The ARRI ALEXA SXT Software Update Package (SUP) 2.0 is now available to download for the ARRI ALEXA SXT camera system. This post describes new features and changes for all ALEXA SXT cameras that are part of ALEXA SXT SUP 2.0 in contrast to ALEXA SXT SUP 1.0.
SUP 2.0 features support for Wireless video, support for WiFi, faster frame grabs enhancements for the ALEXA SXT W only. Other changes aimed at all ALEXA SXT cameras include improved HDR monitoring and support for SxS PRO+ 128 and 256 GB cards.
New features and changes in detail:
Support for Wireless Video
ALEXA SXT W camera bodies have a High Definition (HD) video transmitter integrated into the camera.
The transmitter sends the video signal of MON OUT 3 to the ARRI Wireless Video Receiver (WVR-1) or
Transvideo Starlite ARRI-WVS monitor.
The ALEXA SXT W wireless video requires no setup in the camera's menu aside from power on/off. MON
OUT 3 and the signal for the wireless video transmitter are the same; whatever is set on MON OUT 3 will
be output on the MON OUT 3 BNC connector and will also be transmitted.
To turn wireless video transmission on or off:
1. Press the MENU button on the camera left side.
2. Using the jogwheel, select the ‘Monitoring’ menu.
3. Select ‘MON OUT 3 / Wireless video’.
4. Set ‘Wireless video power’ to On or Off.
ALEXA SXT W is part of a complete ARRI Wireless Video System, which further includes a stand-alone
transmitter, stand-alone receiver and an extensive range of mechanical and electronic accessories. For
more information, go to
arri.com/camera/alexa
Support for WiFi
ALEXA SXT W camera bodies have a WiFi radio integrated into the camera body. With the WiFi radio, wireless look control and wireless camera control from any WiFi device are possible. For wireless camera control, use the ALEXA Web Remote function (see ALEXA manual). For wireless look control, use one of the following programs (more are in development)
• Pomfort LiveGrade
• Codex Live
• Colorfront On-Set Live
• Filmlight Prelight
• Technicolor DP Lights
Interference-free operation
ALEXA SXT W cameras include three different radios that operate interference-free from each other
• ARRI Wireless Video System (WVS)
• Wireless Remote System (WRS)
• ARRI WiFi
Improved HDR monitoring (all ALEXA SXT cameras)
• Default look files for PQ and HLG
• Automatically matched status brightness for HDR
• HDR metadata
Faster frame grabs
ALEXA SXT W cameras include the new CMC-2 board in contrast to older cameras, which use the CMC-1 board. The CMC board holds the SD card. Due to the newer generation board, frame grabs can be saved faster onto SD cards with the ALEXA SXT W.
Expanded ARRI Electronic Control System support (all ALEXA SXT cameras)
• Live camera information (warnings & errors) on WCU-4
• Separate control of MON OUT 1, 2 and 3
• Faster Controlled Lens Motor (CLM) response
• Lens motor auto teeth detection for accurate WCU-4 lens data display
The ALEXA SXT Software Update Package (SUP) 2.0 allows Controlled Lens Motors (CLM) to respond faster to control signals. ALEXA SXT cameras with SUP 2.0 can automatically detect if a lens motor is equipped with 50 teeth (standard ARRI CLM-4 gear; slower but more torque) or with 60 teeth (standard cforce plus gear; faster but less torque) in order to show proper lens data information on the WCU-4. With the update, Alexa users will find a number of improvements for shooting High Dynamic Range (HDR).
Supported media for all ALEXA SXT cameras with SXT SUP 2.0 include now:
• SXR Capture Drives 1 TB (CDX-37019)
• SXR Capture Drives 2 TB (CDX-37021)
• XR Capture Drives 512 GB (CDX-3730)
• SxS PRO cards 64 GB (SBP-64A)
• SxS PRO+ cards 64 GB (SBP-64B, SBP-64C, SBP-64D)
• SxS PRO+ cards 128 GB (SBP-128B, SBP-128C, SBP-128D, SBP-128E)
• SxS PRO+ cards 256 GB (SBP-256D, SBP-256E)
• LEXAR Professional 3600x CFast 2.0 cards 256 GB (LC256Cxxxx3600, LC256Cxxxx3600 G2)
Cameras should always run the latest SUP so you can benefit from the latest improvements, features and bug fixes. We do not, however, recommend installing a new SUP in the middle of a production. The ALEXA SXT Software Update Package (SUP) 2.0 is available to order from
https://www.arri.com/camera/alexa/downloads/
