Software Update Packet SUP 6.

0 for ALEXA and ALEXA Plus

Release Notes, February 29, 2012
Firmware 6.0:18052

Introduction
We are proud to announce the release of our latest software update for the ARRI ALEXA camera system. This Software Update Packet (SUP) provides an important new feature (DNxHD recording on SxS PRO cards) and several improvements for both ALEXA and ALEXA Plus models, based on our own R&D as well as feedback from film and television professionals working with ALEXA cameras in the field. Continuing ARRIs commitment to future-proofing the ALEXA camera platform and delivering lasting value to our customers, this SUP further enhances ALEXAs versatility and usefulness. All new ALEXA and ALEXA Plus cameras will have this SUP installed, and all existing cameras can be upgraded to this SUP. ALEXA M and ALEXA Studio cameras will have the same features from SUP 6.1 on. This document contains a detailed description of the new features and changes, a list of known issues and instructions for upgrading. Please take some time to read through this document to familiarize yourself with everything.

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New Features Overview SUP 6.0 is an update that enables the DNxHD license key for ALEXA and ALEXA Plus cameras. Here is an overview of the features in SUP 6.0. Each feature is described in detail further down. New features for ALEXA and ALEXA Plus Enables DNxHD license (paid option) SMTPE color bars in REC OUT and MON OUT, 1Khz audio tone on HD-SDI outputs and headphones New User Button option: Display of False Color index on GUI New User Button option: Auto White Balance New User Button option: Turn Anamorphic de-squeeze on and off separately for EVF and MON OUT Icons in electronic viewfinder for: Smooth Mode active. Icons in electronic viewfinder and MON OUT for: ARRI Look File active (since SUP 5.0). Update Recommendation As this update contains important new features and improves stability, we highly recommend for all ALEXA owners to update to this Software Update Packet. Feedback Should you encounter any issues, please email your feedback to service@arri.de and our engineers will evaluate the issue and use your feedback to continuously improve the functionality and quality of the software. Downgrading Even though we do not recommend it, it is possible to downgrade back to 5.0 from a camera that has SUP 6.0 installed. Before and after the downgrade a 'reset to factory settings should be performed. We do not recommend downgrading to versions lower than 4.0

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Table of Contents
Introduction 1

New Features Overview ................................................................................................. 2 New features for ALEXA and ALEXA Plus .................................................................... 2 Update Recommendation .............................................................................................. 2 Feedback......................................................................................................................... 2 Downgrading .................................................................................................................. 2

New Features for ALEXA and ALEXA Plus

Equipment/Accessories Supported ............................................................................. 6 General ............................................................................................................................ 6 Imaging ........................................................................................................................... 6 Image Processing/Look Files........................................................................................ 6 SxS Onboard Recording................................................................................................ 6 Outputs ........................................................................................................................... 6 Inputs .............................................................................................................................. 6 Electronic Viewfinder and/or MON OUT....................................................................... 6 Icon in EVF for: Smooth Mode active ............................................................................ 6 Icons in EVF and MON OUT for: ARRI Look File active ............................................... 6 Metadata/Timecode ........................................................................................................ 6 Remote Control/3D......................................................................................................... 7 Web Remote Control ..................................................................................................... 7 User Interface ................................................................................................................. 7 New User Button option: Auto White Balance ............................................................... 7 New User Button option: Anamorphic de-squeeze for EVF and MON OUT ................. 7 LIVE Button in PLAY screen removed........................................................................... 7 Accessories Behavior ................................................................................................... 7 Service/Manufacturing................................................................................................... 7

Known Issues

Equipment/Accessories Supported ............................................................................. 7 General ............................................................................................................................ 7 Voltage Low Battery Warning ........................................................................................ 7 Firmware update: first boot after update fails with "starting user interface" ................... 7 Firmware update: do not ignore Update failed messages........................................... 7 Imaging ........................................................................................................................... 8 Extreme Overexposure.................................................................................................. 8 Pin Hole Effect ............................................................................................................... 8 Shooting with Low Fps and Wide Open Shutter ............................................................ 8 Image Processing/Look Files........................................................................................ 8 Look File is not Applied Automatically from User Setup ................................................ 8 Look Files may not get applied after reboot or when loading/unloading high speed mode .............................................................................. 8 False Color Display: Looks may produce wrong color indications .............................. 8 SxS Recording................................................................................................................ 8 High Speed Debayering Artifacts .................................................................................. 8 High Speed License Key when Downgrading to 4.0 ..................................................... 8 Deleting High Speed License Key in High Speed Mode ............................................... 8 Final Cut Pro 7: Final Cut Consolidate Error in Media Manager ................................... 8

