RED and Sony launches 4K Video Players REDRAY & FMP-X1 4K
RED a company that makes Red cameras has launched REDRAY a true 4K media player with HFR 3D support.
Are we ready for it? Blu-ray has just recently gone mainstream and there are many people who don’t even own a HD TV. To play 4K content on REDRAY you need to buy a 4K display to go with it.
REDRAY features the ability to play 4K files as well as upscale HD files to Ultra High-Definition resolution (4096×2160). REDRAY connects to 4K displays using 1x 1.4 HDMI output or 4x HDMI 1.3 outputs, with an additional HDMI output for 7.1 channel audio (for HD displays, REDRAY uses 1x HDMI 1.3 output). REDRAY also supports 3D playback at high frame rates (48-60fps) — more than twice that of traditional HD plug-and-play 3D devices.
REDRAY has a built-in 1TB hard drive, SD cards a USB port, and an internal 1TB drive. And an Internet download option so lots of ways to get 4K content in there and store it.
This all sounds good but there are is a issues. The Redray Player will only playback 4K content if it is encoded in RED’s own RED format its can also read mp4 but only at 1080p or 720p.
Sony has also launched its FMP-X1 4K Media Player and they are also launching a 4K video distribution service that will offers library of native 4K content not only from Sony Picture Entertainment, but also from other production houses.
REDRAY costs USD 1450 (roughly £945), more than twice as much as Sony’s FMP-X1 which has been given a price tag of USD 699 (around £455).
Whether the Red Ray player and sony’s FMP-X1 4K Media Player will have a same battle as Blu-ray and HDDVD? it remains to be seen.
REDRAY Specifications
DIMENSIONS |
316 × 61mm x 260 mm ( 12.4 × 2.4 × 10.2″ ) |
WEIGHT |
5.9 Lbs |
MATERIAL |
Aluminium |
OPERATING TEMPS |
Zero to 40 C |
STORAGE TEMPS |
Minus 5 to 60C |
NOTABLE FEATURES |
Network based 4K 3D Playback System. |
ADDITIONAL NOTES |
Unique to RED, this product is the only available 4K resolution signal source for Ultra HD flat panel dispays and 4K projectors, may also be used for digital signage applcations to drive up to four 1080p displays. |
RESOLUTION |
Up to 4096 × 2160 pixels, 2D or 3D |
BIT-DEPTH (COLOR) |
YCbCr 12-bit 4:2:2 or RGB 8-bit 4:4:4 |
COLORIMETRY |
ITU-R BT.709 |
PROGRAM OUTPUT |
4K DCI, UltraHD, 1080p, 720p |
PREVIEW OUTPUT |
1080p, 720p |
MEDIA SECURITY |
REDCrypt™ digital media encryption |
DRM OPTIONS |
ODEMAX™ digital rights management |
REMOTE CONTROL |
IR, 802.11n, Ethernet |
GENLOCK |
RS170A Tri-level Sync |
PLAYBACK FRAME RATES |
24, 25, 30, 48, 50, 60 fps |
DIGITAL MEDIA |
Internet download, SDCard or USB-2 flash media |
VIDEO FILE FORMAT |
.RED (4K), .MP4 (1080p, 720p) |
AUDIO FILE FORMAT |
.RED (up to 7.1 Ch) .MP4 (Stereo) |
AUDIO OUTPUT |
Up to 7.1 channel LPCM, 24-bit 48Khz |
OUTPUT CONNECTORS |
4 x HDMI 1.4 (Program), 2 x HDMI 1.3 (Preview and Audio) |
STORAGE CAPACITY |
1TB Internal SATA Drive |
POWER |
120 – 240V 50 – 60Hz A.C. |