Red Epic EPIC-M, Operation Manual

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COPYRIGHT © 2012 RED.com, Inc. 955-0002_v3.3, Rev- B
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This recording technique permits RGB color processing choices to be deferred to post-production or to
be adjusted in the field to help a director visualize alternative color treatments, without affecting the
recorded RAW data’s image quality or dynamic range.
The camera’s monitoring path converts RAW sensor data to a white balanced 12-bit depth 2048 x 1080
pixel RGB 4:4:4 video signal. This signal may be modified using ISO, White Balance or other RGB color
space adjustments as desired by the operator, and is then scaled and gamma corrected to provide
VIEWFINDER, HD-SDI and HDMI monitor outputs at 10-bit depth in 4:2:2 YCC or 8-bit depth in 4:4:4
RGB.
Frame guides and other camera data may be added as desired by the user to one or more of the outputs.
NOTE: The supplied REDCINE-X
®
PRO application software can create and export .RMD “color
look” files which may then be imported as camera monitor path color processing PRESETs. This
information is stored as reference metadata, so that this color processing choice can be the
default value used in Post-production. Refer to SECONDARY MENUS > PRESETS for details how to
import and apply .RMD file metadata.
HDRX™
HDRx is an option for extending dynamic range up to 6 stops over the base Dynamic Range offered by
the camera. When enabled HDRx simultaneously shoots two images of identical resolution and frame rate
- a normally exposed primary track (A-track), and an underexposed secondary track (X-track) whose
exposure value reflects the additional stops of highlight protection desired.
i.e. if you select an HDR value of +2 and your primary track exposure is 1/48th sec, the secondary track
exposure will be 2 stops under, or 1/192 sec. The ISO and Aperture remain the same for both exposures.
During acquisition and recording, the two tracks are "motion-conjoined", meaning there is no gap in time
between the two exposures. This is very important to note because if they were traditional alternating
exposures, there would be a time gap between the two tracks that would show up as an undesirable
motion artifact. Both tracks (A & X) are stored in a single .R3D
®
file.
Since there are two exposures in HDRx mode, the camera is recording double the amount of frames each
second. For example, when shooting at 24fps, the camera is recording two 24fps tracks, which is the data
rate equivalent of 48fps; however after combining the A and X tracks in post-production you will see only
one 24fps blended image sequence.
HDRx provides multiple options for exploitation in post-production.
•
Blend the two tracks in post tools like REDCINE-X, Storm or any other application that supports the
SDK to create Magic Motion™. This blending of the two tracks comes with a slider so you can decide
just how much of each track you want to use. A preview window shows you the combined result of
your selection, or you can view each track individually.
• Combine the two tracks using MNMB (More Normal Motion Blur). MNMB is designed to emulate the
motion of a traditional camera with full motion blur. This is a tool created by The Foundry that uses a
new motion estimation algorithm designed specifically for HDRx. The shorter exposure (sharper
image) is blended to match the motion blur of the normal exposure. Again, a preview window shows
the combined result of your selection, or you can view each track individually.
•
Use the X-track data for motion tracking, then combine the X-track with the A-track, or just motion
stabilize the A-track using the motion analysis data extracted from the X-track.