XR MODULE ALEXA UPGRADE FOR IN-CAMERA ARRIRAW RECORDING

XR MODULE ALEXA UPGRADE FOR IN-CAMERA ARRIRAW RECORDING   (20^th February 2013, Munich) – Concurrent with its refresh of the ALEXA family with four new ALEXA XT models, ARRI is offering an upgrade that equips all existing ALEXA cameras with one of the major features of the XT configuration: the new XR Module (Xtended Recording), allows ARRIRAW – the highest quality image output from ALEXA – to be recorded in-camera to a state-of-the-art internal digital magazine. With no need for external recording devices, camera setups will be smaller, lighter, faster, more flexible, and less expensive.   Co-developed by ARRI and Codex, the ALEXA XR Module is an affordable new side panel with various in-camera recording options, replacing the current SxS Module. It allows ALEXA owners to embrace the latest advances in recording technologies without having to purchase a new camera, exemplifying the concept of modular upgradeability that was built into the ALEXA design from its very beginnings. Alongside the highest overall picture quality, unsurpassed reliability and user-friendly ergonomics, ALEXA offers a long product cycle through many upgrade options, providing a sustainable business model to customers and protecting their investment.   In-camera ARRIRAW In addition to its overwhelming success in the world of television dramas, commercials and documentaries, ALEXA has become the go-to camera for many of the world’s top motion picture filmmakers. Feature films bound for the big screen are increasingly opting to record ARRIRAW in order to capture uncompressed, unencrypted image data that allows maximum flexibility in post. Recent films that have taken this route include Skyfall, The Avengers, Zero Dark Thirty and Amour.   Up until now, the ARRIRAW workflow has involved using an external recording device such as the Codex Onboard, but ARRI’s close and continuous dialogue with industry professionals has revealed strong demand for in-camera ARRIRAW recording. ARRI and Codex have therefore combined their technical expertise to develop the new XR Module, incorporating tried-and-tested Codex recording technology directly into the ALEXA cameras.   Fastest digital magazine ALEXAs with an XR Module can record ARRIRAW at up to 120 fps in-camera onto an exceptionally fast 512 GB XR Capture Drive. This not only makes for a smaller, lighter and more affordable camera package, it also simplifies setup and operation while avoiding unnecessary cabling. The result is an even faster and more reliable workflow on set.   In addition to ARRIRAW, ProRes or DNxHD can also be captured to the XR Capture Drive for significantly longer recording times as well as ProRes 4444 recording at 120 fps. With an SxS Adapter it is possible to record ProRes or DNxHD to a single SxS PRO card.   The XR Capture Drive contains highly reliable solid-state drive technology in a small and rugged aluminum housing, identical in shape to the current Codex Capture Drives. At 6.7 Gbit/s, it is the fastest digital magazine available.   Flexible, proven workflow into post Once removed from the camera, the XR Capture Drive offers a number of different paths into post, using the proven Codex workflow. First, a small and affordable USB3 Single Dock allows quick and safe copying of data onto a laptop. Second, the Dual Dock can make clones of XR Capture Drives and connect to a Mac Pro via a high speed SAS interface for speedy copying, archiving or dailies creation. And third, the Codex Vault is a modular and rugged all-in-one solution for fast and easy copying, archiving, reporting or dailies creation on or near set.