ARRI CCM-1 Camera Control Monitor for ALEXA 35 and ALEXA Mini LF Explained

by Jürgen MoorsJune 4^th, 2023

The new ARRI CCM-1 is a 7” camera control monitor for the ALEXA 35 and ALEXA Mini LF. It was developed as a collaboration between ARRI and SmallHD and the monitor will give you full control over all the camera settings of both ARRI camera models. Additionally, you will receive the well-known advantages offered by the SmallHD operating system. The monitor comes with a sun hood, a monitor arm, and all the cables, and sells for $5,600. At this year’s Cine Gear in Los Angeles, we had the chance to talk to Sean Dooley from ARRI about the new monitor. So, let’s have a closer look.

ARRI CCM-1 monitor

The ARRI CCM-1 is a camera control monitor that gives you complete access to the entire camera menu of the ALEXA 35 and ALEXA Mini LF, similar to the functionality provided by the ARRI MVF-2 viewfinder. The 7″ monitor has full touch functionality for seamless menu operation, and it features 5 user buttons that can be assigned to ARRI camera functions or SmallHD monitor tools.

Camera connection

The ARRI CCM-1 has a standard SDI input and output connector, but ARRI also provides a VF connection between the camera and the monitor. It is a single cable with a Lomo-type single-pin connector that snaps and locks into the socket. The VF cable will power the monitor, transmit the video signal and the camera controls. If you want to use the monitor’s full 1.300 nits brightness, you will need an additional power cable, however, you can also power it by battery with either an Anton Bauer Triton battery plate or a Bebob Micro battery plate on the back of the monitor.

A big advantage is that your two SDI ports on the camera will still be free for a wireless transmitter or an additional on-set monitor. On the ALEXA 35 you can use the CCM-1 monitor together with the ARRI MVF-2 viewfinder simultaneously, as the camera has two viewfinder ports. You can do the same with the ALEXA Mini LF, but there are view limits with the menu controls.

Monitor arm MAC-1 and sun hood

The MAC-1 is a monitor mount that comes together with the CCM-1. It is a friction-based 2-axes system featuring an adjustable monitor arm that can be operated with one hand. This could be very useful when you are shooting handheld and you want to adjust the monitor to a different position.

If you have ever used a sun hood that had to be adjusted with elastic Velcro straps to your monitor, you will absolutely love the sun hood that comes with the CCM-1 monitor. It snaps on the monitor front and then unfolds like an iPad cover. The flaps stay put through small, built-in magnets.

USB port

The monitor features a USB port for firmware updates, but you can also use the same 256GB USB stick that comes with the ALEXA 35 to record frame grabs or use 3D LUTs and ARRI-look files if you are using the monitor with an SDI connection.

Key Features

• 7″ Camera Control Monitor
• For ALEXA 35 and ARRI ALEXA Mini LF
• Touchscreen Display
• 5 Physical User Buttons
• USB port for 3D LUTs and ARRI-Look Files
• Includes Folding Sunshade & Tilt Mount
• Includes Screen Protector & Cables

Price and availability

Like every product from ARRI, it comes with a price tag that might shock you at first. But please keep in mind that you would use an ALEXA 35 or an ALEXA Mini LF mainly for bigger projects like feature films or high-end commercials. For such film projects, the paramount importance lies in ensuring maximum reliability rather than focusing on the affordability of the equipment.

You can purchase the CCM-1 camera control monitor in a set with the ALEXA 35 or the ALEXA Mini LF, or, for people who already own an ARRI camera, you can buy it separately. The monitor comes in a set together with the sun hood, the camera mount, power and video cables, and a small pouch. The price is around $5,600, and shipping will start in July.

For further information on the ARRI CCM-1 monitor, please visit the website of ARRI here and watch the ARRI Tech Talk video here.

What do you think about the new ARRI monitor? Would you like to use it together with an ALEXA 35 or an ALEXA Mini LF? Please leave us your thoughts in the comment section below.