MaxCube vs. RedBOXX

[Chris Parker]

what are the pros/cons of each of these systems? is there something one can do that the other cannot?

[Adam Glick]

redBOXX can reliably run Scratch Cine for playback/playout of 4K .r3d footage at the highest quality settings in 1080 HD and 2K.

The other system can't.

[Lucas Wilson]

what are the pros/cons of each of these systems? is there something one can do that the other cannot?


redBOXX can reliably run Scratch Cine for playback/playout of 4K .r3d footage at the highest quality settings in 1080 HD and 2K.

The other system can't.

Adam,

I love ya' man, but be fair... :)

RedBOXX - Adam is correct. The redBOXX can playback 1/2 rez high from 4K at a reliable and rock-solid 24fps. And that is *huge* And the MaxCube cannot do that.

MaxCube - has local RAID5 storage in a removable disk-pac capable of sustaining speeds of 2K RGB. The redBOXX can also come in an RTX flavor that contains this kind of stroage. The Maxcube is also designed as a field system - it is ruggedized, can run off of an optional 24VDC port, and comes with its own custom cut Pelican Case for travel.

Best,

Lucas

[Adam Glick]

okayokay... ;)

Lucas is right. It's only fair to weigh the pros and cons of both systems as the poster requested...

If you need a ruggedized system for 1/4 res .r3d playback or 2K DPX playback in Scratch or Scratch Cine on-set, the MAXcube is definitely a better fit.

If you want to run Scratch Cine or Scratch and need to have the capability to play out your r3d footage @ HD or 2K in realtime, then you should be looking at redBOXX.

;)

Adam
BOXXlabs

[Peace Villow]

Dear Lucas & Adam,

When you say realtime 1/2 rez high from 4K .r3d playback, do you mean it's only playback without adjustment at all?

If I use 4 Scaffolds in a shot, can I still get realtime playback with redBOXX?
If I use the texture tool, can I still get realtime playback with redBOXX?

What are your limitations of "realtime playback" in Scratch with redBOXX?

Thanks.

[Adam Glick]

Dear Lucas & Adam,

When you say realtime 1/2 rez high from 4K .r3d playback, do you mean it's only playback without adjustment at all?

If I use 4 Scaffolds in a shot, can I still get realtime playback with redBOXX?
If I use the texture tool, can I still get realtime playback with redBOXX?

What are your limitations of "realtime playback" in Scratch with redBOXX?

Thanks.

Hey,

If you want to work with scaffolds & textures, you will need a full Scratch license... Scratch Cine, which is what comes standard on the redBOXX won't support those features.

However, with a full Scratch license running on the redBOXX, you can do multiple layers of scaffolds (vignettes, textures, secondaries) and still have a solid 24fps @ HD/2K from the 4K .r3d footage.

Adam

[Lucas Wilson]

Dear Lucas & Adam,

When you say realtime 1/2 rez high from 4K .r3d playback, do you mean it's only playback without adjustment at all?

If I use 4 Scaffolds in a shot, can I still get realtime playback with redBOXX?
If I use the texture tool, can I still get realtime playback with redBOXX?

What are your limitations of "realtime playback" in Scratch with redBOXX?

Thanks.

Adam is right that you need SCAFFOLDS to do all of that, and SCRATCH-CINE does not include SCAFFOLDS.

But with a full SCRATCH license, several layers of SCAFFOLDS are realtime, along with a LUT, custom animated Pan/Scan, and Burn-in.

Remember that a Texture is a second layer, so as long as that layer is a still frame, OR if you are using hardware that supports dual-layer RT, then you're fine.

Lucas
-----
ASSIMILATE, inc.
LA, CA, USA

[Chris Parker]

how is sound handled by the BOXX on playout to tape? what are the connections? what about timecode?

and what other HDDs can I attach to the BOXX? I want to be able to connect at least one or two external HDDs (what are my connection options?) and also have network capability through ethernet, is this all possible?

what is the workflow option for editors working in Final Cut Pro in conjunction with ScratchCINE?

where can i find training for the process of running RED files in, and getting tape dailies out?

[Adam Glick]

how is sound handled by the BOXX on playout to tape? what are the connections? what about timecode?

and what other HDDs can I attach to the BOXX? I want to be able to connect at least one or two external HDDs (what are my connection options?) and also have network capability through ethernet, is this all possible?

what is the workflow option for editors working in Final Cut Pro in conjunction with ScratchCINE?

where can i find training for the process of running RED files in, and getting tape dailies out?



I'd better let somebody else address the audio question -i haven't looked at audio issues for Scratch Cine but I do believe the audio can be extracted from the r3d files. I can find out for you if Lucas doesn't chime in in this...

As for storage, there are external connections for Firewire 400/800, USB 2.0 & e-SATA. Simply use what ever external storage device you want to use but make sure it can sustain 35MB/s if you want to reliably play back r3d files from your external drive.

Of course, the system supports a GigE connection to your network and a second GigE port is available as an option if you need it for a Tangent control surface or other panel.

There are several well-tested and production-proven FCP-Scratch workflows that have been developed and refined by several early RED technology adopters including Off Hollywood and Plaster City. Still other folks are coming up with their own unique and often ingenious pipelines for posting RED projects.

You will find all the information you need regarding workflow on these forums or nowhere.

Regarding Scratch training, it is available. But for Scratch Cine you probably won't need any... The toolset is easy to use and the features and pretty straight-forward. It's essentially a "virtual RED deck" with a few options for rescaling the footage, burning in TC/metadata and applying first light color correction.

If you are serious about purchasing Scratch or Scratch Cine, I'm sure you will have an opportunity to take the software for a "test drive" before hand.

Call or email me offline and let's talk about it.


Adam
BOXXlabs

[Torrey Loomis]

what are the pros/cons of each of these systems? is there something one can do that the other cannot?

Skip,

There is a 3rd option here:

http://silverado.cc/shop/home.php?cat=117

Our systems are also liquid cooled and overclocked to 4.0 Ghz.

Torrey
-----------------------------------------------
Torrey Loomis
President & CEO - Silverado Systems, Inc.
Outfitter to the World's Foremost Apple Professionals
2600 East Bidwell Street, Suite 280
Folsom, CA 95630
(916) 760-0032 • FAX (916) 404-5258
tloomis@silverado.cc
http://www.Silverado.cc

Check out the Silverado 4k Market at http://www.silverado.cc

[Blair S. Paulsen]

Have been working with the MaxCube for about a month and it seems plenty responsive. What a terrific feat of engineering to get that little cube to do so much - BUT - and its a big but, it will not layoff (1080@24fps) to tape without dropping frames.

Next week my cube will go back and be replaced with a GlobalStor based rack mount solution put together by KeyCode Media. The new rig will do half rez (2K or 1080), high quality, full debayer in real time to HDCAM-SR or Wafian or whatever.

The bummer is that my new rig will be much larger and less portable - heck the MaxCube came in a custom wheeled Pelican case that is fly-pack worthy, how cool is that.

Now if Scratch can just get sound savvy with r3d files so I don't have to conform audio from the QT proxies...:love: . In addition to the hassle factor its tricky to bill for as a separate item.

[Costelloe Michael]

Hey Blair,

Would you let us know how you get on with Globalstor?

Thanks,

Mike C