Tag: hd camera

New Epic Firmware

by North Coast Videographer, posted in Epic, Red, Red One, Samurai, Scarlet

Red EpicA new version of the firmware has just been released for the Epic – version 3.2.16. As always Red is ironing out bugs and improving with each release. They also add new features on most firmware updates.

The one major fix in my opinion with this build is that now the Epic outputs the correct size frame via HD SDI. This means that external recorders can now be used to enable direct to edit shooting with a recorder like the Samurai or the Pix 240.

The major new feature of this build is the addition of 5K HD, 3K HD, 2K HD, 1K HD formats. These new formats mean that you can easily shoot any resolution with Epic in a 16:9 aspect ratio making post simple.

The rest of the updates are :

Added 1K WS format (Epic 400fps, Scarlet 120fps)

Added Target REDCode feature

Added Post Record Fan Delay (max 1 minute)

Added 1-camera to multiple REDMote support

Added Slate Information Dialog

Added User RGB curves capability

Added RMD file import/save/apply

Added Gyro support

Added Side Handle Key Lock Feature

Added Audio Gain/Limiter Controls

Added Phantom Power Support(Hardware Rev Dependent)

Added External record mode

Added Force Restore Feature using Power Button

Added HD-SDI Format controls

Added 9″ LCD Touchscreen support

Added Dual Battery Module support

Added Rear SSD Module support

Added OLED EVF Brightness support

Added Playback Frame, Title and Action Guide status

Added PL Lens short circuit detection

Added HDMI 1080p/720p refresh rates of 24,25,30,50,60

Enhanced Keys assignment dialog

Enhanced Preset dialog

Enhanced Playback load notifications and error handling

Enhanced UI usability

Enhanced AF capability

Camera Name defaults to camera type (i.e., SCARLET/EPIC)

Fix for Playback using EVF

Fix for Playback support of 5K and 5K ANA

Fix for Zoom Rocker +/- Mapping

Fix for HD-SDI output scaling

Fix for LCD image ‘stutter’ when panning

Fix for camera freeze when changing AF/MF with Focus dialog open

Fix for Zebras disappearing after disconnect/reconnect of RED monitor

Fix for scaling of 5K clips during Playback

Fix for HD-SDI test pattern output levels

Fix for record error 0×00001E seen on some cameras

Fix for multi-clip load issue in Playback

Fix for audio in HDRx mode

Fix for frame drift with Sensor Sync = Genlock on some cameras

Fix for camera not completing clip recording to end of media

Fix for camera hang mapping actions to rocker switch

Fix for LCD w/half white screen on start-up

Fix for RED EVF connection problems

Samurai and Tim Bradley work together

by North Coast Videographer, posted in Epic, Red, Red One, Sony, XDcam

www.sydneycameraman.net.auThe Samurai recorder is a great piece of gear. I bought this pro res and Avid codec recorder for two main reasons.

First it will let me offer 10 bit recording with my Xdcam F800 camera. This will be great for any green screen work, or work where there is high detail in the back ground. The advantage of 10 bit of 8 bit recording is that in simple terms the editor has alot more information to work with, therefor can push the limits further.

The second reason is to be able to offer a direct to edit option with my Red Epic camera. When the Samurai is used this way it will eliminate the need to transcode the Epics camera files (R3Ds) means a far faster post solution. Another use is to make proxy files for offline editing. I recently used the Samurai on a shoot with my Epic as a great, quick replay device. The director could replay any shots while I was setting up the next shot with the camera.

The Samurai is a leader in its area. It is small, easily operated and has the  lowest power consumption. It is a great addition to my extensive range of gear.

Field of View Comparator – Epic, Arri, Canon, F65

by North Coast Videographer, posted in Alexa, Arri, Black Magic, Canon, Epic, NAB, Panasonic, Red, Red One, Scarlet, Sony, XDcam

Ever wanted to know what the field of view of different cameras are and be able to compare them … well now you can.

Able Cine has made this great tool and they have recently added all the new cameras from NAB 2012. The new cameras include the Canon C300, C500, and 1DC. The C300 and C500′s sensor is almost exactly the same size as Super 35mm film; at 24.6×13.8mm it has a 28.2mm diagonal. The 1DC can record in both HD modes and in a 4K mode. The HD mode uses the full frame sensor area just like the 5D Mark III, however the 4K mode uses a smaller APS-H mode, like the 1D Mark 4. All these options are now available in our tool.

Additionally, they’ve added the Blackmagic Digital Cinema camera to the list, which has a sensor size somewhere between Super 16mm film and a 4/3rd sensor like on the AF100. At 15.8×8.9mm it has a 18.14 mm diagonal, which leads to a fair bit of cropping when compared to Super 35mm and full frame sensors. The Blackmagic Camera can record in both HD (ProRes, DNxHD, and uncompressed) as well a full 2.5K 12-bit Raw format. The Raw data is captured in Cinema DNG format at a resolution of 2432×1366, however the captured image area is the same, so you should get the same field of view in either mode.

Red One, Epic and Scarlet resolution and frame sizes

by North Coast Videographer, posted in Epic, Red, Red One, Scarlet

The latest Epic camera from Red is unbelievably versatile. It can shot stop frame work all the way to 300 frames per second. This allows you to do shots that just weren’t possible on almost any other camera ever made.

This chart shows currently support resolutions for Red cameras – Red One, Epic and Scarlet, as well as the maximum frame rate and compression for the resolutions.  Its amazing being able to shoot 300 frames per second on my Epic(at a resolution of 2K – which is higher resolution than most Broadcast TV cameras)

If you want a DP/cameraman and a great Epic Kit www.sydneycameraman.net.au

NAB, Red and lots of new products

by North Coast Videographer, posted in Black Magic, Canon, Epic, NAB, Red, Red One, Sony, Uncategorized, XDcam

NAB Vegas 2012Well NAB the huge TV gear / software show in Vegas has opened with lots of new gear announcements. Red has announced an upgrade to the only still very new Epic camera. The upgrade is a new sensor that will be available from the end of this year. The new sensor will have a higher resolution (increase from 5K to 6K) smaller pixels (for finer detail) and increased dymanic range ( from 13.5 stops to 15 stops) Red also announced a lot of other new accessories see red.com

Black magic has entered the camera market with an odd looking camera. This I see as an interesting move for a software company to move to making cameras.

Sony have brought out 3 new lowish cost large sensor cameras – great to have choices, but we have too many for some post houses to keep up.

Canon has announced a new camera, the C500. This would make me very unhappy if I had just purchased the C300 as that is now outdated. This must be one the fastest cameras to ever become outdated as they have only just hit the market about 3months ago.

So all in all there are today a heap of new options for production and post. Its exciting times !!

Sony released Android version of XMPilot Tool App that will not work on most devices

by North Coast Videographer, posted in Sony, XDcam, XMPilot

Sony has released the Android version of the XMPilot Tool App, but the App will only work on Sony devices. There is also a version of the XMPilot Tool App for iOS iPhone and iPads.

I find it digraceful the Sony has released a crippled Andriod version of the App, but has released the iOS version. I was told by Sony that the crippled Android version was to promote the use of Sony products, But if this is the case why did Sony release an iOS version? Really bad work with this Sony !

I have paid for the software key and WiFi adapter ($2,200) for my Sony XDcam PDW-F800 HD camera ($70,000) and I can not use with my HTC Android phone.

So all you other Android user out there that feel that this is wrong please let Sony know how you feel too!