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SxS Recording: "Unexpected stop recording" when loading/unloading high speed mode ........................................................................................................... 8 SxS Recording & Playback: Cards recorded with SUP6.0 will show error when inserted into 5.0 camera ...................................................................................... 9 SxS Recording: When switching sensor speed fast and recording immediately: "unexpected stop recording" error ............................................................ 9 SxS Recording: DNxHD White balance CC metadata column is missing in Media Composer Bin ................................................................................................. 9 SxS Playback .................................................................................................................. 9 SxS Playback: "Playback failed" .................................................................................... 9 SxS Playback: defective frames in playback ................................................................. 9 SxS Playback: FALSE COLOR in SxS playback of REC 709 material gives over-saturated image..................................................................................................... 9 Outputs ........................................................................................................................... 9 Test signal: loading test signal (color bars) may take some seconds ........................... 9 Test tone: enabling test tone ......................................................................................... 9 Inputs .............................................................................................................................. 9 Electronic Viewfinder and/or MON OUT....................................................................... 9 EVF/MON Out: Thin reddish line at top of EVF/MON OUT image at slow FPS with Surround View ON ......................................................................................... 9 Metadata/Timecode ........................................................................................................ 9 LTC out on TC connector may differ from actual timecode ........................................... 9 Problems with some SD Cards...................................................................................... 9 Display of COUNTER/JAM SYNC menu item ............................................................. 10 Timecode int. free run is lost when running off-speed and swapping battery.............. 10 Timecode: User bit settings cannot be recalled when loading a User setup but default to 00:00:00:00 ............................................................................................ 10 Remote Control/3D....................................................................................................... 10 EXT Sync Only Works Above 9 fps ............................................................................. 10 EXT Sync with Asynchronous Frame Rates................................................................ 10 Recording in Master/Slave Mode with two cards with Different Capacity.................... 10 Sync/SxS recording: slave recording starts delayed ................................................... 10 Wireless Remote System/LDS/LDA ............................................................................ 10 3D Sync/Lens Sync ..................................................................................................... 10 LDS Lens Sync Focus is Asynchronous...................................................................... 10 User Interface ............................................................................................................... 10 User setups from SD card may apply incorrect sensor fps limitation .......................... 10 Run beeper does not signal actual start of recording .................................................. 10 Frame Lines, Look Files and LDA User Data are not Stored in User Setups.............. 10 Changing Fps .............................................................................................................. 10 No Frame Grabs Possible in High Speed Mode.......................................................... 11 Image Compare Artifacts with Surround View On ....................................................... 11 Image Grab with Identical File Name and Different File Content ................................ 11 Image Compare: anamorphic de-squeeze not applied to images in compare mode .. 11 Sensor FPS not restored when entering/exiting high speed ....................................... 11 Audio ............................................................................................................................. 11 Audio: embedded audio with sensor fps < REC OUT/MON OUT fps no good with variframe flag ......................................................................................... 11 Audio: Adjusting input or output level gives distorted audio ........................................ 11 Accessories Behavior ................................................................................................. 11 Lens Control: The ZMU-3A is not working when hardwired directly to the camera ..... 11 Service/Manufacturing................................................................................................. 11

Updating Instructions

Download and Registration Process.......................................................................... 12 Registration .................................................................................................................. 12

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Camera Update Procedure via SD Card ..................................................................... 12 Precautions.................................................................................................................. 12 Preparing the SD Card ................................................................................................ 12 Performing the Update ................................................................................................ 13 Updating only the Electronic Viewfinder EVF-1 with a Computer ........................... 13 Updating the V-Mount Top and/or Back Battery Adapter with a Computer ........... 14

