What do we do this the audio monitor TA5 port?

[Shawn Nelson]

Someone help me hear. I've been putting a lot of thoughts into all the cables I'll be plugging into my Red One, but I haven't figured out what to do with the TA5 stereo monitor port. Video village will get their audio from the dual-link HDSDI or the HDMI return, then for the audio mixer I can use a standard breakaway cable (provided I adapt for minixlr) and those just have a plug for the 1/8" headphone jack with a spliced port for camera op. So I can't see where I would need to have yet another stereo out, especially in such an uncommon port. I suppose I could get an adapter and run a comtek straight off that port but again, that's what the audio guy is for, you run it off his mixer. Anyone have plans for using that port?

[Evin Grant]

I think the point is for your audio guy not to have to rely on that 1/8" crappy headphones jack. With the TA5 he can get a balanced hi quality return that he can trust the levels on. The headphones jack will actually be for headphones, how novel!

[Shawn Nelson]

Okay, that's cool, but then I'll still have to wire the TA5 down to a 1/8" jack to input into the return port of a mixer (such as the SD302, a popular field mixer). I'm not sure if I gain the advantages of the TA5 then.

[martinnoweck]

Hi Shawn,

really depends on your workflow and the kind of stuff you are recording - I have never used any other audio out than the Mini-Headphone-Jack for the reason you mentioned (even though also the Sony DVW700 and Panasonic DVCPRO Camcorders provide a XLR Audio out and the Headphone Amp is much noisier than the Audio Out), but after reading your post I tried to think about setups you could use this output for:

- when recording sound straight to camera (no DAT, HDD-Audio-Recorder, etc.) and you want to provide a wireless audio feed for the director (and maybe also assistent director) for recording AND playback without repatching cables

any other thoughts?

By the way, does anyone know if the audio inputs of the RED ONE are switchable MIC / LINE and provide Phantom Power?

Martin

[Rob Lohman]

Yes to both Martin.

[martinnoweck]

Thanks Rob.

[Blayne Gorum]

Just let your sound guy know what ports he is working with. He should have the appropriate cabling. A TA5 port is now expected and preferred by sound department on HD shoots.
If you feel you have to provide your own cabling, then just put two (or 4 if you want all the ports covered) miniXLRs and a TA5 into a Hirose connected pigtail and you will be quite set. That will give sound both balanced inputs and outs and leaves the headphone connector free. Once you get the pinout schematics from Red, you can turn them over to some custom cable makers.

What you need to remember is that most headphones are driven by a very cheap little amp in the camera that doesn't truly represent the quality of the sound that your sound guy is giving you. The TA5 will give him a much better confidence return.