2013Monitors forum
Tiffen Ultra Brite 2 monitor compatibility issues with Red Epic and Scarlet cameras
13 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Red Epic and Scarlet cameras output true progressive 1080p signal over SDI, whereas most other cameras output interlaced or PsF (Progressive Segmented Frame) signals that the Tiffen monitor may expect.
- Switching the Red camera to 720p mode can resolve the compatibility issue, since all 720p signals are inherently progressive and less likely to confuse monitors designed for interlaced formats.
- The Tiffen Ultra Brite 2 does not support 3G SDI output, limiting it to 720p resolution when used with Red cameras.
- Some Red Epic cameras have been reported to damage or disable SDI input boards on certain monitor models, though the underlying cause remains unclear.
- The Tiffen Ultra Brite 2 manual lists both interlaced and progressive format support, including 1080p progressive modes, but practical compatibility with Red cameras' true progressive signal remains problematic.
Depends on
- The exact cause of the incompatibility was not definitively determined in the thread.
- Reports of Epic cameras damaging monitor SDI boards are anecdotal and based on limited operator experience.
- The solution (switching to 720p) was suggested but not confirmed as working by the original poster.
- Whether a signal converter like a Decimator device would resolve the issue was discussed but not tested in this thread.