Estimate recording times and media needs for Komodo 6K
6K 17:9 (6144 x 3240)
6K 2.4:1 (6144 x 2592)
5K 17:9 (5120 x 2700)
4K 17:9 (4096 x 2160)
2K 17:9 (2048 x 1080)
REDCODE RAW HQ (High Quality)
REDCODE RAW MQ (Medium Quality)
REDCODE RAW LQ (Low Quality)
ProRes 422 HQ (4K Max)
ProRes 422 (4K Max)
* ProRes on Komodo is limited to 4K resolution.
Calculation Results
Data Rate (MB/s):–
Data Rate (GB/hr):–
Total Recording Time:–
Estimations based on typical scene complexity. Actual VBR (Variable Bit Rate) may vary slightly.
function calculateKomodoData() {
// Get inputs
var resSelect = document.getElementById("resolution");
var resolutionFactor = parseFloat(resSelect.value);
var fpsInput = document.getElementById("framerate");
var fps = parseFloat(fpsInput.value);
var quality = document.getElementById("quality").value;
var cardSizeInput = document.getElementById("cardSize");
var cardSizeGB = parseFloat(cardSizeInput.value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(fps) || fps <= 0 || isNaN(cardSizeGB) || cardSizeGB 4K, use base. If 2K, scale.
var proResScale = 1.0;
if (resolutionFactor <= 0.12) { // 2K range
proResScale = 0.25; // Approx scale for 2K vs 4K ProRes
}
calculatedMbS = baseRate * proResScale * (fps / 24);
} else {
// REDCODE RAW Logic
// Rate scales with pixel count and FPS
calculatedMbS = baseRate * resolutionFactor * (fps / 24);
}
// Results Math
var dataRateMBs = calculatedMbS;
var dataRateGBmin = (dataRateMBs * 60) / 1024;
var dataRateGBhr = dataRateGBmin * 60;
// Recording Time
// Total capacity in MB
var totalCapacityMB = cardSizeGB * 1024;
var totalSeconds = totalCapacityMB / dataRateMBs;
var hours = Math.floor(totalSeconds / 3600);
var minutes = Math.floor((totalSeconds % 3600) / 60);
// Display
document.getElementById("resMbS").innerHTML = dataRateMBs.toFixed(1) + " MB/s";
document.getElementById("resGbHr").innerHTML = dataRateGBhr.toFixed(1) + " GB";
document.getElementById("resTime").innerHTML = hours + "h " + minutes + "m";
document.getElementById("resultsArea").style.display = "block";
}
Understanding Red Komodo Data Rates & Storage Needs
The RED Komodo 6K is a compact powerhouse used in high-end cinema and documentary production. Because it captures high-resolution REDCODE RAW (R3D) footage, understanding your data rates is critical for media management and ensuring you have enough CFAST 2.0 cards for your shoot day.
REDCODE RAW (R3D) Quality Settings
Unlike previous RED cameras that used compression ratios (like 5:1, 8:1), the Komodo simplifies this into three distinct tiers. This calculator uses these specific throughputs to estimate your storage:
HQ (High Quality): Used for VFX-heavy shots or high-end commercial work. This consumes the most data, averaging roughly 170 MB/s at 24fps in 6K.
MQ (Medium Quality): The standard setting for most cinema, TV, and narrative productions. It offers an excellent balance of file size and flexibility, averaging around 105 MB/s at 24fps.
LQ (Low Quality): Ideal for long-format interviews, documentaries, or web content where storage space is at a premium. It averages 67 MB/s.
How Frame Rate Affects File Size
The Komodo features a Global Shutter sensor capable of up to 40fps in full 6K and higher frame rates at cropped resolutions. Data rates scale linearly with frame rate. Recording at 48fps will consume exactly double the storage space per minute compared to 24fps.
CFAST 2.0 Card Requirements
Because the data rates can exceed 280 MB/s (especially in HQ mode at higher frame rates), it is essential to use CFAST 2.0 cards that are officially certified by RED. Non-certified cards may drop frames if they cannot sustain the sustained write speeds required by the selected compression setting.
ProRes on Komodo
While the Komodo is famous for R3D, it also records Apple ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ. It is important to note that the Komodo only records ProRes at 4K or 2K resolutions. If you select 6K resolution in the calculator above but choose a ProRes codec, the calculator adjusts the math to reflect the 4K recording limitation.