Monitoring the Mini

[adrian vedder]

Uhm... It seems like I'm the first person to post a topic so... YEAH!! Maybe??

Anyways, I've ordered a Mini but it's not due until 3 months from now, so I'm taking the time to understand the camera and be ready to go when it gets here.

My question is: If I attach a SmallHD 502 via the SDI output in the camera, can I record 4k? Cause the SmallHD is only 1080p, and it doesn't seem to support a 4K input, which is something a Shogun would take easily.

But I'm thinking maybe the Mini can record internally at 4K but send a 1080 signal?

If that's not the case, what else can be used as a cheap alternative to monitoring? I know the Arri Viewfinder or the Starlite HD5 do the trick, but I'd like to know if there's something different.

Thanks everyone!

[Jan Heugel]

Hi Adrian,

you're the first to have the heart, congratulations!

On ALEXA Mini in 4K UHD mode you have two options to connect the 502. On SDI 1 it can either be a processed "MON OUT" image with overlays or a clean feed, while on SDI 2 the camera exclusively offers a clean feed (444 3G signal).

All of those signals should not be a problem for the Small HD 502 judging by its list of input signals:

HD-SDI Input Signal Types/Formats
RGB/YCC 4:2:2 and 4:4:4,1080i60,1080i59.94,1080i50, 1080p30, 1080p25, 1080p24, 1080p23.98, 1080pSF23.98, 1080pSF24, 1080pSF25 , 1080pSF29.97, 720p60, 720p59.94, 720p50
http://store.smallhd.com/store/502-moni ... tabs#specs

Cheers,
Jan

[adrian vedder]

Jan thanks a lot! I like what you've done with the place, people will show up soon I'm sure!

This helps a lot. At the same time, the mini won't give me a chance to view it's menu on the 502 right? I need an iPhone or a laptop for that, correct? (Or the viewfinder, but I'm thinking about using a gimbal or stuff like that).

Also, and since I have you all to myself, only Sandisk and Lexar Cfast 128 GB 2.0 cards work with it, am I right? Cause those were the only 2 I saw as approved in the Arri site.

Thank you!

[Jan Heugel]

Haha Right, you got all the attention here.

Yes, Menu access is possible via Ethernet or Wifi or in the MVF-1.

On the CFast card of things, yep it is only those we list in our shop. Reason for that is that our demand on the cards is very high and not all "out of the box" cards meet those demands.

Jan

[adrian vedder]

Thanks Jan!

So, to recap, all I'd need to have the camera up and running would be:

Cfast 2.0 Card (Lexar or Sandisk)

Small HD 502 (Which will allow me to see the camera signal in 1080p, even if I'm recording UHD internally)

iPhone / Laptop / Something wireless

V Mount / Gold Mount interfase

Battery

That would be it for a bare bones set up, correct? (I'm trying to find the lightest possible setup)

[Silvan Liu]

Hi Adrian,

you are correct. The mini will output an HD signal for monitoring even when recording UHD in-camera. So you're setup with the Small HD will work.

Just an added note to remote control. You are correct that you can use Smartphones/Laptops to control the camera menu wirelessly. You may also use the Alexa Ethernet cable to connect to a laptop for situations where wifi is not ideal.

Happy shooting!
Silvan

[Stout Film]

Hi Adrian and everyone else!
I'm glad these forums are up and running! Thanks for poppin the blueberry. I bought a mini that arrives in a couple months as well. I've used one before but still have a million questions and thoughts about how I want to accessorize it.

I have monitored the Mini on a SmallHD 502 and it works great. It won't record anything, but it will display a 1080 signal from SDI great while you record to your camera's cards directly. My question is if we can hear any audio through the headphone jack on the 502. I'm not sure if the Mini will put audio out either of the SDI outputs. But that might be a link to making this a single operator doc camera (just adding a mixer, a mic, and an A-box).

I am another (maybe the minority) who can't get into the MVF-1 (esp. at that price) so I didn't order one yet. I decided to see if I found it necessary. I just thought of a cool idea to mount the phone directly to the camera with something like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... apter.html
so you can keep hand access to the menus all the time. My dream that I'm hoping comes true is that Arri puts out an iPhone app specifically for the camera so you can stay logged on to your specific camera and click away.

