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NIA-1 Network Interface Adapter

A new world of networked control options

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LBUS meets the Ethernet

The NIA-1 opens ARRI’s ECS ecosystem to Ethernet connectivity by bridging modern IP workflows and LBUS-based camera and lens control systems. With wide-ranging cine and broadcast applications, the NIA-1 expands control of third-party cameras with the ARRI Hi‑5 hand unit and paves the way for technology partners to control ARRI ECS tools with their own devices and software.

ARRI Tech Talk: NIA-1

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Extend your control over greater distances
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Simplified IP configurations

Connect two NIA-1s via Ethernet to simplify setups where a radio connection isn’t practical. The use cases are almost endless: on an underwater shoot you could run a 100-meter Ethernet cable to the surface, where a short radio connection allows wireless lens control. Or on a live broadcast production you could use a super-long fiber optic cable for real-time lens control from outside the venue. 

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Plug-and-play system

With the NIA-1, ARRI introduces the concept of network channels—a new and simple way to configure IP networks. Users just set the same network channel letter on each connecting device, for instance ‘A’ for the A-camera. Connection is fast and easy, with the NIA-1 automatically managing complex network settings, although manual IP configuration is also an option for advanced networks.

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Expanded control of third-party cameras
NIA-1 + Sony Burano
Ethernet-based camera control

The NIA-1 is ARRI’s hub for expanded third-party camera control via Ethernet. At launch, it will offer comprehensive control of Blackmagic URSA Cine and Sony Burano cameras through the established model of Hi‑5 licenses. When combined with the NIA-1, the existing Sony license for Hi‑5 will offer significantly more advanced options for controlling the Sony Venice than has been possible up until now.

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New possibilities for live productions

Seamless integration with the LPS-1

ARRI’s ALEXA 35 Live – Multicam System is pre-rigged for the NIA-1: its secondary Ethernet tunnel allows an ECS setup to run alongside standard broadcast systems. ARRI CSS products like the 360 EVO stabilized remote head are also NIA-1 compatible, so they can be used together with ECS devices to provide live productions with low-latency camera and lens control over vast distances.

 

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Synchronized lens control

Single hand unit, multiple lenses

The NIA-1’s Lens Sync feature makes syncing two or more lenses easy, even when using different lens brands or focal lengths. A single Hi‑5 can use lens data to simultaneously set focus, iris, or zoom values on multiple cameras, in multiple locations across a network. Great for working with beam-splitting rigs or shooting multi-camera VFX plates, with all the lens data you’d expect. 

 

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Partner access to ARRI lens motor control

The NIA-1 brings lens motor control into the ARRI Partner Program for the first time, allowing third-party companies to integrate the ARRI ECS system into their hardware and software tools. Whether you’re building a motion control robot or a virtual production tool, get the lens and camera control you need with a NIA-1 and the new Metadata and Control Protocol (ARRI MCP). 

Limitless possibilities for configuration

Standard IP equipment can be combined with a pair of NIA-1s for all sorts of customized setups. Split control between a local 1st AC and a remote DIT, or control multiple cameras sequentially or simultaneously. Or come up with a configuration entirely your own.

 

Two NIA-1s providing ethernet control possibilities between a Hi‑5 and an ALEXA 35 or ALEXA Mini LF.

NIA-1 adding a split Iris control over Ethernet.

NIA-1 adding a split Iris control over Ethernet in conjunction with long-range radio connectivity with RIA‑1.

NIA-1 and RIA‑1 enabling wireless control from the surface during underwater shooting.

Multiple NIA-1s communicating through one network. Up to 26 cameras are supported in this way.

Using a USB-C to Ethernet dongle adds an additional Ethernet port to the NIA-1, which can be used to add Camera Companion App control to the system when WiFi to the camera is not practical.

NIA-1 FAQ

  • To connect two NIA-1s you simply need to set the same network channel on both NIA-1s: they will automatically connect if they are in the same IP network. The NIA-1 can auto configure IP settings and supports DHCP as well as dynamic and static IP settings. It’s literally plug-&-play.

