Audio Tally for Record Start / Stop Feature

[Casey Green]

I would like to suggest the idea of developing a hardware/firmware addition to the RED One that would help in many production environments.

The Camera currently will be able to support Tally light functionality, but there is no way to hear if the Camera is recording or if it has stopped recording. (besides the fans kicking on and off in certain situations).

Since the Camera body has an earphone jack, it seems possible that RED (or perhaps Element Technica) could develop a small external add-on module with a speaker that plugs into the side of the Camera's earphone plug and attaches flush with the body.

Then an option for "Audio Tally" could be added in the Camera Menu to allow for this functionality.

The firmware would have three options for the HEADPHONE OUTPUT:

[Audio Only]
[Tally Only]
[Audio + Tally]

If Tally or Audio plus Tally is enabled, there would be a Single Beep when Recording begins and then Two Beeps when Recording is cut.

For the Hardware side of it, the module would have to be small enough to remain flush with the body, but large enough to house a speaker that could be heard in a reasonably noisy environment.

(I think this could be a valuable add-on, or perhaps an easy addition to the new RED X design).

what does everyone think?

[CVB]

It may be easier to just get a 12v piezo beeper and run it off the tally pin on the aux connector. That way there's no firmware changes needed except for the single/double pulse behavior of the tally output. Good idea though.

[Casey Green]

It may be easier to just get a 12v piezo beeper and run it off the tally pin on the aux connector. That way there's no firmware changes needed except for the single/double pulse behavior of the tally output. Good idea though.

Interesting idea Curt.

Also, for the headphone jack idea, it occurs to me now that the speaker would not necessarily have to be flush with the camera body, so any portable ipod-type speaker could do the job and just be extended by a short wire and attach to the handles, rods, etc.

The only thing really needed would be the firmware options for Audio Tally through Headphone Output.

This way you could either:

A) Listen to the Audio Only (for headphone use)
B) Listen to Tally Only (for headphone / speaker use)
C) Listen Both Audio and Talley (for headphone use)

The Audio options would of course be used only with headphones, since you wouldn't want to hear that on set.

[Brook Willard]

The issue with the current tally light is that even when the camera isn't rolling, white light is emitted. For photosensitive tally indicators, there is no difference between run and stop. I hit this problem on a crane one night.

[Stuart English]

Interesting idea Curt.

Also, for the headphone jack idea, it occurs to me now that the speaker would not necessarily have to be flush with the camera body, so any portable ipod-type speaker could do the job and just be extended by a short wire and attach to the handles, rods, etc.

The only thing really needed would be the firmware options for Audio Tally through Headphone Output.

This way you could either:

A) Listen to the Audio Only (for headphone use)
B) Listen to Tally Only (for headphone / speaker use)
C) Listen Both Audio and Talley (for headphone use)

The Audio options would of course be used only with headphones, since you wouldn't want to hear that on set.

Interesting idea guys. I'll put that in the suggestions list.

[Casey Green]

Thanks, Stuart. I appreciate you considering this.