Engineering delay...

[Jannard]

One of my worst nightmares is an engineering delay after we came so far so quick in one year and a couple of months. But that is the reality we are in. I have to tell you that the last 5% has turned into being the toughest. We are experiencing a maddening electronics nightmare on one part of the board development. Every member of our team is on it. I am not sleeping.

There are over 10 major movies waiting to begin shooting with RED. We have customers that believed in us for a long time. And I personally don't want to let anyone down. But we have one obstacle that is giving us fits. If our delay has made anyone nervous, we are prepared to refund deposits, with interest. We hope for everyone's patience but accept the fact that some will not.

This is our 1st camera. That is no excuse for a delay from our originally posted schedule. Disappointment is a valid reaction to our current state of development. That is what I am feeling right now. The only good news is that the RED camera is a revolution. It is just a matter of when we can deliver that revolution.

More on June 15th.

Jim

[RED-Tank]

I feel sorry to you & RED team, but your honesty and passion just make me keeping it on with you all, and I am sure many people here feel the same.

By the way, I am also 3 months behind my budget saving to pay off my REDONE too, your delay is not bad at all comparing to my poor man schedule : ).

[Poi Boy]

Thanks Jim. I look forward to the next update on the 15th and the revolution to come.
Aloha
-A

[Alex Fostvedt]

When the horse bucks you off, you get back on, when it bucks you off again, you get back on! When the horse has been broken your job is done. Keep on riding!

[Adam C Lubkin]

Best of luck to you and the rest of the team in dealing with this. To quote lordnumberzero: 100% support.

[Yash Keough]

Problems happen. I'm sure things will turn out fine as you and the RED team Jim have done a phenomenal job so far. Keep up the great work.

[Alexander Nikishin]

Don't worry Jim, anyone who is worth listening to will respect what you and the RED team have thus far accomplished and are bound to deliver.

Whether it takes 'till the end of the year or even 'till the beginning of the next, as you said, this is a revolution in camera design and cost and I for one am more than understanding and willing to wait for it to be just right.

[Matt Uhry]

Don't sweat it, just make the best camera you can, as soon as you can. You guys have so much in so little time....

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

[Darwin]

Thank you Jim,

I'm sticking it out to the end. I know a good thing when I see it!

[Ken Willinger]

Hang in there, we're still with you. I don't think many people wil bail!

[Shawn Nelson]

Ah Jim, I feel bad for ya! Well keep fighting for us.

One humble request, is that when you can be somewhat certain of a ship date, could you give us at least a 4-6 weeks heads up? I am delaying my loan until the last minute possible, I don't want to sit on that much loan without the camera. I'm just really hoping that you don't announce on June 15th that you're shipping two weeks later.

[Hrvoje Simic]

We're with you...always care but never worry, man.
You did so much for us...you have our love and support through hard times also. Remember that when the unmanageable factors get your spirits down.
Positive energy coming from many directions across the globe...

No doubts. No disappointments.
Who ever needs this cam will wait. Sh*t happens.

Please try to get some sleep...brain needs rest.

[Larry McKee]

I second Omen's suggestion. Get some rest. All of you. We will all be here when the camera is ready. Believe me, 2 months after the cameras start shipping nobody will remember any delay. So, don't stress.

[C.H.Haskell]

It was 8% to go...now it s 5%! So close! Keep it up Jim and Red team...I know we all are.

Best

[Eugene]

I found the pin heads that screwed up the boards.
http://fredflare.com/display_images/2295_D.jpg
Keep a positive mental attitude.

[Mark B.]

We are experiencing a maddening electronics nightmare on one part of the board development. Every member of our team is on it. I am not sleeping.

What's the nightmare? Maybe we can suggest solutions.

[Emanuel A.]

The project is already launched -- that's what counts! A couple of months sooner or later is not even a problem. To have information is the most important. And a schedule that's the only requirement that we can demand. If we have it, no matter when you'll deliver. You shall when you can. We all know that. This camera is not a toy but our tool for a long time since the 1st minute.

Meanwhile, there are so many other options below and cheap. The cinematic CMOS HV20 chip + DOF adapter... here we go ;-) Training, learning and waiting for your pocket RED... So, why trouble? I doubt that anyone wish to be out from the FIRST affordable professional cinema camera ever made when available. If there may be one asshole that may give up. I doubt. I have my confidence that who holds a reservation is because have brains and love the motion picture. Isn't this the 1st reason why we all are here?

I second the Shawn request.


