ARRI modular sensor unit with detachable 6560×3100-pixel sensor from ALEXA 65; transmits uncompressed data via proprietary protocol for extreme camera positioning.
Technical Details
The SXU-1 transmits uncompressed 6560 x 3100 pixels at 24 fps via the proprietary ARRI data protocol. The sensor operates with a native ISO sensitivity of 800 and a dynamic range of 14 stops. The unit requires a separate 24V power supply with 85 watts consumption. The connection system uses PL-mount or LPL-mount depending on the configuration. The operating temperature is between -20°C and +45°C, with active cooling via Peltier elements.
History & Development
ARRI developed the SXU-1 in 2018 in response to the demands of high-end productions requiring ALEXA 65 image quality in inaccessible positions. Initial tests were conducted on "Avengers: Endgame" for crash cam sequences. The market launch in 2019 was initially only as a rental unit through ARRI Rental. In 2021, a revised version was introduced with improved cable robustness and reduced latency from 2.1ms to 1.8ms.
Practical Use in Film
Christopher Nolan used the SXU-1 in "Tenet" for the spectacular airplane crash scenes, with the sensor unit mounted directly to the aircraft fuselage. For "Dune," Greig Fraser utilized the SXU-1 for extreme low-angle shots in sand desert scenes where conventional cameras would have been damaged by sand. The typical workflow requires a second camera assistant solely for cable management and monitoring data integrity via the ARRI monitoring system.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike the RED Komodo-X, which is designed as a complete mini-camera, the SXU-1 only separates the sensor, while all image processing remains in the main camera. Sony offers a more compact overall solution with the FX6, but it does not achieve the image quality of the ALEXA 65. For standard productions without extreme space requirements, the regular ALEXA 65 remains the better choice. The SXU-1 is exclusively used for technically impossible camera positions or crash situations where the sensor needs to be protected.