RED / FAQ

What are the maximum frame rates for CF card, RED-RAID and RED-RAM recording media?

jon — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 21:45:54 +0000

The RED ONE camera allows two different compression choices, defined as REDCODE™28 and REDCODE™36. Given the various resolution choices of 2K, 3K and 4K, the following is a list of maximum frame rates possible with CF, RED-RAID and RED-RAM drives:

REDCODE™28 2K 2:1

RED 8GB CF - 100 fps

RED 16GB CF - 120 fps

RED-DRIVE - 120 fps

RED-RAM - 120 fps

REDCODE™28 2K 16:9

RED 8GB CF - 100 fps

RED 16GB CF - 100 fps

RED-DRIVE - 100 fps

RED-RAM - 100 fps

REDCODE™28 3K 2:1

RED 8GB CF - 50 fps

RED 16GB CF - 60 fps

RED-DRIVE - 60 fps

RED-RAM - 60 fps

REDCODE™28 3K 16:9

RED 8GB CF - 30 fps

RED 16GB CF - 50 fps

RED-DRIVE - 50 fps

RED-RAM - 50 fps

REDCODE™28 4K 2:1

RED 8GB CF - 25 fps

RED 16GB CF - 30 fps

RED-DRIVE - 30 fps

RED-RAM - 30 fps

REDCODE™28 4K HD

RED 8GB CF - 25 fps

RED 16GB CF - 30 fps

RED-DRIVE - 30 fps

RED-RAM - 30 fps

REDCODE™28 4K 16:9

RED 8GB CF - 25 fps

RED 16GB CF - 30 fps

RED-DRIVE - 30 fps

RED-RAM - 30 fps

REDCODE™36 2K 2:1

RED 8GB CF - 75 fps

RED 16GB CF - 100 fps

RED-DRIVE - 120 fps

RED-RAM - 120 fps

REDCODE™36 2K 16:9

RED 8GB CF - 75 fps

RED 16GB CF - 75 fps

RED-DRIVE - 100 fps

RED-RAM - 100 fps

REDCODE™36 3K 2:1

RED 8GB CF - 30 fps

RED 16GB CF - 30 fps

RED-DRIVE - 50 fps

RED-RAM - 60 fps

REDCODE™36 3K 16:9

RED 8GB CF - 30 fps

RED 16GB CF - 30 fps

RED-DRIVE - 50 fps

RED-RAM - 50 fps

REDCODE™36 4K 2:1

RED 8GB CF - 25 fps

RED 16GB CF - 30 fps

RED-DRIVE - 30 fps

RED-RAM - 30 fps

REDCODE™36 4K HD

RED 8GB CF - N/A

RED 16GB CF - 25 fps

RED-DRIVE - 30 fps

RED-RAM - 30 fps

REDCODE™36 4K 16:9

RED 8GB CF - N/A

RED 16GB CF - 25 fps

RED-DRIVE - 30 fps

RED-RAM - 30 fps

What are the differences between the memory/recording options RED offers?

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:48:27 +0000

The RED ONE camera currently offers 3 solutions for recording.

First, and recommended as the most reliable, bullet-proof and dependable solution, is recording directly to compact flash, using the RED CF Module, an internal recording solution that adds $500 to the cost of the body. This solution is so viable that RED builds every body with this option in place. In addition to providing the best recording solution, it also allows the best method for uploading firmware builds for the camera. Recording times for a RED 8GB CF card run between 4 and 5 minutes, depending on resolution and compression, roughly the equivalent of a 400′ film reel. Introduced concurrently with Build 16 was the 16GB card, doubling the performance in record time of the 8GB card.

The second solution is the RED DRIVE (RAID) which comprises two 160GB drives in a RAID 0 configuration. This solution provides roughly 3 hours of 4K record time (again, dependent on compression).

The third solution is RED RAM, a Solid State drive technology, offering the combined advantage of shock proof, robust design with long recording time. The current capacity of RED RAM is 128GB, affording an hour of 4K capture.

When are the Prime Set of lenses and other future items going to be available?

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:22:23 +0000

RED is both an engineering and design company and we are working, at any given moment, on a variety of new technologies, never resting, always anticipating the next new thing. Often times we can’t hold back our own excitement and announce product that is a ways down the line. The effort to design and build our own set of primes, setting the bar high for performance at an industry revolutionizing price point, was a challenge bigger than we had imagined. We are very near the introduction of the Prime lenses, as we are testing the prototypes currently. Results so far indicate that these lenses will be world class and worth the wait. These and other new items coming can be followed on our Delivery Schedule page on REDUSER.net at: http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=7464

Can I use 3rd party CF cards?

admin — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:09:06 +0000

RED strongly recommends the use of RED branded 8GB and 16GB cards. RED has tested virtually all high speed 8GB cards and put their name on the best performance product, while developing their own 16GB card. Due to the tremendous amount of data being written to these cards, it is only the very highest speed cards that can handle the data stream.

