RED Epic versus Blackmagic Cinema Camera - Part 1 - Grain, workflow and form factor

[shijan]

funny that this picture was posted on reduser forum. some people told their ideas about exclusive RED firmware in those drives but without any proof links. few days later moderators deleted the topic and comments as KGB agents :)

[Xiong]

regarding long life RED SSD look at this picture below. RED uses usual SSD drives in their proprietary overpriced mags  :) http://www.flickr.com/photos/91573748@N08/8309061458/in/photostream/

 

 

Well... that is intriguing. Wouldnt be too surprised if true.

[Leang]

Well... that is intriguing. Wouldnt be too surprised if true.

 

If I'm not mistaken Red isn't that big to manufacture semiconductor technology like SSD's, so it would be natural to outsource drives.  If anything, seeing how they are industry leaders in cinema it makes sense for them to price high for proprietory controller chipsets.  Regarding ''long life" just sounds like some flexible marketing as they would replace it within general warranty...

 

Unfortunately, it makes sense, regardless of agreeing or not, that you have to pay steep just for the proprietary (red mobo) controller and firmware.  I wonder if each controller is firm by number capacity when you order so that replacing the SSD might cause conflicts.

[Xiong]

If I'm not mistaken Red isn't that big to manufacture semiconductor technology like SSD's, so it would be natural to outsource drives.  If anything, seeing how they are industry leaders in cinema it makes sense for them to price high for proprietory controller chipsets.  Regarding ''long life" just sounds like some flexible marketing as they would replace it within general warranty...

 

Unfortunately, it makes sense, regardless of agreeing or not, that you have to pay steep just for the proprietary (red mobo) controller and firmware.  I wonder if each controller is firm by number capacity when you order so that replacing the SSD might cause conflicts.

 

Would love some one to give it a test drive, im sure its possible.

[EpicFanBoy]

It's always been expensive to use proprietary recording mediums on Pro systems (think SxS or P2).

 

The Sony F5/F55 will have similarly priced mags...the 4K/RAW AXSM cards (for external recording) will probably end up at a similar price point to Redmags, and what are the odds that, once one is cracked open, that'll have a SSD in it? Plus they're using SxS pro for internal recording internal formats - and they're not cheap.

 

It's all about stopping 3rd party recording options. Look at the trouble/issues with sdhc cards and various speeds vs systems vs manufactured. I'm sure the BMCC will have issues with preferred SSD's (which will be the more pricy models)... ie some work better than others.

 

Sony are following Red (and Arri) in terms of controlling the data acquisition system for their high end machines. 

 

... and yes, they probably all make a good profit. But this is the highest end of the industry, not camcorders or DSLRs and it always has (and always will be) an expensive game at the top end.

 

An EVF for a Red or F5/55 costs as much as some people want to pay for a full system.

 

As the process of democratisation has brought technology prices down, people still loose sight of  the fact that it's all about bottom line. RED probably make more from Redmags than any other item... Sony will (in comparative terms) only sell a handful of F5/55's in comparison to the amount of cheaper/lower-end pro-sumer systems, so it's all about large profit on higher ends stuff and lower margins (but greater volume) on prosumer.