RED Epic User manual

Version 1.4.0 SVN 29352 BETA
APRIL 21, 2011 ©2011 RED.COM INC.
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS ............... 1
DISCLAIMER ................................. 3
Copyright Notice........................ 3
Trademark Disclaimer................ 3
COMPLIANCE ............................... 4
Industrial Canada Emission
Compliance Statements ............ 4
Federal Communications
Commission (FCC)
Statement .................................. 4
Australia and New Zealand
Statement .................................. 5
Japan Statements...................... 5
European
Union Compliance
Statements ................................ 5
BEFORE YOU START ................... 7
Important Safety
Instructions................................ 7
THEORY OF OPERATION............10
MYSTERIUM X® Sensor ..........10
Image Processing .....................10
HDRx™.....................................11
Magic Motion™ ........................12
Audio Recording.......................12
Microphone Level Analog
Inputs........................................12
Line Level Analog Inputs...........13
Video Monitoring Outputs.........13
Bomb EVF ............................13
RED LCD..............................13
HD-SDI.................................13
HDMI ....................................14
RED LCD / Bomb EVF® ...........14
REDmote®................................15
Digital Magazine (Media)...........16
Metadata ..............................16
Clip Naming
Conventions .........................17
SMPTE Timecode ................17
Power Consumption ............18
CAMERA OPERATIONAL
CONTROLS ..................................19
Brain .........................................19
Side SSD Module .....................20
Side Handle ..............................21
Top.......................................21
Front.....................................22
Rear......................................23
Installation / Removal...........25
REDmote ..................................27
BOMB EVF................................29
RED LCD ..................................30
Touchscreen LCD.....................31
BASIC OPERATION .....................32
Power Sources......................... 32
Side Handle .........................32
External DC Power .............. 32
Power UP............................. 33
Power Down ........................34
Graphical User Interface
and Navigation ......................... 35
RED LCD/Touchscreen
LCD, BOMB EVF,
External Monitors................. 35
Side Handle .........................38
REDmote .............................39
Navigating Menus ....................39
Using Touchscreen LCD .......... 40
Shortcuts .............................40
Power Down ........................41
Lock / Unlock
Touchscreen Opreration ...... 41
FIRST TIME USE – SETTING
UP YOUR RED EPIC.................... 43
1. Attach Power Source ...........43
Battery ................................. 43
DC Power ............................44
2. Power UP .............................44
3. Preparing to Record ............. 44
Connecting and
Formatting Media ................45
Performing a Black
Shading Calibration .............45
Adjusting Project
Settings................................45
4. Recording.............................47
Record Indicator .................. 47
5. Playback...............................48
MENU CONTROLS ...................... 49
Adjustments .............................49
Basic Setting
Adjustments......................... 49
Advanced Setting Menus..... 49
MAIN MENU................................. 51
FPS (VARISPEED) ....................51
Basic Settings......................51
Advanced Settings...............52
ISO (Sensitivity) ........................52
F (F-Stop) .................................53
1/SEC (EXPOSURE) .................53
Basic Settings......................53
Advanced Settings...............53
White Balance .......................... 56
Basic Settings......................56
Advanced Settings...............56
Resolution ................................58
REDcode® ............................... 58
SECONDARY MENUS ................. 59
HDR Menu................................59
HDR ON / OFF .................... 59
Stops................................... 60
Focus Menu ............................. 60
Mode ................................... 60
Zones .................................. 61
Exposure Menu........................ 62
Presets Menu........................... 63
Create Preset ...................... 63
Export / Import Preset......... 65
Delete Preset....................... 67
Media Menu ............................. 67
Select Media ....................... 68
Set media ............................ 68
Format Media ...................... 69
Eject Media ......................... 70
Settings Menu.......................... 70
Display................................. 71
Look .................................... 86
Sensor................................. 88
Project ................................. 89
Modes ................................. 91
Audio/Video......................... 91
Setup................................... 94
Maintenance...................... 101
Power Menu........................... 108
APPENDIX A: UPGRADING
CAMERA FIRMWARE ............... 109
Verify Current Camera
Firmware ................................ 109
Upgrade Procedure ............... 110
APPENDIX B: MANAGING
DIGITAL MEDIA......................... 113
Media ..................................... 113
Formatting Media................... 113
Media Capacity Remaining
Status..................................... 114
Eject Media from Camera
(Unmount) .............................. 115
Using REDmote /
Touchscreen LCD ............. 115
Using Side Handle............. 115
Using Side CF / SSD......... 116
Copying Media....................... 116
Erasing Media ........................ 117
Macintosh OS X ................ 117
Windows ........................... 117
APPENDIX C: CHARGING
BATTERIES................................ 118
Battery LED Array .................. 118
Charging ................................ 118
APPENDIX D: INPUT /
OUTPUT CONNECTORS .......... 119
Brain Front ............................. 119
MIC-1, MIC-2
(Microphone Audio) ........... 120