One humble request, is that when you can be somewhat certain of a ship date, could you give us at least a 4-6 weeks heads up? I am delaying my loan until the last minute possible, I don't want to sit on that much loan without the camera. I'm just really hoping that you don't announce on June 15th that you're shipping two weeks later.


EDIT -- I hope you had seen our party yesterday over here:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2769

Announcing this update just one day after your birthday, it shows 'the quality of the wood you are made' -- we are in good hands. The best ones we could aspire or demand, actually.

[Poi Boy]

Hey shawn don't worry, if your camera is ready too soon I'll gladly change reservation numbers with you.
Aloha
-A

[Jay A. Kelley]

I am beginning to regret that I came up with the June 15th deadline in the first place!!

Jim, if it makes you feel any better, I asked my wife for a "Kitchen Sink" backpack for Father's day.. A little money thrown your way to help out!

:)

As for the delay, we've all come this far so I doubt many, if any, will jump ship. It will be cool to know a schedule, even if it's a ways off.

Bottom line, I understand, from your point of view, that you want the cameras shipping already, so anything I say is worthless.

Just know, we're not freaking out at this pont.. All is ok. Just keep working the problem.

I know you're a lot more upset than any of us.. Just try to relax..

oh, and by the way.. GET SOME DAMN SLEEP... That will actually slow things down, not speed them up.

Your friend, I hope,

Jay

[KETCH ROSSi]

Hi Jim,

beacause yerstoday was your birthday(happybirthday) and my, we are two Gemini with great strainght and no matter wath I know my money is safe with you, you had my support from the moment I found out about the RED cameras and my 3 REDones will remaine rserved till you call me to pick them up.

Bets wishes in resolving this matter and also I hope you get some slip; even a great mind needs rest.

Ciao

KETCH ROSSI
www.KETCHFRAME.com

[Ralph Oshiro]

Don't worry, Jim! Make no wine before its time!

[Jaime Vallés]

Hang in there... We're all rooting for you. Best of luck.

[Jason Francois]

I'm sorry for YOU folks, not for me.

In the mean time, I'll just practice so that I can be worthy of this camera.

Best of luck and get some sleep. Even the best minds aren't any good without fuel and sleep.

Best,

Jason

[Brook Willard]

Still just as excited and just as appreciative of the updates as ever. Delays or not, you guys are always on here letting us know what the story is... and that matters.

But out of that entire post? The "...over 10 major movies..." got me the most excited. That's great news!

[Adrian Correia]

isn't birth supposed to be painful? Keep breathing Jim!

[Poi Boy]

yeah ! the over 10 part is very cool ! as far as the birth part, my wife says it wasn't that bad..yeah right ! I was there! that is what I always remind her off.
Jim, ten years from now you'll look back on it and think; wasn't that painfull.
Aloha
-A

[Emanuel A.]

The "...over 10 major movies..." got me the most excited. That's great news!Actually, 11 major ones... :greedy: :weight_lift: a 128 pages length feature* of a screenplay waiting patiently...

* More than 250.000 copies of the original work sold in a market of 10 million people, translated for several languages and the rest, well, you'll wait and see... And will have news in these same boards. I've been learning with our master Jim ;-) :)

[Gbabymogul]

I put you on the streets, Jim. I want my camera !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz0ETbyFM6Q





j/k, chill compadre, revolutions take time. Your team has nothing to apologize for

[Poi Boy]

Hey congratulations Emanuel ! can't wait to see it, can I come to the wrap party ?
Aloha
-A

[number6]

If our delay has made anyone nervous, we are prepared to refund deposits, with interest.
Jim

Checked my hands... no shaking. All in.

[Jonathan L. Bowen]

I hope it's nothing too serious, as far as getting you guys really stressed, but I don't doubt that it is a stressful time when your hopes and dreams for years are riding on the release of this final product.

I don't see why anyone would be too worried, though -- it's not like the camera is an idea and you just realized it won't work. The camera exists, has shot unbelievably awesome footage that blew everyone away, and it will be shipped eventually, so really there is not much worry in my mind. I want it as soon as possible *because* of how amazing I think it is, but also for that reason I'm willing to wait as long as it takes ;)

Selfishingly, I wish people would be stupid enough to bail now so that I could get my RED earlier, but of course I don't want that to happen for the company's sake! Nobody would do that, haha.

[Casey Green]

If our delay has made anyone nervous, we are prepared to refund deposits, with interest. We hope for everyone's patience but accept the fact that some will not.
Jim

Keep your head up, I'm sure things will work out. If it were easy building a revolutionary 4k camera, everyone would be doing it.

