ARRI announces a new version of its AMIRA camera: the AMIRA Live. Designed specifically for multi-camera live broadcasts, it eliminates external cabling between the camera body and the fiber adapter, resulting in a cleaner and more reliable configuration for live productions. Furthermore, a new feature-rich firmware update (SUP 6.1) presented, along with a new Viewfinder Multicam Monitor VMM-1. Read below about ARRI’s cinematic solution for Multicam broadcasting.
Dedicated to ARRI Multicam System
For some time, ARRI has been making decent efforts to conquer the cinematic broadcast arena. The most recent and complex project that can be used as a case-study, is of course the David Guetta Dubai Show that was captured live by four ARRI Cameras. Another extremely challenging project is the 2021 Super Bowl halftime show. For that reason, ARRI has decided to invest some R&D in order to sharpen its AMIRA, which has been heavily utilized in cinematic broadcasting. The AMIRA Live is an upgraded version of the “old” AMIRA that features internal cabling between the camera body and the 1820 Fiber Camera Adapter, resulting in a cleaner and more reliable configuration for live broadcast environments. This cable-less design makes the AMIRA Live more like the traditional system cameras typically used for multi-camera broadcasts, while the Super 35 ARRI sense delivers the well-known cinematic imagery. This configuration allows better implementation regarding ARRI Multicam methodologies, as presented here.
AMIRA Live highlights
- Sensor: The same ALEV III Super 35 sensor (implemented in all ALEXA cameras).
- Dynamic Range: 14 stops.
- SUP 6.1 software update: Adds enhanced multi-cam functionality. (Improvements: Noise reduction, sharpness, pixel correction, and faster boot-up)
- Intercom talkback via VTR: Simplified communications and more reliable configuration for live productions
- Elimination of external cables: Between AMIRA Live and fiber backend (check out the slides below which compare the old AMIRA model to the Live)
ARRI VMM-1 Monitor
The VMM (Viewfinder Multicam Monitor) -1 is a versatile, 10-inch onboard monitor that connects directly to the camera viewfinder interface or can be daisy-chained with the Camera Control Panel CPP-1. It includes controls for contrast, color, backlight, and peaking, a physical on/off switch for the frontside tally and two camera user buttons. Accompanying the monitor is ARRI’a adjustable, quick-release Monitor Yoke Support (MYS-1) brackets designed specifically for the VMM-1 and for Multicam setups.
FAQ
What is the difference between the AMIRA Live and the normal AMIRA with the 1800 fiber system connected?
The AMIRA Live supports a cable-less connection between the camera body and the fiber adapter, while the normal AMIRA needs to be connected to the fiber adapter by up to five cables.
Can I remove the fiber adapter from the AMIRA Live camera body?
Yes, you can easily remove the fiber adapter for like transportation or service purposes.
Can I use the AMIRA Live without the VMM-1 viewfinder monitor?
You can use the MVF-1 camera viewfinder instead of the VMM-1. It is not possible to connect an SDI monitor to the camera, however, you may connect an SDI monitor (up to 3G SDI) to the fiber adapter.
How do I set and control the camera settings without having an MVF-1 connected?
You can connect a CCP-1, daisy-chained with the VMM-1. Or you can use the built-in web remote function through the ethernet connection or WiFi.
Can I record onto the internal CFast 2.0 cards with AMIRA Live during a live production?
Yes, AMIRA Live supports all functions supported with the normal AMIRA. You can record locally to the recording media in parallel, also using a different frame rate or in Log C.
Is the image quality different when using AMIRA Live, AMIRA, and ALEXA Mini on the same ARRI Multicam production?
No, all three cameras have the same sensor, color science, and image quality
For more information regarding ARRI’s newest setup and cinematic broadcasting options, download the ARRI Multicam System Brochure here.