Version 1.4.0 SVN 29352 BETA
©2011 RED.COM INC. APRIL 21, 2011
22
Brain Rear...............................121
HD-SDI...............................122
Headphone.........................123
SYNC (Video Sync) ............124
CTRL (RS232 Control)........126
GIG-E (Ethernet).................127
DC IN (Power Input) ...........128
HDMI Out ...........................129
Side SSD Module ...................130
REDmote ................................131
APPENDIX E: REDMOTE
OPERATION ...............................132
Controls ..................................132
Still / Motion Toggle
Switch ................................132
LEDs...................................133
Zoom Rocker Switch..........133
User Function Keys............133
Menu Button ......................133
Soft Menu buttons 1-3 .......133
Navigation Group ...............133
Focus and Record
Button ................................134
Soft Menu buttons 4-5 .......134
Ambient Light Sensor.........135
Power / Lock Switch ..........135
USB Power Port.................135
Charging / Battery Life............135
Charging Using Camera.....135
Charging Using USB
Connector ..........................135
Charge Status Indicator .....136
Battery Life Indicator ......... 136
Wireless Operation
Battery Life ........................ 136
Connecting / Removing..........136
Physical .............................137
Wireless Communication...138
Power Up / Down...................139
Power UP........................... 139
Power DOWN .................... 139
Recording............................... 139
Accessing Camera Controls
/ Settings................................ 140
Changing Camera
Settings..............................140
Exiting Menus to Main
Screen ............................... 140
APPENDIX F: 3D SETUP /
OPERATION ............................... 141
APPENDIX G: EXPOSURE –
USING FALSE COLOR AND
ISO .............................................. 142
Underexposure (~ 2 stops)..... 142
Overexposure (~ 2 stops) ....... 144
Appropriate Exposure ............ 147
Adjusting the ISO Rating........ 150
APPENDIX H: POST
PRODUCTION............................ 152
Software Tools .......................153
REDCINE-X®.....................153
APPENDIX I:
TROUBLESHOOTING................ 154
No Media Attached ................154
Camera Firmware Upgrade
Hangs at Upgrading
Peripherals............................. 154
Apply Calibration Failed......... 154
Recording Halted: Record
Error - Shutdown ................... 154
Preset Could Not Be
Applied................................... 154
Power Spike Detected –
Shutdown............................... 155
APPENDIX J:
MAINTENANCE ......................... 156
Cleaning................................. 156
Camera and Accessory
Exterior Surfaces............... 156
Brain .................................. 156
LCD Screen ....................... 156
EVF.................................... 156
REDmote Screen............... 157
Lenses............................... 157
Side Handle LCD............... 157
Electrical Contacts ............ 157
APPENDIX K: TECHNICAL
DATA .......................................... 158
Technical Specifications ........ 158
Brain Dimensions................... 159
Front View ......................... 159
Side View........................... 160
Top View ........................... 161
APPENDIX L: MENU MAPS ...... 162
RED EPIC® Operation Guide
Version 1.4.0 SVN 29352 BETA
April 21, 2011

Version 1.4.0 SVN 29352 BETA
APRIL 21, 2011 ©2011 RED.COM INC.
3
DISCLAIMER
RED® has made every effort to provide clear and accurate information in this Operation Guide, which is
provided solely for the user’s information. While thought to be accurate, the information in this document
is provided strictly “as is” and RED will not be held responsible for issues arising from typographical errors
or user’s interpretation of the language used herein that is different from that intended by RED. All safety
and general information is subject to change as a result of changes in local, federal or other applicable
laws.
RED reserves the right to revise this Operation Guide and make changes from time to time in the content
hereof without obligation to notify any person of such revisions or changes. In no event shall RED, its
employees or authorized agents be liable to you for any damages or losses, direct or indirect, arising from
the use of any technical or operational information contained in this document.
For comments or questions specifically about the Operations Guide content, please send a detailed
message to [email protected].
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© 2011 Red.com, Inc.
All trademarks, trade names, logos, icons, images, written material, code, and product names used in
association with the accompanying product are the copyrights, trademarks or other intellectual property
owned and controlled exclusively by Red.com, Inc.
TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER
All other company, brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
holders. RED has no affiliation to, is not associated or sponsored with, and has no express rights in third-
party trademarks. MAC® and QuickTime® are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc. Intel® is the
registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Windows®, Microsoft Windows® and Windows Vista® are the
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. AVID® is a registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc.
NUKE is a trademark of The Foundry Visionmongers Ltd.

