NAB 2005 Report

This year's NAB in mid-April was busy and hectic for us, as we had plenty of new products. Customers came looking at the D-20, new lenses, ARRISCAN and Ceramic lighting technology.

During one of the typical "gourmet" trade show lunches with Steadicam inventor Garrett Brown we realized that we had almost all the makings of a little film at our booth. A quick visit to the Kodak and Aaton booths secured some film stock and a hard disk sound recorder. Garrett attached the 235 with an Ultra Prime 8R lens to his Steadicam, and shot a little impression of this year's booth.

Please note that this was shot with no budget, no lighting and no preparation of any kind; furthermore the sales people had no warning before we accosted them, but we think you can get a good sense of the new products and activities at the ARRI booth none the less, or maybe because of the informal nature of this clip.
Launch NAB video clip.

NAB 2005 - Camera

The camera department had over 15 new product introductions (see the New Camera Products article or a complete list). After we had concentrated on creating modern and efficient camera bodies for the last years (ARRICAM Studio & Lite, 435 Xtreme, 235), we shifted our focus to another important area: lenses. At NAB we showed a large number of new ARRI/Zeiss lenses that match and complement each other and our cameras.

First and foremost were the Master Primes, a full set of 12 new high speed lenses with an outstanding optical quality. Most of our cameras at the show, including the D-20, were equipped with Master Primes.



To expand the usefulness of the Master Primes (and of other lenses as well), a special set of diopters with achromatic glass was introduced.

Next in the favor of the NAB visitors was the Ultra Prime 8R lens, the widest rectilinear (=straight lines stay straight) lens ever build in the film or video world. In a way the Ultra Prime 8R is one of the easiest products to explain; all it takes is letting a cinematographer look through a camera with that lens on, and they can immediately see the unique perspective this lens gives. For all who were not at the show, we have posted various example images shot with the Ultra Prime 8R on the 8R web page and written an article about some of the first test shoots.


And then there were the announcements that we are working with Zeiss on a Lightweight Zoom (LWZ-1) for the 35 format and a set of 5 new prime lenses for the Super 16 format. After all the hard work of specifying and designing these lenses, it was a pleasure to get them out there into customers hands and to see the positive responses.

The other highlight at NAB was the ARRIFLEX D-20 camera, which received the TV Technology STAR (Superior Technology Award Recipients) award that is " designed to celebrate and showcase the preeminent technological innovations available to the broadcast industry".



Also at NAB we announced that we will be able to use the Grass Valley Flash Pack recording unit as a ‘Flash Mag’ mounted on the D-20 for uncompressed recording in 4:4:4 mode (10 minutes capacity @ 24fps) or in 4:2:2 mode (15 minutes @ 24fps), a great step towards making the D-20 easier to use in hand held and Steadicam situations.

Last but not least was the introduction of a range of accessories for high end video cameras. A new follow focus (FF-5HD), a new matte box (MB-20) and video compatibility of the ARRI Wireless Remote System now gives video cinematographers the same features, reliability and quality of the ARRI film camera accessories.

NAB 2005 - Digital Intermediate Systems

NAB 2005 can be considered the show of the 'Digital Intermediate’ (DI). We presented the complete production chain from scanning film with the ARRISCAN, preserving colors with the Color Management System, to recording back to film with the ARRILASER. Special public presentations informed the visitors about the technology used, the philosophy and approach that suits the needs of DI applications.

The presentations focused on the new features of the ARRISCAN, the performance and image quality of the ARRISCAN and ARRILASER and highlighted the enormous benefit of a closed loop calibration of ARRISCAN and ARRILASER.



Calibrating the whole chain from scanning to recording is a big task in the DI world. We see our role in the film business not only as a vendor of high class equipment, but also offer solutions with our application service.


NAB 2005 - Lighting

At this year’s NAB, ARRI Lighting showed the ARRI Ceramic Technology, a new light source that shines longer lamp life and lower power consumption.

The ARRI X Ceramic 250 received a millimeter NAB Pick Hits Awards. The recipients of this award were selected during the convention from among hundreds of new products on display.


“We’re very pleased to offer the Pick Hit Awards,” said millimeter publisher Scott Schwadron. “Part of our mission is to provide insight to our readers on the trends and equipment that are impacting the industry and their art. The Pick Hit Awards help us to spotlight some of the gear that will affect their work in a significant way.” Pick Hits winners are selected for breaking new grounds for workflow innovation, price/performance, image quality, and/or potential to drive artistic progress.

“Our Pick Hit judges have had a good record over the years of identifying products that would have long-lasting impact either by changing workflow, increasing image quality or simply by offering new opportunities that artists were able to capitalize on,” says Editorial Director Cynthia Wisehart.  “Our judges have seen and used a lot of technology and they have a passion for seeking out the best new tools.”

 




 

 

 

 

 

 
 

No. 13 - July 13, 2005


NAB 2005 report.
A report from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) show, plus a short video that was shot with some of the new equipment.


Cine Gear report.
An overview of what went on at Cine Gear, held this year on the Warner Brothers studio lot.


D-20 Test Shoots.
After NAB and Cine Gear we conducted various test shoots with the D-20 to run it through its paces.


D-20 at Cine Gear Master Class. A unique independent event where images were recorded with the ARRIFLEX D-20 alongside the DALSA Origin, Panavision Genesis and, as a base reference,
an ARRIFLEX 435 Xtreme.


Ultra Prime 8R.
After NAB the Ultra Prime 8R was tested. Here a report and a short video clip.


New Camera Products.
A listing of all new camera products so far this year with links to their respective web pages.


Camera Configuration Overviews. The most important camera products have been outlined visually
in these easy to use charts.


Digital Intermediate Systems. Laser quality at CRT price - the perfect solution to record HD material
onto film.


New Lighting Products.
A description of the new ARRI Ceramic lighting technology.