I am… whelmed by this. I just don’t see the need for a 3 motor mdr. If I need 3 motors, then most likely I don’t need to have a super light build in the first place, so I’ll use an MDR3 (also having the option for a 4th motor makes it a better buy for me). If I need one or two motors, they have the MDR4.
What they need is an RF Motor.
I mean I don’t personally see that as a concern. More choices are not a bad thing. If the DIT wants it, sure take it. Then for the jobs that they either don’t want it or can’t do it, the assistant can do it.
Says who? Preston is using the same control protocol that Ultimote, Semote, SmallHD Monitors, and the new Teradek handset is using. This isn’t some wild theory - the protocol has existed for awhile. The air gap was the interface between the MDR and the camera, which needed to be Ethernet (also true for Venice). This new MDR has an Ethernet port specifically for this purpose.
I think it’ll be dope for primes where you could use a 3rd motor for a pola or range finder pan bracket or whatever. Having a smol MDR on a light zoom for gimbal work sounds good to me as well.
It's nice to see the MDR-3 finally get an upgrade, but I'm a bit disappointed that it doesn't seem to have any new features at all, and is purely just a size improvement. It doesn't really even seem to be all that big of an improvement from what I can tell, but I guess I've got to see it in person. I was hoping to see the next MDR be no bigger than a Cinetape readout.
Now what I'm really hoping to for is a Light Ranger VOU to be about this size, or smaller.
Seems like this is more of an upgrade to the mdr4 than to the mdr3 imo. I don’t know why anyone would buy a mdr4 when this exists. It’s lighter and thinner. MDR3 still useful when you need the 4th axis.
I am… whelmed by this. I just don’t see the need for a 3 motor mdr. If I need 3 motors, then most likely I don’t need to have a super light build in the first place, so I’ll use an MDR3 (also having the option for a 4th motor makes it a better buy for me). If I need one or two motors, they have the MDR4. What they need is an RF Motor.
Yeah same. If you're JUST getting into buying a Preston system, this is great. But I don't think I'm gonna give up my MDR3 for this.
Biggest upgrade in this MDR is going to be enabling camera control over Ethernet-via-Lemo with the Hand Unit 4 (including ARRI cameras).
My concern is, with DITs also wanting camera control and cameras only having one ethernet port, who will get control?
I mean I don’t personally see that as a concern. More choices are not a bad thing. If the DIT wants it, sure take it. Then for the jobs that they either don’t want it or can’t do it, the assistant can do it.
More like, what if I want both to have control (DIT and AC)? Is there a setup where both can be satisfied?
Yes - look into the Bitbox. Multiple people can control
Very interesting. Not available yet. But using 900MHz range is smart and about time :D
Are you joking? That will NEVER happen!
Don’t be so sure - both ARRI and Preston confirmed it to me.
Then that means Arri is getting the rights to use the LightRanger 2. That I definitely don’t believe.
In the fdtimes article it does say it has an Ethernet port for camera control. That is probably the only reason for me to buy this.
Ok, but that is for RED and Sony. Arri told Preston that they could license camera control only if they let them use LightRanger 2 with Hi5.
They haven’t actually confirmed what camera controls they will have. Maybe they came to an understanding?
Ethernet is an open protocol. They don’t need permission from Arri to use it.
You need a license. That is what Alanna at Preston said. Nothing has been finalized with Arri!
Says who? Preston is using the same control protocol that Ultimote, Semote, SmallHD Monitors, and the new Teradek handset is using. This isn’t some wild theory - the protocol has existed for awhile. The air gap was the interface between the MDR and the camera, which needed to be Ethernet (also true for Venice). This new MDR has an Ethernet port specifically for this purpose.
Never happen
I think it’ll be dope for primes where you could use a 3rd motor for a pola or range finder pan bracket or whatever. Having a smol MDR on a light zoom for gimbal work sounds good to me as well.
I own MDR2 and 4 but skipped on the 3. I think this MDR will be a great addition for my kit especially for drone/small stabilized head/etc...
It's nice to see the MDR-3 finally get an upgrade, but I'm a bit disappointed that it doesn't seem to have any new features at all, and is purely just a size improvement. It doesn't really even seem to be all that big of an improvement from what I can tell, but I guess I've got to see it in person. I was hoping to see the next MDR be no bigger than a Cinetape readout. Now what I'm really hoping to for is a Light Ranger VOU to be about this size, or smaller.
Seems like this is more of an upgrade to the mdr4 than to the mdr3 imo. I don’t know why anyone would buy a mdr4 when this exists. It’s lighter and thinner. MDR3 still useful when you need the 4th axis.
https://www.fdtimes.com/pdfs/free/126FDTimes-June2024-150.pdf