Yesterday ARRI released a beta version of the ALEXA Mini LF Software Update Package (SUP) with version number 7.0. This now allows the Mini LF to work in various Super 35 recording formats. According to ARRI, new Super 35 recording formats were the most frequently requested user request for the Mini LF. In addition, there are also two new large format recording formats that deliver HD or UHD recording at a significantly reduced data rate. The details:
New Super 35 recording formats:
- 3.4K S35 3:2 - 3.4K
- 3.2K S35 16:9 - 3.2K
- 2.8K S35 4:3 - 2.8K
- 2.8K S35 16:9 - HD
- New large format recording formats:
- 4.3K LF 16:9 - UHD
- 4.3K LF 16:9 - HD
Also coming with SUP 7.0 are, among other things, expanded recording format names, an improved magnification overlay in the preview, an expanded list of default framelines, an increased number of framelines, and forward/backward compatibility of user setup files.
There are two perhaps not entirely unimportant disclaimers that ARRI gives to interested users:
This beta version is for testing purposes only and not suitable for production.
Please note that these S35 recording formats, like their equivalents in the ALEXA Mini, are not Netflix 4K approved.
Netflix 4K approval for the S35 modes is also not particularly likely in the future, as Netflix insists on a native sensor resolution of at least 4K here. However, the Alexa LF sensor in the S35 crop cannot achieve this resolution. Here, similar to the OpenGate mode of the classic ALEXA, the LF comes to a maximum of 3.2K (see above).
;)