ARRI has released the latest Software Update Packet (SUP), v4.0, for the ALEXA and the new ALEXA Plus cameras. All new cameras will ship with SUP v4.0 installed, and it is available as a free download from the ARRI website for all current ALEXA owners. SUP v4.0 is a substantial upgrade for the ALEXA, with several major new features and a host of useful improvements.

Key new features of SUP v4.0 include (for both ALEXA & ALEXA Plus):

Image

• ARRI Look Files to create custom looks for monitoring or recording
• Auto white balance

Operating

• Peaking function for focus check in EVF-1 and MON OUT
• EVF ZOOM adjustable target position
• False color exposure check for Log C images
• EVF ZOOM and EXP buttons are now toggle on/off
• Compare stored image from SD card with live image
• RETURN IN video

Function

• Audio playback from SxS PRO cards enabled
• SxS recording can be turned off
• More silent operation at higher ambient temperatures
• ‘Rec Low’ fan mode for silent operation in extremely hot environments

Key new features of SUP v4.0 for ALEXA Plus include:

• Master/Slave lens motor control
• 3D lens sync
• Lens Data System (LDS) info display in EVF-1 and on MON OUT
• Lens Data Archive (LDA)
• Electronic level in EVF and MON OUT

In addition to SUP v4.0, ARRI is now offering its first Paid License Feature, which is Anamorphic de-squeeze in the EVF-1 and on the MON OUT. Please contact us for information on purchasing this feature.

To download SUP v4.0, ALEXA owners must login after completing a one-time registration on the ARRI website. The file can then be downloaded to an SD card for uploading into the camera. Also available for download are an updated user manual, release notes for SUP v4.0, a White Paper on ARRI Look Files, and a White Paper on ALEXA Anamorphic De-squeeze.

ARRI has just completed extensive testing on the new ALEXA Firmware 4.0, due to be released in early July. It includes so many new features that ARRI has decided to release a Beta version to all ALEXA owners a few weeks in advance of the official release date. This will allow ARRI to receive valuable feedback on the performance of the 4.0 upgrade from its growing ALEXA install base prior to the firmware’s official release.

Here are the key features of the ALEXA 4.0 Beta firmware.

For ALEXA and ALEXA Plus:

- Custom looks through ARRI Look Files

- Audio playback from SxS PRO cards

- SxS recording can be turned off

- Auto white balance

- Peaking focus check in EVF-1 and MON OUT

- False color exposure check for Log C images

- EVF ZOOM position centered or in top part of image

- EVF ZOOM and EXP buttons are now toggles

- HD-SDI Rec start/stop flag recording (without requiring SxS card to be inserted)

- Quieter “Rec Low” fan operation at higher ambient temperatures

- RETURN IN video enabled

- Compare stored image from SD card with live image

…continue reading ARRI ALEXA Firmware 4.0 Beta Release

Arri has quite the impressive booth here at NAB this year, and some of the crowd-pleasers include the new ALEXA PLUS, ALEXA Studio, and the surprise reveal of the ALEXA M. The modular ALEXA M is an especially great candidate for 3D work because of the small size of the camera head, which is separate from the back processing unit.

In addition to all the new hardware being shown, Arri has also announced plans to introduce 120fps shooting (full sensor, no windowing) in all ALEXA bodies. Watch my interview with Marc Shipman-Mueller as he discusses the features of the new ALEXA bodies and some of the future updates coming for the ALEXA software.

This year at NAB, AbelCine is exhibiting the latest technology in Phantom high-speed cinematography, digital cinema, broadcast, compact cine and high-end optics in our booth. In addition to this, we have launched two new departments, Digital Media Services and Training to better serve our clients. Watch our booth preview to see a sneak peek of some of the equipment we are showcasing.  Stay tuned for more reports from the floor of NAB 2011.

ARRI has released the latest Software Update Packet (SUP), v3.1, for the ALEXA and the new ALEXA Plus cameras. All new cameras will ship with SUP v3.1, and it is available as a free download from the ARRI website for all current ALEXA owners.

Key features of SUP v3.1 include:

- Full support for both the ALEXA and ALEXA Plus cameras.
- Integrated functionality with the ARRI Wireless Remote System (WRS) lens controller. This includes both generations of the ARRI transceiver module, known as the Yellow Radio and the White Radio.
- Communication with the new ARRI Remote Control Unit (RCU-4)
- Lens Data System (LDS) display on the ALEXA Plus. A later SUP will also capture this information in metadata.
- Dual SxS card recording. Both card slots can be set to capture identical files simultaneously, making backup file transfers faster.
- ARRIRAW frame grabs. In addition to the other formats already available, frame grabs can be captured in ARRIRAW.

To download SUP v3.1, ALEXA owners must login after completing a one-time registration on the ARRI website. The file can then be downloaded to an SD card for uploading into the camera. Also available for download are an updated user manual and release notes for SUP v3.1

The arrival of Version 3.0 firmware for the ALEXA has opened up a wealth of new options, one of the most notable being the ability to record audio to SxS cards. Since audio input is via five-pin XLR female, AbelCine has specially constructed cables to allow analog line-level audio to be input, while the A/D converter in the ALEXA will convert this signal to 24 bit / 48 kHz PCM audio. As of V3.0, an audio window can now be accessed to set level – this window allows for MANUAL or UNITY operation. Channel 1 and 2 can be directed to either left or right, and the sound roll can be manually entered as well. Reference marks are located at -20 and -18db for US or European recording.

Version 3.0 also brings with it timecode operations – timecode can be input via a sound recorder or a device such as the Ambient Master Clock. The advantage of the Master Clock is that it will alert you to any drift before it becomes a sync issue; if timecode is generated by ALEXA internally, the camera will drift one frame over eight hours.

This firmware update has definitely added some great new functionality to ARRI’s ALEXA. Watch my video to learn more.

Having completed a successful Beta release of the updated camera firmware, ARRI just released a final version of the V3.0 firmware for ALEXA. In addition to the increased convenience and functionality controls, ARRI has now officially made ARRIRAW support available on the ALEXA for the first time. Codex Digital is the first company to be certified as fully compliant for ARRIRAW recording with the Codex Onboard recorder. ARRI also introduced a new version of the free ARRIRAW Converter software (ARC) for use with the improved V3.0 ALEXA ARRIRAW files.

Details of other improvements included in the ALEXA V3.0 firmware can be found in our post on the Beta release.

To download updated firmware, ALEXA owners must complete a one-time registration on the ARRI website. The file can then be downloaded to an SD card for uploading into the camera. The ARC software is also available as a free download.

ARRI has also enabled a LUT Generator on the ARRI Digital website. In addition to preset LUTs (Look Up Tables), the ARRI LUT Generator can create custom looks for on set, dailies or post use. A LUT is a group of color and contrast settings that manipulates the base output of the camera sensor for a specific look. Creating a LUT is a straightforward process on the website. On the ALEXA, you can record in ARRIRAW using an external recorder or in LOG-C without “baking in” a LUT, but monitor on set using a LUT to create a desired look. The same LUT can then be implemented or altered in post.