What is the current data rate and how was it chosen?

[Stokestack]

Hi all. This question got buried in the CF-storage thread.

Originally we heard 27 MBps, but more recently all the quotes (including statements by Red at NAB) have been saying 24 MBps. Is it still up in the air, with further changes possible? I guess the data rate is limited strictly by I/O throughput, not processor performance (which is a limiting factor for frame rate).

I'm curious as to why it's necessary to have only one data rate, instead of offering users the ability to max out the I/O capability of the recording medium they've selected. That way, users of faster media wouldn't have to take a quality hit for the sake of slower recording devices that they don't even own.

[Stuart English]

This posting could be read as containing an assumption that the quality of the REDCODE RAW footage might be limited to fit the restrictions of the media. That is NOT The case, the opposite happens. A media is only acceptable to us if it meets the minimal record speed requirements. But once it meets those requirements, there isn't any point raising the data rate beyond what is needed.

[Jannard]

We haven't locked down the data rate quite yet. Still experimenting.

We won't let our customers slip under "our minimum acceptable quality" with a data rate that is too low (just so some slow CF cards will work). We need to save RED users from that temptation.

Jim

[Joel Kaye]

We haven't locked down the data rate quite yet. Still experimenting.

We won't let our customers slip under "our minimum acceptable quality" with a data rate that is too low (just so some slow CF cards will work). We need to save RED users from that temptation.

Jim

I spoke with another compression guru at NAB that swore you guys were going to blow the compression part of this deal because you're hardware guys. He thought the data rate was too slow among other things. So it's good to hear you've got the RED attitude on this as well.

If there's one thing I came away from Vegas with was the feeling that you guys are doing things the way a lot of us would do them if we had the resources... make RED a personal challenge and create the best camera YOU'D want to use. Well that, and show all the other manufacturers what you're capable of. The RED team all seems to have a very competitive spirit. GOOD! :-)

[Tonaci Tran]

With the way things are going with compact flash, I'm really excited. They have 16gb cards that are a tad too slow going for 250.00 right now. This will likely change by the end of the year. The thought of being able to buy 4 16gb red compliant cards for under 1,000 is so insanely cool.

I am hoping you could implement at least two slots of CF (similar to how the hvx200 has two p2 slots).