Oct
ARRI has released the tenth software update for the entire Alexa line of cameras, ending the public beta phase that had begun in August.
The company states that many of the new features included in the SUP 10.0 (Software Update Packet) have been chosen following requests from cinematographers, DITs, assistants or rental and post production houses.
Alexa cameras have reprogrammable processors called FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), which allow upgrading their functionalities beyond the original features without touching the hardware.
Open Gate mode comes to Alexa XT M
Open Gate recording mode uses the entire sensor area. The Alexa XT M will now be able to record in ARRIRAW Open Gate in the same way as the XT, XT Plus and XT Studio.
ARRIRAW 4:3 “Cropped”.
This recording mode reduces the width of the captured image to 1.2:1, which is necessary to record the image produced by 2x anamorphic lenses. This function has been developed in order to achieve 96fps when working in ARRIRAW 4:3 with the XT and XR cameras.
ProRes 4444 XQ
The latest member of the ProRes family has been added in Alexa XT and XR. ProRes 4444 XQ is a 12-bit RGB codec that can work in HD and 2K with 16:9 and 4:3 aspect ratios.
If we were recording in Full HD at 30fps, its transfer rate would be 500 Mb/s, compared to 330 Mb/s for ProRes 4444.
New functions
In addition, several new features have been added that will affect the Alexa Classic, XT and XR.
- SxS PRO+ support: for ProRes and DNxHD recording on 64 GB and 128 GB memory cards.
- REC OUT = MON OUT: Two independent HD-SDI outputs are now supported in more recording modes, allowing a Rec 709 signal with overlays and an optional Look via MON OUT, while outputting a clean Log C signal via REC OUT.
- 180° image rotation: for recordings with Steadicam or ARRI UWZ (Ultra Wide Zoom) 9.5-18/T2.9.
- Faster switching from normal speed to high speed modes (60 – 120 fps).
- Independent peaking adjustment for playback.
- Lens Squeeze Factor” metadata field: the information must be entered manually.
- Adjustable status information: on EVF and MON OUT.
- Monochrome status icons: the rectangular icons on the left and right of the screen are now monochrome in order to be less distracting.
The SUP 10.0 update can be downloaded here. ARRI has already announced that the next software update will bring ProRes 3.2K and checksum for ARRIRAW recording.