APPENDIX A: DNxHD DATA SHEET

Main Features ............................................................................................................... 15 Advantages of MXF/DNxHD Recording...................................................................... 15 ALEXA DNxHD Recording - Technical Data .............................................................. 16 The ARRI AMA Plug-in................................................................................................. 16

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New Features for ALEXA and ALEXA Plus

Equipment/Accessories Supported LDD-FP update LDD-FP now displays all shutter angles and other a parameters, when the LDD-FP carries the latest firmware 3.01 (RC). Please check the download page http://www.arri.de/camera/digital_cameras/downloads.html for instructions to update your LDD-FP. General No changes Imaging No changes Image Processing/Look Files No changes SxS Onboard Recording DNxHD Recording MENU button > RECORDING > SXS CARDS > SXS RECORDING > DNxHD Please see APPENDIX A: DNxHD Data Sheet, Page 15. SxS Card formatting In order to speed up card formatting and/or erasing, we do not test and measure the actual card data rate anymore. We have found that all SxS PRO cards are safely within the minimum required data rates. The camera will, however, display the maximum achievable frame rate with the currently selected codec. Outputs SMTPE color bars MENU > SYSTEM > TEST SIGNAL > COLOR BAR SMTPE color bars are now available from REC OUT and MON OUT. 1Khz audio tone is available on HDSDI outputs and headphones. Please note that the colors bars can not be recorded to SxS cards and are not present on EVF, they are meant to be used to adjust external monitors. Inputs No changes Electronic Viewfinder and/or MON OUT Icon in EVF for: Smooth Mode active Smooth mode icon will be displayed when smooth mode is activated. Icons in EVF and MON OUT for: ARRI Look File active Look file mode icon will be displayed when look file mode is activated. Metadata/Timecode No changes

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Remote Control/3D Web Remote Control The web remote GUI allows to control the camera. Connected with an Ethernet cable one can control via bonjour (alexaXXXX.local in browser, XXXX is the serial number of the ALEXA) or via the IP (IP address in browser) some metadata fields, like the user fields 1 and 2, also production data can be filled in.

User Interface New User Button option: Auto White Balance USER > EDIT New User Button option: Anamorphic de-squeeze for EVF and MON OUT USER > EDIT LIVE Button in PLAY screen removed The LIVE Button in the PLAY screen has been removed.

Accessories Behavior No changes Service/Manufacturing No changes

Known Issues
This is a list of known issues for this particular software update packet. For a listing of answers to frequently asked questions please visit our website at http://www.arri.de/camera/digital_cameras/learn/alexa_faq.html. Equipment/Accessories Supported No known issues General Voltage Low Battery Warning ALEXA cameras may show a warning "Voltage level too low for mirror shutter" if the camera is set to > 30 fps and an on-board battery is used. When using the mirror shutter at higher frame rates an external 24V battery should be used. Firmware update: first boot after update fails with "starting user interface"In rare occasions the first boot after firmware update may fail with a black screen showing "starting user interface". If this should happen reboot the camera again. Firmware update: do not ignore Update failed messagesIn rare cases Updated failed message may appear on a dark red screen. You MUST retry to update the camera if this occurs. Please note that INFO > VERSION may indicate a successful update although some components of the camera may still have an older firmware version. If in doubt about update please contact ARRI Service.

