PIX 240i HD Recorder

PIX240i Solid state HD Recorder

£120/day
£360/week

Portable off-board HD recorder adds Quicktime recording using Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD to any HDMI or HD-SDI equipped high-definition video camera. The portable PIX 240 records Quicktime files removable 2.5-inch solid-state hard drives (supplied) or to CompactFlash cards.
Manufacturer

PIX

Media Standard

PIX Caddy mounted Drive

Now 3G 4:4:4 as well to 30p

The new Aurora 3.0.1 update will allow 4:4:4 record (Prores 4444) up to 30p from 3G input up to 30p.  The video input on the PIX 240i has extensive compatibility with a wide range of cameras. It’s BNC input accepts 12-bit 3G SDI (4:4:4 RGB or YCbCr), HD-SDI, SDI. Its HDMI input accepts high-definition and standard-definition video.

Introduction

Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD video formats have emerged as industry standards. These I-frame codecs offer the best in picture quality, processing efficiency, and data storage requirements. They are ideal for editing, on-the-fly color grading, and video processing. Files recorded in the field on a PIX recorder are ready for the most popular editorial workflows.

  • HDMI input accepts (480i, 525i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p), v1.4a
  • HD-SDI input accepts (480i, 525i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p)

Superb Audio Performance

With deep expertise in production audio and hard drive-based audio recorders, Sound Devices built the PIX recorders with the highest audio performance. The audio circuitry on the PIX 240 is based on Sound Devices award-winning 7-Series Digital Audio Recorders. The low-noise (-128 dBu equivalent input noise), high-bandwidth inputs are mic/line switchable and include limiters, high-pass filters, and 48V phantom power. The audio source is menu-selected between embedded HDMI audio, embedded HD-SDI audio or balanced audio connected to PIX.

  • Premium microphone preamps, on balanced XLR, mic/line selectable with 48V phantom, limiters, high-pass
  • -128 dBu input noise, 115 dB dynamic range A/D
  • AES3 digital inputs 2 x 2 channels.
  • Two-channel, line level balanced output on 5-pin XLR
  • Embedded audio on HDMI, 2 channels
  • Embedded audio on HD-SDI, 8 channels.
  • High output, low-noise headphone amp

Trigger Operation

You can either use this as an external recorder by pressing the start/stop button to commence/halt recording, or set this up to monitor timecode changes, so that it automatically starts and stops when the camera records to its own internal cards, for seamless integrated operation or using an external trigger.

The PIX 240i will now trigger from Sony FS-700 as well.

The PIX 240 offers both HD-SDI and HDMI input and simultaneous HD-SDI and HDMI outputs.

Time Code and Genlock

Additionally, the PIX 240 has a tunable, high-accuracy time code generator/reader by Ambient complete with Genlock (or word clock) output. The time code source can be derived from an HD-SDI stream, from an external jammed source, or from the built-in generator.

AES3 Digital Audio

In addition to its high-performance analog audio inputs, the PIX 240 accepts AES3 digital audio. Sound Devices field mixers and recorders, including the MixPre-D, 552, and 7-Series recorders, output AES digital audio. Up to four digital audio inputs on two XLR connectors are accepted.

PIX 240 includes an external eSATAp connector for direct, powered connection to large SATA storage volumes.

Video Scalers

The PIX series video recorders offer powerful, hardware-based video scalers. Realtime conversion among video formats, including 1080i, 1080p, and 720p, are set with a simple menu selection. Conversion between interlaced and progressive, as well as frame rate conversion is available in realtime. For instance, some cameras set to record 24ps send 1080i 60 over HDMI or HD-SDI. PIX recorders can be set to convert the 1080i 60 stream back to 24p with no loss in quality.

  • Up/Down/Cross Conversion of 480i, 525i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
  • 3:2 Pull Down Removal to Record 24p from 60i Signal

Data Storage

The PIX PIX 240 records and play back Quicktime files to either removable CompactFlash cards or removable 2.5-inch solid-state drives.

VMI provides 2 x 240GB SSDs complete with caddys as standard with the PIX240 package allowing 4.69 hours of 1080 Prores 422 per 240GB SSD. Both CompactFlash and SSD media are formatted by PIX recorders as UDF volumes. UDF-formatted media are not limited to 4 GB file sizes like FAT32-formatted media. Additionally, UDF volumes are cross-platform, being directly mountable, readable, and writable in Mac OS and Windows.

The PIX-CADDY accessory provides triple-interface connectivity for SSDs: FireWire 800, eSATAp, and USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 backward-compatible). eSATAp offers drive powering and 3 Gb/s transfer rate over a single cable. SSD drives attach to the PIX-CADDY and it is easily hot-swapped.

Controls

Four large, illuminated, tactile record, stop, play, rew, and fast-forward controls are easy to access with gloved hands. Screen and button brightness are adjustable.

The side panel rotary knob makes menu navigation fast and simple and a straight-forward plain-language menu makes setups easy for both new and experienced users.

Display

The PIX 220 and PIX 240 include a generous 5-inch, matte finish, 800×480 pixel LCD display. The display is essential in the field and provides immediate confirmation of recording, playback, audio metering, and Setup Menu selections.

