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RED Baby Raptor Camera Sync Issues - GEN Display Requirements

Issue ID: TRIG-red-baby-raptor-sync-out-gen-display
Affected Equipment: RED Baby Raptor, Sync Box, Camera triggering
Severity: Medium
Status: [LIKELY] - Community experience based

Summary

RED Baby Raptor cameras may fail to output proper sync signals or respond to triggering, even when GPO is set to "sync out" and all connections appear correct. The camera's GEN display indicator is critical for proper sync functionality.

Symptoms

  • Camera sync out not working despite GPO set to "sync out"
  • No GPI (trigger input) setting visible in camera menus
  • Camera not responding to trigger signals from sync box
  • Sync box flashes but camera doesn't record
  • New camera units sometimes have persistent sync issues

Key Requirements

[CONFIRMED] GEN Display Must Be Green

Critical requirement for sync functionality:

  1. Check the camera's LED display
  2. Verify that "GEN" is highlighted in green
  3. If GEN is not green, sync will not work regardless of other settings

[CONFIRMED] Hardware Configuration

Basic setup requirements:

  • GPO: Set to "sync out"
  • GPI: Set to "trigger" (if available in camera menu)
  • Connection: Use 9-pin EXT port on camera
  • Sync Box: Verify dip switch settings are correct

Known Issues

[LIKELY] Hardware Quality Issues

Some new Baby Raptor units may have factory defects:

  • Defective units: Some cameras are impossible to make send sync
  • Solution: Return to seller for replacement unit
  • Testing: New replacement units typically work correctly

Cable/Port Issues

If GEN is green but sync still fails:

  • Test with different EXT to sync box cable
  • Verify sync box functionality with other cameras
  • Check camera EXT port for physical damage

Evidence

WhatsApp Discussion (2025-03-11):

Riley Morgan: "Anyone remember specific RED settings for the baby raptor and frame sync? Know there's a few posts but checking as I can't seem to get sync out and I think I'm missing a setting"

Ben Myers: "GPI set to trigger and GPO set to sync out"

Riley Morgan: "Hmm we don't see gpi setting. Regardless we aren't getting sync with gpo set to sync out"

Niko: "We had some problems with raptor and sync. A new unit was impossible to make it send sync and seller changed the unit and worked fine. Check on the camera led display that 'gen' is green highlighted otherwise it will no work"

Riley Morgan: "Gen was NOT highlighted green, we were trying to get frame sync out. Is it supposed to turn green when we're using sync out? It is green when we genlock (we're just genlocking it today)"

Troubleshooting Steps

  1. Check GEN display first:
  2. Look for green "GEN" indicator on camera display

  3. If not green, investigate genlock signal path

  4. Verify camera settings:

  5. GPO = "sync out"
  6. GPI = "trigger" (if menu option exists)

  7. Check if camera requires recording media to output sync

  8. Test hardware path:

  9. Try different EXT cable
  10. Test sync box with known working camera

  11. Verify sync box dip switch configuration

  12. Consider hardware replacement:

  13. If all settings correct and GEN is green but sync still fails
  14. Contact supplier about potential hardware defect

Equipment Details

  • Primary: RED Baby Raptor cameras
  • Hardware: MRMC Sync Box, EXT trigger cables
  • Software: Camera firmware (varies)
  • Related: Any RED camera with similar sync architecture
Source: WhatsApp Community Chat 2025-03-11