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Imaging Extreme Overexposure An area that is overexposed more than eight stops above clipping can appear darker than its surroundings. Pin Hole Effect This effect is caused by small highlights, like a pin hole. These highlights activate only a small region of about 2x2 pixels and are reproduced under certain circumstances (like high contrast & high sharpness) by the sensor as colored highlights. If this spot is moving slowly, it will change colors between cyan, magenta and white. Shooting with Low Fps and Wide Open Shutter ALEXA currently allows the setting of exposure times in excess of 1 second (i.e. 358 shutter at 0.75fps = 1.33 seconds exposure). At those exposure times an increase in noise can be observed. th To achieve optimum image quality at slow frame rates, the exposure time should be limited to 1/10 of a second or shorter. Image Processing/Look Files Look File is not Applied Automatically from User Setup The ARRI Look File name is not recalled by the User setup - the Look file is not loaded/applied although present in camera - the "routing" for Look files is not recalled Look Files may not get applied after reboot or when loading/unloading high speed mode In some rare instances the loaded Look Files may not get applied to the image paths after a reboot or when loading/unloading high speed mode. Please check if the Look File has been applied. False Color Display: Looks may produce wrong color indications Color manipulation in Look Files may produce wrong exposure indications. SxS Recording High Speed Debayering Artifacts While our tests have shown that the High Speed debayering delivers images with the same exposure latitude, sensitivity, colorimetry and low noise level as Regular Speed debayering, we have also noticed that in some saturated red and blue colors a checkerboard pattern can be visible. We are working on improving this, and even though we consider it a minor issue, we want to be up front about it. High Speed License Key when Downgrading to 4.0 If an ALEXA that had SUP 5.0 and a High Speed license installed is downgraded to SUP 4.0, the High Speed feature still remains accessible, but in an earlier, unstable condition. In this case the High Speed function should not be used. Deleting High Speed License Key in High Speed Mode Do not delete High Speed license key from camera while in High Speed mode as unexpected behavior could result. Only delete High Speed license key in Regular Speed mode. Final Cut Pro 7: Final Cut Consolidate Error in Media Manager In FCP 7 with ALEXA QuickTime/ProRes clips that have no audio are not recognized correctly by FCP 7 because the clips are not marked as file type 'MooV' in the file structure. SxS Recording: "Unexpected stop recording" when loading / unloading high speed mode Pressing record or playback clip shortly after switching to high speed/regular speed could lead to "unexpected stop recording 62" error. Although the camera already shows "standby ready" the image path may not be ready.

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SxS Recording & Playback: Cards recorded with SUP6.0 show error when inserted into 5.0 cameraSxS cards that have been recorded with SUP 6.0 will show an error message "Wrong file system" when inserted into a camera running SUP 5.0 or below and cannot be played back in camera. The material itself is fine and will not cause any problems further down the production pipeline. SxS Recording: switching sensor speed recording immediately: "unexpected stop recording" errorWhen switching sensor speed fast and starting a recording immediately a "unexpected stop recording 107" error can occur. The recording is most likely to stop immediately with only black frames being recorded. SxS Recording: DNxHD White balance CC metadata column is missing in Media Composer Bin White balance CC values metadata column is missing in Avid Media Composer when linking file with ARRI AMA plug-in. SxS Playback SxS Playback: "Playback failed"In rare occasions a "Playback failed!" message can be triggered when playing back clips in the camera. The clips nevertheless are fine for editing/post production. To clear such a "Playback failed!" message the camera has to be rebooted. SxS Playback: defective frames in playbackIn rare occasions scrubbing through a DNxHD clip in playback can lead to a defective frame being shown. The clip itself is fine and does not contain defective frames. SxS Playback: FALSE COLOR in SxS playback of REC 709 material gives over-saturated image When playing back a Rec 709 image from an SxS PRO card the resulting image is over-saturated if FALSE COLOR is turned ON and OFF again during playback. The recorded material is not affected. Outputs Test signal: loading test signal (color bars) may take some seconds Loading test signal (color bars) may take some seconds until the signal is present on REC OUT and MON OUT. Test tone: enabling test tone Test tone can only be enabled if AUDIO > RECORD = ON, SENSOR FPS = PROJECT FPS and MENU > SYSTEM > TEST SIGNAL > COLOR BAR = ON. Inputs No known issues Electronic Viewfinder and/or MON OUT EVF/MON Out: Thin line at top of EVF/MON OUT image at slow FPS with Surround View ONA thin reddish line can be observed at the top of the EVF-1/MON OUT image at slow fps with Surround View on. This is not in the active image area, only at the very top edge of surround view. Metadata/Timecode LTC out on TC connector may differ from actual timecode TC connector will only output a correct TC during Free Run and when sensor speed equals project speed. Also in SxS playback TC connector does not provide playback timecode. Problems with some SD Cards With some types of SD cards image grabs in DPX, TIFF, or ARRIRAW formats may be corrupted. Please test new SD cards before using them for image grabs.