At NAB ‘08, the EPIC camera announced was a 5K Super High Resolution, hand machined, step up model to the RED ONE. What has changed since then?

jon — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:52:42 +0000

Everything. RED’s world-class sensor development program made several huge breakthroughs, allowing resolution performance and read-reset times thought to be virtually impossible when EPIC was originally conceived. It became immediately obvious that by developing EPIC as a modular, component-based, building block concept, that the company’s ethos of Obsolescence Obsolete could be taken to a higher plane, offering a product that could be upgraded indefinitely by simply switching out the sensor/electronics package, while keeping all of the peripheral parts of the camera intact. Announced on November 13th, 2008, the NEW EPIC concept revolutionized camera design. Modularity would be the key, with all modules interchangeable and compatible with all current and future camera body designs. Instead of a single 5K camera body with integrated I/O and power/finder solutions, EPIC would become four individual bodies, or “Brains”, ranging from 5K to 28K, and almost infinitely configurable.

EPIC’s four models include EPIC S35 5K PRO CINEMA, EPIC FF35 6K PRO CINEMA, EPIC 645 9K PRO and EPIC 617 28K PRO.

EPIC cameras are described in terms of “K”. What is the meaning of 5K, 6K, 9K and 28K?

jon — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:52:10 +0000

The original RED ONE, anchor of the RED Digital Cinema Camera Co., is a 4K camera, meaning that the horizontal resolution of the sensor is over 4000 pixels. EPIC S35 is a 5K camera, providing over 5000 horizontal pixels, EPIC FF35 is a 6K camera, providing 6000 horizontal pixels, EPIC 645 is a 9K camera that provides over 9000 horizontal pixels and the phenomenal EPIC 617, a 28K camera, offers a mind-numbing 28,000 pixel horizontal resolution. In comparison, an HD video camera offers 1920 horizontal pixels. EPIC S35 offers 6 times the resolution of HD, EPIC FF35 offers 10 times the resolution of HD, EPIC 645, over 30 times and EPIC 617, well over 100 times the resolution of HD.

How does “K” compare to Megapixels?

jon — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:51:41 +0000

EPIC S35 5K uses a 13.8MP sensor, EPIC FF35 6K uses a 24MP sensor, EPIC 645 9K uses a 65MP sensor and EPIC 617 28K uses a 261MP sensor.

Are EPIC cameras considered cine or still cameras?

jon — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:51:10 +0000

RED’s concept of DSMC (Digital Still & Motion Camera) carries over from its Scarlet program into EPIC, in that any EPIC camera can be used as a world-class still camera, offering from 13.8MP to 261MP still frame resolution, but it is the extraordinary frame rate abilities of EPIC that define it as a PRO CINEMA camera. Shooting a 5K digital cinema camera at up to 100fps, at full 5K resolution, is a dream come true for the feature film maker, but imagine the breakthrough for IMAX quality 9K resolution at up to 50fps or full 6 x 17 cm. ultra wide at up to 30fps, a format that competitors get excited about 1fps. EPIC, in all its forms, set the standard for what digital cinema will be in the future.

What is the difference between EPIC S35 and EPIC FF35?

jon — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:50:38 +0000

EPIC S35 5K offers a sensor that maintains a Super 35 film size, capable of being fully compatible with all standard PL cinema lenses, including both zoom and Prime designs. Resolution of the sensor allows a full 5K cine resolution or a 13.8MP frame. EPIC S35 uses the next generation Mysterium-X sensor technology, developed from knowledge gained in the development of RED ONE’s Mysterium sensor. EPIC FF35 6K uses a larger full frame 35mm film sized sensor, measuring 24 x 36 mm, allowing the use of 35 mm still camera lenses with a 1:1 focal length ratio. PL mount lenses, designed for a smaller coverage area can still be used when shooting at 5K or less resolution on the windowed sensor, but for full coverage, RED will provide interchangeable lens mounts for Nikon, Canon and custom RED-Designed 35 mm Electronic lenses. The still frame resolution of EPIC FF35 is 6000 x 4000 pixels, or 24MP. EPIC FF35 will be the first generation of RED camera to employ Monstro, sensor technology advancing even beyond Mysterium-X.

What’s the difference between S35 and FF35 versions of Scarlet and EPIC?

jon — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 00:50:04 +0000

In examining the two families, Scarlet and EPIC, it is apparent that there is crossover on the S35 and FF35 sensors. The Scarlet versions of these sensors are designed to handle a wide variety of cine applications and will likely become the most commonly used cameras for independent film making, music videos, commercials and anywhere an HD video camera might have been considered. Frame rates allow up to 30fps, with brief bursts for slow motion effect. At lower resolutions, higher frame rates are available for further options. Still performance at 13.8 and 24MP, respectively, will target Scarlet DSMC S35 and FF35 as the “go to” camera when both stills and motion are required. Conversely, EPIC versions of S35 and FF35 are all about frame rate and data rate. Hand machined, versus cast, bodies will be designed for day in/ day out professional on-set use, while the larger, more robust bodies, will have additional electronics and cooling systems that will allow the incredible frame rates of EPIC. At 5K and 6K, respectively, EPIC will be able to run at 100 fps! At 2K, EPIC FF35 will be able to run at an amazing 350fps. Remarkably, and the great thing about the modular design of Scarlet and EPIC, all lens mounts, expansion modules, finders, power sources and accessories are fully interchangeable between Scarlet and EPIC.