ARRI has officially unveiled the ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme, a broadcast camera designed to deliver high frame rate (HFR) output of up to 8x for live productions using traditional SDI workflows. By integrating high-speed capabilities into a standard baseband infrastructure, the system allows producers and directors to capture slow-motion content without the need for a separate, dedicated high-speed camera.
Integration with Existing Broadcast Infrastructure
The ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme is designed to function within the ARRI Live Production System (LPS-1), which consists of a Fiber Camera Adapter and a Fiber Base Station. This setup allows the system to connect directly to standard slow-motion playout servers, such as those from EVS or SimplyLive. To maintain compatibility with established broadcast standards, the camera utilizes standard SDI routing. Up to 4x HFR can be transmitted via a single SDI connector, while higher speeds are split across both available SDI outputs. According to ARRI, this approach allows broadcast engineers, operators, and shaders to maintain their existing workflows without requiring specialized IP transport layers or bespoke interfaces. The LPS-1 system provides further flexibility through its connectivity options, supporting hybrid fiber cables for power and uncompressed 4K video over distances up to 2 km, or tactical fiber cables up to 10 km in length. Additional video, audio, or control signals can be managed through integrated fiber and Ethernet tunnels.
Technical Performance and Frame Rate Capabilities
The camera comes permanently pre-installed with the existing High Speed License for the ALEXA 35 and a new High Frame Rate SDI License. Its performance specifications are as follows:
| Feature | Capability |
|---|---|
| Max HFR (HD) | Up to 8x |
| Max HFR (UHD) | Up to 2x |
| Standard Dynamic Range | 17 stops (up to 330 fps) |
| Sensor Overdrive Mode | Up to 480 fps (at 11 stops dynamic range) |
A notable feature of the system is its ability to output both a live program feed and an HFR slow-motion feed simultaneously. This allows operators to switch between the program frame rate and HFR in real time. Additionally, a phase-blending feature provides control over motion blur and shutter effects in the live feed, ensuring that the high-speed capture does not compromise the look of the standard broadcast image.
Creative Control and Application in Live Events
ARRI positions the ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme as a tool that ensures a consistent visual style across both live coverage and highlight reels. Because the HFR content originates from the same sensor as the regular feed, it maintains the same ARRI look, eliminating the need to color-match separate high-speed rigs. The camera offers significant creative latitude through the ARRI Look Library, ARRI’s Multicam looks, and the ability to build custom LUTs. Despite these cinematic options, traditional live painting remains possible, allowing shading galleries to retain real-time control over the image. The system is targeted at high-stakes live entertainment, including:
- Sports: Suitable for indoor, outdoor, team, and individual events. The camera’s wide dynamic range is specifically noted for capturing high-contrast environments, such as winter sports.
- Concerts: Designed to handle challenging stage lighting and capture the scale of live musical performances.
- Fashion Events: The 2x UHD output allows for slow-motion captures that maintain high resolution for fabric textures and colors.
Availability and Upgrades
The ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme joins ARRI’s broadcast lineup as an evolution of the ALEXA 35 Live system. For units sold from 2026 onwards, the Xtreme functionality can be activated by purchasing the High Speed and HFR SDI licenses via the ARRI online shop. Cameras purchased prior to 2026 require a hardware upgrade, which can be performed through authorized ARRI service centers. The company also offers upgrade paths to equip standard ALEXA 35 cine cameras for multi-camera broadcast applications.
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