Version 1.4.0 SVN 29352 BETA
©2011 RED.COM INC. APRIL 21, 2011
44
COMPLIANCE
INDUSTRIAL CANADA EMISSION COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS
This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC) STATEMENT
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital
device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference
by one or more of the following measures:
1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
In order to maintain compliance with FCC regulations, shielded cables must be used with this equipment.
Operation with non-approved equipment or unshielded cables is likely to result in interference to radio
and TV reception. The user is cautioned that changes and modifications made to the equipment without
the approval of manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
NOTE: This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operations subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesirable
interference.
CAUTION: If the device is changed or modified without permission from RED, the user may void his
or her authority to operate the equipment.

Version 1.4.0 SVN 29352 BETA
APRIL 21, 2011 ©2011 RED.COM INC.
5
AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND STATEMENT
This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to
EN 55022:2006
JAPAN STATEMENTS
This is a Class B product based on the standard of the Voluntary Control Council for
Interference (VCCI) for information technology equipment. If this equipment is used near a
radio or television receiver in a domestic environment, it may cause radio interference.
Install and use the equipment according to the instruction manual.
EUROPEAN UNION COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS
RED declares that the equipment described in this document is in conformance with
the requirements of the European Council EMC Directive 2004/108/EC, Low Voltage
Directive 2006/95/EC, RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC and WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC.
This declaration is based upon compliance of the product to the following standards:
•EN 55022, Information Technology Equipment - Radio Disturbance Characteristics
•EN 55024, Information Technology Equipment - Immunity Characteristics
•EN 61000-3-2, Limits for harmonic current emissions
•EN 61000-3-3, Limits for harmonic current emissions
•EN 60950-1, Information Technology Equipment – Safety

Version 1.4.0 SVN 29352 BETA
©2011 RED.COM INC. APRIL 21, 2011
66
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) mark applies only to countries
within the European Union (EU) and Norway. This symbol on the product and
accompanying documents means that used electrical and electronic products should not
be mixed with general household waste. For proper treatment, recovery and recycling,
please take this product to designated collection points where it will be accepted free of
charge. Alternatively, in some countries you may be able to return your products to your
local retailer upon purchase of an equivalent new product.
Disposing of this product correctly will help save valuable resources and prevent any potential negative
effects on human health and the environment, which could otherwise arise from inappropriate waste
handling. Please contact your local authority for further details of your nearest designated collection point.
Penalties may be applicable for incorrect disposal of this waste, in accordance with you national
legislation.
For business users in the European Union, if you wish to discard electrical and electronic equipment,
please contact your dealer or supplier for further information.
Responsible party:
Red Digital Cinema.
20291 Valencia Circle
Lake Forest, CA 92630
USA

Version 1.4.0 SVN 29352 BETA
APRIL 21, 2011 ©2011 RED.COM INC.
7
BEFORE YOU START
Congratulations on your purchase of a RED EPIC® camera. Please read the attached safety instructions,
and only then unpack the camera body and any accessories. If there is any physical damage or missing
components for either your camera body or any accessories, please file a support ticket at
www.RED.com/support.
Figure 1: RED EPIC Camera
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
READ BEFORE USING YOUR CAMERA
A. Heed all cautions and warnings in these instructions.
B. Read these instructions before operating the camera and accessories.
C. Follow these instructions while operating the camera and accessories.
D. Keep these instructions with the camera and accessories at all times.
E. DO NOT attempt to modify, dismantle or open your camera, lens or other accessory as doing so may
expose you to electric shock and serious injury. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. Alteration
or repairs made to the camera, lens or other accessory, except by a RED authorized service facility,
will void the Limited Warranty. Users are not permitted to make design changes or otherwise modify
the operation of the camera, lenses or other accessories, without the express written approval of RED
DIGITAL CINEMA.
F. Only use attachments/accessories specified by RED.
G. Install camera and accessories in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
H. Avoid imaging of laser beams as they may cause damage to the sensor.
I. DO NOT use the camera or accessories near water. Avoid exposing your camera to moisture. The unit
is not waterproof, so contact with water could cause permanent damage to the unit as well as electric

