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ARRI Wireless Video System (WVS) Frequently Asked Questions

ARRI Wireless Video System (WVS) Frequently Asked Questions

ARRI Wireless Video System (WVS) Frequently Asked Questions

ARRI Wireless Video System (WVS) Frequently Asked Questions

ARRI Wireless Video System (WVS) Frequently Asked Questions

ALEXA Camera Line Up and Upgrades

Q: What are the changes to the ALEXA camera line-up?

A: The ALEXA SXT W replaces the ALEXA SXT Plus and ALEXA SXT Studio cameras. The ALEXA SXT W is based on the ALEXA SXT Plus, with the addition of a wireless video transmitter and a WiFi radio.

The new ALEXA line-up includes:

• ALEXA SXT W (wireless HD video, ARRI ECS camera & lens control, WiFi)

• ALEXA SXT EV (no wireless)

• ALEXA Mini (ARRI ECS camera & lens control, WiFi)


Q: What are the differences between an ALEXA SXT Plus and an ALEXA SXT W?

A: The SXT W includes a transmitter for wireless HD video and a WiFi radio. To accommodate these radios, the ALEXA SXT W is 400 g heavier, 3 cm (about 1 inch) longer and uses 8 Watts more power than the ALEXA SXT Plus.


Q: What kind of upgrades are available for existing cameras?

A: We offer an affordable upgrade from an ALEXA SXT Plus to an ALEXA SXT W.


As before, we also have upgrade options from ALEXA XT to SXT cameras and from ALEXA SXT EV to ALEXA SXT Plus.


ARRI Wireless Video System - Compatibility and Components

Q: Why is the ARRI WVS not compatible with other wireless transmission systems?

A: ARRI had the hardware and software of the wireless video transmitter and receiver modified to comply with ARRI’s stringent performance and quality requirements. Therefore the ARRI WVS is not compatible with other systems on the market. In addition, this ensures that all components of the ARRI WVS work seamlessly together and all adhere to the same high quality standards, from the high input voltage range to the easy one-button pairing.


Q: Can the Transvideo Starlite ARRI-WVS monitor also control the ALEXA Mini?

A: No. The Transvideo Starlite ARRI-WVS is only compatible with the ARRI Wireless Video System and does not have control functions for ALEXA Mini. There is another Transvideo monitor that does that: the Transvideo StarliteRF-a. However, the StarliteRF-a needs a Transvideo transmitter on the ALEXA Mini for the remote control functions. While it would have been desirable to have both functions in one Starlite monitor, unfortunately it was technically not possible.


Q: Does the Transvideo Starlite ARRI-WVS cover the same distance as the WVR-1?

A: The Transvideo Starlite ARRI-WVS has a much smaller receiver board inside than the ARRI Wireless Video Receiver WVR-1, and so covers less distance. While the WVR-1 should be able to receive a signal from as much as 600 m (2,000 feet), the Starlite ARRI-WVS is rated for about 200 m (660 feet).


Q: Why do the new antennas have a blue and a white ring?

A: These are new dual-band (2.4 and 5 GHz) high performance antennas that will work with all three radios on the ALEXA SXT W. They can be attached to the wireless video (blue), WiFi (blue) and ARRI ECS (white) antenna connectors. Please note that the old ARRI ECS antennas (no color coding) will only work with the ARRI ECS radio, and should not be attached to the wireless video and WiFi antenna connectors.


Q: Do you have high gain antenna panels available for the ARRI WVS?

A: While we at this time do not supply high gain antenna panels for the ARRI WVS, those available from other vendors are compatible with the ARRI WVS.

ARRI Wireless Video System - Operation

Q: Can I use the ARRI WVS to transmit and monitor HDR on-set?

A: Yes, the ARRI WVS can be used to transmit and monitor HDR images.


Q: How can I pair the transmitter to the receiver?

A: The pairing procedure for the ARRI Wireless Video System devices is a fast and easy onebutton process.

• Turn on the transmitter and the first Wireless Video Receiver WVR-1. The transmitter can be either the one in the SXT W camera (turn transmitter power on in the MON OUT 3 menu) or a stand-alone Wireless Video Transmitter WVT-1.

• Make sure no other transmitters and receivers are powered up.

• Press the PAIR button on the transmitter until the NETWORK LED blinks.

• Press the PAIR button on the WVR-1 until the NETWORK LED blinks.

• Pairing is completed when the NETWORK LEDs stop blinking.

• Repeat for each additional WVR-1.


Q: How many Wireless Video Systems can I use at the same time in the same area?

A: The number of WVS Systems in parallel depends on the number of channels available, which is different for each region, and the radio noise present. In general, 4 to 6 systems can work in parallel.


Q: How many receivers can be paired to one transmitter?

A: It is possible to pair up to 4 receivers (either the WVR-1 or the Transvideo Starlite ARRI-WVS) to one transmitter unit. See an example setup with three cameras and 12 receivers below.


Q: Do SONY L series batteries supply enough power for additional accessories through the PWR OUT on the Wireless Video Receiver WVR-1?

A: Depending on your set-up and the power consumption of the additional accessories, one L series battery might not be able to supply enough power through the PWR OUT connector of the WVR-1. In that case, either add a second L series battery or use the Receiver Power Supply RPS-1.

ARRI Wireless Video System - Technical Aspects

Q: What frequency bands do the ALEXA SXT W radios operate in?

A: The ARRI Wireless Video System uses the 5GHz unlicensed frequency band, while the SXT W WiFi and ECS radios work in the 2.4 GHz range.


Q: What kind of metadata is transmitted with the wireless video?

A: The HD wireless video transmission includes 2 channel embedded audio, timecode and the HDSDI REC flag.


Q: Why are you using stick antennas and not some sort of shorter, integrated antenna?

A: During the development phase of the Wireless Video System we have experimented with a range of very pretty integrated antennas, but in the end found that we get the most robust transmission with the stick antennas. So we decided to stick :-) with those.


Q: Are there health concerns regarding the use of radio transmitters on cameras?

A: Based on all available information, it is safe to operate these radios on the camera.

The FCC in the US, the European Union and other countries require any device that emits radio waves close to the human body to pass the so called SAR test, which the ALEXA SXT W has passed. SAR stands for "Specific absorption rate", and it is a measure of the rate at which energy is absorbed by the human body when exposed to a radio frequency electromagnetic field.


Q: Are the transmission and video output of the WVS devices 8 or 10 bit?

A: The transmission and the video output of the WVS devices are 10 bit. This is important since 8 bit is not enough for monitoring HDR images, but 10 bit is.


Q: Can the Wireless Video Receiver WVR-1 process 3D LUTs?

A: No, the WVS takes whatever signal comes from the camera and outputs it without any modifications. In general, we recommend to make color changes (3D LUTs and CDL values) centrally in the camera, as that ensures that everyone on set sees the same image. It also ensures that the color metadata gets recorded with the master images for faster dailies and proxies creation and editing with the intended look.


Q: Does the WiFi radio in the ALEXA SXT W offer access point and client mode?

A: At this point in time the WiFi of the ALEXA SXT W offers only access point mode, which means that external devices can connect to the ALEXA SXT W WiFi network, but the ALEXA SXT W cannot log into existing WiFi networks.



21.04.2017

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