ARRI has released new SUPs for ALEXA 35 and the CCM-1. ARRI is bringing parallel use of the MVF-2 and CCM-1 via the VF connector to the ALEXA 35, as well as custom color management for ALF4 look files, sensor-level zooming, AUX Axis control and they have also managed to triple the brightness of the CCM-1 when using a single VF cable.
Further updates include the ability to change EI during a recording, a new WiFi power user button and many stability improvements.
ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2.1
Overview of New Features
- CCM-1 and MVF-2 parallel use
- CCM-1 Zoom using sensor zoom
- Custom Color Management
- EI change during recording
- WiFi Power User Button
- Hi-5 AUX Axis Support
- Side Display Error Codes
- Bugfixes and stability improvements
The following versions are included with ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2.1:
- Multi Viewfinder MVF-2: 3.23
- LPL Mount: 1.52
- PL Mount (LBUS): 1.96
- PL Mount (Hirose): 1.96
- EF Mount (LBUS): 1.14
- Camera Access Protocol (CAP): 1.11
- mxf Library: 4.1.7
Building on the positive reception of the Camera Control Monitor CCM-1, ARRI are now enabling parallel use of the CCM-1 and the viewfinder MVF-2. Additionally, the CCM-1 can now use the in-camera magnification feature: simply double-tap to enable a true sensor zoom without upscaling.
The ALEXA 35 was introduced with a brand new color management system to harness the full power of the camera’s extremely high dynamic range and color fidelity. Part of this system includes high-quality ARRI LogC4 Display Render Transforms (DRTs) for outputting an SDI signal in the most commonly used color spaces, and while ARRI will continue to promote these as the best option for most productions they have had requests from some clients for more control over the color management process, usually to work with Print Film Emulations (PFTs), ACES or their very own color management.
In response to those request, ARRI has released this ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2.1 update, and the corresponding ARRI Reference Tool ART 1.4.0 update, that makes this possible.
ARRI Color Management, which was introduced with the ALEXA 35 and differs from the color management of previous digital ARRI cameras, contains two image processing steps. First is a Creative Modification Transform (CMT), which determines the creative look of the image. The CMT is based on a LUT that has LogC4 as its source and LogC4 as its target. This LUT can be imported into the ARRI Reference Tool and then exported as an ALF4 file, which can then be imported into the camera. Second, the LogC4 image output from the CMT is transformed into a display color space for SDI output. This second step is called the Display Render Transform (DRT), and conversions to the most common display color spaces (Rec 709, Rec 2020, Rec 2100 PQ, Rec 2100 HLG) are built into the camera. These DRTs are carefully crafted conversions that provide great looking cinematic images and are part of REVEAL Color Science. The advantage of this two-step process is that it is now possible to simultaneously output an SDR and an HDR image with the same creative look from the camera.
While ARRI Color Management is great for 90% of projects, some post houses want to control the entire color management in the camera, usually to work with Print Film Emulations (PFTs), ACES, or their very own color management. For those we have created Custom Color Management. Now it is possible to import three 3D LUTs intothe ARRI Reference Tool, which can then be exported as an ALF4c (“c” for custom) file, which gets imported into the camera. When activated in the camera, these files in the ALF4c control both the CMT and the DRT image processing steps. Items marked in red in the graphic below show differences to the ARRI color management process.
EI change during recording
During recording it is now possible to change Exposure Index (EI) values. It is, however, not possible to change between regular EI and EI with Enhanced Sensitivity (ES). Therefore, if regular EI was active when the recording started, all EI/ES values are inaccessible (greyed out, see screenshot below) and vice versa. User buttons for increasing/decreasing EI will work, but again, will increase/decrease only regular EI or EI/ES, whatever was on when the recording was started.
During in-camera ARRIRAW playback only the initially set EI value determines the sensitivity of the images played back, as the camera cannot dynamically track changes in metadata during playback. During playback of an ARRIRAW clip with Prerecording, the EI value that was set when Prerecording was enabled determines the sensitivity of the images played back. Note: when playing ARRIRAW clips back in the ARRI Reference Tool, the EI changes are displayed properly.
During ProRes playback you will see the sensitivity changes during the clip in the image, for normal recording and Prerecording.
Updating
ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2.1 can be installed on all previously shipped ALEXA 35 cameras, and we recommend updating from any previous ALEXA 35 SUP to SUP 1.2.1. However, we do not recommend updating to a new SUP in the middle of a production. Please read through the release notes, which contain detailed update instructions, before you update your camera.
Please note that the previous CCM-1 SUP 5.5.1, which was provided with all CCM-1s to date, is not compatible with ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2.1. Either update the CCM-1 first or perform the updates independently.
ARRI CCM-1 SUP 5.5.2
CCM-1 SUP 5.5.2 Changes overview
- Support for parallel use of CCM-1 and MVF-2 on ALEXA 35
- CCM-1 Zoom using sensor zoom on ALEXA 35
- Waveform support
- 3G SDI Level B support
- Others
With this update parallel use of MVF-2 and CCM-1 on the ALEXA 35 is enabled. Both devices can be connected to the camera simultaneously. Since the CCM-1 is using the image stream of the MVF-2 fold-out display in this configuration only the MVF-2 eyepiece will display live video. Only one of the connected devices can control the menu at a time.
Using the options MENU or HOME on the MVF-2 will display the menu on there, a press on the ‘M’-Button on the CCM-1 will hand it over to the monitor.
Playback is displayed on the eyepiece of the viewfinder and the CCM-1, not on flip out monitor. Playback controls are available on both devices.
For parallel use of the CCM-1 and MVF-2 the CCM-1 must run CCM-1 SUP 5.5.2 or later. Operation of CCM-1 SUP 5.5.1 or earlier is not supported with ALEXA 35 SUP 1.2.1.
Improved zoom
Improved zoom with ALEXA 35 & CCM-1 ALEXA 35 with SUP 1.2.1 and CCM-1 SUP 5.5.2 offer the additional option to quickly engage the camera internal zoom and choose the zoomed area freely by utilizing the double-tap gesture and established swipe commands. To use the feature, double tap on the live image of the CCM-1 to enter sensor zoom and use the selector on the bottom right of the panel to adjust the selected segment of the frame. The position can also be modified via the ‘Zoom Position’ User Buttons or the MVF-2 wheel. This provides a 1920 x 1080 image directly from the sensor without any upscaling done on the monitor and enables a more accurate judgement of focus or fine details. Tap to zoom is only available on the CCM-1, on the MVF-2 use the dedicated ‘Zoom’ Button. The CCM-1 internal pinch-to-zoom feature is still available and works in parallel.
Waveform support
The waveform tool is now available as an overlay tool.
3G SDI Level B support
Previously 3G Level B support was not available. This has been added to the most recent firmware version.
Bugfixes and stability improvements
- Userbuttons are cleared when reassigning functions
- Frame guides now respect crop & scale
- SmallHD false color and peaking overlays are not applied to camera overlays
- Backlight tool accessible when no additional power connected
- Stability improvements over ethernet
