ARRI CCM-1 Rugged 7-Inch Camera Control Monitor for ALEXA 35 and Mini LF Introduced

Accessory News

by Francesco AndreolaMay 30^th, 2023

The ARRI Control Camera Monitor CCM-1 is a 7” onboard screen with a maximum brightness of 1300 nits. It provides an intuitive touchscreen interface to fully control an ALEXA 35 or ALEXA Mini LF, allowing users to adjust camera settings, access menus, playback clips, and more. It is now available to pre-order for $5,620.

Just like RED did with its RED Touch 7.0” LCD monitor for DSMC3 cameras, ARRI recently partnered up with SmallHD to develop a camera control monitor for their flagship ALEXA 35 and ALEXA Mini LF camera systems.

This cooperation resulted in the ARRI CCM-1, which is meant to be used as an alternative to the ALEXA 35 or ALEXA Mini LF’s MVF-2 viewfinder, or as an addition to the EVF in a side-by-side configuration. Let’s take a closer look!

ARRI CCM-1 – features

The ARRI Control Camera Monitor CCM-1 is a rugged 7” on-camera monitor that was designed specifically for the ALEXA 35 (our Lab Test here) and ALEXA Mini LF. The device features an IPS LCD touchscreen panel with a resolution of 1920×1200, a viewing angle of 160°, and a maximum brightness of 1300 nits. Being a SmallHD product, it comes with a full set of professional monitoring tools.

The screen connects to the camera using the same VF CoaXPress cable as the viewfinder, which transmits power as well as image, audio, and camera control information. The monitor is compatible with VF CoaxPress cables of up to 10m in length, which can come in handy when rigging the camera on a crane, for example.

This single-cable setup is pretty convenient, as it leaves all the camera’s SDI outputs free for other monitors or wireless video transmission systems. However, the brightness of the monitor is limited to only 100 nits. In order to fully exploit the 1300 nits of brightness, a power source needs to be plugged into the device’s power input port (10-34VDC / 2.0A).

Camera control for ALEXA 35 and ALEXA Mini LF

Essentially, ARRI’s Camera Control Monitor emulates the appearance and functionality of the MVF-2 viewfinder, just in the form of a large 7-inch screen. Indeed, along with providing real-time video preview from the ALEXA 35 or ALEXA Mini LF, the CCM-1 allows you to adjust shooting settings and fully navigate through the camera’s menu system. It also grants access to the same home status screen of the MVF-2 and playback function.

The CCM-1 can control ALEXA 35 cameras running SUP 1.2 (or later) and ALEXA Mini LF cameras with SUP 7.3 (or later) installed. The ALEXA 35 has two VF connectors, which can be used to simultaneously connect the camera to the MVF-2 and the CCM-1. However, in order to enable camera control on the ALEXA Mini LF when an MVF-2 is already in use, you need to connect the camera to the monitor’s USB interface using an optional USB-to-Ethernet cable.

Design and I/O array

The ARRI CCM-1 features solid aluminum construction, measures 187x120x29mm / 7.36×4.72×1.14”, and weighs approximately 594g/20.95oz. The chassis offers 1/4” mounting points with locating holes on the bottom, rear, top and right side. Particularly, the bottom and rear ones are part of a removable block that can be replaced when it’s worn out.

The left side of the device grants access to the main menu button and four user-assignable buttons. Additional physical controls are placed on the back of the monitor and include power and back buttons, a joystick, and a lock slider.

All the input and output ports are on the rear side of the screen. They include a VF (CoaXPress), Power In (3-pin Fischer), SDI IN, SDI IN/OUT, 3.5mm headphone jack, and 5-pin LEMO USB port. This means that the CCM-1 can be used as an onboard monitor with virtually any camera equipped with an SDI out, if it is ARRI or not.

Finally, a USB-C port hides underneath a weather-sealed lid on the back of the monitor and can perform firmware updates or store frame grabs and look files.

Price and availability

The ARRI Camera Control Monitor CCM-1 Set is now available to pre-order for $5,620. The kit includes the screen, a foldable sun hood with a snap-on design, the Monitor Arm for Camera MAC-1, an 0.5m/1.5ft. VF cable, and an RS-RS/PWR IN cable of the same length.

For more information, please visit ARRI’s website here.

What do you think of the ARRI CCM-1 Camera Control Monitor? Would you ever use it as an onboard monitor with non-ARRI cameras? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!