Sound Devices - PIX 240i
The portable PIX 240i is an essential companion for any production environment. It simplifies any production and post-production environment bringing edit-ready Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD recording to SD/HD-SDI or HDMI-equipped video cameras
File-Based Recording
The PIX 240i records Quicktime files in either Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD video formats. Files recorded in these intra-frame codecs are ready-for-editing directly from the recorder. For color-critical applications recording to Apple ProRes 4444 provides uncompressed alpha-channel transparency for superb chroma keying and grading performance.
Extensive Video I/O
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.
With its 3G-SDI 4:4:4 input, recording to ProRes 4444 offers recordings that are perceptually indistinguishable from the original source material.
Frame Rate Converter and Scaler
The PIX 240i features a powerful hardware scaler and frame rate converter. Up, down, cross-conversion and pulldown removal give users the ability to record files in a customer-requested rate, even rates not supported by the camera. The PIX 240i also supports aspect ratio conversion, HD to SD and SD to HD.
Time Code Generator
The on-board high-accuracy Ambient time code generator makes the PIX 240i right at home on any production from simple single camera shoots, to complex multi-camera sync-sound productions. All common time code frame rates and modes are supported. Embedded time code over SDI and HDMI is also supported.
IPS Field Monitor
With its 5-inch, IPS display, the PIX 240i becomes an accurate field monitor for production cameras. The display’s accurate color representation and excellent off-axis visibility assist in framing, exposure evaluation, and focus evaluation. It is complete with 12-step false color and two-level zebra, peaking, and 1:1 pixel viewing.
Defeatable detail overlayed on the picture includes audio metering, time code, file type, record status, and frame rate information. The display also doubles as a fast, simple menu interface.
Time code and record state display can be sent to the SDI and HDMI outputs.
Superb Audio Performance
With its deep expertise in production sound, Sound Devices included no-compromise audio performance into the PIX 240i. Its full-sized XLR audio inputs accept microphone or line level signals. Microphone-level inputs offer 48 V phantom power, input limiters, and sweepable high-pass filters. Inputs can also be set to accept AES3 digital audio, up to four channels.
Inputs offer selectable audio delay. Since video cameras often introduce several frames of delay because of internal processing, audio signals connected directly to the PIX 240i can be delayed up to 500 ms to accommodate that delay and provide perfect synchronization between video and audio signals.
Playback
The PIX 240i offers a wide range of playback features. Off-speed, forward, backward, freeze-frame, looping, and custom playlists give users extensive playback control. File markers can be set while in record or playback mode with the press of a button and loop playback modes allow continuous looping playback of entire files or between files markers. Playlists allow users to quickly organize multiple files for consecutive or loop playback.
File Storage and Transfer
PIX 220i and PIX 240i record and play back Quicktime files to either removable CompactFlash cards or removable 2.5-inch solid-state drives (recording media and PIX-CADDY 2 are optional accessories). Both CompactFlash and SSD media are formatted by PIX recorders as exFAT volumes that are directly mountable, readable, and writable in Mac OS and Windows.
Mechanical Construction
The PIX 240i is designed and built for the rigors of field production with a durable chassis made of light weight, molded, metalized-carbon-fiber. Its four 1/4-20 thread mounts on two different axis offer countless mounting options. All important connections on the PIX 240i use full-sized, locking connectors, including its BNC video and XLR audio connections. Data drives mount to the available PIX-CADDY2 for a secure, hot-swappable, locking data connection.
Powering
The PIX 240i is powered from removable Sony-compatible (L-mount) lithium-ion camcorder batteries or external 10-18 VDC power. Battery mounts are connected in parallel so batteries can be hot-swapped during operation, with no loss of power. When external power is removed while a removable battery is mounted, the PIX 240i seamlessly transfers to battery power. Battery source and voltage is shown on the on-screen display.
Controls
The side panel rotary knob makes menu navigation fast and simple. Simple controls and a straight-forward plain-language menu makes setups easy for both new and experienced users. 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.
Key Features List
- 4:4:4, 12-bit recording
- 5-inch IPS (In-Plane Switching), glossy, 800×480 pixel LCD display
- Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD codec at multiple data rates
- Quicktime file type
- 12-bit input and output video resolution
- Monitor functions including False Color, Zebra Stripes, 1:1 Pixel Mapping, Peaking Filter
- Built-in hardware based frame rate converter and de-interlacer
- Up/Down/Cross Conversion of 480i, 525i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
- Aspect ratio conversion
- 3:2 Pulldown Removal
- High-accuracy built-in time code generator, with genlock and word clock output (PIX 240i only)
- Ultra low-noise (-128 dBu) mic preamps with phantom, limiters, line input (based on 7-Series recorders)
- Ability to defeat audio output delay while maintaining audio/ video sync on recorded file
- CompactFlash or removable 2.5-inch solid-state drive file storage with media spanning, UDF format for Mac OS and Windows compatibility
- Large, illuminated, tactile buttons for fast and simple menu control
- Simultaneous HDMI and HD-SDI output (PIX 240i only)
- 336-core, 32-bit massively parallel processor with 1.2 TeraOps for efficient video encoding
- 10-18 VDC and dual L-series battery powering
- Metalized, molded carbon fiber chassis
PIX 240i Specifications
SDI Input & Output
- 4:4:4 or 4:2:2; 12, 10, or 8-bit
- Input: 3G-SDI (levels A and B), HD-SDI, or SDI
- Output: 3G-SDI (level A), HD-SDI, or SDI
- SMPTE 12M-1, 12M-2, 125M, 259M, 272M, 291M, 292, 296M, 299, 352M, 372, 424, 425
HDMI I/O
- Input: v1.4a, 4:4:4 or 4:2:2, RGB or YCbCr, 10 or 8-bit, HDCP-enabled
- Output: v1.3, 4:2:2 8-bit, RGB and YCbCr
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 (SDI Only)
- 720p50/59.94/60
- 576i50 (PAL)
- 480i59.94 (NTSC)
Video Codecs and Files
- Apple ProRes 4444, 330 Mb/s, 12-bit
- 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
- Hardware based, 10 bit
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
- Hardware based, 10 bit
LCD Display
- 5-inch LCD – IPS (In-Plane Switching), glossy, 800×480 pixel LCD display
- Ultra wide viewing sngle and color accuracy
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 2 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
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-4 (+)
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
