Video Devices To Demo New Features For PIX-E Series

Video Devices will demonstrate new recording capabilities for its PIX-E Series at IBC 2016.

The PIX-E5, PIX5H and PIX-E7 4K-compatible recording monitors will be highlighted by the company and come with two new features. The addition of the H.264 codec and the ability to simultaneously record a high-quality, edit-ready Apple ProRes file and a more compact H.264 MP4 file.

The features are available as a free download for PIX-E owners.

The H.264 codec is supported for viewing on PCs, Macs and browsers, and offers a balance between compression and quality, resulting in low data rates and compact file sizes. It is these qualities that make H.264 a commonly used codec for web streaming and long duration recording. The codec also makes for quicker file uploads and easier emailing of recorded files.

Meanwhile, simultaneous ProRes and H.264 recording allows for more flexible and efficient file delivery options. PIX-E users now have the ability to give their clients an H.264 file for content review, shot-listing, or web-streaming. The high-resolution 4K ProRes file is used for mastering.

With the addition of H.264, an applied LUT is baked into the H.264 .mp4 file and saved via SD card. The master ProRes 4K file is saved to the Video Devices' SpeedDrive without an applied LUT. This is suited for users wanting to simultaneously record a full dynamic range, log-encoded ProRes master file for the edit suite and a REC709 H.264 file suitable for client viewing.

While recording 4K in ProRes, the PIX-E will automatically scale the 4K to 1080p for recording H.264, reducing its file size even further. Both recordings also include audio – up to eight channels with ProRes and two channels with H.264.

The PIX-E recording monitors have a die-cast aluminium chassis with scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 2. The high-resolution monitors are available as 1920x1080 (PIX-E5 and PIX-E5H) or 1920x1200 (PIX-E7) LCD displays, which are color accurate and offer 179 degree angle of view, even in sunlight.

Paul Isaacs, Director of Product Management and Design, Sound Devices, said: "We are excited to display our H.264 capabilities at this year's IBC. The new H.264 codec, and simultaneous ProRes and H.264 recording, gives our customers sought after file delivery options. At the end of a shoot, the delivery process becomes more efficient as the H.264 content can be handed off on a low-cost SD card to a producer or director. This gives them something quick and easy to review on a computer or tablet, at their convenience."

The firmware v3.01 upgrade for the PIX-E Series is now available as a free download here.

www.sounddevices.com

www.videodevices.com

(JP/LM)