Questions and answers on Electronic Control System
A lens table is transmitted to the Hi‑5 from the camera device where the lens data is generated. ALEXA Mini and Mini LF cameras, the Universal Motor Controller UMC-4, the cforce mini RF lens motor, and the Radio Interface Adapter RIA‑1 all support wireless lens file transfer. Classic ALEXA cameras including the Plus module load lens files from an SD card.
Lens data is generated on the camera side and displayed on the Hi‑5. The data is generated in one of two ways:
The Lens Data Archive (LDA) is an archive that contains lens tables. Those lens tables set the raw motor encoder values in correlation to the actual lens scales. Once you choose the right lens table from the Lens Data Archive and calibrate your lens motors, you get the same type of lens data as an LDS lens would deliver. You can create your own lens tables for any given lens with the Hi‑5 and save them internally, externally to a USB-C flash drive, or in an iOS device with the ECS Sync App. Lens tables can then be transferred wirelessly from Hi‑5 to the ALEXA Mini/Mini LF, the Radio Interface Adapter RIA‑1, the Universal Motor Controller UMC-4, or the cforce mini RF lens motor.
Yes, you can use the cforce mini RF with the Hi‑5 when equipped with the white-coded RF-EMIP Radio Module.
There are many different lenses on the market and we do not have an individual pre-marked ring for all of them. We do have 10 pre-marked rings with metric scale and 10 with imperial scale. These rings can be mapped to any given lens by using the Lens Data Archive (LDA).
There are various ways to make good use of pre-marked rings. You can choose the ring marked with a close focus or minimum object distance (MOD) that is nearest to – but less than – the MOD of your lens. For example, if your lens MOD is 16”, you would choose the 14” focus ring. Or you simply select the ring with the focus scale spread that best matches your scene.
The following WCU‑4 pre-marked rings are compatible with the Hi‑5:
Metric: 0.20 m, 0.25 m, 0.35 m, 0.50 m, 1.00 m
Imperial: 3’6, 20” (= 1’8)
It depends on which exchangeable radio module is being used. With the RF-EMIP radio module, the battery lasts up to 15 hours.
Yes, it is. The Hi‑5 indicates the override mode, which is triggered by the Operator Control Unit OCU‑1 or the Master Grips. The override function enables operators to return focus, iris, or zoom control to the OCU‑1/Master Grips at the touch of a button.
Manual calibration requires a software update and will be supported at a later point in time.
Yes, you can use the Hi‑5 hardwired connected to the camera or motor controller via the LBUS (4p) interface on the Hi‑5. The following cable connection is supported:
Yes, you can use the Hi‑5 with any camera, by using the Radio Interface Adapter RIA‑1 with one of our new radio modules (RF-EMIP, RF-2400, RF-900) connected to the camera via the CAM (7p) interface on the RIA‑1.
The following cables are available:
If the Cable CAM (7p) is too short, you can use following cable as a CAM cable extension:
Alternatively, you can use the Universal Motor Controller UMC-4, the cforce mini RF, or the Mini Motor Controllers AMC-1, SMC-1 and EMC-1 with the RF-EMIP attached to the Hi‑5.
Depending on the transmitting power needed when using an RF-900 Radio Module with the RIA‑1, users can choose between Standard Mode, which transmits 100 mW, and Hi-Power Mode, which transmits 1 W. Hi-Power mode is recommended for long-range situations only.
Select Client Mode when hardwiring the RIA‑1 to a hand unit, OCU‑1/Master Grip, or cmotion’s steady/pan-bar zoom. Select Host Mode when hardwiring the RIA‑1 to a camera.
Yes, you can. This setup allows you to use the OCU‑1 remotely as an additional lens control unit with the ability to view lens data and control camera user button functions. A possible use case would be for the DIT’s iris adjustments, where the OCU‑1 can be mounted neatly near a monitor.
Yes, via the new Cable CAM (7p) to LCS (5p) (K2.0034580) which connects the CAM connector of the RIA‑1 to the LCS connector of ARRI ALEXA Plus type cameras. It provides camera REC start/stop, tally, camera settings, and status information via either the Hi‑5 hand unit or cmotion cPRO hand units (license required).
No, they are not compatible. They use different protocols.
Yes, with Dropbox, Google Drive, and others.
No.
Yes.
For wireless operation, you can combine up to three SXU-1 handsets per motor controller.
Yes, you can operate the SXU-1 hardwired with a LCS cable connected to the camera (e.g. K2.0007624 Cable EXT (7p) - LCS (5p).
Yes, you can limit the motor range to allow a more sensitive lens control.
No, currently only the Hi‑5 and WCU‑4 supports the override function.
Yes, the OCU‑1 works the same as the Master Grips.
Yes, the OCU‑1 can split lens axis control with the Hi‑5 or WCU‑4.
Yes, you need the LCUBE CUB-2 for it. With AMIRA it works like any other ENG lens.
No, currently this override feature is only possible with the ALEXA Mini LF.
Yes, it is possible to assign camera user buttons to the OCU‑1 and control up to 3 camera user buttons per OCU‑1. The corresponding function of a user button can be set on the camera. Please check the designated camera user manual on how to set the user buttons.
Yes, you can assign SPD+ (increase speed) and SPD- (decrease speed) to any of the OCU‑1 user buttons and also set the motor speed from minimum to maximum within the motor screen. The speed is set as the ratio between lens range and wheel range (1:4, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 4:1).
No, the override function is only supported by the Hi‑5 and WCU‑4.
No, the Hi‑5 and WCU‑4 indicates the override mode which is triggered by the OCU‑1 and offers a re-engaged lens motor control method without a jump.
