wild idea - mini-modules !!

[N_Villers]

I have an idea!! Most likely just a pipe dream but with red who knows...? What if the battery module IS the I/O module and everything you might need (hd-sdi, EVF/LCD connector, audio, camera power, DC power distribution, wireless!!) is each a separate mini-module that can be tailored to the specific shoot. With the same form factor as the RedVolt it could have a variety of connectors and functions. With hotswap capability the possibilities could be endless and would not only serve to extend the concept of modularity to another plane but instantly transform many skeptical ACs who struggle to accept the Epic system into long-term advocates. Could anything like this be possible? Is it even conceivable that Red removed the I/O module from the Epic package for this reason!? Well... we can dream can't we.

-noel

 

[Sven Seynaeve]

that's an excellent ID, but would it be possible, might be. maby in the form of the redvolt xl.

this seems very interesting, then you could have the camera not larger then with the quad module; great;

 

[N_Villers]

The more I think about it, the more I think its likely to be true. I think those selling their modules are silly.

 

[Justin R Goff]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe someone said in a different thread that the Redvolt slots in the Quad Module are input only and cannot output power.

edit: Here's the discussion: http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?72679-Power-Out-idea-for-QUAD-BATTERY-MODULE&highlight=quad

 

[N_Villers]

I don't think this has really been established. I have no more reason to think it might happen other than it would be wicked cool. A few other factors might seem to support it as well ie. the orgional deal was battery+i/o modules and that the ommision of any power out is so glaring I cannot imangine it wasn't apparent to red and that a solution is in the works. A mini-module would explain a lot. In the end its just a gut feeling but mabye wishful thinking is getting the best of me.

 

[Alan Skinner]

Didn't I just see a Quad module for sale today. Guy said he had just received it. So, we are close to knowing if there are more pins/connections than just power in on the inside of the Quad.

Anybody got one that can look for this?

 

[Brian D. Goff]

Didn't I just see a Quad module for sale today. Guy said he had just received it. So, we are close to knowing if there are more pins/connections than just power in on the inside of the Quad.

Anybody got one that can look for this?

Just the pins needed for the RED-volts. And no way to "draw" power from the connectors - already checked on that a week ago. Mini-modules would have been great, but only a heave mod will make this possible and that should definitely void the warranty...

 

[Alan Skinner]

I'll trust that RED has something up their sleeve that we will like. Just have to wait a bit more, I guess.

 

[N_Villers]

Just the pins needed for the RED-volts. And no way to "draw" power from the connectors - already checked on that a week ago. Mini-modules would have been great, but only a heave mod will make this possible and that should definitely void the warranty...

How did you check? Big bummer if true.

 

[Tim Sutherland]

How did you check? Big bummer if true.

If I were to do it I'd use a multimeter to see if there was any power coming out of any pins.

 

[rod bradley]

I think we can trust Brian's investigation. Action Products think things out pretty thoroughly. If anyone could see a way, I believe they could. And would be on it.

 

[Björn Benckert]

I think we can trust Brian's investigation. Action Products think things out pretty thoroughly. If anyone could see a way, I believe they could. And would be on it.

Has to be confirmed by RED. I been asking a lot about this and the picture on this thread is just what I been trying to say. And as I got it explained the power connectors are most sertanly not only for power. They are more like a data controlled power connector. So only if the right chipset is on each side and "telling it" to let the power trough then there is power. Same with other batteries that you can not charge with the wrong charger etc. It' sthe lithium batteries that are holding quite a waste amount of energy, unlike a led battery they need to be digitally controlled when letting go of the power.

Since all four slots can be ejected at any time and the power is still going towards the camera and only on battery is emptying at the time there is some sort of intelligent chipset inside the quad.

The above makes me believe that they can make mini modules, it just needs the right data card inside. So more a RED thing to do than 3rd party.

I might be completely off here but this is what we discussed and came up with during our last lunch here at the office so then it must be true... just bought a second hand quad...

 

[Louis Maddalena]

I don't think this is in Red's plans at all but I guess it could explain why everybody with Stage II Epics had to get one.

If I had to guess I would say that SDI, or XLR, etc will not happen in this module, but It could be interesting to run a XL Battery on one side, and a regular Redvolt on the other with a single D-Tap module the size of a redvolt. That would be an interesting way to add Dtap to the module, but I really don't think we'll see any thing more than that, IF we see that at all.

 

[Adam Howden]

Great idea!

I think the modular systems start to fall down a little if you start adding a quad battery module and then a Pro I/O you're increasing the length and weight of the camera considerably, too much for me personally!

 

[Jason Comparetto]

Great imagination. But it won't be happening any time soon :-(

 

[Dimitri Boschma]

maybe of some use for inspiration... http://atomos.com/connect/