Version 1.4.0 SVN 29352 BETA
©2011 RED.COM INC. APRIL 21, 2011
88
shock and serious injury to the user. DO NOT use the camera in the rain or under other conditions with
high moisture without appropriate protection, and immediately remove power source if camera or
accessories are exposed to moisture.
WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose the camera or accessories to
rain or moisture.
J. DO NOT expose your camera to excessive vibration or impact (shock). Be careful not to drop your
camera. Internal mechanisms may be damaged by severe shock. Mechanical alignment of optical
elements may be affected by excessive vibration.
K. ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE: The use of devices using radio or other communication
waves may result in the malfunction or interference with the unit and/or with audio and video signals.
L. Clean only using a dry cloth. When cleaning your camera, remember that it is not waterproof and
moisture can damage electronic circuitry. DO NOT rinse or immerse any element of the camera, lens
or other accessory, keep them dry at all times. DO NOT use soaps, detergents, ammonia, alkaline
cleaners, and abrasive cleaning compounds or solvents. These substances may damage lens
coatings and electronic circuitry.
M. Maintain sufficient ventilation - DO NOT block any ventilation openings or obstruct cooling fan airflow.
CAUTION: Proper camera ventilation requires a minimum .5” (1,25cm) clearance between the
camera ventilation openings and external surfaces. Verify airflow is not impeded by objects that
block or cover the ventilation openings. Failure to permit adequate airflow may result in
overheating of the camera, degraded operation and in extreme situations, damage to the camera.
N. DO NOT operate or store near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or any other
apparatus that produce heat. Store in a protected, level and ventilated place. Avoid exposure to
temperature extremes, damp, severe vibration, strong magnetic fields, direct sunlight or local heat
sources during storage. Remove any batteries from the camera before storage. Recommended
storage and usage temperatures for your camera, lenses and other accessories are:
a. Operating range: 0°C to +40°C (32°F to 104°F)
oStorage range: -20°C to +50°C (-4°F to 122°F)
If there are any performance issues with your camera or accessories when operating within this
temperature range, please file a support ticket on www.RED.com/support.
O. Do not bypass the third prong of the grounding-type plug on the power cord of the AC Power
Adapter. A grounding-type plug has two blades and a third “grounding” prong. The third prong is
provided for your safety. A grounding-type plug shall be connected to an outlet with a protective
earthen connection. If the grounding-type plug does not fit into your outlet, do not attempt to modify
the plug or outlet, consult a qualified electrician.
P. Protect all power cords from being pinched, walked on or driven over by a vehicle. Replace any power
cords suspected of sustaining damage due to crushing or other forms physical damage.
CAUTION: The power cord plug for the AC Power Adapter is used as the power disconnect. To
disconnect all power from the AC Power Adapter, unplug the power cord plug from the wall outlet.
During use, the power cord plug should remain easily accessible at all times.

Version 1.4.0 SVN 29352 BETA
APRIL 21, 2011 ©2011 RED.COM INC.
9
Q. Lithium Ion batteries may be subject to special handling requirements pursuant to federal and local
laws. Please refer to specific shipping instructions included with your battery regarding proper
transport of your battery. Do not handle your battery if it is damaged or leaking. Disposal of batteries
must be in accordance with local environmental regulations. For example, California law requires that
all rechargeable batteries must be recycled by an authorized recycle center. Storing batteries fully
charged or in high temperature conditions may permanently reduce the life of the battery. Available
battery capacity may also be temporarily lessened after storage in low temperature conditions.
WARNING: Do not expose the battery to excessive heat.
WARNING: Danger of explosion if an incorrect battery is charged with the RED Charger or is used
to power the camera and accessories. Replace only with the same or equivalent type battery.
CAUTION: Refer all service and repair to qualified RED service personnel. To reduce the risk of
electric shock, and damage to the camera or accessories, DO NOT attempt to perform any
servicing other than any procedures that are recommended in the operating instructions.