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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Stolen red #1605

For now I found this device. http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/small-real-time-gps-tracking.html

Looks pretty compact, something you could store in your camera case to get an idea of where your stuff went. I tend to think most of these thieves are fairly lazy and won't take everything out of the cases since it all fits so well in there and is easy to transport.
The device is expensive and requires a monthly service fee but I'm sure your insurance company would discount your rate if you had this device. Of course, the tracking device in the camera would be best but for now this is a pretty good solution IMO.
 
Only issue with a LoJack style device is that it needs to be worldwide to work. 3G comms would be the most universal but even then it's not guaranteed....
 
RFID the size of a SD card might be a good step in the right direction. I would prefer an embedded code much like anyone of our cellphones is capable of or even, dare I say Dongle.

I too would pay $300/yr for such a service for an owner/op like myself.
 
Esp. with the upcoming modular based hardware I just don't see this proposal working very well. Every component would need a "tracker".

In line with that Optics are a substantial part of the value of a kit. They have no onboard power, and minimal room for electronics etc. This proposal will just not protect them.
 
Esp. with the upcoming modular based hardware I just don't see this proposal working very well. Every component would need a "tracker".

In line with that Optics are a substantial part of the value of a kit. They have no onboard power, and minimal room for electronics etc. This proposal will just not protect them.

You could put the GPS/Tracker in the brain, and then the different modules would transmit their serial numbers to the brain via the inter-module bus, which would transmit info on all modules connected. It might even be possible for the RED brand lenses to transmit their serial #s as some do with focal length, etc (you'd need electrical connections, obviously, unless you do RFID for the lens/brain communication)...

Alexander
 
Stolen #1605

Stolen #1605

Thanks Zak, and all others. This discussion about trackers and data codes is obviously becoming very important, something has to be done or no-one's camera will be safe.

Having read about cameras being taken from locked trucks & vans, I felt the pain of those who lost. Therefore, I certainly thought that the "safe room" that was pointed out to me would be better than having it in a truck or anywhere else. I now know the pain..
Having to breakdown and load ALL gear into our truck each night, then bust it out in the morning, added an hour to each end of the day. I wouldn't even leave the truck there, it was driven to my house each night and backed up against my garage.

After the theft, Zach Mann & Ed Gutentag immediately came to my rescue with # 2839, and Eric Bassett of David Lynch Co. with # 5629. Both cameras were used for the rest of the shoot and we made up the lost day, actually gaining a half day, wrapping on the same day we should have.

Steven Fierberg did an amazing job as DP and we have some great footage for Tippett Studios to work with.

Thank you all,

Simon
 
The brains of course. Without them the system is useless...

Peter, you make it sound obvious... Is it?

You would be correct if the thief in question was looking to shoot their own movie. But if that person were looking to sell the items, then it becomes a little more complicated.

I think if the brains are tracked, then you will see them dumped and left behind, while the rest of the modules hit the black market.

There will be a lot of people looking for modules me thinks...

Nothing about this is simple.

Jay
 
You're right Jay, but I don't think anyone would purchase a module from someone who doesn't own the camera and confirm it with RED in either case. But You do have a good point. Never the less the modules are going to be priced at around $2K~$4K each - compare that to $30K brain... You lojack Your $30K car, but I don't think You lojack individually the $2K rims...

Just my two pesos...

:) Peter
 
the red should have some kinda anti theft gps system in it... kind of like they do for cars they use gps tracking system to find stole cars. the red is a huge investment, after that all the add ons are also a huge load. not that is not worth the cost, but they should make something to install in the body of it.
 
Stolen red # 1605

Stolen red # 1605

Give me my camera back!
 
You're right Jay, but I don't think anyone would purchase a module from someone who doesn't own the camera and confirm it with RED in either case. But You do have a good point. Never the less the modules are going to be priced at around $2K~$4K each - compare that to $30K brain... You lojack Your $30K car, but I don't think You lojack individually the $2K rims...

Just my two pesos...

:) Peter

Good point.. If the modules are that cheap.

Jay
 
Antoine, you can see the PIN number (eg. 102-46F-A5B) embedded in each frame's metadata, but only Red would be able to correlate that to camera serial number unless it's your own and you can check the camera's PIN on bootup.

So yes you can, but it's by PIN and not serial number which is only a numbered sticker on the bottom of the camera and not hard-coded anywhere else as far as I can tell.

HTH

Paul
 
So yes you can, but it's by PIN and not serial number which is only a numbered sticker on the bottom of the camera and not hard-coded anywhere else as far as I can tell.

HTH

Paul

the sticker is just a sticker..
dont worry. the serial number is indeed embedded into the camera.
Red has a complete list of all serial numbers and who the original owners are.
the list will be updated when you sell your camera and officially transfer ownership.
 
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