ARRI has announced the launch of its Hi-5 SX hand-held camera control unit which aims to provide third-party compatibility and flexibility.
The unit shares the Hi-5 form factor and has a touchscreen interface based on a camera GUI. ARRI offer swappable radio modules for both Hi-5 and Hi-5SX, enabling crews to choose the most suitable module for any location or conform to different regional frequency regulations, said the company.
Compatible with all existing Hi-5 licenses, such as the Cinefade, RED camera control and Focusbug, upgrades are also available for the unit to provide access to functions as and when they are needed, said ARRI.
The Hi-5 SX Plus License enables lens mapping, Custom Smart Ring creation, six additional user buttons and tail slate mode, while the Hi-5 SX All-Axis License enables simultaneous use of the knob, slider, and force pad for three-axis lens control, as well as complete display information, AUX axis, and full virtual T-stop and focal length features.
Once both upgrades are installed, the unit becomes functionally indistinguishable from the Hi-5, said ARRI. With a ruggedised housing, the Hi-5 SX can be operated in harsh environments and ARRI-branded batteries based on the NP-L interface can be hot-swapped without powering the unit down, with their remaining capacity accurately displayed on the screen.
