Voiding warranty - what other surprises are there besides Global Media batteries?

[Gunleik Groven]

This is new to me, but

We've had no issues with GMP batteries on our R1s

On our Epics, they've been more flaky...

Good to have an official statement somewhere on this, though...

[Meryem Ersoz]

But Red has provided the necessary information in the user's guide. The wiring diagrams are there.

A professional tool by it's nature requires the user to handle it in a professional manner. Red could build in a fail safe I suppose, but as it stands the responsibility is on the user where it belongs.

Not really helpful - not every corresponding device comes with a wiring diagram to show how it's wired. Moreover, with so many users moving up to, say, SCARLET, from camcorder world, it's potentially alienating to the user base - I don't see the point in that. Professional means you make money with your camera or aspire to - or aspire to up your game, not check the wiring diagram.

As I see it, this is a thread about how RED can communicate more effectively with its user base on certain issues which have caused problems for them and for their users. I'm trying to offer some suggestions and encouragement. They can take it or leave it. Same as it ever was....

[Rodrigo Prata]

Is there a list of Aproved By RED" third part gear anywhere? I was going to buy the View Factor V mount plate for EPIC and Scarlet but now I`m not sure if I can. I`ve always heard that they are proved by RED, but now, how can I be sure?

Thanks

[Benjamin Zimbric]

From the guys whose warranty was voided I can say it wasn't a battery problem. I've used these batteries for years on dozens of cameras, no problem. The problem really from my point of view is that I don't know what the problem was. I sent in my camera with all power supplies I used. They both cost me hundreds of dollars (AB plate and XLR to lemo cable). I got an email from a RED representative saying that the fault was not mine. The next communication was an invoice for the repair because I had used a third party power source. I asked repeatedly what the fault actually was. I was told nothing. Those two power sources sit in my desk unused. I bought hundred of dollars in new power sources because I don't know what the problem was. I was lied to by the customer service representative (fault is not mine, I will get back to you about what our technicians identified as the problem), and charged for something I may or may not have done to my camera. All I know is I'm out the money (I had to pay to get my camera back) and I don't know why I had to pay.

Like I said before, I will not trust RED again. I realize now they are not here to help me. They didn't want to see my power source to help diagnose a problem. They wanted to see my power solutions so they could say, "This is out of warranty. Charge him."

Obviously the problem was something normal for RED to encounter. They had it fixed immediately.It was scheduled for shipment back to me. The rep told me it was shipping out the next morning. What scares me is that right before the shipment went out someone said, "He used a 3rd party power source." And then I got charged. For what reason I don't know.

[Scott Crawley]

I apparently use a more broad definition of a Professional than you do Meryem. Being professional is less about whether or not you can con some uneducated chump out of their money than it is about knowledge, ability and conduct. Any schmuck smart enough to hire a capable salesman can make money at just about any endeavor they choose.

Aspiring to be a professional does not make one a professional. If that were true any jackass with the desire to claim a title would be entitled to do it. I might aspire to be a professional... surgeon, but merely wanting it doesn't make it so.

Schematics can be found for any professional level audio device, and those are the caliber of device we are talking about. Those who are moving up from a prosumer camcorder to a professional cinema camera have to be able and willing to raise their game accordingly. That is the responsibility of the individual and it can't be put off on the manufacturer of the gear. If they don't it could cost them some money.

Knowing that they have a crossover product, might it be a wise move for Red to do what they can to ease the transition as best they can? Sure it would. I won't disagree with you there, but these are the hard truths as I see them.

Not really helpful - not every corresponding device comes with a wiring diagram to show how it's wired. Moreover, with so many users moving up to, say, SCARLET, from camcorder world, it's potentially alienating to the user base - I don't see the point in that. Professional means you make money with your camera or aspire to - or aspire to up your game, not check the wiring diagram.

As I see it, this is a thread about how RED can communicate more effectively with its user base on certain issues which have caused problems for them and for their users. I'm trying to offer some suggestions and encouragement. They can take it or leave it. Same as it ever was....

[Martin Weiss]

The original thread where I learned about GMP 'issues' was pulled (I guess by you).

Nope, didn't pull it. I tend to pull threads that discuss other cameras, threads were people get personal, off-topic posts and trolling posts.

As said, I am using GMP batteries from time to time, read the forum quite regularly, thus have a self-preserving intersting in finding out about troublesome batteries — but I cannot remember "many" threads on power problems with GMP. There were some where people simply would not get power on their Scarlet/Epic, but I do not remember a thread where damage to the camera was reported.

I don't know if you are referring to this non-pulled posts: http://reduser.net/forum/showthread....l=1#post990509

[Lee Saxon]

My experience is that if you need to return something Red is going to leech every dime out of you they can, whether they call it a voided warranty or just a big restocking fee for some invisible scratches that won't stop them from selling an unused product again.

[Les C.]

Nope, didn't pull it. I tend to pull threads that discuss other cameras, threads were people get personal, off-topic posts and trolling posts.

As said, I am using GMP batteries from time to time, read the forum quite regularly, thus have a self-preserving intersting in finding out about troublesome batteries — but I cannot remember "many" threads on power problems with GMP. There were some where people simply would not get power on their Scarlet/Epic, but I do not remember a thread where damage to the camera was reported.

I don't know if you are referring to this non-pulled posts: http://reduser.net/forum/showthread....l=1#post990509

Glad you are coming from the same position that I am, just trying to find the truth.

I don't remember seeing ANY users reporting power supply problems with GMP. I only initiated this thread as I saw several users reporting that RED had warned them their GMP products would invalidate their warranty - and that one user who did get his warranty invalidated.

Not sure about the thread I thought was pulled? I remember, incorrectly or otherwise, that he'd said his camera was being 'held hostage' - and I thought his wording might have gotten it pulled - as he seemed very upset. But, google doesn't show that, so - if no threads were pulled, my memory must be failing.

I just read Benjamin's description of his dealings with RED from two posts above, and ... I'm not sure what to think? I certainly don't want to voice my opinions about something for which I may not have all the details.

I do think we should be courteous, avoid inflammatory statements - and try to give RED and Benjamin the benefit of the doubt until the facts are clear.

But, this sort of issue (a warranty repair) may affect all of us at one point, so we really should pursue clarification, as (at least) I don't have a clear understanding of the situation at all.

[Benjamin Zimbric]

Please feel free to ask questions. I only wanted to tell my story so that others could avoid the issues and expense I have encountered. Am I upset? Yes. I would much rather take a nice trip somewhere with my wife than supply RED with my money. Is that business? Yes. I didn't come here for the fun and the cookies. Came here to make money. RED did too. I just want some answers for my money. That's all. Or I want my money back.

[Brent@RED]

Our policies on third party stuff have been the same since day one. You use third party solutions that damage your RED gear, it voids the warranty. And when we have identified a systemic problem with a certain third party part, we have advised users here. I am a little shocked to see so much surprise on this subject given status quo for 5 years?

RED quality control cannot control the integrity of every part a third party makes. I know, obvious. So, if there is a one-off part from a third party manufactured wrong or poorly and it damages your RED gear, we let you know. Through various diagnostic reports from our IQC team, we can pretty much pinpoint a smoking gun that caused damaged.

Benjamin, if you want more answers from RED, directly talk to RED, not indirectly to REDUSER. Call/email nick - dot - grow - at - red - dot - com - he manages product support including repair/RMA teams. Lee S, won't dignify that claim with a reply.

We don't discuss specifics of customer cases publicly. That is between RED and our customer.
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