REDRAY 4K Cinema Player

 

 

 

 

 

RED Digital Cinema has launched its new REDRAY 4K Cinema Player, an OTT network-based device capable of delivering true 4K content to 4K displays and projectors.

For those who follow RED closely, this product will not come as a surprise, especially considering the recent launch of 4K projection systems, but there are some interesting specifications and capabilities of the device.

Technical specifications

Perhaps one of the most revolutionary items in this product is a new .RED format, capable of carrying 4K at just 2.5MB/sec (20Mbps). This bit rate would mean that a .RED file could carry a feature film at full 4K resolution and deliver it on a USB or over the OTT network.

Compared to Blu-ray, their 1920 x 1080 video is about 40Mbps. Despite this impressive reduction, RED say they are confident in the quality of the format, and have used prototypes of the .RED format at even lower bit rates for commercial displays with footage from their Red cameras. If all these factors work correctly, RedRay will set new compression standards.

They have also improved some technical aspects of other existing distribution systems. Compared to Blu-ray, which is limited to 8-bit, 4:2:0; RedRay supports up to 12-bit, YCbCr 4:2:2:2; or 8-bit, RGB 4:4:4:4; achieving higher color accuracy or eliminating image artifacts.

In addition, it has 1TB of internal storage, which can hold up to 100 hours of 4K content.

RedRay is the only 3D, 4K playback system that also supports HFR (High Frame Rate). That is, with it we can play 2D or s3D material; up to the full 4K resolution (4096 x 2160); and with frame rates 24p, 25p, 30p, 48p, 50p, 60p (4K, s3D, at 60fps per eye).

Along with the playback of these .RED files, RedRay has the ability to play and scale H.264 files to Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160). MP4 files at 1080p or 720p are supported, but for 4K playback, the .RED format is required. For this reason, a license of the RRencode plugin is included for the RedCine-X Pro software, which is in charge of converting the images.

Additional RRencode licenses cost $20 each.

Connections

Output connectors include four HDMI 1.4 and 1.3 outputs for monitoring and audio. A television (HD or 4K) or projectors can be connected via a single 1.4 or four 1.3 cables. In addition, there is a dedicated HDMI output for 7.1 (24-bit, 48 KHx) sound.

Content is fed to the internal hard disk via Ethernet, SD card or USB 2. All media is protected against piracy by REDCrypt file encryption; and supports optional Odemax digital rights management.

For those interested in digital signage, RedRay also has the ability to drive up to 4 HD panels or 2 4K displays.

New markets

One of RED’s main objectives is to make RedRay a high-resolution playback device present in the projection rooms and living rooms of our homes. With this intention, RED is opening up to new markets, without neglecting the professional field.

Even so, there is one thing to keep in mind, and that is that it is designed to playback .RED files, not .R3D, so in no case it is intended to replace or make obsolete the Red Rocket cards (for real time playback in .R3D workflows). It has not been said that the transcoding will be in real time, so it is a solution for delivery and exhibition, but not as part of a workflow with dailies or postproduction (except if at the end of the process the RRencode is used to output a .RED file).

Odemax Platform

From a business point of view, probably RedRay’s strong point is the Odemax distribution platform. Content creators who want to distribute material through it will have a 70/30 revenue split. In the case of theaters, this split varies, although they will have access to the material shared by content owners on Odemax channels.

Although RedRay 4K Cinema Player will not officially begin shipping until the first quarter of 2013 (believed to be later this month), Red is already targeting the first orders, priced at $1,450.

From this page you can see all its features or place your order.