ARRI and SmallHD Just Teamed Up to Fix One of Focus Pullers’ Biggest On-Set Headaches

Key Takeaways

• ARRI Hi-5 now supports SmallHD lens data overlays via license.
• Overlays show focus, iris, focal length, and CineRT data.
• Customizable opacity, position, size, and three saved layout pages.
• Compatible with SmallHD CINE 5, 7, 13, Ultra series, and ARRI CCM-1.
• Available immediately through ARRI’s online store.

Pulse Analysis

Focus pulling remains one of the most demanding tasks on a film set, requiring precise, real‑time lens information without obscuring the image. Traditionally, crews have relied on separate external devices or manual readouts, which can clutter the workflow and increase the risk of error. The industry has been seeking a seamless solution that places critical data directly within the monitor’s view, allowing focus pullers to stay locked on their marks while maintaining a clear visual of the scene.

The ARRI‑SmallHD partnership addresses this need by leveraging SmallHD’s Add‑On API framework to deliver a licensed overlay that integrates directly with the Hi‑5’s native data stream. Through a simple USB‑C or 4‑pin serial connection, operators can display focus scales, iris values, focal length, and FocusBug CineRT metrics on supported SmallHD monitors. The overlay is fully customizable—users can tweak opacity, reposition elements via drag‑and‑drop, and save up to three distinct layout configurations that persist after power cycles. This level of flexibility mirrors professional workflows while eliminating the need for additional hardware or third‑party software.

For production companies, the immediate availability of this license translates into faster setup times and reduced equipment costs, enhancing overall shoot efficiency. The broad compatibility across SmallHD’s CINE and Ultra monitor lines, as well as the ARRI CCM‑1, ensures that a wide range of crews can adopt the technology without major capital outlay. As on‑set data integration becomes a standard expectation, this collaboration positions both ARRI and SmallHD as leaders in delivering scalable, workflow‑centric solutions that can evolve with future camera and monitoring innovations.