Red to unveil the Scarlet "pocket professional" camera at NAB

Details are totally sketchy, but it looks like there's about to be another Red HD camera to lust after: a posting from CEO Jim Jannard on the Red user forums confirms that Red will be launching a "pocket professional" camera named "Scarlet" sometime this year, with prototypes to be shown off at NAB in April. Jannard says the camera won't be a competitor or replacement for the Red One, but that's all we've got for now -- but you know we'll be all over this thing as info comes in.

[Thanks, MonsterDog]

[David Clark @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:11PM]

Did the Red One ever ship, or is it still vaporware at the moment?

[Nick Gold @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:13PM]

Shipping, has been for a while.

[David Clark @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:12PM]

Nevermind.. linked post..

I'm an idiot

[Richard @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:44PM]

I want to see an Oakley/Red crossover with a camera built into a pair of glasses.

[admin @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:52PM]

It'd be nice to see an XLH1 competitor from RED. I don't like the sound of the word "pocket," looks like they are trying to hit the Youtube market more than the lower budget indie filmmaker market. Even a competitor to the HVX200 and the cameras in that range would be nice. I just want a prosumer RED model to hit the shelves, and interchangeable lenses would be bitchin'.

[Rob @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:15PM]

I don't see RED putting out anything but a quality product. The current camera is super-configurable, I could see a smaller version that's more all-in-one (except perhaps the lens?), maybe a little less functionality, but still amazing quality. Something that will get people who don't NEED (can't afford) a full RED set-up. I think it's a smart move. How do I buy stock in RED?

[admin @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:44PM]

I'm confident it will be top notch, but they could easily hit the market that the HV20 is dominating right now, or even the $500 range (that desperately needs help, seriously). Basically, RED could create a fantastic camera, like the HV20 is right now, but that kind of camera isn't for me. And it's the term "pocket" that throws me off. I'm going to stick with my prediction that they are hitting the "Youtube crowd" who don't take it seriously, but want to have nice looking video. But I'm crossing my fingers for your prediction and the hopes listed in my previous post.

[Nick @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:31AM]

it sounds like they are gonna be putting out a competitor to all he pseudo HD handy cames in the consumer market. Maybe something for people that still appreciate HD and good quality video, but arent in the market of making films or buying a camera instead of a car. Many people are moving over to HD tv's as the pricing on the sets continues to drop. And why watch family videos in SD on an HDtv? its like still listening to your 8 track over you digital 7.1 surround sound system.

[David @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:41PM]

Yeah, Jim mentioned this last year at a FCP gathering briefly last year at NAB. Basically going to be a RED cam that will compete with Sony's Z1 and V1 and Panasonic's HVX200.

[admin @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:46PM]

Ah wow, good to hear. I haven't been keeping up with it. Looking to upgrade my camera arsenal this Spring, so I'll wait for word on this.

[BigDaddyM @ Jan 3rd 2008 7:21AM]

I was there, and what he discussed what still camera, not a small camcorder. A friend recorded the event (It was a FCP user group meeting at the Venetian) and even interviewed the Red team. In both recordings, he mentions a still camera. (However, in the interview, he was more elusive than he was at the meeting. Hmmm....

Of course, times change, but when I left NAB, that was my impression.
M

[David @ Jan 3rd 2008 11:10AM]

I seriously doubt that red will produce a still cam. The team they have is not in the still cam biz. They are all video people.

[tsecam @ Jan 3rd 2008 12:00AM]

People who have spoken with Jim (I think it was Mike Seymour from fxguide but I can't remember) have stressed the fact that this is not a pro-sumer camera, it is a professional camera.

[davec @ Jan 3rd 2008 9:24AM]

Scarlet will most likely be a much smaller, less-feature packed version of Red One and still with a 35mm-sized chip & recording RedCode RAW, which by all accounts is an awesome codec that will eventually work seamlessly & natively with Final Cut Studio 2. Rather than seeing it as a Z1 competitor it's more like a great 'B' camera that you can rig just about anywhere if it really is that small. Sounds more like a digital, 35mm version of the Aaton A-Minima.

[Lance @ Jan 3rd 2008 1:57PM]

If you want interchangeable lenses on an existing camera, try a Letus35 from LetusDirect.com. I have one on my HV20 and shoot everything with Nikon 35mm lenses. It's not a RED but I can capture 4:2:2 1920x1080 through a 35mm lens and straight to a hard drive. It looks freaking sweet.

[Shenzo @ Jan 7th 2008 12:55AM]

Do you do that on RAID 0?

[Orlando @ Jan 23rd 2008 11:12AM]

Lance,

How are you capturing HV20? HDMI via Blackmagic card? I was thinking of doing this. I expect it will be a while before we see a lower cost Red
thanks

[Ian Aberle @ Jan 4th 2008 6:06PM]

I just wish it would be out at NAB. I have a project this summer that I would love to use it on.

[Mike Curtis @ Jan 8th 2008 1:52PM]

Details are sketchy, but it is INCORRECT to assume that it'll ship this year. Prototype to be shown at NAB is all they've said. They said prototypes, not even functional prototypes. Look at the release schedule of Red as announced vs. how long it actually took to ship...and then to be fully functional (no audio recording onboard until very recently, for instance). They've shipped something like 250 cameras to date, and are (ever) at the precipice of going into bulk production.

So, my guess: non-functional prototypes shown at NAB.

Images from sensor over the summer.

Working cameras at IBC.

Shipping by NAB 2009.

Many possible release dates along the way, but hopefully they'll have learned from their virtually never accurate guesstimates for Red One ship dates to just ship it when it is ready.

-mike