RED Build 16 Beta is finally upon us.  If the final 16 release delivers what RED is promising, it will only cement it’s existence in the production community. I can’t wait till my number comes up at this point, maybe i’ll just have to go rent another yet again.

AS always!!!! BETA test firmware – not recommended for use on commercial productions. This is especially important if you look at the last line of the release notes below.

Build 16, RED ONE camera BETA firmware v3.1.2 June 18, 2008

SUMMARY:
Updated .R3D file format
Digital Signal Processing optimization
Image Compression Optimization
addition of REDspace and RAW view modes
high contrast scene codec error mitigation
audio polarity and video sync correction
LCD image tearing reduction
Pre-Record Mode
support for 1080p 4:2:2 and RGB 4:4:4 playback of REDCODE RAW .R3D files
User Programmable Keys and RED-EVF menus
Tonal Response Curve
editable LOOK files names
no roll-back of firmware from Build 16 to Build 15 or earlier builds.

No Roll Back! Be wary of upgrading if you’re working your cam alot and you can’t roll back in a pinch, not to mention as RED always warns (as well as anyone else in the tech field) BETA builds are not recommended for commercial projects, i.e. any thing with money riding on it. Beta builds can be extremely unstable and could potentially leave you in the lurch. Also never upgrade in the middle of a project, especially if its Quicktime.