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Display of COUNTER/JAM SYNC menu item Even though jam synching is not possible in Int TC mode, Generator: Jam Sync is shown as an option in the menu. This has no influence on the camera functions. Timecode int. free run is lost when running off-speed and swapping battery With asynchronous recording, i.e. "Project frame rate" NOT EQUAL to "Sensor fps" and timecode set to INT FREE RUN, the timecode will be reset to 00:00:00 after reboot. Timecode: User bit settings cannot be recalled when loading a User setup Entering user bits, saving as a User setup and recalling the User setup does not restore the user bit settings but defaults to 00:00:00:00. If user bits are set the entries have to be re-entered manually after loading a User setup. Remote Control/3D EXT Sync Only Works Above 9 fps The sensors of two cameras can only be synchronized via an EXT sync cable down to 9 fps. EXT Sync with Asynchronous Frame Rates If the sensor is set to a different frame rate than the HD output (REC OUT or MON OUT) a manual sync trigger (from the System > EXT Sync menu) may be required to get the HD outputs of both cameras synchronized. Recording in Master/Slave Mode with two cards with Different Capacity Recording on two SxS cards with Master/Slave setup and different free capacity is not possible. Sync/SxS recording: slave recording starts delayedAlthough slave SxS recording starts after master syncing by timecode in postproduction assures matching master/slave footage. Wireless Remote System/LDS/LDA 3D Sync/Lens Sync 3D lens sync with non-LDS lenses and different focus ring classes may have problems. Require lenses of the same focus ring class. LDS Lens Sync Focus is Asynchronous When trying to lens-sync two cameras focus settings may differ. User Interface User setups from SD card may apply incorrect sensor fps limitation A non-plausible sensor speed limitation may be applied in certain situations when loading a user setup from SD card. Run beeper does not signal actual start of recording Start beeper is not a accurate indication that recording is at speed. Check for a solid REC icon in HOME screen or status indo or a permanently lit red record LED. Frame Lines, Look Files and LDA User Data are not Stored in User Setups When saving the cameras settings through MENU > USER SETUPS > SAVE CURRENT SETUP, ARRI Look Files, frame lines and Lens Data Archive user data are currently not stored. Changing Fps Changing Fps can briefly result in a flickering in the EVF.

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No Frame Grabs Possible in High Speed Mode MENU > FRAME GRABS screen states "Grabbed images inherit MON OUT settings!". Frame grabs are currently completely disabled in High Speed mode. Image Compare Artifacts with Surround View On Comparing an image with surround view mode switched on may show artifacts in the top surround view area. Image Grab with Identical File Name and Different File Content If a grab with the same filename but different content is loaded again the first grab will still be used in MENU > FRAME GRABS > COMPARE GRAB 2 LIVE IMAGE > COMPARE. Camera has to be repowered to clear the internal frame store. Image Compare: anamorphic de-squeeze not applied to images in compare mode If trying to de-squeeze an image in compare mode only frame lines are re-scaled, image itself is not scaled. Sensor FPS not restored when entering/exiting high speedSensor FPS in regular speed/high speed mode is not restored as expected when entering/exiting high speed mode. The desired sensor FPS should always be double-checked by the user. Audio Audio: embedded audio with sensor fps < REC OUT/MON OUT fps no good with variframe flag ALEXA sends embedded audio even though it is not usable in situations where the sensor and project fps is less than the HD outputs fps. Audio: Adjusting input or output level gives distorted audio When adjusting audio input or output level a clicking noise can be heard on audio outputs. Adjustment of audio levels cannot be done while recording. Be careful not to adjust audio levels when recording on an external device started manually (not using the SDI REMOTE).

Accessories Behavior Lens Control: The ZMU-3A is not working when hardwired directly to the camera The ZMU-3A is not working when hardwired directly to the camera. When attached to a WCU3 (hardwired or wireless) the ZMU-3A works fine.

