ARRI is excited to announce the release of the SkyPanel S60 Pro, an innovative LED lighting solution that sets a new benchmark for performance and versatility in film and television production. Building on the renowned SkyPanel series, the S60 Pro combines exceptional output, versatile color options, and advanced control features, making it an essential tool for cinematographers and lighting professionals.
The SkyPanel S60 Pro represents a significant advancement in LED lighting technology, offering filmmakers unparalleled control and creative options. With its blend of high performance, versatility, and user-friendly features, the S60 Pro is set to become an indispensable part of any lighting toolkit, empowering professionals to bring their creative visions to life.
Outstanding Color Quality
The SkyPanel S60 Pro offers an impressive color rendering index (CRI) and a wide color temperature range from 2,800K to 10,000K. This allows for precise color matching and creative flexibility in achieving the desired look for any scene.
Versatile Color Modes
The fixture supports multiple color modes, including full RGB, HSI (Hue, Saturation, Intensity), and gel emulations, providing users with a vast array of options for color mixing and effects. This versatility enhances the creative possibilities for filmmakers, enabling them to replicate various lighting conditions and styles.
Advanced Control Options
The S60 Pro is designed for seamless integration into any production setup, featuring DMX control, ARRI's proprietary wireless technology, and an intuitive user interface. This makes it easy to adjust settings on the fly, whether on location or in the studio.
Customizable Effects
Users can access a variety of customizable lighting effects, such as color fades and strobe effects, allowing for dynamic and engaging lighting designs that enhance storytelling.
Durable and Lightweight Design
The SkyPanel S60 Pro is constructed with robust materials while maintaining a lightweight profile, making it easy to transport and set up. This durability ensures reliable performance even in demanding shooting environments.
Energy Efficient
The LED technology used in the S60 Pro not only delivers high output but also minimizes power consumption, making it an eco-friendly choice for filmmakers.
Low Noise Operation
Designed for environments where sound is critical, the S60 Pro operates silently, ensuring that audio recording is not disrupted during shooting.
Applications
The SkyPanel S60 Pro is ideal for a wide range of applications, including:
- Film and Television Production: Perfect for lighting sets, creating atmospheric effects, and achieving precise color rendering for various scenes.
- Commercial Photography: Its versatility and color quality make it a go-to choice for photographers looking to achieve high-quality results.
- Event Production: The S60 Pro is suitable for concerts, theater performances, and corporate events, where dynamic lighting enhances the overall experience.
ARRI introduces the single-axis Hi‑5 SX hand unit, joining the three-axis Hi‑5 at the forefront of wireless camera and lens control technology. Ready to perform a variety of single-axis tasks on set, the Hi‑5 SX can also be easily upgraded to higher functionality via optional software licenses. Weatherproof and exceptionally hard-wearing, it brings ARRI dependability to the control of almost any lens on any camera, at an attractive price point.
Sharing the Hi‑5 form factor, the Hi‑5 SX has a well-proven ergonomic design that makes it comfortable to hold and operate. The large display is easy to read, and the intuitive touchscreen interface is based on a camera GUI. Uniquely, ARRI offers swappable radio modules for the Hi‑5 and Hi‑5 SX, allowing crews to choose the most suitable module for any shooting location or to conform to different regional frequency regulations.
Upgradeability is at the core of the Hi‑5 SX concept. Compatible with all existing Hi‑5 licenses, such as the Cinefade, RED camera control, and Focusbug licenses, the unit can also be upgraded with two new software licenses that give users the freedom and flexibility to access the functions they need, when they need them.
Firstly, the Hi‑5 SX Plus License enables lens mapping, Custom Smart Ring creation, six additional user buttons, tail slate mode, and more. Secondly, the Hi‑5 SX All-Axis License enables simultaneous use of the knob, slider, and force-pad for three-axis lens control, as well as complete display information, AUX axis, and full virtual T-stop and focal length features. Once both licenses are installed the Hi‑5 SX becomes functionally indistinguishable from the Hi‑5; the blue SX joystick toggle can even be swapped for black. Users of the Hi‑5 SX with no additional licenses installed can choose between the knob, slider, or force-pad to control a single lens axis, whether focus, iris, or zoom.
