"record error: Internal fault"

[Mark B.]

"RECORD ERROR: INTERNAL FAULT" comes up whenever I try to record with the camera. After the error, the LCD receives no picture. I'm on build 17, and I've barely recorded anything with this camera (it's been sitting unused for over a year while I've been waiting for the Birger solution to come together). The only devices plugged into the camera is an LCD, a 48v phantom mic, and the Birger mount. This combo of equipment has worked fine for about 22 shots (the total number I've shot with the camera so far).

This problem, I think, might have been a result of recording with a low battery. The system didn't warn me that the battery was low. After putting in a fully charged battery, the camera has continued to throw the error message.

This error has caused me to lose out on filming a really cute scene of my new baby niece who was only born a couple days ago. I'm upset over losing that recording opportunity. Oh, and the LCD on the back of the camera is starting to flicker again, after it was supposedly repaired a couple months ago during the audio-board swap.

The build quality on this camera has caused me aggravation. I'm thinking if there isn't an easy fix to this, I'm probably just going to sell the camera and go with a different manufacturer. But before I give up, I'll ask here, is there a quick solution to this problem? Is it a build 17 software error that can be fixed with build 18? Is there some simple cable solution? Anyone?

[Mark B.]

It's working again. I unplugged the LCD, Birger Power Cable, and Phantom Mic. Then reconnected the LCD and recorded just with that, and it seemed to work. Then I added the Birger power, and it recorded fine that time. Then I added the phantom mic and it recorded fine.

I don't know if the hard drive randomly happened to repair a failed file structure, or if some sort of change in the power supply distribution was the cause. It seems like both of those issues should have been handled automatically the first time they occurred. Or could it have been a random problem that disappeared randomly and can reoccur in the future randomly? That would totally suck if I had paid crew waiting around if this problem returns.

If anyone knows why this fault happened, please post the explanation here. I'd like to understand the problem fully, rather than just randomly trying stuff with the hopes that the camera suddenly starts working again. I hope this problem never resurfaces, but it seems with electronics that if a problem shows once, it will probably show again unless repairs are made.

Oh, and the back panel LCD is still flickering.

[Andrew clemson]

Im not sure if theres a definitive answer to the "Internal fault" Rec Error. We get it when shooting subjects that are heavily backlit, ie; at sunset or when a drive is near to full (80% or so on).

Im sure there are other situations that can cause it.

Maybe we could use this thread to list the instances and situations in which people know it will occur?

[Brent@RED]

Mark B, please send submit a support ticket on www.red.com/support if you have not already.

BC

[Mark B.]

Okay, I have determined that whenever I boot the camera with the Birger mount plugged in, the "record error internal fault" message is produced when recording.

If I boot the camera with the Birger unplugged, and then plug in the Birger after the camera initialization is complete, then I don't get an error message when recording.

Is this perhaps a Red firmware problem that is fixed in one of the newer builds? I'm using build 17 at the moment because it is not a beta release. But I'd switch to a newer beta release if it gets rid of this problem.

For those who get the error message, do you have equipment plugged into the Aux ports when it happens?

[CJ Roy]

I'll get this occasionally too. usually I just try it again, hitting record, and it works right away. I have no idea what causes it, but for the most part it's pretty rare.

[Mark B.]

I'll get this occasionally too. usually I just try it again, hitting record, and it works right away. I have no idea what causes it, but for the most part it's pretty rare.

When it happens on my camera, the LCD freezes up if I try to record a second time. Red tech support told me to reinstall the firmware, so I'll see how that goes.

[Mark Crabtree]

If you go to build 20 and Lens Library 20A this error will stop.
Library 20A is the best from Birger at the moment wnd it plays well with Build 20. Build 20 is visually the most impressive. Less noise and more color. Very filmic. I am just stunned by how improved the camera is by this build.

[Mark B.]

If you go to build 20 and Lens Library 20A this error will stop.
Library 20A is the best from Birger at the moment wnd it plays well with Build 20. Build 20 is visually the most impressive. Less noise and more color. Very filmic. I am just stunned by how improved the camera is by this build.

Interestingly, when I reinstalled build 17, I suddenly had all my audio ports working. Prior to reinstalling it, I couldn't get sound out of any ports except #1.

But the recording error is persisting even with a good rebuild of library 17. So I'll have to try build 20 to see if it can clean up the problem. Are there any major problems to look out for on build 20 at the moment?

[Steffen Vala]

Hey all, I'm on set now and having this issue, so I thought i'd post it...see if anything else has been discovered.

Running Build 20, shooting on 16Gb CF cards, Anton Bauer battery (nearly full charge), only the lcd monitor plugged in and an Astro 9" connected by BNC.

We are doing an indoor shoot, with relatively strong backlight (mentioning that b/c someone else did too, but not sure what that would effect).

After getting the Record error: Internal Fault, we just hit record on the cam again and it continues with a new recording. then we do a new take just to be sure.

After backing up on my external hard drives, it seems there is a clip number for the faulty clip, but no info inside, no meat to it. but the next take is fine. The director just said it is continuing to happen, as i'm searching solutions here.

We did reboot, but that didn't change much. and btw i didn't see any lock up on the screen or freeze on the camera. also no Birger lens mount involved here or anything.'

Any help?

[Steffen Vala]

Oops. I miswrote before... we're running Build 18 (not twenty).

Strangely, after leaving the location with the blownout backlighting, the record error didn't occur. Coincidence?:skep:


Hey all, I'm on set now and having this issue, so I thought i'd post it...see if anything else has been discovered.

Running Build 20, shooting on 16Gb CF cards, Anton Bauer battery (nearly full charge), only the lcd monitor plugged in and an Astro 9" connected by BNC.

We are doing an indoor shoot, with relatively strong backlight (mentioning that b/c someone else did too, but not sure what that would effect).

After getting the Record error: Internal Fault, we just hit record on the cam again and it continues with a new recording. then we do a new take just to be sure.

After backing up on my external hard drives, it seems there is a clip number for the faulty clip, but no info inside, no meat to it. but the next take is fine. The director just said it is continuing to happen, as i'm searching solutions here.

We did reboot, but that didn't change much. and btw i didn't see any lock up on the screen or freeze on the camera. also no Birger lens mount involved here or anything.'

Any help?

[Andrew clemson]

Well, maybe, but that same coincidence happens to me frequently.