I recall in the beginning Red was making a cradle for the Komodo. That got scrapped, so perhaps the top pogos are now just a clunky way to connect via USB, but I doubt that.

 

[Austin Mulhern]

Honestly, if they came out with some sort of dedicated Alexa Mini EVF-sized control panel on a pogo cable,id buy it in a heartbeat. One of my biggest complaints with my Komodo is the lack of control when the camera is in a weird place. On your shoulder, up on tall sticks, etc. Something as simple as changing the aperture on an EF lens is convoluted and difficult to navigate with the touch screen and buttons on the top of the body.

I have no other choice but to get the control software from SmallHD because thats the only real way of controlling the camera in a pinch. I like using my TvLogic 5.5" OLED for accuracy, but will have to convert to the Cine7 soon for this.

 

[Brian Timmons]

One of my biggest complaints with my Komodo is the lack of control when the camera is in a weird place. On your shoulder, up on tall sticks, etc. Something as simple as changing the aperture on an EF lens is convoluted and difficult to navigate with the touch screen and buttons on the top of the body.

Agreed though RED Control does go along way in helping in those situations.
One of the reasons I'm such a proponent of that app is it offers a level of camera control and monitoring that compliments the Komodo's small profile.
Traditional monitors are great but they seem to add so much size, weight, and GAK that takes Komodo out it's sweet spot.

Komodo could also really benefit from a smart grip handle with assignable buttons like this:
https://www.fdtimes.com/2020/11/03/aaton-smart-grip/

If you shoot with EF lenses this is another consideration for controlling aperture.
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/p...apter-ef-eos-r

I look forward to a 2nd wave of Komodo accessories which should cover these issues more.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

 

[Austin Mulhern]

Agreed though RED Control does go along way in helping in those situations.
One of the reasons I'm such a proponent of that app is it offers a level of camera control and monitoring that compliments the Komodo's small profile.
Traditional monitors are great but they seem to add so much size, weight, and GAK that takes Komodo out it's sweet spot.

Komodo could also really benefit from a smart grip handle with assignable buttons like this:
https://www.fdtimes.com/2020/11/03/aaton-smart-grip/

If you shoot with EF lenses this is another consideration for controlling aperture.
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/p...apter-ef-eos-r

I look forward to a 2nd wave of Komodo accessories which should cover these issues more.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

The idea of pulling out your phone and connecting to the wifi when in a pinch is NOT a solution. Yes, it’s a great feature but it’s just not professional enough. Just give us a proper control panel with a 1/4” thread on it that I can rig on a noga. Done deal.

In regards to EF aperture - that mount doesn’t fix the problem. I keep the Revolva on 100% of the time unless going to PL Mount. I think it could be helpful to be able to assign some of the buttons as function buttons. Why hasn’t this been implemented yet?

 

[Brian Timmons]

The idea of pulling out your phone and connecting to the wifi when in a pinch is NOT a solution. Yes, it’s a great feature but it’s just not professional enough. Just give us a proper control panel with a 1/4” thread on it that I can rig on a noga. Done deal.

Using an iPhone for monitoring the camera, yes I hear you. There's still some bugs to get worked out and some features that dedicated monitors have that are more set and client friendly and admittedly look more "professional".
Having said that, I'm actually shooting with an iPhone more than I ever thought I would (mainly for size and control) and still getting the shots I need.

For controlling the camera in a hard to reach place, why not? The latency for control seems fast enough and I have not had issues with the camera dropping connection (though some reportedly have).

I agree with you though that a dedicated control panel (both wireless and hardwired) would be very useful and perhaps the most solid option and somewhat surprised nothing is available yet with Komodo being out a little over a year.

Hopefully someone is reading this thread and getting a hint.

Everyone has their own workflow and preference so whatever consistently works for you is the best approach.
A control surface will nicely broaden the options and fill in some operational gaps and ergonomics.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

 

[Robert Hofmeyr]

In my experience, Red Control is unusable as a monitoring solution. I'm on Android and the lag is terrible. I've tried on 2 Komodos, ad hoc and infrastructure, different locations, different aerials.

 

[Brian Timmons]

In my experience, Red Control is unusable as a monitoring solution. I'm on Android and the lag is terrible. I've tried on 2 Komodos, ad hoc and infrastructure, different locations, different aerials.

I've read about some of the issues you are having in another thread. It's odd that it seems to work for some and not so great for others.

I have 2 Komodos with both running on an iPhones (an XS and an old 7).
The XS does seem to be a more solid than than the 7 though I use the 7 for a camera that is for C cam shots.
If I experience constant dropped frames switching to airport mode usually clears it up.

It works fine for me 95% of the time.
Would definitely like to see that closer to 100% but it has worked well in conditions that include uncontrolled handheld run and gun doc situations.

I would never see this as a 100% replacement for a dedicated SDI monitor.
There's still work to be done and I'm hesitant to work this way on bigger $$$$ shoots but so far it's been working for me.
It's shaping to be a great alternative.

At the end of the day the more solid options the better.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

 

[K. Rixon]

I'll add here the one of my recent discoveries on Android is to disable Bluetooth, which got rid of the stuttering for me. (Not sure if that had been mentioned in the OG thread). That, and a lollipop antenna gives me a latency of ~1 second. Definitely not good enough for critical monitoring, but passable enough to set my galaxy tablet on a stand as a second client monitor.

 

[Will Vazquez]

I'll add here the one of my recent discoveries on Android is to disable Bluetooth, which got rid of the stuttering for me. (Not sure if that had been mentioned in the OG thread). That, and a lollipop antenna gives me a latency of ~1 second. Definitely not good enough for critical monitoring, but passable enough to set my galaxy tablet on a stand as a second client monitor.

Good to know. Which lollipop antenna do you use? Thanks.