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[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

On May 2, 2012, we received full ARRIRAW Certification, from ARRI, for our Gemini 4:4:4 recorder.

We wish to publicly thank ARRI as they were wonderful to work with during this process. This certification program is great as it provides potential customers assurance that our recorder will work as expected with the ARRI ALEXA and deliver the ultimate in image quality.

We are in final reliability testing, and as soon as that is complete, we will be releasing our new firmware. This is expected within two weeks.

While the ARRIRAW Option is an extra cost option for the Gemini 4:4:4, a demo mode is built into the firmware so that anyone with a Gemini 4:4:4 and an ALEXA can fully test our ARRIRAW Option, and check out the workflow, prior to purchasing it.

However, in demo mode there will be a permanent watermark in the images.

Once the ARRIRAW option is purchased and activated, then clean images will be recorded. If in demo mode, the watermark, a gray bar, will be clearly present on the LCD Monitor, indicating that the recorded footage will have the permanent watermark.

Activation is an easy process. The customer purchases the ARRIRAW Option from their dealer, the dealer notifies us, and we provide a key code to activate the unit.

Our ARRIRAW Option supports recording in ARRIRAW, up to 60 frames per second, which is the highest ARRIRAW frame rate.

This firmware release will work with all Gemini 4:4:4's, no additional hardware is necessary, as the original Gemini 4:4:4 was designed with dual 3G inputs for recording 60 frames per second.

These frame rates are supported in ARRIRAW mode:

23.976 (23.98), 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 48, 50, 59.94, 60 frames per second

High Quality Confidence Monitoring is an integral part of the ARRIRAW certification. This allows one to monitor the ALEXA's image, in real-time, live or during recording and in playback. Our images can be displayed on both the Gemini 4:4:4's internal monitor and full size,1920 x 1080 on external HD-SDI monitors.

Of course full support for ARRI Log-C is provided. Our Confidence Monitoring matches the HD-SDI output of the ALEXA.

If one has an ARRI ALEXA, recording in ARRIRAW is very desirable as it provides the ultimate in image quality from the camera, and preserves all options and image quality for post, as no image decisions made on-set are baked in. And ARRIRAW is ideal for archiving.

All ALEXAs can record in ARRIRAW using a proper recorder; no extra features need to be purchased as the ability to record in ARRIRAW is built in.

Our ARRIRAW Option will work with any ALEXA in 16 x 9 mode, 4 x 3 mode is not supported in the Gemini 4:4:4, nor promised at this time.

But, just as importantly, we are adding significant other non-ARRIRAW features in this release:

1. The ability to trigger the Gemini 4:4:4 via the HD-SDI Record Trigger Packet.

This allows one to press the record button on a camera, (ALEXA, Sony F3 (and some other Sony Cameras) and Canon C300/C500), to start or stop the Gemini 4:4:4.

The important part as this allows the camera to be in 24/hour timecode or continuously running timecode, while still triggering the Gemini 4:4:4 from the camera. This facilitates multiple camera shoots, as well as whenever the timecode is provided from an external source, such as from the Sound Department.

2. The ability to record full uncompressed 1080p23.976 (23.98), 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, and 60, all in 4:4:4, even from a 4:2:2 camera.

This is a major step forward for the Gemini 4:4:4.

1080p29.97 and higher requires two SSD’s to be inserted in the Gemini 4:4:4.

1080p60 enables slow-mo, while remaining in 1080p, as opposed to having to use 720p60 for slow-mo which has been a major problem for years.

3. And other important features have been added to this important firmware release.

4. Many more features will be released in the upcoming months, including the ability to record in Avid DNxHD. This allows one to use a great compressed codec whenever desired, while recording in the ultimate in image quality, full uncompressed or in ARRIRAW for certain projects, all in one compact size, low power video recorder. Thus the Gemini 4:4:4 becomes two recorders in one.

Dan Keaton
Convergent Design
North Augusta, SC

[gbalaji]

Great news Dan.

Couple of Questions,

1. Will the File Naming Conventions of SxS Cards will be saved in Gemini 4:4:4: Recorder Arri Raw Files.
2. How about sound being recorded
3. Little bit confused interns of 60fps option in ArriRaw. Can we record 60fps in 2K or 1080p as Codex can record 60fps in 2K.

Thanks and hope if you can provide price indication for me to share with people along with Gemini  512GB SSD if we want to.

Thanks and all the best for your future innovations.

[robstiff]

Our ARRIRAW experience with the Gemini 4:4:4
 
We were given the opportunity to use and test the Gemini 4:4:4 for capturing ARRIRAW using our Alexa.
For those of you Alexa users out there who are not familiar with ARRIRAW, please know that ALL
Alexa models output ARRIRAW (2880x1620 uncompressed files, 7MB per file) from the back of the Alexa.
I have seen ARRIRAW bumped up to 4K resolution and it looks amazing; this is completely
a result of Alexa's unique sensor - the biggest factor why we chose Alexa.
 
