Teradek RT ACI...first impressions

[Greg M]

Teradek and CSNY have started shipping the new RT ACI for DSMC2 bodies...we received our last week, and I thought Id post some first impressions.
Advertised as an "ASSISTANT CAMERA INTERFACE FOR RED DSMC2"...id say this pretty much sums it up. Teradek is shipping two versions, The base ACI model, and the MDR.ACI which integrates the Teradek RT MDR interface for full 3 ch motor integration. We ordered both versions but only the base ACI is shipping right now. I'll expand this post into a full review once our other units ship.

My first reaction was literally why didn't someone think of this sooner. It's seriously a must have interface for any RED DSMC2 body. It gives you full control of your RED right from the Assistants side...but its more than this as its actually thoughtfully laid out to grossly simplify setting up your RED. Not only is it easier to setup basic parameters, but its actually faster than using the RED LCD...not sure how this is possible, but once you use the ACI you will never want to give it back.

In addition to the basic functions on the home screen via soft buttons above and below the screen:
FPS
Resolution
ISO
Shutter Angle
Color
WB

You can dig into the full RED menu structure, quickly access playback, lockout control and define up to 6 user buttons via hard buttons below the display. Its so well thought out, you forget its an option after a day of use and it becomes part of the camera. It actually should be part of every camera.

I have my user options set to:
PEAKING
MAGNIFY
LCD OVERLAYS
RAW VIEW (on/off)
EJECT
SDI OVERLAYS (on/off)

And if English isn't your first language, it also offers the option of multiple languages.

Brilliant Teradek...this is absolutely the best option you can add to your DSMC2 body.

I'll post a video soon of the menu structure and once our MDR unit arrives a full review.

 

[Greg M]

The display has a Dark and Light Theme with brightness control to prevent it from glowing on set in a dark studio yet bright enough to use in full sun:

DARK THEME:

LIGHT THEME:

 

[Nick Morrison]

Thanks for sharing, looks great.

 

[rand thompson]

Thanks for the photos and info! the photos show how well this unit integrates with the DSMC2 body.

 

[Tim Morten]

Phil, when does the group buy start?

 

[Marketa Jensen]

Thanks for sharing Something else I want. Its never ending

 

[Greg M]

Here is a quick iPhone video scrolling thru some of the settings...I'll shoot a better version tomorrow:

 

[rand thompson]

Thanks again Greg!

 

[David J. Buchanan]

I thought they had three models of this?

 

[Brendan H. Banks]

I thought they had three models of this?

The 3rd module is the wireless one I believe, but it doesn’t come out for a while.

Great roundup! Definitely having me think about selling my sidekick for one of these. The price is pretty awesome, but not a fan of the extra cables.

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

The 3rd module is the wireless one I believe, but it doesn’t come out for a while.

Great roundup! Definitely having me think about selling my sidekick for one of these. The price is pretty awesome, but not a fan of the extra cables.

The basic ACI is shipping NOW - but the the first batch will sell out fast - most likely before end of mid-next week.

You can order from me (CSNY direct) - https://csny.io/products/teradek-rt-aci-assistant-camera-interface

Or direct from Teradek - https://teradek.com/collections/teradek-rt-aci

Or bug your Teradek or RED dealer to get some

The MDR version is now pushed to 2nd week of January - just due to end of year madness - all the boards and parts are in stock - so they will start manufacture right out of the gate in January. BUt you might wanna order now as well as I expect that SKU to be oversold the moment the international dealers put their orders in.

The THIRD version - the RF.ACI - is still in development. It needs more software R&D to be allocated to vet the wireless control and make sure it will meet customers standards and be robust and reliable. SO ... when will that be ready ...? The answer is .... how long is a piece of string. We just don't know yet - and don't wanna promote it until it exists in form I am happy with.

 

[Jan Reichle]

What cable connection needs to be run to work/power the ACI?
DTAP and CTRL plugged via a supplied Y cable into the ACI unit?

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

What cable connection needs to be run to work/power the ACI?
DTAP and CTRL plugged via a supplied Y cable into the ACI unit?

Yes. And we'll have a 2-pin lemo type version of that Y-cable as well in January.

Also will most likely sell this little break out widget - 2-pin power in - CRTL in - 4-pin to ACI - for people that want to manage cables differently. Depends if enough folks want it.

 

[Ian D'Amelia]

Can we mount the vanilla ACI on top of the RT Latitude MDR-SK for those of us already using their RT DSMC2 receiver?

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

Can we mount the vanilla ACI on top of the RT Latitude MDR-SK for those of us already using their RT DSMC2 receiver?

Nope.

But ... we are going to figure out an UPGRADE / TRADE-IN option for the owners of RT Latitude MDR-SK - and we will announce that before/when we start shipping MDR.ACI units.

 

[David J. Buchanan]

Where's the info of comparison between the MDR and RF? I thought MDR already had wireless? It says 5000 ft.

 

[Andy_Johnson]

This looks like an amazing addition.

(Side note - what lens did you use to snap those photos of the unit?)

 

[Mark L. Pederson]

Where's the info of comparison between the MDR and RF? I thought MDR already had wireless? It says 5000 ft.

We are hiding the info on the RF.ACI model because ... it is still in development and not done.

Think of this way - the MDR model has ALL the hardware of the product line - it has the RT radio (RF) and also a new BLE 5.0 Bluetooth module.

The RF.ACI - currently as spec'd - has basically all the same communication hardware - the RF radio and the BLE radio - but is missing the components for LENS MOTOR CONTROL.

But the RF.ACI model - while it can be used on the camera - is really meant to be your off-camera remote. We need to put more work into the software dev for complete menu off camera RCP control. It's one thing to send a run/stop command or toggle edge or whatever from a handcontroller long range over RF - it's another thing to present a full camera menu in real-time with real-time confirm and feedback. So ... that software work could take a few weeks ... or a few months ... it's not like it has been done the way we are doing it before over non-WIFI wireless.

When the MDR ships - it's wireless to RT hand-controllers (legacy MK3.1, the new single axis and the new multi-axis shipping in Q1). The BLE 5.0 to Foolcontrol requires a little love from Mikael so that will be in a later firmware release - but you can still foolcontrol to the camera's wifi while the ACI is there.

Make sense?

 

[Greg M]

This looks like an amazing addition.

(Side note - what lens did you use to snap those photos of the unit?)

It is a must have addition for sure.

I shoot with a Leica M10, and that was probably the 35mm Summilux or 50mm Summicron

 

[Greg M]

This looks promising...but can you explain how it works? Are the two connectors (11-17V and CTRL) Inputs?

Yes. And we'll have a 2-pin lemo type version of that Y-cable as well in January.

Also will most likely sell this little break out widget - 2-pin power in - CRTL in - 4-pin to ACI - for people that want to manage cables differently. Depends if enough folks want it.