The Hi‑5 SX allows 1st ACs to limit their initial investment in a hand unit and a single lens motor, while still giving them the peace of mind of pulling focus with the most sophisticated single-axis unit on the market, backed by the universally trusted ARRI brand. As their careers progress, they may choose to upgrade their Hi‑5 SX, offering productions more functionality and increasing their earning potential.
For well-established 1st ACs who already own a three-axis hand unit and several lens motors, the Hi‑5 SX lets them facilitate separate iris pulls operated by the cinematographer or DIT, using the most up-to-date technology. While for rental companies that have multiple hand units, the Hi‑5 SX provides a cost-neutral way to sell off older three-axis units that are often sent out for single-axis tasks and replace them with brand-new, state-of-the-art units.
With a ruggedized housing that is sealed, dustproof, and weatherproof, the Hi‑5 SX can be operated with complete reliability in harsh environmental conditions. ARRI-branded batteries based on the NP-L interface can be hot-swapped without powering the unit down, and their remaining capacity is indicated accurately on the display screen.
The new Hi‑5 SX will be available to order from July 1, 2024, and will begin shipping on October 1, 2024. It replaces the ARRI SXU-1 single-axis hand unit, which will be phased out.
ARRI has implemented a strategic reorganization of its Asia-Pacific management team, effective immediately, aiming to optimize operational efficiency and drive expansion into new markets across the region.
Carlos Chu, whose expertise and strategic acumen have been instrumental in driving regional growth in the past years, will remain as Senior Vice President, with a heightened focus on the Camera Systems business unit. ARRI extends its sincere appreciation to Carlos for his exceptional contributions and has confidence in his ability to navigate through new market complexities and elevate the camera business to unprecedented levels. Additionally, Carlos will continue his position as Country Manager ARRI Japan.
To strengthen the Lighting division, Jimmy Chai has taken up the role of Senior Vice President Lighting Asia-Pacific. With extensive experience in the lighting industry and a proven track record in leading ARRI Asia to remarkable growth, Jimmy is well-positioned to lead the lighting business to new heights. In addition to his new role, Jimmy will remain as Country Manager ARRI Asia.
Jimmy and Carlos will directly report to Bertrand Dauphant, President and CEO ARRI Asia-Pacific, ensuring alignment with regional strategies and company objectives.
ARRI is confident that the enhanced management structure will continue to drive the organization toward further growth and prosperity within the Asia-Pacific market.
With the new L-Series Plus, ARRI announces a new generation of LED Fresnels, a series that has been a dependable professional lighting tool for more than a decade. Up to 90% brighter than the original L-Series, direct network data input and the intuitive onboard control interface known from ARRI SkyPanel, the new L-Series Plus provides additional benefits while retaining appreciated features such as continuous focusability from spot to flood; a smooth, homogenous light field; and complete control over the color and intensity of light.
Originally introduced in 2011, ARRI L-Series LED luminaires were the first professional alternatives to popular tungsten Fresnels on a like-for-like basis, offering additional LED advantages like independent control of color temperature and brightness along with instant cost savings through major reductions in power draw and cooling requirements. Precise light field control can still be achieved with barndoors and flags, permitting the beam shaping and cutting upon which lighting designers depend. In addition, the fully tunable white light to achieve the best results for different skin tones, camera sensors, and mixed light environments, while specific color shades can be matched through full gamut color mixing.
The new ARRI L-Series Plus fixtures come in two sizes: the L5-C Plus features a five-inch, while the L7-C Plus features a seven-inch Fresnel lens. Despite being approximately the same size and weight as their predecessors, the L-Series Plus products provide up to 90% more light output, making them much more powerful and versatile as lighting tools (average output increase, depending on model, beam angle, and color temperature is 60%). Existing barndoors and all other L-Series accessories are fully compatible with the new Plus range.
Taking the renowned and proven benchmark of LED Fresnel fixtures to the next level, L-Series Plus introduces enhanced connectivity by implementing network data input and lighting control via the ArtNet and Streaming ACN industry standards. Workflows are simplified by the familiar onboard control and user interface of the classic SkyPanel, while light output is specifically calibrated for optimal reproduction on broadcast and digital cinema cameras, ensuring pleasing skin tones and vividly rendered colors.