Service/Manufacturing No known issues

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Updating Instructions
Download and Registration Process You have to register your ALEXA camera by serial number to download Software Update Packets (SUP). SUPs can then be uploaded to the camera either from an SD card (described in detail below), or from a computer via the ALEXA Ethernet/RJ-45 Cable KC 153-S (3.00m/9.8ft, order number K2.72021.0). Please note that SUP 6.0 is for ALEXA and ALEXA Plus only. Do not use it for ALEXA Studio. Registration If you have not registered yet, go to the ALEXA downloads web page at http://www.arri.com/goto/alexa-dl. When the page loads there will be a selection of downloads. Please go to section 'ALEXA Software Update Packet X.Y' (where X.Y is the version number of the desired Software Upgrade Packet) and click on 'Please -> register to get an account.' The ALEXA customer registration page will be opened. Fill in the relevant data and make sure to put in the serial number(s) of your camera(s) in the format of K1.71000.0-2xxx. Don't forget to agree to the registration terms at the end of the page When you hit the 'create account' button the system will send you an acknowledgement email with a link for the activation of your account. After following the link a welcome mail is sent to you containing the login credentials. Please login at http://www.arri.com/login/login.html and navigate to the downloads again. Most of the downloads, such as technical information and manuals, are available now. To access the software package downloads you have to apply for the activation to be entitled to download software by clicking on '-> Apply for activation to access this file'. A pop-up window will ask you to 'Apply for activation' - please do so. The activation process is a manual procedure so this might take up to one workday. You will receive a mail when your software download has been activated. Upon access of the software package download you will be asked to agree to the terms and conditions of this download. If you agree to these terms the download link is released. Camera Update Procedure via SD Card Using the SD card for updating is the easiest method. This method updates the ALEXA camera as well as the Electronic Viewfinder (EVF-1), as long as the viewfinder is connected to the camera. Precautions Make sure the power supply of the camera is stable. The best way to achieve this is by using a mains power supply attached to the battery socket. We strongly recommend against updating an ALEXA that is powered through a battery. Preparing the SD Card Have a FAT16 or FAT32 formatted SD-Card ready Create the following folder structure on the SD-Card: - a folder named ARRI in root of SD card - a folder named ALEXA inside the ARRI folder - inside the ALEXA folder should be the following folders: - Firmware - Framelines - Grabs - LDA - Licenses - LookFiles - Setups Note: From SUP 4.0 on this can be achieved through the Format + prepare SD card or the Prepare SD card command in MENU > SYSTEM > SD CARD.

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 Take the update package xxx.pkg file and copy it to the Firmware folder on the SD card. Performing the Update Turn the camera on. Perform a factory reset in MENU > USER SETUPS > FACTORY RESET. Insert the SD card into the SD card slot of the camera. The slot is located below the display on the bottom of the camera. The direction how the SD card has to be inserted is shown on the camera housing. A card icon will show up in the notification area of the camera display. If not, the card is not recognized by the camera. Go into the INFO screen by pressing the 'INFO' button on the cameras right side. Save a camera log file onto the SD-Card by pressing 'SAVE TO SD'. Press the MENU button. Choose SYSTEM and then FIRMWARE. The FIRMWARE screen shows you which packet is currently installed (Current version: xxx). Press the jog wheel to select the update file. The list shows you all firmware files that are available on the SD card. Choose the desired packet and press the two lower outer screen buttons simultaneously to start the update. DO NOT REMOVE THE SD CARD WHILE THE PACKET IS BEING COPIED TO THE CAMERA! When the copy dialogue screen disappears, you can remove the SD card if desired. The update process will take 10 to 20 minutes. Wait until the update process has finished. This is indicated by a green screen informing you that the update process is completed. If the update process fails, which will be indicated by a red screen, repeat the update procedure. After the update, turn the camera off and on again. The camera firmware is now updated and you can use the camera. Please note that User Setup files cannot be used across software packet updates, i.e. a User Setup file created with SUP 2.1 is not compatible with SUP 3.0. Please note that when updating from software package 1.0 to any later package, the cameras display shows Success for APIC, CMC, and ACOM at the end of the update process. The camera must then be rebooted manually even though the screen still says Update in progress do not power off the camera! This is done by pressing the ON/OFF button until the camera switches off, then pressing the button again. This is not necessary anymore when updating from SUP 2.0 or later versions. Updating only the Electronic Viewfinder EVF-1 with a Computer In case that the ALEXA electronic viewfinder (EVF-1) has not been updated with the camera, it is possible to update the EVF-1 separately by using a computer. Download the Software Update Package and place it in a folder on your computer. For information on how to obtain the SUP see Download and Registration Process above. Connect the Ethernet port of the computer to the camera with the ALEXA Ethernet/RJ-45 Cable KC 153S (3.00m/9.8ft, order number K2.72021.0). Connect the EVF-1 to the camera. Open a web browser on the computer and enter the following URL: http://alexaXXXX.local/update.cgi (where XXXX is the cameras serial number) to access the update web page. In the Camera Update section select the Software Update Package by clicking the browse button and selecting the path to the downloaded package on your computer. Click the 'Update EVF' button in the EVF Update section. You can watch the progress of the update on the screen. When the update is done, the last line on the screen reads successfully updated Evf. The update is now finished even though the web browser continues to refresh the page. This is normal. The viewfinder is up to date.

