RED OLED EVF settings poll

[James Sielaff]

Ongoing poll getting opinions on the OLED DSMC2 EVF from a user experience standpoint.

Many users have noticed that the EVF does not perform as it is described on red.com, there is a request open to get this fixed in firmware, but no further information on that yet.

This poll is primarily for those that regularly use the EVF or own one.

Poll options:

1. Never noticed anything, and not bothered by the image quality, not interested in improved image quality, but wouldn't be opposed to improvement either.

2. Love the current EVF options, love the lifted gray blacks, and do not want any other options added in firmware to adjust or change the image in the EVF. Actively opposed to the idea of added options.

3. Have noticed the lifted blacks, and would like more image control settings, or perhaps a check box option for better black levels.

This poll remains open and redusers can vote at any time.

[James Sielaff]

I'm finding the the RED OLED EVF doesn't have good contrast. When I asked the RED specialists about it, they said the engineers designed it with lifted black levels so that operators can see into the shadows. It seems like the RED EVF has a weird lifted black level that lowers contrast and sometimes exhibits posterization(banding)

However, the EVF is advertised as having rich blacks and premium viewing experience.






This is not a problem with the screen. For example, during the start up screen, you can clearly see rich dark black background against a vibrant bright RED logo. However, as soon as the system is booted up, the contrast takes a big dip, and things look faded. The resolution is nice and smooth, but the contrast is weird looking. Looks limited unnaturally.


Not really needing everything to be fixed, but the contrast setting options would be a crucial addition, that would make the EVF at least work and operate like an OLED.


Other users have mentioned this brighter shadows look here:
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthr...1990-DSMC2-EVF


This user opinion poll was started when tech support asked me to see what other redusers thought. This also means, that any user tips on getting the best image out of the OLED EVF is also welcome here.

Though as things developed, this opinion poll showed that a lot of users also noticed the lifted faded look of the OLED, and I ended up submitting a firmware support fix for this issue.






The issue seems to be happening on the camera system side, where the OLED starts up with the RED logo against a pure black background, but once the camera's system starts "initializing" the black turns to a dark grey. This means that a contrast slider may or may not fix anything, if the camera system is sending a faded low contrast signal to the EVF. Does anyone notice if SDI 1-2 out send a faded signal to external OLED monitors?

Ideally the camera would send a more clear signal to the EVF, and then a menu setting would allow the operator to choose the contrast and brightness levels. But some users would be fine with a checkbox option to get proper gamma settings sent to the OLED EVF, rather than only having the lifted blacks option. However, RED staff is understandably remaining tight lipped about all of this, so we will have to continue to vote and see what develops or if there will be any further discussion. Which is at least a few weeks before we hear anything from RED again, while they review a support request for this issue. (as of 10/17/2020)

[James Sielaff]

Definitely read the red product page and see how much of a literal lie the product description is. "30bit RGB color representation, deeper blacks":
https://www.red.com/dsmc2-red-evf-oled-mount-pack



RED OLED EVF for DSMC2 and Red Ranger:

^washed out faded look. low contrast decreases visibility in some ways. Lowering brightness does darken the shadows, but it smashes the highlights too. slight posterization in darkest parts of image.


ARRI EVF2:

(similar results with Sony and Canon OLED EVF's)
Very open and clear looking, no problem seeing into the shadows. rich shadows. Options to adjust image to taste or use.

[James Sielaff]

Feel free to discuss any EVF related things here though. I am happy with the 1080p resolution of the DMSMC2 EVF, but it is just annoying to be using an OLED EVF that has less contrast than my LCD's, and knowing that it is a firmware issue and not a hardware issue. The lifted shadows are distracting and unnatural looking to me. And lowering the brightness makes the highlights look weird and artificially smashed. It is because the video signal of the OLED is so squished, that you kind of have to leave it in the middle to get anything remotely natural looking, and even then, it looks so different from every other screen I have, I wish I could dial it in a little more than just a "brightness" setting. I can't undo the lifted shadows....

[Blair S. Paulsen]

+1 on more options to dial in the look of the OLED EVF. For starters, the ideal setting might be impacted by ambient light levels, individual variations in visual properties, etc.

Cheers - #19

[Michael Male]

I'd also like more user adjustment in contrast enabled on my OLED EVF.

Thank you for starting a poll on this James.

[William Long]

Yes, I'm with you. I've always found it distracting in low light situations.

[James Sielaff]

+1 on more options to dial in the look of the OLED EVF. For starters, the ideal setting might be impacted by ambient light levels, individual variations in visual properties, etc.

Cheers - #19

Yes, I find I alter EVF settings depending on the situation. Not having that ability now is a little bit like a step backwards. At least I wish it matched the RED LCD, but it is even lower contrast. Thanks for adding your thoughts!

I'd also like more user adjustment in contrast enabled on my OLED EVF.

Thank you for starting a poll on this James.

Absolutely! Most of the people I've talked to wish there was an adjustment too. But support said I needed documented opinion, and not just word of mouth. SO, have to give credit to the RED support team for giving us this opportunity to get an update.

Yes, I'm with you. I've always found it distracting in low light situations.

Yeah, I find it weird. I get the idea behind it, but it is rather unexpected coming from an OLED. All of my LCD screens have better black levels. it is really weird.

[Devindra S.]

I'd like more adjustment options too

[James Sielaff]

I'd like more adjustment options too

Woohooo! If you think you have any friends that might be interested, please share the poll!