The Gemini device is small monitor that fits in the palm of your hand that records ARRIRAW (.ari files) on a solid-state drive(s) built right into the unit. We mounted it to the back end of the Alexa's handle, plugged the
BNC cables from the Gemini into back of the Alexa, plugged in the power, and the unit was ready to
record ARRIRAW. Essentially no real setup time was needed. Essentially no training was required.
 
We now record to both SxS Cards at the same time capturing ARRIRAW using the Gemini.
They share the same timecode, so whatever we edit in HD from the SxS cards can be conformed to
the ARRIRAW files. We have tested it using the full version of DiVinci Resolve with no problems.
The ARRIRAW Convertor works also. The new Adobe Premiere also ingests native ARRIRAW files.
I'm sure there are others out there as well. The .ari files are recorded in their respective folder
on the Gemini's solid-state drive also having created an XML file and a sound file for the recorded audio.
 
We off load the Gemini's 512 GB solid-state drive thru a Thunderbolt connection for fast transfer.
We have also learned that taking stills from the ARRIRAW files are great for use in marketing, ads, print, etc.
 
Convergent Design supplies a larger market having infrastructure & personal in place for updates, support, etc.
 
The price to capture ARRIRAW is now a lot more affordable;
making it worth having higher resolution footage investing in the future with the ARRI Alexa.

[Dan Keaton]

Dear G. Balaji,

1. If you trigger the Gemini 4:4:4 from the ARRI ALEXA, then yes, we will use the same filenaming conventions as the internal ALEXA ProRes files.

The Gemini 4:4:4 has a built-in Real-Time Clock and Date feature.

The Gemini 4:4:4's date must be properly set and must match the camera for the filenames to match. (The date, which is part of the filename is not present in the metadata from the ALEXA, but we overcome this by having an clock with date function in the Gemini 4:4:4.)

This should be no problem, as the date only needs to be set once.

2. Our audio files are recorded as ".WAV" files and are put into the same folder as the ".ARI" files.

3. Our ARRIRAW Option will record up to 60 frames per second.

These are recorded as ".ARI" files, and in 16x9 mode, there are 2880 x 1620 individual photosites recorded, with each photosite recorded in 12-Bit Log.

Thus, the answer to your question in ARRIRAW mode is yes.

Using the ARRIRAW Converter, a free program provide by ARRI, you can take the ".ARI" files and output 1920 x 1080 or 2K.

When not recording in ARRIRAW Mode, via an HD-SDI output, Single Link, Dual Link, HD-SDI 3G, or Dual HD-SDI 3G, we record in 1920 x 1080 mode, up to 60 frames per second (depending on the camera and the capability of the HD-SDI link).

4. Due to customs, duties, taxes, and shipping costs, the price of items has to vary around the globe. Please just contact your local dealer for pricing information.

[Rainer Fritz]

Dan and Rob that sounds all very very nice. Thanks for this new affordable tool, to get the best quality and full resolution out of alexa.
I'm still wondering why it is not possible to record it onboard of the camera as it is like on the AATON delta camera, but there, god thanks, people out there just like you,
which are providing us with the needed tools, where formfactor, quality and price are in harmony.
As you are recording it on an external device on SSD, so I'm more wondering why we have no alternative recording option onboard as it was mentioned when the first alexa was released.


So, how is the playback running on the recorder, do we have a realtime debayer in full scale and is there the possibility to apply a 3D or 1D LUT that we get a REC709 signal at playback, or how we set the raw parameters like WB etc. ?
I'm not sure, Alexa is not providing VANC/HANC metadata over the SDI output when in T-Link mode to readout the filename as it is with timecode? So would be great that we would need to only sync one device...

When I'm opening ARRI RAW material on Davinci Resolve, I can set only WB and ISO.... thats all ?

A short introduction video on youtube would be amazing!!!!

thx
rainer

[robstiff]

Rainer,

You can download and test the ARRIRAW footage:

http://www.convergent-design.com/Products/Gemini444/Gemini444VideoSamples.aspx

It works great in both the ARRIRAW Converter & DiVinci Resolve.

Thanks, rob

[Dan Keaton]

So, how is the playback running on the recorder, do we have a realtime debayer in full scale and is there the possibility to apply a 3D or 1D LUT that we get a REC709 signal at playback, or how we set the raw parameters like WB etc. ?

The Gemini 4:4:4 with the ARRIRAW Option provides real-time confidence monitoring.
This is on our 5.0" built in monitor, as well as via an external HD-SDI monitor (in full 1920 x 1080).