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 Depending on its software version the camera will state a software error reboot camera on the camera display. This is normal. Please reboot the camera. Updating the V-Mount Top and/or Back Battery Adapter with a Computer To update the firmware of the V-mount battery adapters please perform the following steps: Update the camera with SUP 4.0 or later. Place the SUP in a folder on your computer. Connect the Ethernet port of the computer to the camera with the ALEXA Ethernet/RJ-45 Cable KC 153S (3.00m/9.8ft, order number K2.72021.0). Attach a charged V-Mount battery to the mount. Open a web browser on the computer and enter the following URL: http://alexaXXXX.local/update.cgi (where XXXX is the cameras serial number) to access the update web page. In the Camera Update section select the Software Update Package by clicking the browse button and selecting the path to the downloaded package on your computer. Click the 'Update VMOUNT' button in the V-Mount Update section. The update will take approximately three minutes. You can watch the progress of the update on the screen. If you get an error, you have an old style V-mount battery adapter, which can only be updated by ARRI in Munich. When the update is done, the last line on the screen reads successfully updated VMount Adapter and the battery mount is up to date. If your V-mount battery adapter cannot be updated, please contact ARRI Service http://www.arri.com/service.

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APPENDIX A: DNxHD DATA SHEET

Main Features Shoot 16:9 Avid DNxHD encoded MXF/DNxHD clips with ALEXA - DNxHD 145 (8 bit 4:2:2) and DNxHD 220x (10 bit 4:2:2) - 4:2:2 available in both Regular and High Speed Mode - A DNxHD 10 bit 4:4:4 codec will be provided as a free update - Same naming convention as ProRes clips - Same exposure latitude, sensitivity and colorimetry as ProRes recording - Camera metadata embedded in XML clips - Camera metadata provided in clip summary Avid Log Exchange (ALE) file Edit Avid DNxHD encoded MXF/DNxHD clips from ALEXA - Material can be edited in Media Composer 5.5 and 6.0 - Free AMA plug-in for ARRI MXF/DNxHD (Mac and Windows 32/64 bit) - No transcoding required Notes: - The 16:9 DNxHD function requires SUP 6.0 for ALEXA and ALEXA Plus, and SUP 6.1 for ALEXA M and ALEXA Studio. - The values in DNxHD 145 and DNxHD 220x denote the bit rate [Mbit] at 29.97 fps. As the supported project frame rates are 23.976, 24, 25 and 29.97 fps, the correct notation for these codecs would actually be Avid DNxHD 115/120/145 and DNxHD 175x/185x/220x. Resource locations - License key available for purchase online at http://alshop.arri.de - ARRI AMA plug-in available for free at http://www.arri.de/camera/digital_cameras/downloads.html - MXF DNxHD white paper at http://www.arri.de/camera/digital_cameras/downloads.html To ensure that our products enjoy a long and useful life we build them to the highest quality standards and continually develop new capabilities. After the Anamorphic De-squeeze and High Speed Mode license keys, DNxHD recording is the next new development, which allows the ALEXA family of cameras to expand the products capabilities. While providing the same in-camera recording onto SxS PRO card as with ProRes codecs for QuickTime based workflows, MXF/DNxHD material is natively supported by the Avid family of non linear editing systems. The DNxHD capability is available through an online purchase of a license key at http://alshop.arri.de. Each license key is coded to a particular camera and can be enabled by copying the license to an SD card and loading it into the camera. License features can also be disabled, allowing rental facilities to control, which cameras are sent out with DNxHD recording. The DNxHD recording functionality enables the large number of Avid-based production facilities to draw greater profit from shooting with ARRI ALEXAs. It removes the necessity of transcoding the camera material for editing, which speeds up the process and effectively saves time and money during post. Advantages of MXF/DNxHD Recording 1. MXF files are an open industry standard The Avid DNxHD codec source can be licensed free of charge, the codec is compliant to SMPTE VC-3, and MXF files are an open industry standard. Being a fully open format guarantees that MXF/DNxHD material will be accessible for any MXF-aware application. This makes the codec also a very good choice for archiving HD material. 2. An acquisition and archiving format of choice Applications in the Avid editing environment usually employ the OP-Atom format for MXF files. For acquisition and archiving, however, major broadcasting corporations around the globe rely on MXF files in the OP1a format. Audio and video is always kept together and no data is lost if recording or data

