Video Devices Enhances PIX-E Series

Video Devices has said it will preview enhancements to its PIX-E Series of 4K-compatible recording monitors at NAB 2016.

The two new features are the addition of the H.264 codec, and the capability of simultaneously recording a high-quality, edit-ready Apple ProRes file and a smaller size H.264 MP4 file. The features will be made available at no cost to PIX-E owners in a future firmware update, the company has said.

Supported for viewing on PCs, Macs, and browsers, the H.264 codec offers a balance between compression and quality to reach low data rates and small file sizes, meaning it is commonly used for web streaming and long duration recording. The codec also makes for faster file uploads and easier emailing of recorded files.

The PIX-E Series has always featured the full-range of ProRes codecs – from proxy up to 4444 XQ – but with the new features, end users will be able to simultaneously record an H.264 MP4 file and a ProRes MOV file. 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.

Paul Isaacs, Director of Product Management and Design, Sound Devices, said: "We are excited to preview these ground-breaking new features for our PIX-E Series at this year's NAB show. We will be demoing how the addition of H.264 recording, and simultaneous ProRes and H.264 record capabilities, provide more flexible and efficient file delivery options. For instance, users will have the ability to give their clients an H.264 file for content review, shot-listing or web-streaming, and a high-resolution 4K ProRes file for mastering. At the end of a shoot, quickly handing off a low-cost SD card containing the video content to a producer, director, or whomever, further streamlines the process; now they have something quick and easy to review, in their own time, on computer or tablet. Since H.264 is ideal for web streaming, houses of worship, corporate clients, and educational facilities will have a more direct way to get their presentations to the web for online viewing."

The PIX-E Series of 4K recording monitors includes two five-inch models, PIX-E5 and PIX-E5H, and the seven-inch PIX-E7. The PIX-E5H features HDMI I/O only, while the PIX-E5 and PIX-E7 monitors have SDI and HDMI I/O. The monitors are equipped with advanced features, including LUTs, anamorphic desqueeze, and LCD orientation, as well as a full suite of precision monitoring tools and scopes for clear focus, proper exposure, and more.

www.sounddevices.com

www.videodevices.com

(JP/LM)