Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

ARRI Hi-5: fifth-generation intelligent hand unit

27/07/2021

ARRI Hi-5: fifth-generation intelligent hand unit posted: 27/07/2021

Hi-performance: strong radio signal over long distances

Hi-versatility: swappable radio modules for different locations

Hi-speed: fast and efficient on-set ecosystem

Hi-tech: future-proof hardware and software architecture

Hi-reliability: robust, weatherproof, long battery life

The new ARRI Hi-5 is the most sophisticated hand unit on the market, providing reliable wireless camera and lens control in demanding situations on set. Weatherproof and solidly built, it features an exceptional radio link range and unique, swappable radio modules for different territories and shooting challenges.

Replacing ARRI's previous top-end hand unit, the WCU-4, and representing a significant step forward, the new Hi-5 is central to the fifth-generation ecosystem of ARRI's Electronic Control System (ECS). Together with a new radio system, new intelligent batteries, smart focus rings, and an iOS app, the Hi-5 modernizes on-set connectivity, simplifying complex tasks for film crews. Various of the new technologies incorporated into the design have patents pending.

Typically, the Hi-5 will be in the hands of a focus puller or 1st AC, and ARRI has done everything possible to enhance their comfort and confidence. Proven ergonomics make the Hi-5 a pleasure to hold and operate, while the modern, stylish touchscreen interface, based on a camera GUI, will be instantly and intuitively familiar. Lens file management and software updates are faster and easier with the new ARRI ECS Sync App.

Most innovative of all are the swappable radio modules-a feature never before seen in a hand unit. With an often congested 2.4 GHz ISM band and different frequency regulations in different countries, the ability to exchange radio modules is a huge advantage, allowing crews to choose the module that best suits each shooting location.

ARRI will release three radio modules in the 900 and 2400 MHz ranges, using direct sequence and frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology to cut through interference. Together, they cover a multitude of shooting situations with a significantly improved, robust and long-range radio link, while ensuring backwards-compatibility with existing camera equipment. As technology evolves, even more modules can be added, making the Hi-5 a future-proof investment, able to accommodate future standards for on-set hardware communications.

Reliability of all features and functions was an overriding priority in the Hi-5's design and construction, with particular attention paid to the ruggedized housing for operating in harsh environmental conditions. Sealed, dustproof, and weatherproof, the hand unit feels unmistakably solid the moment it is picked up, and will keep you shooting even when the elements are against you.

Various design elements of the Hi-5 are oriented towards maximizing efficiency. Smart pre-marked focus rings now communicate directly with the Hi-5 hand unit, being instantly recognized and mapped to the lens focus scale. Batteries for the Hi-5 are ARRI products, based on the NP-L interface; they can be hot-swapped without powering the unit down, and their remaining capacity is always precisely displayed on the Hi-5 screen. Meanwhile, a new Tail Slate Mode prevents the user from stopping recording before capturing a tail slate on shots that need it.

About ARRI:

Inspiring images. Since 1917. ARRI is a global player within the motion picture industry, employing around 1,200 staff worldwide. Named after its founders August Arnold and Robert Richter, ARRI was established in Munich, Germany, where the headquarters is still located today. Other subsidiaries are in Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia.

The ARRI Group consists of the business units Camera Systems, Lighting, and Rental, all dedicated to connecting creativity and future technologies for moving images. ARRI is a leading designer and manufacturer of camera and lighting systems as well as system solutions for the film, broadcast, and media industries, with a worldwide distribution and service network. The portfolio includes digital cameras, lenses, camera accessories, archive technologies, lamp heads, and lighting accessories. Along with offering exclusive technologies, ARRI Rental's first-class services and equipment provide camera, lighting, and grip packages to professional productions around the world.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has recognized ARRI's engineers and their contributions to the industry with 19 Scientific and Technical Awards.
LINK: https://www.live-production.tv/news/products/arri-hi-5-fifth-generatio...
See more stories from liveproduction

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

09/10/2026

Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026

September 10 2026, 06:00 (PDT) Dolby Expands Dolby OptiView Platform with New Capabilities at IBC 2026 New Sports Intelligence helps providers better unders...

07/10/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Media Operations from Ingest to Distribution

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...

11/09/2026

IBC 2026: Calrec Launches Type RT Console and Apex M6 Modular I/O Platform

Calrec will introduce two new products at IBC2026 (Stand 8.C47, RAI Amsterdam, September 11-14): the Type RT broadcast production console and the Apex M6 Modula...