This confidence monitoring works when the the recorder is idle, recording or playing back.

You can monitor the image with or without the Gemini 4:4:4 applying an appropriate LUT so you can properly analyze the image on a standard HD-SDI monitor.

I'm not sure, Alexa is not providing VANC/HANC metadata over the SDI output when in T-Link mode to readout the filename as it is with timecode? So would be great that we would need to only sync one device...

We receive, over the T-Link, a wide variety of metadata.

We receive the metadata to build the filename, the timecode, and much more.

Our file names match the internal SxS filenames.
The timecodes will match also.

And the ARRI metadata is recorded in the ".ARI" file.

[robstiff]

We still use the monitor out from the Alexa for basic monitoring, false color checks, etc.
However, my camera operator likes the Gemini unit mounted to the Alexa's handle for monitoring, framing the shots, tracking.

With thunderbolt now, the transfer form the Solid State Drive for the off load of the ARRIRAW files is fast!

Gemini is really ahead on things it can do with the metadata, etc.
When the iPad app for Alexa comes out we are looking forward to entering in more data related to a specific shot.

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

In a post above, I made a statement that may easily be misunderstood:

Dear Friends,

However, in demo mode there will be a watermark in the images until the ARRIRAW option is purchased and activated.

As long as the Gemini 4:4:4 is in ARRIRAW demo mode all recorded footage will have a gray bar across part of the image (a watermark).

This gray bar on the footage is permanent and cannot be removed.

Purchasing the ARRIRAW Option will not allow one to go back and instantly remove the watermark on previously recorded footage.


To be clear, this is very easy:

If you are in ARRIRAW Demo mode (the ARRIRAW Option has not been activated), then the Gemini 4:4:4 will state "Demo Mode", and there will be a gray bar across part of the image on the LCD and on the footage.

Once the ARRIRAW Option is activated, then the gray bar will no longer be on the LCD and the recorded footage will not have a watermark.

The purpose of our Demo mode is to allow anyone with a Gemini 4:4:4 and an Alexa to test out our ARRIRAW mode and to test their workflow prior to committing to a purchase of our ARRIRAW Option.

As soon as our next firmware release is posted, then anyone with a Gemini 4:4:4 will be able to test the ARRIRAW Option. We expect to release this new firmware next week.



Dan Keaton
Convergent Design
North Augusta, SC

[Jumperjack]

Bravo!

[Xax]

Wow! Great new option! Unfortunately a bit too late for our next film

Could you maybe implement a mode, where there is a way to monitor whether it's recording or not in a bigger way?

For example the OB-1 has this backlit LCD which just gives you the colors of Orange Green or Red, and if it's Red, it's recording.

Would be great to be able to see even from afar if the Gemini is recording or not as we've had problems in the past where because of broken BNCs or whatnot the external ARRIRAW recorder stopped recording, and we could see it because as said, the OB-1 has such a big indicator.

Maybe a slightly thicker frame that changes color could work?

Thanks,

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Xax,

We have multiple ways to indicate that the Gemini 4:4:4 is recording.

1. Each SSD Status Light (there are two), will turn Red when one is recording.
If one is recording to one SSD, then the appropriate SSD LED will go Red.
They are Green when ready to record, but not recording.

2. In the center is another LED, and Red means recording.

3. The entire bottom area of the screen goes Red, when Recording.

4. The unit shows "Recording" in the bottom line of the screen.

5. If you are using an external HD-SDI monitor, you have the option for the unit to put out a Red Line at the bottom of the image if the unit is recording.

[robstiff]

"The Tomb, a $70M Hollywood movie starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone is currently shooting with ALEXA’s and Gemini 4:4:4’s" - Congratulations!

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Rob,

Thank you for posting the information about "The Tomb".

I am currently in Los Angeles and demonstrated the Gemini 4:4:4 + ARRIRAW Option at Radient Images using an ARRI ALEXA.

Those in attendance put the unit through its paces and were very pleased with the results.

We have been getting a lot of interest in the Gemini 4:4:4 + ARRIRAW Option.

On Friday and Saturday, we will be at Cine Gear, in Hollywood, on Sound Stage 24, Booth S220. We will have an ALEXA and the Gemini 4:4:4 with the  ARRIRAW Option there.

This will be a "Hands On" experience.

[DITDANE]

I'm sure Mansouri is stoked about the Gemini.

I'm currently testing the Gemini on a "Mini-Major" Feature in Philadelphia/New York City. I'm hoping to use the Gemini ARRIRAW on a upcoming Studio Feature.

Any plans for Convergent to provide accessory power cables for when using Alexa 12v (2-pin) Power? This would be ideal for Steadicam, Hand-held and Hi-mobility situations.

I'll update more later this week.