Redray 4K Cinema Player is ready to pre-order: $1,450 for high-res, high framerate home viewing
We got a peek at Red's Redray 4K Cinema Player and Projector back in April at NAB, but now you can bring the player portion of it to your own home very soon. You'll need to bring your own 4K Ultra HD display but for $1,450 you can pre-order a unit capable of native 4,096 × 2,160 or 3,840 x 2,160 video playback (in .RED file format) and upscaling. It connects to 4K displays via one HDMI 1.4 port or 4 HDMI 1.3 ports, with an additional HDMI jack needed to push 7.1 audio. It's even ready for the new high framerate 3D video that we'll see debut at theaters with The Hobbit. There's no mention of the Red Laser Projector yet, so you'll have to BYO 4K display, which right now would probably mean something by LG or Sony.
To get content home Red is also launching its nationwide fiber-based Odemax.com over-the-top distribution network. Red co-owner Jarred Land calls it the "only comprehensive distribution solution for 4K," with built-in DRM, sales and analytics tools. He goes on to say that the Redray player will begin shipping at the end of December, with volume shipping promised in Q1 2013. A new RRencoder plugin for the Redcine-X viewer will launch in mid-December for converting external footage to the .RED format, and finally Odemax is scheduled to come online in January in time for the Sundance film festival. Check for more details after the break, plus a few more pics and a press release with all the specs.
According to Red, its player bests Blu-ray in more than just resolution, with support for 12-bit 4:2:2 color precision, as compared to Blu's 8-bit, 4:2:0 limitations. Redray is packing 1TB of storage onboard, but it may not need all of it with its ability to play back 4K video encoded at as little as 2.5MB/s, from the internal drive or USB/SD card inputs. While we've seen another 4K distribution from Sony, Red says its is the first to support HFR 3D at 48 or 60fps. Control is handled via an included IR remote, iPad app, or by IP with home automation equipment. Anyone who can afford the player, a capable display and a home theater to put it all in will probably appreciate that touch
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RED Digital Cinema is now taking pre-orders for the REDRAY® 4K Cinema Player.
With the recent launch of 4K resolution displays and projectors into the Consumer Electronics market, REDRAY fills a crucial role as an OTT network based appliance, and is the first media source capable of providing true 4K content to these displays.
REDRAY's debut will come as no surprise to those who have followed RED closely, yet the specs and capabilities of REDRAY are sure to generate excitement from cinema purists and consumers alike. Future-proof resolution and wide dynamic range and have contributed to the rapid growth of 4K imaging for cinema and advertising.
Along with playing 4K .RED files, REDRAY features the ability to play back and upscale H.264 based HD files to Ultra HD resolution (3840×2160). Compared to existing distribution methods such as Blu-ray, which are limited to 8-bit, 4:2:0 color precision, REDRAY supports up to 12-bit 4:2:2 color precision to eliminate image artifacts and deliver a truly cinematic visual experience.
Equally impressive as the output fidelity is REDRAY's exceptionally low 4K data rate averaging less than 2.5MB/s, which means a .RED file can deliver a feature-length film at full 4K resolution on a USB flash drive or via an OTT media network. With 1TB of internal storage, REDRAY supports up to 100 hours of 4K content.
REDRAY 4K media is protected against piracy by REDCrypt file encryption and supports optional ODEMAX™ digital rights management.
REDRAY connects to your HD or 4K TV/Projector via a single HDMI 1.4 cable, or four HDMI 1.3 cables, plus a dedicated HDMI output for 7.1 channel 24-bit 48KHz surround sound audio. For those interested in digital signage, a single REDRAY can simultaneously drive up to four HD panels or two 4K displays creating an immersive advertising opportunity for those looking to expand their branding.
REDRAY is the only 4K 3D playback system to support high frame rate playback (4K 3D at 48 or 60fps), allowing viewers the opportunity to experience the very latest technical developments in 3D filmmaking. Using the included IR remote or the REDRAY iOS application (available from the Apple App Store), users can connect to REDRAY via wireless network to select and manage their 4K and HD content, stored on the internal 1TB capacity hard disk drive.
Pre-order a REDRAY now. Volume shipments to commence in Q1 2013.
In 2006, RED Digital Cinema began a revolution with the 4K RED ONE digital cinema camera. By 2008, the camera that changed cinema also began to change the world of stills. The same camera being used to shoot features like The Hobbit and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was being used to shoot covers for magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Additionally, the 5K EPIC and SCARLET cameras are built around a modular foundation that gives the flexibility of full customization for each shoot. For more information, visit www.red.com.
