ARRI upgrades first-generation Trinity stabiliser with Trinity Live
Continuing its commitment to providing specialist tools that bring a cinematic aesthetic to broadcast applications, ARRI has launched Trinity Live. Rather than a standalone product, Trinity Live is an upgrade option for Trinity Gen.1 – the first generation of ARRI’s flagship, body-mounted camera stabiliser system.
Comprising new hardware, wiring and connectivity, the upgrade kit optimises the Trinity Live system for live productions and improves its functionality within the ARRI Multicam System and third-party broadcast camera applications.
At the NAB Show last year, ARRI announced its Camera Control Panel CCP Live and Tally System Gen.2, which expand the broadcast capabilities of existing ARRI cameras and camera stabilisers systems. The new Trinity Live complements both of these products and provides a way to integrate stabilised ARRI cameras into live, multi-camera broadcast environments.
Trinity Live allows the wireless video link that is required for broadcast work to be mounted at the bottom of the system instead of being attached to the camera, as is normally the case. Positioning a wireless video link such as the Vislink system at the bottom of the centre post allows it to be used as a counterweight when balancing the rig, reducing its weight by up to 4kg. The new position also results in a more stable wireless signal because the antenna rotates within a smaller radius and fluctuates in height less than it does when attached to the back of the camera.
Enhanced connectivity is at the heart of the Trinity Live upgrade, with four new 4G video lines and a 10Gbit shielded Ethernet line facilitating the new wireless video link position. The connectors for these new video lines necessitate a completely new centre post, post connection, top stage junction box and wiring loom, all of which are included in the upgrade kit.
In total, Trinity Live offers five 4G video lines. The four new lines feed the wireless video link with up to four quad link signals (4 x 3G), or with two video lines when Dual SDI (2 x 6G) is needed. The fifth video line serves as a playback line, allowing the operator to see the programme image on a second monitor, transmitted wirelessly from the OB van to the Trinity Live. Meanwhile, the additional internal 10Gbit Ethernet line provides the OB van with full camera control and communication.
Curt O Schaller, ARRI product manager camera stabilizer systems, said: “At ARRI, we love to maximise our customer’s return on investment, so we’re pleased that the Trinity Live upgrade extends the life and functionality of Trinity Gen.1. For operators who want to expand into broadcast applications with Trinity Live but don’t already own a Trinity Gen.1, the best place to buy a used rig is the ARRI Certified Pre-Owned programme. However, if one is found elsewhere, it can be taken to any local ARRI service centre where all the checks will be made to make sure the equipment is in good working order for the upgrade before purchase.”
Two further Trinity upgrade options are also available for specific Trinity Live use cases. The ARRI Master Grip Trinity upgrade gives operators simultaneous control of a zoom lens and the stabiliser’s tilt axis via a common LBUS controller. The 24V upgrade for Trinity Live allows the system to provide reliable 24V camera power when operators need to fly an Alexa Mini LF, Alexa 35, or Sony Venice. Trinity Gen.1 rigs previously upgraded to 24V must still be fitted with this new 24V upgrade as part of a Trinity Live conversion.