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ARRI has released the ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme, a broadcast camera that outputs high frame rate (HFR) footage of up to 8x in HD or 2x in UHD over standard SDI workflows, without requiring a separate high-speed camera.
The first new camera of the Riedel-owned era at ARRI, the ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme takes a further tilt at the broadcast space that the company is increasingly targeting. To call it a brand new camera is something of a misnomer, however, as it is effectively the latest 2026 model of the ALEXA 35 Live, permanently pre-installed with the existing ALEXA 35 High Speed License and a new High Frame Rate SDI License.
Combined with the ARRI LPS-1 Fiber Camera Adapter and Fiber Base Station, and a standard slow-motion playout server such as SimplyLive or EVS, the camera outputs HFR at up to 8x in HD or 2x in UHD. What’s more, when it comes to OB setups, up to 4x HFR can be carried over a single SDI connector; higher speeds are split across both SDI outputs.
Two into one
Effectively, that gives OB directors two cameras from a single position. Frame rates up to 330 fps use the camera's full dynamic range of 17 stops, while a Sensor Overdrive mode extends this to 480 fps, though at a reduced dynamic range of 11 stops. Whichever frame rate is used for the slow-motion feed, the system simultaneously outputs a standard live feed for broadcast, letting operators switch between program frame rate and HFR in real time. A phase-blending feature gives control over motion blur and shutter effects in the live feed.
Because the HFR content is captured on the same sensor as the regular feed, it shares the same ARRI look, giving a consistent visual style across live coverage and highlight reels. Users can apply looks from the ARRI Look Library, ARRI's Multicam looks, or custom LUTs, with live painting available regardless of which look is in use.
The LPS-1 Fiber Base Station connects directly to the slow-motion playout server, with the HFR signal delivered over a standard baseband workflow. This means super-slow-motion replays are available instantly without cueing up recorded material.
Given that this is a license unlock, the ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme joins, rather than replaces, the ALEXA 35 Live in ARRI's broadcast lineup. ALEXA 35 Live cameras sold from 2026 onward can be upgraded to Xtreme functionality by purchasing the High Speed and HFR SDI Licenses from the ARRI online shop. Pre-2026 ALEXA 35 Live cameras require a hardware upgrade through ARRI service centers.
Separate upgrade paths are also available to equip ALEXA 35 cine cameras for multi-camera broadcast use.
Pricing and availability
ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme functionality is available now. The ALEXA 35 High Speed License costs €4,500 permanent, or €1,800 yearly. 7-day and 30-day licenses are also available at €180 and €360.
The ALEXA 35 High Frame Rate SDI License follows the same pattern. €1,400 permanent, €600 yearly, €80 7-day, and €120 30-day.
No word on the official pricing for the hardware upgrade, but as a ballpark figure last year’s ALEXA 35 Xtreme was a €15,900 upgrade over the base cameras.
Apologies for mixing dollars and euros together, but the only reliable price we could find for the ARRI ALEXA 35 Live Xtreme Entry System (which includes the LPS-1 Fiber Base Station) is $118,000 from our old friends at B&H.
Tags: Cameras ARRI Sports Broadcasting
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