Wifi Keeps Dropping Out - Scarlet-W - Foolcontrol losing connection

[Tim Milgram]

Hey everyone! Hoping someone can provide some insight.

My experience with the Scarlet-W and trying to use Foolcontrol on an iPad has been a bit of a nightmare. I am not sure if it's a foolcontrol issue, a Scarlet-W issue, or both, but the Wifi constantly drops out (probably every 2-3 takes) and needs to be reset for Foolcontrol to find it again. Sometimes this involves shutting down the Scarlet-W entirely, sometimes only going to the Wifi settings and turning it on and off. This mostly happens between takes but I've had it happen a number of times in the middle of takes. More often than not, all the focus points have to be reset again in Foolcontrol. As you can imagine, this can really mess with the flow on set, especially if things need to move quickly and it looks unprofessional to a client that we are constantly fidgeting with semi-working technology. Does anyone have experience with this? Would really appreciate the help!

 

[Surinder Singh]

Having exactly the same problem with the same setup.

Would really like this to work properly too.

 

[Brendan H. Banks]

If you're relying on the internal ad-hoc wifi, then that is just going to happen.

You could bring a tiny router around with you (something like this TP-Link) or you could boost the ad-hoc signal with an antenna like this WC Side Plate.

 

[Tim Milgram]

If you're relying on the internal ad-hoc wifi, then that is just going to happen.

You could bring a tiny router around with you (something like this TP-Link) or you could boost the ad-hoc signal with an antenna like this WC Side Plate.

I ordered the router, thanks for the tip. As far as ad-hoc (which is useful if for instance out in the field with no power source) I don't think it has to do with signal strength based on the symptoms I am seeing. The connection cuts out with the focus puller literally 5 feet away from me. It seems to be an issue with the consistency/stability of the connection rather than the signal strength. I could be wrong but that's just what I'm seeing.

 

[Antony Newman]

Can everyone please please share their Save logs with Red / and file bug reports.

If the Camera requires a Shutdown to reset the wifi this is Definitely a Firmware issue that they need to fix.

Red have 1 x fix for wifi that has not 100% fixed this issue, and so the more people that can Keep sharing this issue with Red, the more information they will have to track down the problem and fix it.

For the record:
+) I loose connection and get locked out of the camera at 50cm away.
+) On some of those occasions, the camera still has my client App connected (even though it s not!)
+) On some occasions I am forced to turn the camera off to fix it (and restart it)

AJ

 

[Pieterjan Djufri Futra]

Does it also drop the connection instantly when you magnify with FC?

 

[Surinder Singh]

Does it also drop the connection instantly when you magnify with FC?

Mine is pretty random.

 

[Brendan H. Banks]

I ordered the router, thanks for the tip. As far as ad-hoc (which is useful if for instance out in the field with no power source) I don't think it has to do with signal strength based on the symptoms I am seeing. The connection cuts out with the focus puller literally 5 feet away from me. It seems to be an issue with the consistency/stability of the connection rather than the signal strength. I could be wrong but that's just what I'm seeing.

Well consistency/stability of the connection also directly correlate to your signal strength. If you're on the edge of a WiFi network, it'll show you 2-3 "bars" but your speeds will be different than if you are on top of it. The Ad-Hoc can be on the edge of usability 5ft away (from my experience). I'd grab a little USB battery pack and bongo tie it to the router. You can mount it on the camera or have the AC leave it in his/her pouch. I find this works pretty well, but I also only use FC when placing/leaving the camera, jib, gimbal, etc. For normal operation I don't use it that often.

 

[Ross C Turner]

Well consistency/stability of the connection also directly correlate to your signal strength. If you're on the edge of a WiFi network, it'll show you 2-3 "bars" but your speeds will be different than if you are on top of it. The Ad-Hoc can be on the edge of usability 5ft away (from my experience). I'd grab a little USB battery pack and bongo tie it to the router. You can mount it on the camera or have the AC leave it in his/her pouch. I find this works pretty well, but I also only use FC when placing/leaving the camera, jib, gimbal, etc. For normal operation I don't use it that often.

I want to use FoolControl for jib and gimbal work but it hasn't been possible. I'd like to hear from anyone using the wifi features regularly and reliably? Despite following all the advice on here and from Mikaels' guide I consistently lose the connection after a few minutes and have to force shutdown the camera to get wifi up again, it also prevents me from saving a log file and hangs on shutdown. It's been back to RED twice and they report no issues, yet for me any of the wifi functionality is totally unusable. I assume those singing the praises of these features and FoolControl aren't experiencing this as any production I've been on wouldn't put up with it.

Can everyone please please share their Save logs with Red / and file bug reports.

If the Camera requires a Shutdown to reset the wifi this is Definitely a Firmware issue that they need to fix.

AJ

If it's a firmware issue, why are only a few people reporting the issue? I was just testing it again to report back to RED and after shutting the camera down it continued to heat up to the point where it hurt to touch. It wasn't even turned on, I had to remove the power source entirely. Really worrying if I hadn't noticed.

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

If it's a firmware issue, why are only a few people reporting the issue? I was just testing it again to report back to RED and after shutting the camera down it continued to heat up to the point where it hurt to touch. It wasn't even turned on, I had to remove the power source entirely. Really worrying if I hadn't noticed.

