The Newest Toy Is Here
Arri has recently released their latest device. The hi-5 which is a new hand unit with a similar body to the WCU- 4 but its features far outweigh anything its predecessors had. Lets start with the new powerful radio signal that cuts through interference. This has up to 100 radio channels and has 3 different modules that can be swapped out for different environments. This makes it a no brainer when it comes to great distances or obstacles that come in the way of pulling focus.
Another cool feature that I love is the compatibility with the Focus Bug. This works hand in hand with their system which you only have to worry about finding it in the options to connect and then you’re all set. Focus Bug is becoming more and more popular but good luck getting your hands on one since the Focus Bug is on back order due to the supply and demand.
Another new feature is the smart focus rings that automatically recognizes which ring you connect instead of having to manually input it yourself which is a big time saver. You can choose what color light you want the focus ring to glow to indicate which camera it is synced to. Theres also an app to sync your phone that allows file sharing and software updates. You can upload lens data archives onto the unit. The Hi-5 can connect to cameras that are outside of Arri for those that own Red, Sony, Blackmagic and Canon.
This hand unit is rugged so that you can be at ease in filming on different locations such as extreme heat, cold and withstanding weather. Arri also has a high capacity Li- ion battery pack which allows a precise readout of whatever the remaining capacity is on the display. You can mount a small monitor to the hand unit with the mounting bracket and rig the Hi-5 to mount on a stand if needed. The usb-c port allows you to connect an sd card or connect it directly to a computer. It also has a serial and L-bus port interface to connect with other Arri products.
This is a real game changer especially for the convenience and I cant wait to get my hands on it to play around with.