start/stop trigger I/O expander Kessler Cinedrive

[Martin Konrad]

I know the question has come up a few times but answers seem inconclusive
and posted solutions not working for everyone...

I wolud like to trigger my Red Gemini with DSMC2 i/o expander from the Kessler Cinedrive system

Kessler only sell a trigger cable for Red One but I found this info on the Red website:

Here are the RED devices that use each trigger protocol:

Schmitt
DSMC2 Base Expander
EPIC camera
SCARLET camera

Momentary Ground
DSMC2 Jetpack-SDI Expander
DSMC2 Jetpack Expander
DSMC2 REDVOLT Expander
DSMC2 V-Lock I/O Expander
DSMC2 Production Module
RED RANGER camera

So any trigger cable male 3,5 jack to 4pin lemo as the Cinegear and Tilta trigger cables on B&H should work, or

Has anyone tested triggering a Red caméra from the Kessler Cinedrive system?

 

[Mark A. Jaeger]

I'd like to know the answer as well.

 

[Martin Konrad]

I ordered the "CINEGEARS Start/Stop REC Trigger Cable for RED DSMC2 CI5002" on B&H.
I let you know if it works once I get it, its a special order item so it might be a couple of weeks.

 

[Mark A. Jaeger]

Here is a setup and procedure that I found worked:

On the CineDrive the intervalometer output desired is on the ring and base of the jack receptacle. The CineDrive shorts the signal to ground which is what the V-lock I/O module is expecting for an external trigger.

On the DSMC2 connect a Red 3-BNC to OO Synch cable (P/N 790-0154) to the Sync port on the V-lock I/O module. Using the white-ringed BNC connect the ring and base signals from the CineDrive. Polarity should be base on the jack to shield on the BNC.

On the DSMC2 select Menu>Settings>Record>Redcode Burst. Leave Limit Enable unselected. Set Pre-count and Post-count each to zero.

On the DSMC2 select Menu>Settings>Setup>Keys. Short the center terminal of the white-ringed BNC to the BNC body using any conducting tool (e.g. a small screwdriver). This will tell the DSMC2 that you want to configure the sync port input. Set “SW in High” to “Key Disabled”. Set “SW in Low” to “Record: Mark Keyframe”.

In the CineDrive kOS software program a time-lapse sequence using the Shoot-Move-Shoot option. Load the sequence for execution.

Have the CineDrive and the DSMC2 external sync connected together. Press the Record button to take one frame. Press Go in kOS and, after the countdown, the time-lapse move will start. According to the sum of the recording time set plus the interval the CineDrive will mark the frames for retention. All of the recorded frames will be in an R3D file(s) according to the normal 4 Gb limit on file size.

I only tried this a couple of times. There are other nuances to the procedure but the big item of needing to drive the DSMC2 to record single frames into an R3D stream is solved. Among other things I will explore the availability of a cable that doesn’t involve a bunch of jumpers and make-shift, kludge fastening together. I have two leads to obtain such a cable.

 

[Martin Konrad]

Thanks Mark, I am still waiting for the B&H 10 day special order cable... no news a month after the order... I will try with the instructions you provided

 

[Mark A. Jaeger]

Please note the change I made in the 3rd paragraph regarding polarity. When I soldered my connections I reversed what was jumpered. Then I got to do it again. Sigh. Today I shot a couple of sequences and the procedure worked just fine. Good luck and keep me informed if you find a cable that works.

 

[Mark A. Jaeger]

Here is a slight expansion of the procedure above in case there are others that wish to solder-up their own cable. I rummaged through the junk drawer and found an old dumb-phone headset that had the 2.5mm 3-pole jack for the CineDrive intervalometer out. I cut the cord and stripped to expose the wires. The wires are super-fine (hair-like) but can be twisted and tinned with solder to firm them up. As I was using a Red 3-BNC to Lemo cable on the DSMC2 side I needed to connect these fine wires to a BNC. I again rummaged and found an RCA to BNC adapter and a short RCA cable. I cut the wires to a suitable length and soldered the headset wires to the RCA wires (see polarity above). I used heat shrink for insulation. Obviously, if you have a solder-on BNC and/or a solder-on 2.5mm jack you can skip parts of my adaptation. I fit the RCA to BNC adapter and plugged into the CineDrive and DSMC2. It is not hideous and it works.

 

[Mark A. Jaeger]

For those that care about cables between CineDrive and DSMC2 - I purchased the Cinegears (Blaine, WA) cable and it works very nicely. A word of caution: in my experience with their website it is possible to have outrageous shipping charges. If you see it, telephone them and they'll make it right.

 

[Martin Konrad]

Where did you get the Cinegears cable? I ordered mine on B&H and the announced 10 day order has now been unanswered for 4 months.

 

[Martin Konrad]

Hi Mark, did you get the SKU: 1-423 directly from the Cinegears store? Thanks

 

[Mark A. Jaeger]

I looked at my receipt and found no SKU. The receipt said "Cinegears Record Trigger Cable for Red DSMC2". I think you can get it with that description.

BTW: They took my order, then sent email saying it was backordered but shipped two days later. Bottom line - I got it in less than week.

 

[Mark A. Jaeger]

Sorry - after posting I realized I did not give a full answer. Yes - direct from Cinegears. Toll free =1 800 693 8883. They're in Blaine Washington at the border next to Vancouver Canada.

 

[Martin Konrad]

Sorry - after posting I realized I did not give a full answer. Yes - direct from Cinegears. Toll free =1 800 693 8883. They're in Blaine Washington at the border next to Vancouver Canada.

Thanks Mark, thats the cable I have on order at B&H glad to hear it works. I will order at Cinegear instead