ARRI’s ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme adapts the ALEXA 35 imaging platform for live production, combining the ALEV 4 Super 35 sensor, up to 17 stops of dynamic range, and high-speed output capabilities for multi-camera broadcast workflows.
The demand for cinematic image quality in live productions has continued to grow across sports, concerts, entertainment, and premium television events. To address these applications, ARRI has introduced the ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme, a version of the ALEXA 35 designed specifically for live multi-camera production. The camera combines the imaging performance of the ALEXA 35 with features intended for broadcast workflows, including fiber-based operation, remote camera control, and high-speed output.
Key Features of the ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme
1. ALEV 4 Super 35 Sensor
The ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme uses the same ALEV 4 Super 35 CMOS sensor found in the ALEXA 35. According to ARRI, the sensor delivers up to 17 stops of dynamic range, providing greater latitude for capturing scenes with both bright highlights and deep shadows. This can be beneficial in live environments where lighting conditions vary significantly, such as stadiums, arenas, and concert venues.
2. High-Speed Live Output
One of the camera’s distinguishing features is support for up to 8x slow-motion output in HD and up to 2x slow-motion output in 4K UHD over SDI, allowing productions to capture high-frame-rate footage using the same camera platform employed for standard-speed acquisition.
3. Integration with Live Broadcast Workflows
The camera is designed to operate with the ARRI Fiber Camera System, enabling long-distance signal transmission and remote camera operation. Through ARRI’s live production system, operators can perform functions such as camera shading and iris adjustment from the control room, supporting integration into established live production environments.
4. REVEAL Color Science and ARRI Textures
The ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme incorporates ARRI’s REVEAL Color Science, the same image-processing pipeline used across the ALEXA 35 platform. It also supports ARRI Textures, which allow users to select different image-processing characteristics that influence the camera’s rendering, including perceived sharpness and contrast. These settings provide additional creative control while maintaining the camera’s overall image quality.
5. Super 35 Imaging Characteristics
By using a Super 35 sensor, the camera offers different imaging characteristics compared with conventional 2/3-inch broadcast cameras. Depending on the lens and shooting conditions, productions can achieve shallower depth of field, an aesthetic that has become increasingly common in high-end live entertainment and sports broadcasts.
Benefits for Live Productions
- Single Camera Platform: The camera combines standard-speed and supported high-speed acquisition within the same system, which may reduce the need for separate specialty cameras on some productions.
- Consistent Image Quality: Using the same ALEV 4 sensor and REVEAL Color Science as the ALEXA 35 helps maintain consistent image characteristics across productions using ARRI’s camera ecosystem.
- Broadcast Integration: Compatibility with ARRI’s fiber-based live production workflow enables remote camera operation and supports integration into multi-camera broadcast environments.
Conclusion
The ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme extends the ALEXA 35 platform into live production by combining ARRI’s ALEV 4 sensor, REVEAL Color Science, and high-speed output capabilities with features designed for broadcast operation. Its support for remote camera control, fiber connectivity, and multi-camera workflows makes it an option for productions seeking to incorporate the ALEXA 35 image into live sports, entertainment, concerts, and other broadcast applications.
Questions & Answers
Q: Can the ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme be remotely controlled during live productions?
A: Yes. When used with the ARRI Fiber Camera System and ARRI’s live production infrastructure, the camera supports remote operation, including functions such as shading and iris adjustment.
Q: How does the Live Xtreme differ from the standard ALEXA 35?
A: While both cameras share the same ALEV 4 sensor and REVEAL Color Science, the Live Xtreme is configured for live multi-camera operation, adding features such as fiber connectivity, remote control, and high-speed live output.
Q: What types of lenses can be used with the camera?
A: The camera supports ARRI’s lens mount options for the ALEXA 35 platform. Depending on the production, it may be used with PL-mount cinema lenses or, through compatible broadcast workflow solutions, adapted for certain broadcast lens configurations.