We're with ya, Jim.

[Ray Flynn]

i have not writen but one before feeling it might be better to listen.

Nothing truly good comes without struggle.
sounds like the start to a junior high essay or something your immigrant grandfather said to you many, many times.

but any effort that has taken only 18 monthes and resulted in the footage that peter jackson shot, which by the words of his letter has given him some satisfaction; must have merits worthwhile.

also i would expect that the transition from succesful prototype to operational quality assured roll out of production models would be tough. the prototype has the advantage of being a handmade thing and the production model must have each and every component consistently produced to achieve expected standards. the timing of deoviery of the previously schedule infers that the RED 1 will not be entirely handmade.

being that RED has guaranteed refunds with interest at anytime for any reason, i cannot see the deposit as anythiing but money in the bank, just the Bank of RED

there will be some SNAFU somewhere. here it is an electronics board and most engineering problems eventually have solutions. the real question i have and hope to answered on the 15th of June is whether RED can solve it.
i would like a prognosis if possible by that date. Godspeed.

ray

p.s.
though as a side note i am curious whether the board problem is partially a resulot of RED's desire to furthe expand dynamic range and reduce noise, or is it to consistently capture what we saw in Crossing the Line

[Daniel Reichenbach]

RED will be. Keep your heads up. Good karma, good concept, good men and a lot of believers. I'll send you some swiss chocolate for your 24hours work, that helps...

[Steven M. Bailey]

I still have 2 houses to sell, 4 scripts in development, hundreds of storyboards to draw, and production money to raise. As far as I'm concerned a camera delay is a minor setback, and other than practice footage and not an issue. Not to worry I'll still be here when your done.

My houses hit the market next week and hopefully will sell before red ships.

I understand risk and reward quite well.

I want to again thank you for the update and look forward to definitive info.

If you don't have time to do it right the first time; you'll never find time to do it twice. Good luck

[Emanuel A.]

Hey congratulations Emanuel ! can't wait to see it, can I come to the wrap party ?
Aloha
-ASure Poi! Thanks. I've always wished to know the hawaiian landscapes, all together if possible. Why not? I'll be there. You bring the wide(s) awhile I handle the box office. ;-)

[Ace]

http://www.kyoproject.com/force.jpg

[Jonathan L. Bowen]

I like it...

[Sanjin Jukic]

Amazing! We'll get those sweet "bulbs" on June 15?!

[David Cubbage]

I am with everyone else on this; I have total faith in Jim and his team, so much that I would pay the balance of my Red right now.

You have brought excitement into my life by allowing me to be a part of your Red Revolution .

Jim, your are one hell of a man, I will follow you all the way.

[Karl H]

on the plus side- I may be making a false assumption here - but the hardware delay has hopefully given the software/interface time to catch up.

Maybe the first cameras shipping now will be closer to fully feature enabled instead of just basic functions.

Not sure who is working on what but the rest of the team could still be working on the whole software set while we wait for the final boards to be spun. So it isnt all bad news hopefully.

[Emmanuel Cambier]

Hey Jim, take your time…

[lpchd]

Thank You Jim for your explanation
I understand very well what you are facing and better have somme(all) the problems solved before delivering as service and maintenance would be another major issue
Good luck
lpchd

[brettclements]

If it was easy, everybody would be doing it.

[Fergus Meiklejohn]

thanks for keeping us all in the loop. I know you'll solve the problem eventually :construction:

[Curran Giddens]

selfishly, I don't mind waiting as long as everyone else has to wait too. ha ha. :)

[John Godden]

Hi Jim

Thanks for posting this info.

I hope you aren't trying to make Red 1 'perfect'. :tongue:. We live in a 'compromise' universe afterall. I'm just trying to let you know that some of your (for now potential) customers don't expect perfection.

Best wishes
JohnG

[Jarred Land]

selfishly, I don't mind waiting as long as everyone else has to wait too. ha ha. :)

this is pretty funny.. but we all know its true. :)

[fernando rocha]

Hi Jim
There´s no doubt that perseverance is one of your personal traits.

Best wishes
Fernando

[miles]

Just keep on going, Jim & Red Team, we're with you!

As far as circuit boards go - I remember the ending commercial of a comedy "Crazy People" starring Dudley Moore. There it was pointed out (as a joke, of course) that Asian manufacturers can make better circuits compared to Caucasians, because they are shorter and their arms are shorter so they are closer to the boards when making them in the labs, whilst Caucasians are clumsy etc. ...