No. This function is not supported in the override mode only when the OCU‑1 is used as a simple control unit which controls selected lens axis separately from the Hi‑5 or WCU‑4.
Yes, you can use it on other cameras than ALEXA and AMIRA but with limited functions. For further details about extended compatibilities please check the designated OCU‑1 user manual.
The Master Grips are useful …
… for crash zooms as a visual storytelling tool
… as a zoom control unit for pan bars
… when you need a solid grip with full control at the same time
… when you don’t know what’s happening next and you need to react quickly and flexibly
… when you shoot interiors of a car, helicopter or on any other tight locations
… when you shoot on a small speedboat with no focus puller
Yes, it is possible assign camera user buttons to the Master Grips and control up to 6 user buttons per Master Grips set. The corresponding function of a user button can be set on the camera. Please check the designated camera user manual on how to set the user buttons.
Yes, you can assign SPD+ (increase speed) and SPD- (decrease speed) to any of the Master Grips´ user buttons and also set the motor speed from minimum to maximum within the motor screen. The speed is set as the ratio between lens range and wheel range (1:4, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 4:1).
Yes, move the motor to the first limit position and press the LIM function assigned to one of the user buttons. The first limit is set. Then move the motor to the second limit. Press the LIM button again. The second limit is set. The motor now only operates in the defined range between both limits.
Yes, the assignable function TCH LCK (touch lock) locks the touchscreen.
Yes, you can use the Master Grips on 3rd party cameras but with limited functions than when used with an ALEXA or an AMIRA camera.
Yes!
No, the cforce mini RF has the receiver box already built in.
Yes, after transferring a lens file from the Hi‑5 or WCU‑4 to the cforce mini RF, the motor stores one lens file.
Yes, when using the cforce mini RF, the motor must be set to CLIENT mode in its radio menu. The motor then behaves like a normal cforce motor without a radio module.
Yes.
Supported features:
Not supported features:
Yes, by pressing the upper botton short in menu “System Info”.
The UMC-4 saves metadata on the SD-card.
The cforce RF can use LDA files, which can be displayed on your Hi‑5 or WCU‑4 screen, but metadata cannot be saved.
Yes. The ERM-2400 LCS comes as a pre-configured paired set of two radio modules.
If one ERM is damaged, you can use any other ERM-2400 LCS module but you need to get it paired as a new set with the remaining module done by ARRI Service.
No.
Yes, the WCU‑4 supports the cdistance for Focus, Iris, Zoom and Distance value display. Use an LCS to LBUS cable to connect the two devices. WCU‑4 SUP 3.0 or later is required to support the cmotion cdistance.
Yes, the Hi‑5 fully supports the cdistance with SUP 2.0. Any LBUS to LBUS cable can be used, but a specific short, right angle cable has been developed for this combination: K2.0048534
That depends on the brightness level and power source. An estimation of run time is provided below, based on a WCU‑4:
The iris motor can be controlled using a knob solo cabled directly to either an ENG-adapter or a broadcast camin. Alternatively, the knob solo can be used in an OB truck or control room through common fiber solutions. The broadcast camin has a built-in potentiometer for iris control / adjustment plus a lens limit function. The EXT interface allows the iris to be controlled automatically or remotely through a Hirose 12pin interface on a camera or accessory.
You can use up to 3 cforce motors.
Yes. You can use the WCU‑4 with any camera, using the Universal Motor Controller UMC-4, the cforce mini RF or the Mini Motor Controllers AMC-1, SMC-1 and EMC-1.
You can control up to three motors for focus, iris, and zoom. The ALEXA Remote License Key activates remote camera setup capabilities via WCU‑4 for ALEXA Plus, ALEXA Plus 4:3, ALEXA XT Plus, ALEXA Studio, ALEXA XT Studio, ALEXA SXT, ALEXA SXT W , ALEXA 65 and ALEXA Mini/Mini LF cameras, as well as for AMIRA if combined with the Universal Motor Controller UMC-4 or the cforce mini RF lens motor.
This includes the following parameters:
There are many different lenses on the market and we do not have an individual pre-marked ring for all of them. We do have five pre-marked rings with metric scale and five rings with imperial scale. These rings can be mapped to any given lens by using the Lens Data Archive (LDA).
There are various ways to make good use of pre-marked rings. You can choose the ring marked with a close focus or minimum object distance (MOD) that is nearest to – but less than – the MOD of your lens. For example, if your lens MOD is 16”, you would choose the 14” focus ring. Or you simply select the ring with the focus scale spread that matches your scene best.
Lens data is transmitted to the WCU‑4 from the camera device where it is generated (ALEXA Plus, ALEXA Plus 4:3, ALEXA XT Plus, ALEXA Studio, ALEXA XT Studio, ALEXA SXT, ALEXA SXT W , ALEXA 65 and ALEXA Mini/Mini LF cameras, Universal Motor Controller UMC-4 or the cforce mini RF lens motor).
The Lens Data Archive is an archive that contains lens tables. Those lens tables set the raw motor encoder values in correlation to the actual lens scales. Once you choose the right lens table from the Lens Data Archive and calibrate your lens motors, you get the same type of lens data as an LDS lens would deliver. You can create your own lens tables for any given lens with the WCU‑4, save it on SD card and transfer it to the ALEXA Mini/Mini LF, the Universal Motor Controller UMC-4 and the cforce mini RF wirelessly.
Lens data is generated on the camera side and displayed on the WCU‑4. The data is generated in one of two ways:
1. From LDS lenses, via the internal lens encoders
2. From the Lens Data Archive (LDA), via the motor encoders