Designed to be robust and ergonomic, L-Series Plus fixtures live up to the quality and reliability standards for which ARRI is known. Their build quality and flexibility make them suitable for a wide range of use cases, from studio and location work on movies and television to live entertainment, photography, theater, and corporate productions. A combination of passively cooled housing and a discreet encapsulated fan guarantee the most silent operation even in the most critical environments.
At the heart of the L-Series Plus concept remain the core benefits of tuneability, color fidelity, rugged durability, and ease of use, now upgraded to the latest connectivity standards. Three individual knobs permit the brightness, color temperature, and green/magenta point to be fine-tuned, while a focus knob on the side of each fixture allows for smooth adjustment of the beam spread, just like conventional sources.
L5-C Plus and L7-C Plus fixtures will be available from June 2024 in blue and silver or sleek all-black colorways, with either a manual or PO yoke. The existing L-Series (L5-C, L7-C, L10-C) will be discontinued upon the release of L-Series Plus.
To learn more about L-Series Plus, please visit: www.arri.com/l-series-plus
ARRI announces the ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam System, making the cinematic image quality of its flagship ALEXA 35 camera available to the world of live productions, including concerts, sports, esports, fashion, corporate, talk shows, game shows, house of worship, and more. The system seamlessly integrates into existing live production environments, providing the full functionality of a system camera while retaining the flexibility of a dockable camera setup. It sits alongside ARRI lenses, lights, stabilizers, and custom solutions that collectively demonstrate the company’s commitment to the live entertainment sector.
Over the past decade, ARRI equipment has been relied upon for a variety of live production applications due to its exceptional image quality and reliability. International concert tours including Ed Sheeran, Adele, Coldplay, the Rolling Stones album launch, and leading half time shows at major sporting events are only a sampling of performances that have been captured by ARRI’s Multicam System.
ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam System
The ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam System combines the new ALEXA 35 Live camera, the new Live Production System LPS-1 (comprising a Fiber Camera Adapter and Fiber Base Station), the Skaarhoj RCP, and a slew of bespoke accessories. These include the new ARRI Touchdown base and receiver plates, an adjustable monitor yoke, an extra-long camera handle, a tally light with camera ID display, a rain cover, and a new, quick-fit ARRI Large Lens Adapter for unprecedentedly rapid setup with box lenses.
The ALEXA 35 Live camera offers the unique ARRI look. Supporting a current trend in live productions, the Super 35-sized 4K sensor enables shallow depth of field. Capturing 17 stops of dynamic range—more than any other camera on the market—it handles extreme lighting situations for the best results in SDR and HDR. Colors are rendered accurately through ARRI’s proprietary REVEAL Color Science, from bright, saturated colors to the subtlest shades. As a result, even contrasty concert lighting is captured faithfully and skin tones are beautiful, so performers always look their best. Low light scenes display minimal noise, and highlights roll off in a natural, film-like way.
Full-quality ProRes can be recorded in-camera during live productions, providing flexibility in post. The in-camera recording also permits stand-alone operation of the camera, without the Fiber Camera Adapter. The modular lens mount can be switched between LPL, PL, EF, and B4, facilitating a wide choice of lenses for different applications. ALEXA 35 Live owners can even upgrade to full ALEXA 35 functionality via an optional Cine License.
Extra options for creative looks
ARRI cameras are renowned for making it easy to craft stunningly beautiful images and the ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam System provides all the common live production shading controls to continue this tradition into the live realm. But the system goes even further, with additional creative options that can quickly give any project a fresh look.
Firstly, ARRI Look Files can define a unique image character through specially developed Multicam Looks. One of 87 pre-made looks from the built-in ARRI Look Library can be activated at the push of a button, catering to a huge variety of shooting scenarios. Secondly, ARRI Textures are a unique method to modify grain and contrast. The camera includes five multicam and eight cine-style ARRI Textures.
