AMIRA

A sensor mode defines an aspect ratio, which defines the area on the sensor that is being captured. A recording format define what is being recorded in-camera in the file. So while a sensor mode defines a certain number of photosites on the sensor, those may be recorded straight or up or down-sampled to create the pixels of the recording format. A distribution format defines how the final product is delivered to the consumer. The contents in the recording format is often up or down-sampled, cropped, repositioned or rotated in post before it becomes the final distribution format.

An example: Choosing a 16:9 sensor mode on the camera allows the further choice of various recording formats. Choosing the 4K UHD recording format means that a 16:9 area from the sensor is read out, up-sampled in camera to a 4K UHD image and then recorded. In this case the recording format of 4K UHD is the same as the distribution format of 4K UHD. 

Yes, all AMIRA models can be upgraded with the 4K UHD license. This requires a 4K UHD calibrated camera.

The following are the default looks of the camera:

• ARRI 709 - renders the video image according to the ITU.R-BT709 standard
• ALEXA Classic 709 - matches the color reproduction to the ARRI ALEXA
• ARRI 2100 HLG 1K 200 - renders an image for a HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma, ITU-R BT.2100) monitor
• ARRI 2100 PQ 1K 200 - renders an image for a PQ (SMPTE 2084, ITU-R BT.2100) monitor
• ARRI 709 Multicam - editable version of ARRI 709 for use with the multicam feature
• Commercial - renders the image brighter for smoother skin tones
• Landscape - applies a steeper contrast curve to the image
• LCC 709 - Low Contrast Curve look that keeps more details in highlights for color correction purposes
• TV neutral - an ARRI 709 like look, which is more saturated in colors with slightly lower blacks
• TV warm - same as TV neutral, just with a little bit warmer look overall
• Vibrant - boosts color saturation except for red and yellow (skint one protection)
• ARRI Look Library - collection of 87 looks

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Looks can be created with the ARRI Color Tool. This tool is available for free on our website.

ProRes 3.2K is a recording format that is quickly gaining popularity. It is being used on major TV series like Game of Thrones, on many Amazon projects and on various feature films. The reason is that it has a lower data rate than ProRes 4K UHD (in fact about 33% less data) and thus is less expensive to record on set and to process in post. It can then be used for an HD or 2K deliverable (with extra image area for re-sizing, rotating, re-framing or stabilizing) or, with only a slight up-sample, for a 4K UHD deliverable.