What Accessories Are Needed?

[Jim_Ritscher]

I’m somewhat new to the Red world and wonder what accessories a working professional would want to add to the Raven? Batteries and media are somewhat obvious, and there are many choices, but I’m particularly interested in the rest of it. It strikes me that for each of the items below there are several choices. I would like to know what those choices are. I understand that some of the accessories have not been produced yet.

Battery power in (including V-Mount).
XLR in. (unless totally dual system)
HDMI out. (possibly multiple)
SDI out.
Monitor and/or EVF out.
A way to control the camera.
Time code in/out.
Have I forgotten anything?

I assume that the answer to this is basically the same as for Weapon. Could someone walk me through this? I assume that for each item above, a potential buyer would want to know the options and then make a choice as to which is the best, taking into account the existing packages. Incidentally, Brent and everyone, there are a lot of potential new users who will want to know the answers to the same questions.

So my key question is, "How do you choose from among the existing options?"

 

[Phil Holland]

SDI and HDMI would pretty much be necessary. Timecode as well if you are dealing with sound.

The Base Expander covers pretty much all of that "Base-ic" stuff.

Full size XLR is right now possible only through the REDVOLT Expander and OMOD 3rd Party modules, which aren't out just yet.

There's likely other modules on the horizon too.

 

[Matthew Quinn]

I think it all really boils down to what you want to do with the camera. I've found that the broadcast guys are interested in different accessories than the documentary film makers, and different still from feature film makers..

Well first I would suggest having at least 3 V-Mount batteries, this allows you to have at least 1 charging all the time while on set.

As Phil mentioned, the Base I/O expander will serve as the solution for HDMI, SDI, and Timecode Sync port.

I don't need XLR ports because I normally work with a sound guy.. If i didn't i would prob get some sort of adapter like the "A-Box" I use on my Epic Dragon

As it pertains to Monitors, Broadcast guys really want to use an EVF, I suppose a lot of feature DPs as well, but I also know a lot of DP's don't always Operate the camera them selves so.. A lot of Dp's i know choose to frame shots with a wireless 17-21 monitor.

for me the basic set up would be the 4.7" RED Touch screen, HDMI to a separate monitor if you have a focus puller, with a wireless transmitter (paralinx/teradeck) to an external monitor for clients/directors.

the red touch can control the camera in every way. I also enjoy using Fool Control (an app for your Iphone/Ipad) it works with the WIFI built into the Raven/Weapon, this is a VERY nice way to control the camera, focus the canon lenses, and adjust color looks on the fly.

As Phil said the 3rd party accessories have not been released yet

hope that helps!!

 

[Nathan DuMoulin]

I also enjoy using Fool Control (an app for your Iphone/Ipad) it works with the WIFI built into the Raven/Weapon, this is a VERY nice way to control the camera, focus the canon lenses, and adjust color looks on the fly.

Sorry to hijack the thread for a minute, but a quick question that somewhat relates. Does the Weapon/Raven make it's own wifi hot spot so that FoolControl (and similar tools) can be used on remote locations, or does both the Weapon/Raven and FoolControl require connection to a third party wireless router?

Thanks!

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

Sorry to hijack the thread for a minute, but a quick question that somewhat relates. Does the Weapon/Raven make it's own wifi hot spot so that FoolControl (and similar tools) can be used on remote locations, or does both the Weapon/Raven and FoolControl require connection to a third party wireless router?

Thanks!

RED Camera wifi offers 2 operating modes.

- use Ad hoc network when no router is available (wifi network is created by camera)
- use infrastructure mode whenever a wifi router is available. It can add some significant benefits (better overall wifi coverage, easier to reconnect to after a battery change, quickly switch between different cameras...)

Both support passworded access and Ad Hoc has also a channel setting to reduce interferences in areas with lots of existing networks.

 

[Nathan DuMoulin]

Camera wifi has 2 modes :
- use Ad hoc network when no router is available (wifi network is created by camera)
- use infrastructure mode whenever a wifi router is available. It can add some significant benefits (better overall wifi coverage, easier to reconnect to after a battery change, quickly switch between different cameras...)

Thank you.

 

[Jim_Ritscher]

I added slightly to the original post. Thanks for the very thoughtful responses.

 

[Nathan DuMoulin]

So my key question is, "How do you choose from among the existing options?"

Wouldn't that be entirely subjective? I'm also new to the Red ecosystem, but for all my past work, the type of work I was doing always determined the required toolset. Never the other way around.

Perhaps I've confused the question?