Efficient and seamless fiber solution
The Fiber Camera Adapter of the ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam System attaches to the camera quickly and easily, while the Fiber Base Station integrates seamlessly into the engineering room or OB vehicle, supporting multiple simultaneous outputs such as HD, UHD, progressive, or interlaced video.
Connecting them is a SMPTE 311 hybrid fiber cable that includes copper connections to supply up to 400 W of power for the camera and accessories. The hybrid cable also allows uncompressed 4K video transmission over a distance of up to 2 km. Tactical fiber cable lengths of up to 10 km can be used if the camera is powered locally. An additional extra fiber tunnel and Ethernet tunnel increase the system’s flexibility.
Extensive connectivity options on the Fiber Base Station include four return inputs and 15 simultaneous SDI outputs for 3G, 6G, and 12G in single, dual, or quad link, as well as SMPTE 2110 IP. Reliable operation is assured through ARRI’s renowned build quality and stringent quality assurance criteria, including a unique operating temperature range of -20º C to +45º C (-4° F to +113° F). The Fiber Base Station also supplies a redundant 2022-7 network and hot-swappable, redundant power supplies.
For fast setup and easy configuration, the Fiber Camera Adapter and the Fiber Base Station provide status display and allow on-the-spot adjustments, saving time and hassle. Dedicated web interfaces allow full remote control, configuration, diagnostics, and software updates of the camera, Fiber Camera Adapter, Fiber Base Station, and Skaarhoj RCP.
Unsurpassed control with the Skaarhoj RCP
While the system is open to support any number of established remote control panels, the recommended tool of choice is the Skaarhoj RCP Pro ARRI V2B. It combines classical RCP handling with a powerful, fully customizable interface, making the most of ALEXA 35 Live’s exceptional image quality and offering additional creative possibilities.
By using ARRI’s Camera Access Protocol (CAP), the Skaarhoj RCP enables traditional live painting as well as full control over camera settings, including some not covered by other RCPs, such as frame rate; REC start/stop; playback; selection of looks, ARRI Textures, and setup files; and more.
In summary, the ALEXA 35 Live - Multicam system is a complete production toolset for the requirements of live content producers, combining the visually striking ARRI look with easy integration into existing live production environments.
Dr. Raphael Kiesel takes over the management of ARRI’s lighting division on December 1, 2023. In this role, he is responsible for the entire business unit. Dr. Kiesel reports directly to Dr. Matthias Erb, Chairman of the Executive Board at ARRI.
Dr. Kiesel is currently responsible for global quality management at ARRI. In this role, he has systematically refined quality management at the company. The focus of further development is on the structured transfer of customer requirements into the film technology company’s products and services.
Even before joining ARRI, Dr. Kiesel acquired a deep technical understanding combined with entrepreneurial thinking and international experience. He spent time abroad in the USA, France, and China. During his time as a research assistant and department head at the Fraunhofer Institute IPT and Machine Tool Laboratory (WZL) at RWTH Aachen University, he completed his doctorate in mechanical engineering. At the same time, he completed an MBA at the Collège des Ingénieurs in cooperation with Siemens.
Dr. Erb, Chairman of the ARRI Executive Board, remarks: “We are extremely pleased that we have been able to win Dr. Kiesel for this position. As the new head of the division, he will continue to drive the development of ARRI Lighting. I wish Raphael the best of luck and success in this exciting and challenging task.”
Lars Weyer, member of the Executive Board and CFO of ARRI, emphasizes: “In his role as head of Quality Management, Raphael has already proven that he can drive topics successfully. He will continue to do so in his new position.”
Dr. Kiesel, new Senior Vice President Business Unit Lighting at ARRI, adds, “ARRI’s commitment to quality is already inspiring but I want to push the quality of our brand and its lighting portfolio even further. The sights are set on becoming a full-range provider in our core market while elevating activities in new segments. Producing the right products at the right time and in the best quality, that’s been the ARRI promise for over 100 years. I look forward to continuing this success story in intensive dialog with our customers and users.”
ARRI Lighting’s products and solutions are appreciated worldwide and are known for being innovative, reliable, and user-friendly in the fields of film, TV, photography, theater, and live events.