MUNICH, GERMANY — Arri (www.arri.com) has announced a high-speed version of its workhorse camera, the Alexa 35. The new Alexa 35 Xtreme is designed for filmmakers who desire higher frame rates, a high-quality codec that reduces data rates and much longer pre-recording times, along with lower power consumption and significantly improved WiFi capabilities.
Alexa 35 Xtreme is available as a new camera or as an upgrade to existing Alexa 35 models and can deliver frame rates of up to 660fps. This eliminates the need for a secondary high-speed camera. The camera benefits from a new and powerful main processor, as well as more and faster on-board memory. Frame rates up to 330fps retain the camera’s full 17 stops of dynamic range, while a new Sensor Overdrive mode allows frame rates up to 660fps at a dynamic range of 11 stops.
The Alexa 35 Xtreme is complemented by ArriCore, the company’s next-generation RGB codec that’s designed to deliver exceptional image quality at a more accessible cost by reducing data rates. At the same time, flexibility in post is assured since sensitivity, white balance and tint are not baked in. Switching to ArriCore is easy because on-set and post workflows remain consistent with existing Alexa 35 codecs and drives.
Pre-recording times are now 5x longer with the Xtreme. Pre-recording time is :30 seconds when shooting 24fps Apple ProRes 4444 in the highest resolution, or a full five minutes when shooting 24fps Apple ProRes 422 HQ in HD. Upgrades can be carried out at selected Arri Service Centers and will retain any installed licenses.