Review External SSD Freefly Ember

FREEFLY EMBER EXTERNAL SSD REVIEW

FREEFLY EMBER AND ITS NEW EXTERNAL SSD PRE-RECORDING FUNCTION

• The Freefly Ember has been a revolutionary camera in the high-speed digital cinema arena for its compact design, impressive image quality and focus on operational simplicity. Freefly has succeeded in bringing to the audiovisual sector, an affordable, good quality option for those occasions when you need to record in slow motion. Now, with its new pre-record function combined with the ability to record directly to external SSDs, the Ember is positioned as an even more versatile and powerful tool for productions that require precision, speed and efficiency.

wHAT IS PRE-RECORDING AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

• Pre-recording allows the camera to constantly record into an internal buffer, retroactively saving the seconds before the record button is pressed. In other words, it captures what happened before pressing "REC", which is essential in situations of unpredictable action or one-time events such as explosions, stunts or moments of wild nature.

• In the context of high-speed cameras, this function is critical: when recording events that last only fractions of a second at 1000, 2000 or even 4000 fps, there is no time to react. With pre-recording, the operator can simply let the camera buffer continuously and save the exact last seconds when the desired action occurs.

EXTERNAL SSD INTEGRATION: FLEXIBLE RECORDING AND EXTENDED STORAGE

• One of the big limitations of many high-speed cameras is internal storage capacity. The Freefly Ember already had an architecture that allowed direct recording to high-speed media, but with this upgrade it can write directly to compatible external SSDs via USB-C, significantly extending continuous recording time.

• The integration of external SSDs in the Freefly Ember brings significant advantages to the professional workflow. One of the main ones is longer recording time, as by not relying on limited internal storage, it is possible to capture long takes or multiple replays without interruptions or the need to download footage between each session. This also translates into faster and more secure backups, as recording directly to an external SSD significantly reduces the dump time and minimises the risk of data loss during transfers. In addition, the camera can work with light or uncompressed formats , depending on the needs of the project, offering flexibility without compromising on performance or image quality. Added to this is an important economic benefit: the lower operating cost, as external SSDs are more affordable, easier to replace and available on the general market, as opposed to dedicated or specialised internal storage. Together, these improvements optimise technical efficiency and reduce bottlenecks in demanding productions.

• In terms of compatibility, Freefly recommends the use of certified SSDs capable of supporting high sustained write rates, especially in uncompressed or high frame rate recording configurations. For optimal performance, it is essential to use drives with USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 or higher interfaces , and to prioritise brands known for their reliability in production environments. These recommendations ensure that the system operates stably, quickly and securely in all types of professional scenarios. This is essential for action scenes, explosions, sports or any high-speed situation. In addition, by recording directly to high-capacity external media, such as high-performance NVMe SSDs, continuous, uninterrupted recording is achieved, overcoming the limitations of internal storage.

• Adding external SSDs to the Freefly Ember requires the purchase of the Media Expander, which features a built-in timecode port and SDI video output (the camera only offers HDMI output as standard). Fortunately, the Media Expander is located on the back between the V-Lock plate and the camera. This allows it to keep its cubic shape, ideal for maintaining balance on drones or gimbals.

INTELLIGENT WORKFLOW

• The combination of the pre-recording function with the ability to record directly to an external SSD completely transforms the Freefly Ember camera workflow, bringing advanced professional capabilities - previously exclusive to large-scale cinema systems - into a compact and agile format. This feature allows a pre-record buffer to be set, for example, 4 seconds at 1000 fps, during which the camera remains in a standby state, continuously capturing to temporary memory. At the exact moment the key event occurs, the operator presses "REC" and the camera automatically saves the seconds before - and, if desired, after - directly to the external SSD. This eliminates the need to predict the exact moment of action and ensures that nothing important is missed, even in extremely fast or spontaneous situations.

• This setup also contributes to a drastic reduction in downtime between shots, as it eliminates the need to download footage after each clip, allowing you to work more smoothly during the shoot. All of this translates into greater simplicity on set: with fewer technical steps, the crew can focus more on creative execution and less on camera logistics. In terms of quality, the Ember continues to offer support for open and professional formats such as ProRes or RAW, providing flexibility for both light workflows and demanding post-production.

KEY ADVANTAGE

• The new pre-recording feature with direct recording to external SSDs makes the Freefly Ember an even more powerful and affordable high-speed camera. This implementation of external SSDs not only improves technical performance, but also radically optimises workflow, which is crucial in production environments where every second counts. Thanks to these improvements, the Ember consolidates its position as one of the most innovative and practical slow motion cameras on the market.