  • Yes, the NIA-1 can have individual static IP Settings. We recommend configuring the IP setting via the NIA-1 web remote, but you can of course also configure it via the NIA-1 touch display. 

  • Theoretically, any IP Network can be used between two NIA-1s. When using complex setups, please make sure that proper multicast routing is enabled. Complex and long-distance networks can cause latency and delays which could make focus pulling harder than it already is. Please make sure to test the setup and infrastructure before use.

  • Yes. Although the ALEXA 35 has an ethernet port, you still need to use a NIA-1 for lens control via IP.  The requirements for real-time focus pulling are very critical and a lot of care has been taken to ensure low-latency and stable IP lens control via the NIA-1.

  • For ARRI cameras simply connect the NIA-1 into the LBUS daisy-chain. For third-party camera control you just need to select the correct camera on the NIA-1 touch display. For some cameras, this might require changing some settings in the camera menu – but this will be explained on the NIA-1 display. In addition, you can use the NIA-1 webremote to change the camera connection settings which might be required if you must use specific camera IP settings. A license is required on the Hi‑5 hand unit for third-party camera control.

  • No – ALEXA camera control will work as today via the LBUS connection.

  • Absolutely! The lens sync feature of the NIA-1 allows you to control multiple lenses with one hand unit like the Hi‑5. The lens sync feature also allows you to synchronize Iris or Zoom motors. You can set a focus offset on each NIA-1 in case the sensor plane is not equidistant on each camera or if you want to use a focus offset as a creative element.

  • The NIA-1 can be used to start/stop recording on multiple cameras in the same network via the lens sync feature. Frame-accurate recording sync is not possible with the NIA-1 however, that would require a system such as Genlock.

  • The webremote can be accessed via a webbrowser from any device in the same network by typing in the NIA-1 IP address. In addition, you can connect your device to the NIA-1 via the USB-C port and access the webremote by typing http://10.99.99.1. in the address field of your browser.

  • You can use USB-C to Ethernet dongle to create a second Ethernet connection. When using a USB-C to Ethernet PoE dongle, you can also power the NIA-1 over Ethernet. A list of compatible dongles is provided in the product documentation supplied with each NIA-1.

  • Yes, the NIA-1 can be powered from a Hi‑5 via LBUS.

  • Yes, the NIA-1 can be powered via standard USB-C power supplies.

  • The RJ-45 port on the NIA-1 does not support PoE, but you can use USB-C to Ethernet PoE dongle to power the NIA-1 over Ethernet. A list of compatible dongles is provided in the product documentation supplied with each NIA-1.

  • The NIA-1 has a data rate [HS1] of 100 Mbits which is more than enough for all kind of lens and camera control tasks, as well as streaming metadata. When attaching a USB-C to Ethernet dongle, the NIA-1 will work as a 100 Mbits/s Ethernet switch.

  • The NIA-1 is designed to work perfectly with ARRI products like the Hi‑5, RIA‑1, cforce lens motors or ALEXA cameras and CSS equipment. A NIA-1 cannot connect via Ethernet to a cmotion cGate and the two products are therefore not compatible in that sense. Of course, you can use a NIA-1 and a cmotion cGate on the same network but in different setups.

Technical data

  
Dimensions (L x W x H):2.28 x 1.46 x 1.06" / 63 x 37 x 27 mm
Weight:0.22 lbs / 0.10 kg
Interfaces:

2x LBUS (4pin Lemo) for LBUS devices; supports LBUS and LCS protocol 

1x Ethernet (8pin RJ-45) for connection to the IP network 

1x USB-C for software updates, USB devices and external power supply

Permissible Input Voltage:

6.3 - 34 V DC (LBUS) 

4.75 - 5.25 V DC (USB-C)

Power Consumption:

Max. 5 W (without external USB-C device supplied) 

Max. 10 W (with external USB-C device supplied)

 

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