Thanks All

[Jan Heugel]

Hello there,

so embedded audio on SDI is not yet fully implemented (some project speeds missing), as far as I know that's a thing for the upcoming SUP next year. So audio monitoring via headphone jack should be doable.
What kind of mic/amplifier are you using?

If you find the phone not being sufficient, we're planning the CCM-1 to be released in March 2016, which is a "downspec'd" MVF-1. That means all the functions of the flip-out display without the eye-piece unit.

Cheers,
Jan

[Stout Film]

Thanks Jan,
I have a variety of mic's I'd use on it but often a Rote NTG-3 going into a Sound Devices 633 recorder/mixer (off camera) into a Wooden Camera A-box. If I could monitor audio better right on the mini I'd probably buy a camera mountable mixer with phantom power like the Sound Device mix pre-D. Would be great if Arri made some accessory to make camera-mounted audio simple (though I know that's a reason to go for Amira instead).

Looking forward to the CCM-1 and hopefully a simple quick release way to attach it to the camera from Arri or 3rd party. Any idea of a price on the CCM-1?

Cheers!

[Oliver Temmler]

J
Also, and since I have you all to myself, only Sandisk and Lexar Cfast 128 GB 2.0 cards work with it, am I right? Cause those were the only 2 I saw as approved in the Arri site.

Hi Adrian and welcome to the forum!
I just wanted to add that Lexar also offers a 256 GB card and that you'll need to get the Lexar 3600x series, as there are different ones.

[justin lovell]

For audio monitoring and recording guide track I am using:
1. 502 monitor SDI input, headphone jack for audio monitoring.
2. Zoom h1 & Abox (or lemo to 1/8" audio cable).

This combination is light and works well.

If it was possible to have the lemo send audio OUT during playback - that would play the audio into the ZOOM h1 and allow the option to hear the audio playback through the zoom.

Could this be implemented?

[Jan Heugel]

Dear Justin,
I'll forward your request to product management.


Best,
Jan

[Jan Heugel]

An other thing I forgot (thanks Georg!),
there's the option to have the viewfinder's overlay menu in the SDI.
With no EVF attached (or with, works anyhow) you can press [FN]+[1] to enter the menu.
Use the keys [1], [2] and [3] to navigate through the parameters and select values.
So for basic image parameters you would be covered.

For more information, see the Mini's manual page 53 ff.

Cheers,
Jan

[Josh Stafield]

My dream that I'm hoping comes true is that Arri puts out an iPhone app specifically for the camera so you can stay logged on to your specific camera and click away.

An app would make a big difference. At the moment the web interface is a bit difficult to use on the iphone because many of the "buttons" appear in a part of the screen that Safari uses to bring up navigation when touched. You have to do a lot of scrolling.

Hoping my Transvideo isn't too far away, I was told it is on backorder. Are these shipping to small numbers yet or are they still being worked on? I guess the next thing is whether the touchscreen interface is operating yet or is that in a future SUP.

[Josh Stafield]

Hoping my Transvideo isn't too far away...

Well you can ignore this part of my post, my rep just told me it will be here next week and touch function already working.

[adrian vedder]

So the StarliteHD5-ARRI works as a basic monitor and is able to navigate the menu system via touch screen, right? Then that could be an inexpensive alternative to wifi, specially since you'd be able to playback right there, correct?

[dasjerome]

So the StarliteHD5-ARRI works as a basic monitor and is able to navigate the menu system via touch screen, right? Then that could be an inexpensive alternative to wifi, specially since you'd be able to playback right there, correct?

That is absolutely right! Although not so cheap after all, considering the a lil over 2K price tag on the Starlight HD5-ARRI OLED, def one of the best and most reliable options to control and monitor the mini to my knowledge...

[Stout Film]

So the StarliteHD5-ARRI works as a basic monitor and is able to navigate the menu system via touch screen, right? Then that could be an inexpensive alternative to wifi, specially since you'd be able to playback right there, correct?

Just my 2cents, I tried the Starlite and did not like it at all. The menus were confusing. It's not fast and simple like using either an MVF-1 or like a touchscreen from Red. I much prefer Arri to Red in picture quality and reliability but I do wish there was a solid 5 or 7" touchscreen option that worked pretty much how Red's does with all the necessary controls right there. The Starlite felt confusing and clunky to me.