Body & Sensor
V-RAPTOR is a svelte, slightly elongated cube-style design reminiscent of RED's KOMODO camera but larger in every dimension. The bare body weighs 4 lb, and features two independent 12G-SDI outputs (which may be mirrored as well) and a new Micro V-Lock battery terminal on the rear to allow for smaller batteries (75mm maximum) when shooting in hand-held, run-n'-gun situations. Like KOMODO, V-RAPTOR also allows for charging of the attached battery when powered via its 4-pin DC-In port.
Additional I/O ports include a 5-pin audio input (which can be broken out into XLR connections), a 9-pin EXT port providing timecode, genlock, run/stop and RED's CTRL protocol and a USB-C connection. A WiFi antenna and a top-mounted pogo pin connector with power for on-camera monitors (more on these features below).
An assistant-oriented display and menu interface on the camera's right side provides quick and easy access to frequently changed settings. Additionally, user-configurable screens, or "pages", can be be customized for specific functions like audio, monitoring, color and others. The camera-left side has a media bay that accepts CFexpress 2.0 Type B cards. RED has partnered with storage manufacturer AngelBird to create first-party 660GB and 1.3TB (availability TBD) CFexpress Type B media and as will continue to test other third-party cards for approved use in the camera.
The sensor used in V-RAPTOR has much in common with RED's MONSTRO sensor such as its "VV" designation (for VistaVision, a large format from the golden age of cinema), 8K resolution at 8192 x 4320 pixels and dimensions of 40.96mm x 21.6mm (46.31mm diagonal). However, dynamic range is said to be increased, to more than 17 stops and PDAF (phase-detect autofocus) has been integrated as well. The new sensor also boasts high-speed readout to significantly reduce rolling shutter and allow for a dramatic increase in high frame rate shooting. The readout time of the new sensor is said to be twice as fast as MONSTRO.
With the new sensor, the camera can shoot an astonishing 120 fps at full-chip resolution (8K 17:9) and up to 150 fps when set to a widescreen 2.4:1 aspect ratio in 8K. Other shooting modes include 6K (for an effective Super35 format field of view), as well as 4K and 2K where frame rates max out at 300 and up to 600 fps respectively (when configured for a 2.4:1 aspect ratio). There is also a 3K mode that matches the format dimensions of Super16.
Like the simplification of REDCODE (RED's 16-bit RAW codec) we saw with KOMODO, V-RAPTOR also receives a streamlined evolution of REDCODE with three levels of compression ranging from averages of approximately 180 MB/sec. in LQ mode, 300 MB/sec. in MQ mode and 360 MB/sec. in the least-compressed HQ mode.
New Accessories
RED has partnered with manufacturers like SmallHD, and Vitec's Creative Solutions group as a whole, as well as Core SWX to create an ecosystem of accessories for V-RAPTOR. They've also created there own first-party accessories such as their "wing grips", similar to those popular with KOMODO owners.
Designed in partnership with SmallHD, the new 7" DSMC 3 RED Touch LCD mounts to the camera's top pogo pin connector and provides touch control via a new custom user interface. It also sports a peak brightness of 1300 nits, and covers 100% of the P3 color space with 1920x1200 pixel resolution and a detachable arm.
New Redvolt Micro-V batteries mount on the offset Micro-V battery terminal on the camera's rear. These 98Wh (flight-safe) batteries can output up to 12A of current and provide both D-Tap and a USB port for powering other accessories directly. A slim two-position charger is available as well and can charge a single battery in less than 2.5 hours or two batteries in under 4.5 hours. A future firmware update will allow the camera and batteries to communicate and provide guidance on the total power draw to prevent "starving" attached accessories of current.
Collaborations with Creative Solutions have resulted in a new top-handle system, similar in concept to that seen on Panavision's RED-based DXL cameras, and a Tactical Top Plate with an array of 1/4"-20 and 3/8"-16 mounting points as well as two 2-pin Lemo connectors sharing up to 3A of power. The top plate also features a handy light to illuminate the side of the camera when in use on dark sets. A host of other accessories are planned or are coming soon.
Pricing & Availability
The V-RAPTOR is initially available in RED's unique ST Limited Edition with white camera body, at a list price of $24,500. It is important to note that availability of this version is extremely limited, and a production version with standard black body will follow at a later date (TBD). Please contact our Sales Team if you have any questions!
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