Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/680196
www.postmagazine.com 30 POST MAY 2016 RED AVID DNXHR AND DNXHD FREE FIRMWARE UPDATES Red Digital announced on the floor that Weapon, Scarlet-W and Red Raven can now shoot in Avid DNxHR and DNxHD recording formats via a free firmware update. This update includes the ability to shoot Redcode raw (R3D) simultaneously, alongside Avid DNxHR/HD. In addition to the Avid news, Red announced a selec- tion of highly anticipated accessories, including: the DSMC2 Side Handle, an ergonomic handle with navigation wheel and customizable settings that's ideal for compact, handheld configurations; a DSMC2 Jetpack-SDI Expander, an I/O expander designed for aerials, gimbals and other lightweight/remote config- urations with SDI connections; DSMC2 V-Lock Battery Module, which pairs with a variety of expanders to power via V-Lock batteries; and a Red Pro Touch 7.0-inch LCD, designed for off-camera configura- tions and offering camera control plus a high-definition experience for recording and viewing footage. ■ QUICK LOOK Avid recording formats is a welcome addition to the Red lineup; free upgrade; additional hardware upgrades allow for greater flexibility and mobility for hand- held shooters; firmware update is free. ARRI AMIRA SOFTWARE UPDATE PACKAGE Arri is now offering a software update package (SUP 4.0) that brings ProRes S16 HD recording to its Amira camera. The new mode takes a Super 16-sized crop from the sensor and scales it to a 16:9 HD picture in any ProRes co- dec. The image circle is 15.1mm, which is slightly larger than the traditional Super 16 image circle of 14.5 mm. Many lenses designed for Super 16 will cover the new recording mode without any vignetting inside the image area. The company also announced a newly-acquired Trinity camera support system that consists of a compact and lightweight two-axis gimbal head, a mon- itor mount and joystick that attach to the gimbal handle, a battery hanger module and a pendulum that allows 'drop down' moves. The unit, with the right training, could be a phenomenal tool in the hands of the right cinematographer. The Trinity as shown, was quite fluid no matter the orientation. Trinity has mechani- cal camera stabilization with modern, 32-bit ARM-based gimbal technology. Payload and height adjustability mean that larger cameras and heavy lenses can also be supported, but just to run with the Trinity head (I call it a camera halo) as a handheld rig, you would have to be in pretty good shape. Additional stabili- zation in the roll axis of the Trinity head permits the use of telephoto lenses and the joystick-controlled, fully-stabilized tilt axis allows low-angle or over-the- shoulder shots, as well as smooth, in-shot transitions between low mode and high mode. This unit would be a great creative addition for the director who is looking for that moving shot with a twist. ■ QUICK LOOK The Trinity camera support system consists of a compact and lightweight two-axis gimbal head, a monitor mount and joystick that attach to the gimbal handle, a battery hanger module and a pendulum that allows 'drop down' moves, pricing TBA. AJA CION V.1.3 FIRMWARE UPGRADE AJA (www.AJA.com) released V.1.3 firmware for the Cion, AJA's 4K/ UltraHD and 2K/HD production camera that shoots edit-ready Apple ProRes files at up to 4K/60fps. V.1.3 firmware is offered as a free software download. AJA also announced that Cion purchas- es made after April 18th will qualify for a free Pak1000 drive, provided direct from the company. The V.1.3 firmware features improved highlight handling and black detail in every gamma mode. Renamed gamma modes now are more closely aligned to industry standards and the settings are now available in the Cion menu, and include new options for Standard, Expanded, Video and Cine modes. Cion V.1.3 also offers a gentler roll off of highlights, and a greater level of detail in the blacks. ■ QUICK LOOK Better highlights, improved detail in blacks; upgrade allows Apple ProRes at 4K/60fps; renamed gamma controls now match industry standards; download is free. CAMERAS Arri introduced a software update that adds ProRes S16 HD recording to its Amira camera. AJA's Cion receives a firmware upgrade.