What does RED mean to you?

[filmguy123]

I know a decent amount about cameras, current offerings, technology, etc. But I am not as proficient or knowledgeable as many of the users here.

I was wondering, what does RED mean to you and why? What is so particularily appealing about this camera over, say, the HVX200? What will it allow you to achieve, etc.?

[Stephen Gentle]

I was wondering, what does RED mean to you and why? What is so particularily appealing about this camera over, say, the HVX200?

Well, for one thing, it is around 5 or 6 times the resolution of the HVX, it has a PL lens mount for using cine lenses, the sensor is super 35mm sized, so you can get depth of field like you would with a film camera, it has 4 XLR inputs for sound, Dual Link HD-SDI out... I could go on.

RED is basically a digital film camera. The HVX is a digital video camera (although you can make it more like a film look with a lens converter, and by shooting in 24pn)

It will allow people to achieve the quality of a $100K+ camera for only 17.5k (+ lenses, accessories). The footage can be printed onto film for theatrical distribution, and look just like a multi-million dollar film, assuming that it is lit properly...

-Stephen

[Joe Aurili]

High resolution and high quality for a relatively affordable price.

Also finally not having to make all kinds of compromises like I have had to do with previous cameras.

Oh yea, and no more annoying tape!

[Blair S. Paulsen]

Everything Stephen said. I was looking at a Varicam purchase but the idea of spending all that coin and still working with 2/3" chips and not even full raster 1920 horizontal was nuts. I also was looking to get away from tape and the insane costs of the studio decks they require. The HVX is a tapeless rig but I have found both P2 and the Firestore solutions less than satisfying. The form factor of the HVX is also a tough sell to my client base that is used to my full sized Sony D30, yes its a perception issue but they are paying the bills.

Another big piece of the puzzle is the dynamic range of the Mysterium sensor, especially vs the HVX200 which IMHO only has 7 or 8 usable stops.

With the 4k RedCode RAW DCN I can create media with a serious shelf life, that is simply not the case with the HVX or even the Varicam.

[Sam Druckerman]

I agree with all the above.

But I would like to add that Red is designed to be upgradable. This is huge for me. I love knowing that when the next generation sensor is ready, I'll be able to upgrade my camera instead of having to buy a new one.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I also have to agree with all of the above. As a current HVX200 owner, RED is just what the doctor ordered. The whole P2 situation that Panasonic has is a complete joke (IMNSHO). Blair has it right with the dynamic range of the Mysterium sensor.. I could go on about further shortcomings with 35mm adapters and all that, but really, the HVX200 isn't even in the same league.

BTW: My HVX200 is for sale, since we're on the subject. I'm not even going to wait for my RED # to come up, I'm unloading it now and will just rent what I need in the meantime. I've already sold my 35mm adapter and follow focus as of the other day. Camera is in excellent - like new condition though, 2x8GB and 2x4GB P2 cards available, 2 spare batteries, all original boxes/papers, still under warranty thru next month. Nice camera, but I'm ready to move on.

[Petr Dvorak]

RED is something unbelievable and you can even own it.

RED is fullfiled dream from friendly people you nearly know, which ends in a right hands. :)

[filmguy123]

1.) What benefit is there with the higher resolution? High Definition barely has market share yet, and few people have HD-DVD players or TVs to play 1080 resolution. What are the benefits of 4k+ resolution?

2.) So it because of the sensor(s?), it is the same effect as having a redrockmicro M2, except not "faking it"?

3.) I know IMHO is "in my humble opinion" but what is IMNSHO?

4.) If I understand correctly, the 17.5k price tag is for the body, then lenses must be added, is that correct? Is there anything else that must be added? What do you need to have a fully functional camera?

[Stephen Gentle]

1.) What benefit is there with the higher resolution? High Definition barely has market share yet, and few people have HD-DVD players or TVs to play 1080 resolution. What are the benefits of 4k+ resolution?

a) Theatrical distribution - 4K printed to film, or displayed in a digital cinema looks amazing.

b) Downsampling - 1080p from 4K looks great too.

2.) So it because of the sensor(s?), it is the same effect as having a redrockmicro M2, except not "faking it"?

Yes

3.) I know IMHO is "in my humble opinion" but what is IMNSHO?

Um... I'm not sure, but maybe it's "in my not so humble opinion"...

4.) If I understand correctly, the 17.5k price tag is for the body, then lenses must be added, is that correct? Is there anything else that must be added? What do you need to have a fully functional camera?

Camera body, lens(es), something to record to (ie REDFlash, REDDrive, REDRaid, or HDCAM deck etc), battery (included, i think), Monitor (incl) or electronic viewfinder. A rails system would be handy for holding all that, or you could maybe bolt it all to the camera body or the cage...

[Dominique Grenier]

1) It allows you to have a digital negative of your film, so when, for example, 4K become the norm, your footage won't be suddenly obsolete and will last for many years to come. Also, the bigger frame allows you to crop in your image, just like you do with still photo, so you can "zoom" in your shot and reframe it any way you like/want.