ARRI ALEXA 35 Xtreme secures Netflix approval alongside new ARRICORE codec
Netflix has approved the ARRI ALEXA 35 Xtreme camera for 4K Originals, which includes support for ARRI's new ARRICORE compressed RGB codec. This approval provides productions with a data-efficient workflow for premium image quality, allowing for longer recording times and faster downloads while maintaining post-production flexibility. The focus is on ARRICORE's debut as a supported capture option within Netflix's ecosystem, enabling higher frame rates with specific caveats.
Key Takeaways
- ARRICORE enables high-speed capture up to 660 fps when paired with the camera's Sensor Overdrive mode.
- The codec preserves non-destructive metadata for white balance, sensitivity, and tint, positioning it between ProRes and ARRIRAW.
- Approved sensor modes include 4.6K Open Gate and a new 3.8K 2.39:1 mode that fulfills Netflix's 4K mandate without horizontal cropping.
- Sensor Overdrive usage reduces available dynamic range from 17 stops to 11 stops and disables Enhanced Sensitivity.
Why It Matters
The inclusion of ARRICORE in the Netflix Production Guide signals a critical shift toward data-efficient premium workflows. For high-end productions, the codec addresses the massive storage overhead of RAW formats without sacrificing the metadata control required for complex color grading. By approving a compressed RGB format for 4K Originals, Netflix is validating a middle-ground approach that prioritizes on-set agility and faster offload times. This approval likely sets a precedent for how other streaming platforms will treat next-generation compressed codecs from major hardware manufacturers. Watch for adoption rates of ARRICORE in VFX-heavy episodic productions to see if it replaces ARRIRAW as the standard high-end delivery format.
Additional Context
The ALEXA 35 Xtreme, first announced by ARRI in July 2025, serves as a high-speed successor to the standard ALEXA 35. According to reports from Newsshooter and FD Times in mid-2025, the internal hardware was redesigned with a more powerful processor and faster memory to handle the thermal and data demands of 660 fps recording. To protect existing investments, ARRI offered a factory upgrade path for current ALEXA 35 owners at a cost of approximately €15,900, as reported by ARRI in July 2025. This hardware flexibility follows a broader industry trend where manufacturers like Sony and RED are increasingly offering modular or software-licensed performance tiers rather than entirely new sensor blocks. Beyond high-speed gains, the Xtreme introduced significant workflow improvements including 10% lower power consumption and five-minute pre-recording buffers in HD, per Arri.com in July 2025. These features, combined with the Netflix approval, position the camera to compete directly with specialized high-speed systems like the Phantom Flex. In early 2026, industry testing by Cinematography.net noted that the ARRICORE codec’s 13-bit log encoding renders images nearly identical to 18-bit ARRIRAW, with only infinitesimal differences visible on scopes. This technical parity is likely what secured its quick certification for the Netflix ecosystem, which maintains a rigorous '90% approved footage' rule for its branded Original content.
Read full article at ymcinema.com
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