 

[Matthew Quinn]

http://offhollywoodreporter.com/omodz

 

[Nathan DuMoulin]

http://offhollywoodreporter.com/omodz

I'm not sure if the older smaller modules shown on the provided link are still available, but I'm under the impression that they were ditched in favor of this master unit?

http://www.omod.io/what-we-do

and:

https://vimeo.com/139144089

I'd love some clarification. I sent Mark an email, and although he was very kind and quick to respond, I was still left a little confused about the status of the smaller/older modules.

For Raven, I'd love something real small and simple like the base I/O v-lock module, but with XLRs. Hoping that these smaller Omod modules end up being produced.

 

[Jim_Ritscher]

Wouldn't that be entirely subjective? I'm also new to the Red ecosystem, but for all my past work, the type of work I was doing always determined the required toolset. Never the other way around.

Perhaps I've confused the question?

What I mean is, provide us with enough information so we can make intelligent choices. With the Sony FS7 camera, Sony is very clear about what the basic camera gets you, and what the extension back adds in terms of inputs and outputs.

In the Red architecture, you need certain accessories to create a basic working system. All I’m trying to find out is, “what accessories get you what capabilities?” If Red is going to have all these modules, then there needs to be a good explanation of what each one does.

I suppose part of the issue here is which package I should order, if I decide to. Exactly what capabilities do the different components of the basic I/O package give you? Once you have a basic working system, then you can always add components later. This is especially important for people who want to get in the queue right away.

I have lots of questions. Take the DSMC² Base I/O V-Lock Expander. Okay, presumably you can snap a V-lock battery on to it. And it gives you some kind of I/O. But what input/output specifically? For example, does it take audio inputs?

If you click on the recommended list, you get things like the following:

Mounting Plate (DSMC). “The Mounting Plate (DSMC) is a must-have for your WEAPON®, RED RAVEN™, RED EPIC®, or SCARLET® camera.” I’m sure it does something, I just don’t know what it does.

WEAPON® LEMO Adaptor Collection. “The WEAPON® LEMO Adaptor Collection enables you to use your existing displays and monitors with the new WEAPON system, or take advantage of wired monitoring options—adding another level of versatibility for rig configuration.” Okay, good start. But it allows you to connect what to what?

WEAPON® Sidekick (Magnesium). “The WEAPON® Sidekick (Magnesium) is a lightweight interface solution that offers intuitive integrated control over critical camera parameters.” Okay, the picture here is very helpful. It allows you to control the camera. But when would you use this, and when would you use the touchscreen that comes as part of the basic I/O package?

In general, I don’t think there’s enough information on the website to allow you to configure a basic working system. Of course this is all very new and everybody is sleep deprived. But I think for the audience they’re aiming at, they’re going to need to make this all a lot simpler.

 

[Nathan DuMoulin]

In general, I don’t think there’s enough information on the website to allow you to configure a basic working system. Of course this is all very new and everybody is sleep deprived. But I think for the audience they’re aiming at, they’re going to need to make this all a lot simpler.

Okay, that makes more sense now. I guess I just saw things a little more intuitively, however in hindsight, I can certainly see where the confusion comes from.

For instance, the LEMO Adapter Collection. I looked at the Epic body and then the Weapon, and saw that the Weapon has intelligent mounts, while Epic does not (meaning that the Epic modules need cables to connect, while Weapon does not). The LEMO cables allow you to connect those cable based components to the Weapon's cable-less brain.

But as you said, unless you realize the key differences between the Epic and Weapon, none of this would make any sense. So yes, I fully agree with what you're requesting, and if Red wants to get more people to join their ecosystem, then they would do well to follow your advice.

 

[Brian Merlen]

Sidekick is for wireless control you don't need it just use your cellphone and fool control. Mounting plate just adds slots to mount from. A IO package is ready to shoot just grab extra media and vmounts and then extras kind of depends entirely on what you need on what gigs it's a Lego set of a camera like not everyone needs the same functionality is the point but your sales rep would be happy to explain each part if you give them a ring too

 

[Nathan DuMoulin]

Sidekick is for wireless control

Forgive me in case I'm mistaken, but I'm nearly positive that the Sidekick is a module that when attached (clips on the right side of the camera brain), is an integrated UI for controlling the camera settings in case you're using a regular monitor, rather than the Red Touch monitor. Foolcontrol is 3rd party software that uses the Ravens built in WIFI to control the settings remotely. That's probably what you meant to say, but I figured I'd double check in case one of us was incorrect.