ARRI ALEXA 35 SUP 1.3.0 Software Update Released – Includes ProRes 3.8K 16:9 Format and More

Software Update

by Alexandra ThompsonJuly 4^th, 2024

ALEXA 35 just got a software update (SUP 1.3.0) that includes a new recording format – ProRes 3.8K 16:9 – improvements to the AEM-1 (output monitoring), plus Wi-Fi performance and frame-by-frame metadata enhancements. The update also contains “changes to the software architecture to prepare for the release of ALEXA 35 SUP 2.0.0, which will support the ALEXA 35 Live – Multicam System”. Let’s have a closer look.

ARRI’s ALEXA 35 was released in 2022, featuring a new Super 35 4.6K sensor, which offers 17 stops of dynamic range, improved low-light performance, and natural skin tones. We put it through its paces in our extensive Lab Test, and it passed with flying colors. Now, the addition of the ProRes 3.8K 16:9 format should make a lot of users happy.

ProRes 3.8K 16:9

This recording format, previously exclusive to ARRIRAW, is designed for projects using spherical lenses and aims to produce 16:9 videos with 4K UHD resolution (3840 x 2160), ideal for achieving a lower data rate in ProRes while meeting 4K UHD requirements. This format uses a smaller sensor area than the 4.6K 3:2 Open Gate, 4.6K 16:9, or 4K 16:9 modes. The smaller sensor area allows the image circle from most Super 35 lenses to fully cover the format, maintaining image quality.

AEM-1 output and playback monitoring

AEM-1 is used on many ALEXA 35 systems, and now, in conjunction with the updated AEM-1 V1.1G, users will have better monitoring options, including the ability to monitor inputs as they are routed and recorded in the system. Additionally, you can monitor recorded sound during playback through the AEM-1’s headphone jack. Please note that these features are only available after updating the AEM-1 software to V1.1G, which will soon be available on the ARRI AEM-1 webpage.

Other improvements with the ALEXA 35 SUP 1.3.0 software update

Starting with SUP 1.3.0, the dynamic metadata will now accurately reflect fps and shutter angle values, a more up-to-date software stack will provide Wi-Fi performance improvements and stability fixes, and a Lens Button menu has been introduced with 7 new lens user buttons in the menu to support ENG style lenses. In addition, the EBU R095 Frame Line is now listed as a default in the ALEXA 35 default list.

ALEXA 35 SUP 1.3.0 software update – overview of new features

• New Recording Format ProRes 3.8K 16:9
• AEM-1 Output and Playback Monitoring
• Improvements to Dynamic Metadata
• Wi-Fi Improvements
• Additional Lens User Buttons for ENG-style Lenses
• EBU R095 Frame Line

Bugfixes and stability improvements

The major bug fixes are as follows (minor ones are not listed):

• Override on a Master Grip was lost if the Hi-5 lost and re-established connection.
• The scale factor is now calculated individually for each frame line A/B/C, and the frame lines are (de)squeezed
  individually.
• The Rec/Info section of the Webremote now accurately represents a two-letter camera index.
• Switching from LDS to an LDA table no longer changes the iris limit.
• Occasional flickering of the first two lines in the MVF-2 OLED does not occur anymore.
• ECS devices can now start/stop recording even if a recording is started during active playback.
• Headphone monitoring now has audio even if both channels are set to “Internal Mic L.”
• Changing shutter or fps values no longer provokes a temporary wrong temperature warning.
• Return In displays a correct image in Open Gate Sensor modes.
• Clip recovery from a power loss during recording has been improved.
• The side display backlight turns off 3 seconds after being sent to sleep instead of 40.

Price and availability

This SUP update applies to all previously shipped ALEXA 35 cameras, but ARRI recommends that the cameras not be updated in the middle of a production. In addition, the company has stated: “SUP 1.3.0 contains a bug where the PreRecording duration can not be adjusted. If this is necessary for your workflow, please use SUP 1.2.3.” For more information, you can download and refer to ARRI’s release notes.

Do you work with ARRI ALEXA 35 cameras? Is this update something you’ve been looking forward to? Let us know in the comments!