HD-IVS – High Definition Video Assist for 35 mm Film

The HD-IVS is a breakthrough product that uses innovative digital technology to create high definition video assist images for the ARRICAM and ARRIFLEX 435 film cameras.

Wide dynamic range, excellent color reproduction and low noise are combined with ARRI's unique Ground Glass Cancellation (GGC) technology to create beautiful, high resolution preview images. The HD-IVS provides a superior image for the director and cinematographer on the set to judge each take while shooting 35 mm film.

HD Video Assist for

• ARRICAM Studio and Lite
• ARRIFLEX 435 ES, 435 Advanced, 435 Xtreme

Unprecedented Image Quality

• 1920 x 1080 high resolution output
• 3 stops more dynamic range than standard def IVS
• Ground Glass Cancellation (GGC) for a clean image
• less noise through optimized exposure control
• sharp, high contrast image
• excellent color reproduction

Screen Capture

• capture of individual HD images onto a USB stick
• load captured images back into HD-IVS for compare function

3x HD-SDI outputs

• 4:2:2 color sampling
• with overlay, without overlay and switchable
• progressive, progressive segmented frame or interlaced output
• 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97 or 30 fps

Retains Popular IVS Features

• simple user interface
• flicker free operation
• design and optics closely integrated into film camera
• integrated frame line inserter
• integrated text inserter 
• compare life to stored image
• automatic and manual gain control
• white balance: indoor, outdoor, manual and one-push-white

(1) The HD-IVS always outputs a 1920 by 1080 HD signal. When using the 16:9 lens, 1920 x 1080 pixels contain image content. When using the 4:3 lens, 1440 by 1080 pixels contain image content, the other pixesl are black ("pillar box"). 

HD-IVS – High Definition Video Assist for 35 mm Film

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01. What large monitors can I use?

02. What onboard monitors can I use?

03. What recording devices can I use?

04. What transmitter can I use?

05. What is the latency time of the system?

06. What is the light sensitivity of the HD-IVS?

07. Do I need to upgrade the film camera?

08. Can I use a down converter to SD-SDI?

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01. What large monitors can I use?

There are two types of monitors. On one side, there are full HD monitors with resolution, geometry and color reproduction optimized for HD video images. On the other side, it is possible to use consumer computer monitors along with a converter from HD-SDI to DVI.

Full HD Monitors:
All monitors according to the following specification:

• Resolution 1920 x 1080
• Input HD-SDI 1080, with 24p, 25p, 30p or 48i, 50i and 60i, YUV 4:2:2, 10bit
• Latency < 2 frames (the lower, the better)

We have successfully used several monitors, such as

• Cinetal HD Monitor (24 inch monitor)
• Panasonic TH-42PF11 with one of the following boards:
  TH-FB9HD, TH-FB10HD or TH-FB11DHD (42 inch monitor)
• Sony LMD-2450W (24 inch monitor)

Computer Monitors:
All monitors with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixel and DVI input. The specification for a converter is input HD-SDI 1080, with 24p, 25p, 30p or 48i, 50i and 60i, YUV 4:2:2, 10bit, output DVI, latency < 2 frames (the lower, the better)

We have successfully used several monitors, such as Monitor:

• Hyundai W240D
• Converter: AJA HDP

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02. What onboard monitors can I use?

All monitors according to the following specification:

• Input HD-SDI 1080, with 24p, 25p, 30p or 48i, 50i and 60i, YUV 4:2:2, 10bit
• Power consumption < 35 W
• Latency < 2 frames (the lower, the better)

Power out on the HD-SDI is a 3 pin Fischer connector

We have successfully used several monitors, such as

• ARRI HDM-7
• Transvideo Cine Monitor

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03. What recording devices can I use?

All recorders with the following specification:

• Input HD-SDI 1080, with at least one of the modes 24p, 25p, 30p or 48i, 50i and 60i, YUV 4:2:2, 10bit

Note: Unlike analog recorders there might be a delay between HD-SDI and loop through HD-SDI output. Make sure to use a system with lowest delay.

We have successfully used the recorder

• AJA Ki Pro

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04. What transmitter can I use?

All transmitters with the following specification:

• Input HD-SDI 1080, with at least one of the modes 24p, 25p, 30p or 48i, 50i and 60i, YUV 4:2:2, 10bit

Note: Some transmitters are known to have a very large delay. Make sure to use a system with lowest delay.

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05. What is the latency time of the system?

The latency of the HD-IVS can be similar to the latency of analog system with a similar configuration. The delay of the HD-IVS is app. 2 to 3 frames, as it was with the previous versions. This is caused by a frame store inside the IVS, which converts the frame rates of the film camera (e.g. 24 FPS) to the frame rate of the HD-SDI output (e.g. 30 FPS) and by the read out sequence of the sensor.

However, unlike cathode ray monitors, flat screen monitors usually have an image store themselves and some of them do have visible delay. Also some transmitters are known to produce large delay because they compress and de-compress the images for the transmission process. Furthermore, some recording devices with signal loop through might add delays because they do not simply pass the signal through rather than decoding and encoding it.

In order to get low latency for the overall system, please make sure to use monitors, transmitters and recorders with low latency.

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06. What is the light sensitivity of the HD-IVS?

The sensitivity of the HD-IVS must not be rated in ASA. Although the ASA sensitivity of the HD-IVS cameras is very high, it appears to be less sensitive. This is because the standard sensitivity test has a camera with a lens right in front of the film camera. For an IVS it is different. We have the lens in front of the film camera and the light which passes through the lens has to be shared between, the film, the optical view finder and the video assist. Furthermore, we have a ground glass in our optical pass, which scatters light all around and only a small portion of light can be used after that. So we assume, only some 2% of light, which passes through the lens, will end up on the IVS sensor. So the sensitivity for a video assist rates differently. If you set light in front of the film camera for a 800 ASA film your image on the HD-IVS will still be good enough for a video assist image.

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07. Do I need to upgrade the film camera?

For the ARRICAM ST and LT, it is possible to use the film cameras as they are. However, we recommend using the latest software version.

The ARRIFLEX 435 needs a hardware modification to power the HD-IVS and to use the CAN link. This is combined with a software upgrade for the camera. Please see ARRICAM Service Info Nr. 435-SI-003_1030-23-00-18-01-A (ES) or service info 435- SI-002_1030-21-00-18-01-A for (Advanced/Xtreme) for details and make sure to use the software 435X_04A or higher for the Advanced/Xtreme.

Once the camera is modified, it is pand back without any modification.

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08. Can I use a down converter to SD-SDI?

Generally, you get the best performance if you stay in the HD world. However, it might be necessary to down convert. Thus, not every monitor on the set needs to be HD.

Please note, that the image quality is still better with an HD-IVS down converted to SD compared to the original standard IVS. With the HD signal the image is over sampled and scaled down, which is known to produce a good image.

Please make sure, that the down converter has a low delay.

We have successfully used the down converter

• AJA HD10 MD3

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