ARRI Software Update Package (SUP) 2.0 for cforce mini and cforce plus Lens Motors Announced

Firmware Update

by Francesco AndreolaAugust 7^th, 2023

ARRI has just introduced SUP 2.0 for their cforce mini and cforce plus lens control systems. The new software update is claimed to reduce the latency of the lens motors by half, effectively making them twice as responsive. The firmware update also brings a new Encoder Mode for cforce mini motors. Let’s have a look!

First introduced in 2014, the ARRI cforce mini lens motors are the go-to choice for many camera assistants on set. The company also offers the cforce plus motors, which provide some extra torque and are more suitable when dealing with stiff lens gears.

Both devices are now getting an update with SUP 2.0. As usual, the company also released a very in-depth Tech Talk video to walk you through the major improvements.

ARRI SUP 2.0 for cforce mini and cforce plus – improved responsiveness

With SUP 2.0 installed, the cforce mini and cforce plus lens motors should now respond twice as fast to the user’s input. This means that as you adjust lens parameters on your hand unit, you should experience a snappier reaction of the lens motors. This applies regardless of the hand unit model you’re using – whether it be the flagship Hi-5, the ZMU-4, the SXU-1 or the WCU-4. The Tech Talk video clearly illustrates the difference in performance compared with the previous firmware.

It’s worth noting that the new update only affects the reaction time of the motors, while their maximum speed remains unchanged. However, if you’re willing to sacrifice some torque in favor of speed, you can swap the standard 40-teeth gear of the cforce mini with one that has 50 teeth.

Encoder Mode for cforce mini

Additionally, the latest software update brings a new Encoder Mode that is specific to the cforce mini model. Essentially, it allows you to manually adjust focus, iris, and zoom directly on the lens barrel without the need to detach the lens motors. Unfortunately, this feature is only available for the cforce mini, since ARRI claims that the internal resistance of the cforce plus motors is too high to implement this function.

What’s interesting is that when a motor is put into Encoder Mode, full lens data can still be displayed on the hand unit and recorded or streamed by the camera. This can be very useful for virtual production applications since the cforce mini can now act both as a lens motor and an encoder, which are usually run as separate systems.

Price and availability

The new Software Update Package 2.0 for ARRI’s cforce mini and cforce plus lens motors is now available to download from the company’s website. The firmware update is free of charge for all users.

For more information, please visit ARRI’s website (cforce mini / cforce plus).

Do you often use the cforce mini or cforce plus lens motors? What do you think of the improvements brought by SUP 2.0? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!