If it crashes on shutdown you can save a log from the maintenance menu to send to RED support.
Log files contain previous data even after a FW re-install so hopefully they will be able to find some info to fix your camera / wifi issues.

 

[Ross C Turner]

If it crashes on shutdown you can save a log from the maintenance menu to send to RED support.
Log files contain previous data even after a FW re-install so hopefully they will be able to find some info to fix your camera / wifi issues.

Thanks Mikael. I have done this a few times and shared with RED but they say it hasn't shown anything up.

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

Issue is not directly related to foolcontrol app as Antony is using his own code and has similar issues...
I've had the shutdown crash a few times here in the past but most of the time my camera can stay connected for hours.

Do you use any top plate, or other wireless accessories that could interfere with the camera's antenna ?
Have you looked at your surrounding networks to see if it was very crowded on all channels ?
Using latitude, OMOD command or COLR as an access point is a good option for stronger wifi too...

 

[Ross C Turner]

Issue is not directly related to foolcontrol app as Antony is using his own code and has similar issues...
I've had the shutdown crash a few times here in the past but most of the time my camera can stay connected for hours.

Do you use any top plate, or other wireless accessories that could interfere with the camera's antenna ?
Have you looked at your surrounding networks to see if it was very crowded on all channels ?
Using latitude, OMOD command or COLR as an access point is a good option for stronger wifi too...

I never suspected the app as otherwise I'm sure many others would see issues crop up. No accessories. I've followed your best practice guide. I've tried multiple iOS devices and as far as I'm aware I'm using equipment that others report good success with (TP-Link router etc..).

The new beta firmware improved the ad-hoc mode significantly but with any router on infrastructure mode, it won't last more that a few minutes without needing a reboot. I'd be happy if I could just trigger record reliably.

I can see a crowded network causing interference and potential drop outs but don't see why it should mean a reboot anyway, none of my other wi-fi devices have that problem. All of which cost a fraction of the price. It still didn't work when shooting in rural areas with zero wifi networks present.

Had a FS7 on a 30ft jib last week, the app isn't great but it worked reliably all day. I've discussed with RED dropping in with my camera and replicating the problem in person. I will say RED have been really great at discussing the problem but it's been 7 months ( they've had the camera for 5-6 weeks of that) and still no solution or explanation. Really frustrating.

 

[Dragan Trifunovic]

Same problems here with ScarletW. Very often loosing connection regardless is it in Ad-hoc mode or infrastructure with TPlink router.
Also it looks like it doesn't matter is it in some studio with lot of various wifi signals or outside in rural area.

Only peripheral accessories I use on SW are Paralinx Arrow HD link and DJI wireless follow focus.

Same things happening with REDlink app.

 

[Tim Milgram]

Don't mean to bring back an few months old topic, but has there been any possible advancements on this?

I feel as if I might have made a mistake buying the Scarlet-W hoping that Foolcontrol would work reliably which it doesn't. Just did a shoot this week and used infrastructure mode and there was no noticeable difference; it drops out all the same. Works for one or two takes, then camera needs a re-boot in order for Foolcontrol to connect. Is anyone seeing this on other RED bodies?

 

[Björn Benckert]

Don't mean to bring back an few months old topic, but has there been any possible advancements on this?

I feel as if I might have made a mistake buying the Scarlet-W hoping that Foolcontrol would work reliably which it doesn't. Just did a shoot this week and used infrastructure mode and there was no noticeable difference; it drops out all the same. Works for one or two takes, then camera needs a re-boot in order for Foolcontrol to connect. Is anyone seeing this on other RED bodies?

I think the solution is spelled Nitrogen. The wifi in the cameras are simply not reliable, and can not be trusted in a production environment. I think the Red phone will take care of it. Most likely with its own transmitter module on camera for both picture and settings.

 

[Elsie N]

I think the solution is spelled Nitrogen. The wifi in the cameras are simply not reliable, and can not be trusted in a production environment. I think the Red phone will take care of it. Most likely with its own transmitter module on camera for both picture and settings.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Antony Newman]

I have not used Mikaels app - but have found it straightforward to reproduce Red camera wifi problems with both my App and Red's own test app.
(The last video of 'breaking the Red Wifi using Reds App' I shared with Red mid-June 2017)

My hope is that all wifi issues can be resolved in Red Camera firmware.

What I could try and create an iOS tool (App) that reports when Red camera created (adhoc) wifi has run into an issue - and hope that this can help Red Zero in on the underlying issues.

AJ

 

[Tim Milgram]

I think the solution is spelled Nitrogen. The wifi in the cameras are simply not reliable, and can not be trusted in a production environment. I think the Red phone will take care of it. Most likely with its own transmitter module on camera for both picture and settings.

The problem isn't just the Red wifi... I have the same exact issue connected to a dedicated strong wifi signal.

 

[Tim Milgram]

I have not used Mikaels app - but have found it straightforward to reproduce Red camera wifi problems with both my App and Red's own test app.
(The last video of 'breaking the Red Wifi using Reds App' I shared with Red mid-June 2017)

My hope is that all wifi issues can be resolved in Red Camera firmware.

What I could try and create an iOS tool (App) that reports when Red camera created (adhoc) wifi has run into an issue - and hope that this can help Red Zero in on the underlying issues.

AJ

I wish the problem was only there in Ad Hoc mode. It happens when connected to Wifi as well.