Mechanical Construction

PIX recorders are built for field use with their durable, light weight, metalized, molded carbon fiber chassis. Its advanced thermal design keeps the unit cool in extreme environments like nasty, blowing, sandy desert environments.

Powering

PIX recorders are powered by either external DC power with a Hirose 4-pin connection or removable Sony L-type batteries (up to two). PIX recorders accept external voltages from 10-18 VDC.

HDMI I/O

Version 1.4a input, Version 1.3a output, HDCP enabled on input

Video Input Resolutions / Rates

1080p23.976/24/25/29.97/30, 1080i50/59.94/60, 1080PsF23.976/24/25/29.97/30, 720p23.976/24/25/29.97/30/50/59.94/60, 576i50 (PAL), 480i59.94 (NTSC)

Video Codecs and Files

Apple ProRes 36, 100, 145, 220 Mb/s, 8- and 10-bit
Avid DNxHD 36, 100, 145, 220 Mb/s, 8- and 10-bit
Quicktime wrapper (.MOV), UDF File System

Up/Down/Cross Conversion

480i, 576i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p to any 480i, 576i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p

Frame Rate Conversion

24, 25, 30, 50, 60 to 24, 25, 30, 50,60, 23.976, 29.97, 59.94 to 23.976, 29.97, 59.94, automatic 3:2 pull-down removal in 23.976 and 24 frame modes, other pull-down cadences include 2:2:2:4, 2:3:3:2, 3:2:3:2:2, and 2:2

LCD Display

5-inch LCD; 800 x 480 resolution, flip-down for drive access

Audio Recording

8 channels record/playback, simultaneous with video
Analog, HDMI or SDI, AES/EBU, selectable per channel

Analog Audio

2 Balanced, mic- or line-level inputs on XLR. (48V phantom switchable)
2 Balanced, line-level outputs on 5-pin XLR.
Frequency Response: 10 Hz-20 kHz, +/- 0.5 dB re 1 kHz;
THD + Noise: 0.004% max (1 kHz, 22 Hz-22 kHz)
Input and Output Topology: fully electronically balanced, line-level, RF, ESD, short, and overload protected; pin-2 hot, pin-3 cold
Line Output Clipping Level: +18dBu
Output Attenuation 0-20 dB, 1 dB increments
Headphone, 1/8″ with gain control

Digital Audio

Sampling Rate / Bit Depth: 48 kHz, 24-bit
AES/EBU: 4 channels in via XLR, 110 ohm, 2 V p-p.
Accepts 32k, 44.1k, 48k, 96k, 192k sample rates with SRC at input.
HDMI: 2 channels embedded HDMI input, 8 channels embedded HDMI output
Accepts 32k, 44.1k, 48k, 96k, 192k sample rates.
SDI: 8 channels embedded SDI input, 8 channels embedded SDI output, 48k sample rate

File Storage

PIX-CADDY mounted drive or eSATAp-connected drive: Sound Devices approved 2.5-inch drive
CompactFlash card: Sound Devices approved CF card
eSATAp supplies 5V @ 2A

Timecode

Modes Supported: Freerun, Record run, External
Frame Rates: 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97DF, 29.97ND, 30DF, 30ND
Accuracy: +/- 0.2ppm, holds accurate time code for 2 hours after power is removed
Inputs / Outputs: BNC(LTC input and output), SDI or HDMI (Sony protocol), LEMO 5-pin
SMPTE 12M-1, 12M-2, 125M, 259M, 272M, 291M, 292, 296M, 299, 352M

Sync Output

Analog bi-, tri-level sync / genlock
Wordclock (square wave, 48 kHz sampling rate, 3.3 vp-p, 75 ohm)

Sync Input

Analog bi-, tri-level sync / genlock
Wordclock (square wave, 48 kHz sampling rate, 3.3 vp-p, 75 ohm)

Control

Record triggering via SMPTE timecode
LANC or GPIO on 2.5mm jack

Keyboard

USB host. Keyboards without hubs acceptable.

Power

4-pin Hirose, 10-18 VDC, pin-1 (-) pin-2 (+)

Physical

Size (H x W x D): 5.5″ x 4.0″ x 2.4″ (14 cm x 10.2 cm x 6.1 cm)
Weight: 2.0 lbs
Operating Temperature: -10C to +40C

1 x PIX 240 HD Recorder with 5" Display (SSD)
1 x PIX 240 AC Adapter with Hirose power cable
1 x Data Cable Firewire (9-9)
2 x Vision Cable BNC-BNC 1m
1 x Noga Heavy Duty Monitor Arm
1 x PIX 240 Magnetic Hood
1 x Mains Cable 13A- IEC
1 x Operational Manual/CD/USB Stick
1 x Data Cable USB 3.0 Square End (B Male)
2 x Power Cable D-Tap - Hirose 4M
1 x Stand Table With Riser Spigot
1 x Charger Sony DV 930 / 970 Incl PowerCable WA
2 x PIX 240 SSD 240GB
2 x Caddy PIX/SSD Reader
1 x Power Cable Figure 8
3 x Battery NP-F970 (large)

Peli Case PIX 240 HD Recorder 43 x 55 x 25 8.9kg

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