RED Digital Cinema has announced the RED Connect Module for the company’s V-RAPTOR and V-RAPTOR XL cameras. The new module allows you to livestream in resolutions up to 8K.
RED Connect Module
With RED Connect, you can stream RAW R3D files in real time directly from the V-RAPTOR and V-RAPTOR XL camera systems over IP to a camera control unit (CCU). The RED Connect Module attaches to the back of the V-RAPTOR or V-RAPTOR XL via the camera’s V-Lock battery mechanism. It also connects to the camera’s CFexpress media slot to create a high-speed data connection.
Streaming resolutions
The RED Connect Module will livestream RAW R3D files in real time at up to 8K at 120 fps or 4K at 240 fps. It also supports all other frame rate and resolution combinations offered by the cameras. In addition, it supports simultaneous streaming and recording from the CCU. The RED Connect Module features Genlock and timecode synchronization of multiple cameras and up to 10 Gbps connection via a single-mode LC connector.
XR – Extended Reality
RED says that the system extends the V-RAPTOR’s capabilities in virtual productions and new production environments such as live XR. XR stands for Extended Reality and incorporates AR (augmented reality), MR (mixed reality) and VR (virtual reality). The RED Connect Module simplifies your camera setup as you only need a single ethernet cable rather than a host of SDI cables, timecode and genlock devices. You can also stream 8K 60p content straight from the camera to any end device in the world of XR.
Jeff Goodman, VP of Product Management
“We are extremely excited to officially launch RED Connect and the new module,” said Jeff Goodman, RED Digital Cinema vice president of Product Management. “Live streaming of full-quality R3Ds over IP at every resolution and framerate, combined with RED’s sensor capabilities, creates an entirely new paradigm for content creation and broadcast. In early release testing, our customers have been blowing us away by what they have been able to produce. We’re excited to see what’s next creatively now that RED Connect’s flexible, open ecosystem is available to take content creation to the next level.”
What we think
The ability to livestream RAW R3D files with the V-RAPTOR is a very exciting prospect. It gives you the ability to stream high-resolution video with the sought-after RED cinematic look and color science. The pricing shows that the RED Connect ecosystem is clearly aimed at big-budget productions. However, hopefully, more affordable options will be released as the technology develops and matures. RED is going to showcase RED Connect and the RED Connect Module at the NAB 2023 show, so we won’t have long to wait to see just how good it looks.
Pricing and availability
The RED Connect Module is priced at $14,995. RED Connect licenses are available for one year or as a perpetual license. RED has also said that a one-month option will be available soon. Pricing for the RED Connect feature varies based on the length of the licensing agreement.
