Support for Arri cameras

Support was added for the Arri cameras in the Real Freedom Camera Back Transmitter software. Testing used an Arri Alexa Mini, left in a partially validated state. Lens functions would have to be mapped.

How does it work?

  1. Set camera control to 'Sony' on the Real Freedom Camera Back Transmitter (or 'BSI Sony' if you also want to remotely control transmit parameters).
  2. Put the camera 709 Multicam mode ('look') and connect using Ethernet.
  3. Using the network configuration menu, set the transmitter to its default Static IP of 192.168.1.1, subnet mask 255.255.255.0
  4. Set the IP address of the camera to different address on the same network, for example, 192.168.1.3, subnet mask 255.255.255.0
  5. The Real Freedom Camara Back Transmitter waits for the camera to connect at that address.
  6. BST2000 Sony controls are then translated to Simple Sony Protocol, which Arri supports, and forwarded to the camera.

Tested coverage

  • Most paint commands work (Arri use a subset of Sony commands):
    • Black R/G/B
    • Master Black
    • White R/G/B
    • 5600K Override
    • ND filter selection
    • Detail
    • Master Gain
    • Gamma R/G/B
    • Master Gamma
    • Master Black Gamma
    • Master Knee
    • Saturation
    • Call (triggered from Tally)
    • Color Bars
    • Shutter
    • White Balance.
  • Shutter was not matched end-to-end in value but usable (BSI use a step shutter and Arri use the more capable ECS shutter).
  • Iris could not be verified as it was not clear how the lens is interfaced with the camera.