Hope this joke helps delivering a Red camera a bit earlier, whenever that will be ... :)

Lp, m.

[Nick Nicholson]

Mr. Jannard:

Metaphors be with you and your team!


Nick

[Ernesto Salvador]

Every time I read a post, I see the name, member rank, and then the RED# you people have, and I feel very very jealous, (cause I can't afford a red one) those numbers seem to me like some rank of how close you are to the ones who are changing the world, that for me should be enough to just wait until it's ready to hit the planet big time, and really make history.

[Chris Gearhart]

Thanks for the update, Jim. I and everyone at Lakeview Productions are with you all the way!

[Carlo Rho]

Thanks Jim.
Don't worry, we're here!

Ciao Carlo

[Antoine Fabi]

isn't birth supposed to be painful? Keep breathing Jim!

Very well said Adrian !!!!!!

Jim,

Again, honestly, you, the RED team , are great people.
Your philosophy and your work and are just ...unbelievable.

Cheers !

[Wade McDonald]

We all know the cost of being on the cutting edge. It's worth it. Thanks for your honesty and updates on the process. We know y'all are working hard, and we appreciate it.

W
DoP/Tx
Red One #845

[Jeff Coatney]

This is the maddening last 5% of the development cycle. The dark hours before the glorious dawn when the eureka moment hits. The inventors, driven to complete the project in some arbitrary, self-imposed timeframe, reach the limits of the current technology and their own groupthink. They desperately need a breakthrough, in the current manufacturing technology, the market price of gold, a new way of moving data more efficiently, you name it.

It's when every decision reveals a roadblock, a brickwall, an insurmountable obstacle. Then, when everyone is at wit's end and ready to quit. When the whole concept is called into question... when the team members are quietly wondering to themselves, "These people are nuts, why the hell did I sign up for this in the first place?" and playing out fantasies of taking a ballbat to someone's head, somebody says something so stupid that everyone laughs at them.

But someone else says "Hey, so-and-so's right! Why can't we take this big unmanageable thing and divide it into smaller pieces and process them simultaneously and re-assemble it downstream?" Then everyone agrees to try it, even though in their heart of hearts they think it's a waste of time. But it shows promise... In fact, it just might work. Wait a minute... it WILL work! And it will only increase costs by 15%. The light flickers at the end of the tunnel...

I can see the lab bench strewn with boards, the the gutted chassis, the soldering irons, safety goggles, containers of Chinese take-out, sitting next to the monitors and the computers with the cases off to keep the motherboard cool. Red Team huddled around the latest board from the latest vendor. Someone napping on the old sofa in the corner... Ahh, I'm so envious...

Keep going! You're just one firing synapse away from the answer! Then the WORLD IS YOURS!

[Don Woods]

It will all work out. The funny thing about revolutions is they are never as easy as advertised

[Vincent Rice]

It would have been quite amazing and unique in he history of mankind if there had NOT been a major roadblock on the way.

If it was easy everybody would do it.

(plus it gives me more time to raise the cash)

[Vladimir Eugene]

There are over 10 major movies waiting to begin shooting with RED.

Jim

You should make that 11 :) Dates, like age, and currency- are all relative.

Vladimir

[Emanuel A.]

You should make that 11 :) Dates, like age, and currency- are all relative.

VladimirI'm sorry but the #1 twice (#11) is taken. The credits are mine, as well, the RED_ONE#111. Follow the thread -- read it better before wishing to be there but only as #12. It's the best I can do for you, RED_ONE #87. ;-)

[Jonathan L. Bowen]

I hope my feature will be one of the first maybe 300 shot in 4K, haha ;)

[Rocco Schult]

thanks for the honesty.

[Vladimir Eugene]

I'm sorry but the #1 twice (#11) is taken. The credits are mine, as well, the RED_ONE#111. Follow the thread -- read it better before wishing to be there but only as #12. It's the best I can do for you, RED_ONE #87. ;-)


Well Emanuel- good luck

[Caleb Vetter]

Just curious, what are some (or all) of the 10 movies to be shot with the red?

[Frank Weeks]

Take your time Jim. Look how long it took to perfect the electric car…no wait , the big car companies killed that little jewel.
Hey wait a minute….Could these little problems be caused by the production Goliaths trying to delay the birth of little David???….:) naaaaaa. Just my paranoia kickin in again.. Oh well.. I’m heading for a picnic on the grassy knoll.
I’ll have a cigar and patiently dream of my Red. I''l be here when it's ready. Until then... try to get some sleep.:)

Frank