ALEXA Software Update Packet 6.0 Release Notes

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transfer is interrupted for any reason. ALEXA cameras deliver the DNxHD material in OP1a MXF files straight onto the recording media. This creates a good potential in terms of cost-savings. 3. Metadata is fully accessible The MXF file container also holds all camera metadata. This data is automatically provided in the editor's bins in an Avid Media Composer and can be accessed with any basic text editor from an Avid Log Exchange (ALE) file that is also stored on the recording media and provides an overview of all recorded takes. 4. Platform-independent Whether the material is edited on a Mac or a Windows system, the DNxHD codec can be read and written natively. ProRes material can also be accessed through a QuickTime AMA plug-in, but ProRes files cannot be created from a Windows machine. On these systems, ProRes material needs to be transcoded to e.g. DNxHD when effects or sequences are rendered to disc, causing a slower output. ALEXA DNxHD Recording - Technical Data Requirements ALEXA or ALEXA Plus with SUP 6.0 or higher (February 2012) ALEXA Studio or ALEXA M with SUP 6.1 or higher (April 2012) Mode Switch Instant switch between Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD Image Size 16:9, 1920 x 1080 Frame Rates Regular Mode (0.75 60 fps): DNxHD 145, DNxHD 220x (later DNxHD 444) High Speed Mode (60 - 120 fps): DNxHD 145, DNxHD 220x Processing 16 bit linear internal image processing, Regular Speed and High Speed image debayering algorithm Audio 2 Channels, 24bit, 48kHz In-camera Recording DNxHD 115/120/145 Color Coding: Data Rates at: 23.976, 24 fps 25 fps 29.97 fps Recording capacity on 64 GB SxS PRO cards: 24 fps 60 fps 120 fps Application: 74 min 29 min 14 min Basic television application, if images do not require adjustments in post production. 49 min 19 min 9 min High quality TV applications requiring color correction. 8 bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 115 Mbit/s 120 Mbit/s 145 Mbit/s DNxHD 175x/185x/220x 10 bit 4:2:2 YCbCr 175 Mbit/s 185 Mbit/s 220 Mbit/s

The ARRI AMA Plug-in ARRI provides a free Avid Media Access (AMA) plug-in for the Mac version and the 32 and 64 bit Windows version of Media Composer 5.5 and 6.0. The plug-in is used to link the camera material into the editors bin(s) without creating a copy on the Avid storage. This gives the editor immediate and direct access to all clips just as if they were stored in the Avid Media Files folder. Depending on the project, the material could be edited right then and there. Typically, the material will be consolidated to provide OP-Atom MXF files on the Avid Media Files folder. This is essentially a copying process since no transcoding is involved. The original image quality is fully retained. Note that ALEXA uses high quality intraframe codecs, which result in bigger files than material encoded using a lower quality interframe long-GOP codec. Notes: All technical data is based on SUP 6.0. All data is subject to change without notice.

ALEXA Software Update Packet 6.0 Release Notes

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