11/09/2026

IBC 2026: Grass Valley Launches AVORA All-in-One Live Production Platform

Grass Valley has announced AVORA, a standalone all-in-one live production solution launching at IBC2026 (Booth 9.A01 and IBC Future Tech Zone, Stand 14.C49, Sep...

11/09/2026

IBC 2026: CAMB.AI Launches Streaming SDK and Dashboard for Multilingual Live Broadcasting

CAMB.AI is introducing its Streaming SDK and Streaming Dashboard at IBC2026, wit...

11/09/2026

IBC 2026: EVS Launches XT-S Software-Defined Multi-Application Server

EVS has announced XT-S, a software-defined server platform that runs multiple live production applications on a common hardware foundation. The platform debuts ...

11/09/2026

IBC 2026: EKT Showcases Linux-Based ATSC 3.0 Converter Box

EKT is demonstrating a new Linux-based ATSC 3.0 set-top box at IBC2026. The second-generation product moves away from Android to reduce memory costs, with Linux...

11/09/2026

IBC 2026: Sennheiser Group to Showcase Wireless, Monitoring, and Broadcast Workflow

The Sennheiser Group will exhibit at IBC2026 (Hall 8, Booth D50, September 11-14...

11/09/2026

Ludacris Joins Chris Stapleton and Cindy Blackman Santana for Monday Night Footballs In the Air Tonight Open

ESPN's Monday Night Football will open its 2026-27 season with a new renditi...

11/09/2026

Dalet Integrates NVIDIA Synthetic Content Detection into Dalet Flex

Dalet has announced an integration of NVIDIA's Synthetic Video Detector AI model into Dalet Flex, enabling media organizations to identify potentially AI-ge...

11/09/2026

IBC 2026: MC-IF Demonstrates VVC Capabilities

The Media Coding Industry Forum (MC-IF) will demonstrate Versatile Video Coding (VVC) capabilities at IBC2026 (Hall 2, Stand 2.B13), as the codec moves toward c...

11/09/2026

IBC 2026: Sony to Demonstrate Live, News, Cinema, and Immersive Production

Sony will exhibit at IBC2026 (Hall 13, September 11-14), demonstrating products across live production, news, cinema, and immersive and spatial content workflow...

11/09/2026

Wave Central Named Recipient of 2026 Technology and Engineering Emmy for FPV Drone Systems

Wave Central, a Domo Broadcast Company, has been named a recipient of a 2026 Tec...

11/09/2026

IBC 2026: SNS Validates EVO Compatibility With Avid Media Composer 2026.8, Adds Browser-Based Upload to Outpost

Studio Network Solutions (SNS) is bringing a pair of workflow updates to IBC2026...

11/09/2026

IBC 2026: iodyne to Demo Pro Mini Smart Drive Across Four Partner Booths

iodyne will co-exhibit with Hedge at IBC2026 (Booth 7.A36, September 11-14) and appear across three additional partner booths, marking the first public demonstr...

11/09/2026

SVG GameDay, Ep. 30: Freelance Graphics Operator Corinne Yamada - Philly-Based Graphics Creation

In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...

11/09/2026

CBS Sports Goes HDR Across Its Entire NFL Package, Heads to Rio in Week 3

The network will phase in HDR crew by crew while expanding Next Gen Stats integration, SkyDry availability, and onsite studio shows...

11/09/2026

IBC 2026: CAMB.AI Unveils the World's First Multilingual Broadcasting Agent Powered by NVIDIA

CAMB.AI is introducing its new Streaming SDK and Streaming Dashboard at IBC2026,...

11/09/2026

Netflix Goes Down Under With NBC Sports, NEP for NFL From Melbourne

Massive host operation at Melbourne Cricket Ground featured 54 cameras, 25,000 ST 2110 flows, REMI studio production in Stamford, and global distribution to mor...

11/09/2026

FOX Sports Homogenizes Coverage With Upscaled Game Tech, Seamless Integration With Studio Shows in L.A.

Production Anywhere Remote Kit (PARK) & AR-fueled Stage B are two key pieces to ...

11/09/2026

Get to Know This Fall and Winter's Filmmakers Through These 36 Sundance Institute-Supported Films

By Ramona Flume and Lucy Spicer There's a particular kind of magic that hap...

11/09/2026

Film Festival Watch: 8 Sundance Institute-Supported Films to See at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival

By Jessica Herndon The fall film season is kicking off, and Sundance Institute-...

