RED's New Global Vision: V-RAPTOR [X] and V-RAPTOR XL [X]

Global Vision

V-RAPTOR [X] and V-RAPTOR XL [X] both feature a global shutter — advanced sensor technology that reads all sensor data instantaneously, in contrast to the more common ‘rolling’ shutter approach that reads sensor data line-by-line and can lead to motion artifacts. However, in the age of Virtual Production, global shutter technology can do much more than eliminate flash-banding and temporal aliasing, thanks to a new suite of tools from RED known as Global Vision.

Part of Global Vision is PhantomTrack, which works with the global shutter in V-RAPTOR [X] and V-RAPTOR XL [X] to enable support for GhostFrame™, and other frame re-mapping technologies, that do advanced sub-frame slicing of the ‘frustum’ in a virtual production environment (the region of the virtual production environment that appears as a viewport to the camera). PhantomTrack captures distinct R3D clip files per sub-frame slice and allows for independent ‘slice-monitoring’ on-set over SDI. Global Vision also includes Extended Highlights, which allows the new bodies to see further into the highlights of a scene, providing more detail for HDR finishes as well as even softer and more subtle highlight roll-off when preparing SDR deliverables.

Like their forerunners, the new camera bodies provide the same independent SDI outs, lens mount options, and CF Express Type B media capable of capturing high data-rate formats such as 120 fps in 8K. The audio pre-amps in V-RAPTOR [X] have been upgraded and the new camera’s sensor cavity was redesigned to mitigate stray light and improve contrast. V-RAPTOR XL [X] also has improved in-camera audio performance.

New DSMC 3 EVF

For those who’ve been clamoring for a first-party viewfinder solution from RED for their newest cameras, the wait is over: RED's DSMC 3 EVF is here. Building on the classic DSMC2 EVF OLED-based design, the new DSMC 3 version allows control of shooting frame rate, shutter, white balance, and ISO directly from the EVF with brightness control available from the camera menu. In addition to these controls, the new EVF also features improved eye cup retention as well as an all-new adjustable telescoping mount and extension arm. Of particular note to owners of the previous-generation DSMC2 EVF, these older units can now be adapted to current-generation cameras via the new DSMC3 Adapter A and EVF Mount.

For more information, including upgrade options for existing V-RAPTOR and V-RAPTOR XL owners to the new [X] versions, visit the RED website: V-RAPTOR Upgrade Program & V-RAPTOR XL Upgrade Program.