11/09/2026

Positive Grid announce the Spark Pedal

Spark series gains compact modelling stompbox Positive Grid's Spark amps have become a popular part of the company's line-up, offering a convenient ...

11/09/2026

Rapid Flow release omniGRID

New flagship sequencing plug-in revealed Rapid Flow have just launched a new 16-track sequencer plug-in which they say has been designed for total rhythmic...

11/09/2026

Rohde & Schwarz unveils the air-cooled R&STM1 medium-power UHF transmitter at IBC 2026

Rohde & Schwarz unveils the air-cooled R&S TM1 medium-power UHF transmitter at I...

11/09/2026

TV Usage Kicks Usual Summer Slowdown, Fueled by World Cup and Streaming in Nielsen's July Gauge Reports

FIFA World Cup 2026 and Peacock's Love Island USA' Power NBCU-Versant ...

11/09/2026

Atomos Debuts New HDR Monitors at IBC2026

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

11/09/2026

Calrec to Unveil Type RT Compact Console at IBC2026

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

11/09/2026

Lightware Launches LARA 2 with New Architecture for More...

Lightware has announced the launch of LARA (Lightware Advanced Room Automation) 2.0, a major upgrade to its built-in room automation platform, introducing impro...

11/09/2026

MusiMap launches latest technology unlocking new commerci...

10 September 2026 - MusiMap, the B2B music intelligence company that is transforming how companies can harness the emotional power of music to reach consumers a...

11/09/2026

Matrox Video Integrates Matrox ORIGIN with NVIDIA Holosca...

Matrox Video today announced an integration between Matrox ORIGIN and NVIDIA Holoscan for Media, enabling Matrox ORIGIN media services to be provisioned, config...

11/09/2026

Net Insight brings cloud-native live media orchestration...

Net Insight today announced that its cloud-native live media orchestration is now available through Oracle Cloud Marketplace, providing broadcasters, production...

11/09/2026

Calrec to Unveil Type RT Compact Console at IBC 2026

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

11/09/2026

Biggest functionality boost yet makes Buttons the perfect...

Version 1.8 will bring advanced routing control, new workflow tools, boosted control panel flexibility and ease of integration into IP networks...

11/09/2026

Ikegami Announces Four New UNICAM XE Series Cameras

Ikegami announces four additions its UNICAM XE range of 4K-UHD cameras with the introduction of the UHK-X700VN, UHK-X750VN, UHK-X600VN and UHK-X650VN. Developed...

11/09/2026

DHD Launches New MX3 Consoles - Modular to the Core

DHD.audio has chosen IBC2026 as the launch venue for a major new addition to its broadcast sound production platform: the MX3 console range. MX3 retains the mod...

11/09/2026

Sony To Showcase Latest Production Technology At IBC2026

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

11/09/2026

EKT To Feature New Linux-Based ATSC 3.0 STB At IBC2026

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

11/09/2026

Jimmy Kimmel Shifts Political Interview to YouTube Over FCC Worries

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

11/09/2026

Remembering 9/11: 25 Years of TV Tech Coverage

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

11/09/2026

Tiger Group To Auction Equipment from a National Broadcasting Studio

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

11/09/2026

Grass Valley Launches AVORA at IBC2026

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

11/09/2026

Survey: Low Latency for Live Streaming Is Industrys Top Challenge

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

11/09/2026

Atomos Debuts New HDR Monitors at 2026 IBC Show

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

11/09/2026

Grass Valley Launches AVORA at IBC2026 Bringing All in On...

New standalone solution gives production teams everything they need to create, produce and deliver live content from one flexible system. Grass Valley today an...

11/09/2026

Wave Central a Domo Broadcast Company Named Recipient of...

Recognition honors the development of FPV drone camera systems for live sports broadcast coverage Wave Central, a Domo Broadcast Company that develops advanced...

11/09/2026

Teradek Launches Bolt 7 A Unified Wireless System for Zer...

Teradek, the industry leader in zero-delay wireless video solutions, announced the launch of Bolt 7, which now includes a unified wireless video and data system...

11/09/2026

ACT Pixel Academy Announces Autumn Courses

The ACT Entertainment tvONE and Green Hippo Pixel Academy has released its autumn course schedule, with hands-on training dates in September, October and Novemb...

11/09/2026

Scientists discover a new way that a disease-linked protein comes apart

LA JOLLA, CA-Transthyretin amyloid disease (ATTR) is a progressive, life-threatening condition caused when the protein transthyretin (TTR) breaks apart and aggr...