Simplifying Production

Sound Devices PIX 220 and PIX 240 are Lemac's on-board recorder of choice. These video recorders add Quicktime recording using Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD to any HD-SDI or HDMI equipped high-definition video camera. The portable PIX 240 (HDMI and HD-SDI) records Quicktime files to CompactFlash cards or removable 2.5-inch solid-state hard drives.

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.

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 220 and PIX 240 are 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 (PIX 240 only) 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 (PIX 240)
• Two-channel, line level balanced output on 5-pin XLR
• Embedded audio on HDMI, 2 channels
• Embedded audio on HD-SDI, 8 channels (PIX 240)
• High output, low-noise headphone amp

PIX 240

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.

PIX 240 Input Flexibility

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

File Formats

• Apple ProRes (Proxy/LT/422/422HQ 10-bit)
• Avid DNxHD 36, 145, 220 Mb/s, 8- and 10-bit
• .mov Quicktime File Wrapper
• All audio contained within the single .mov file

Video Scalers

Both the PIX 220 and PIX 240 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

PIX 220 and PIX 240 record and play back Quicktime files to either removable CompactFlash cards or removable 2.5-inch SSD (solid-state drive). 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 optional 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. Simple controls 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, 800x480 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.

Numerous PIX cabling options are available to power the unit from external DC, including a 4-pin XLR to Hirose (XL-H4), Anton Baur D-tap to Hirose (XL-AB) , and NP cup to Hirose (XL-NPH). The PIX recorder charges attached L-type batteries when the unit is powered off and plugged into AC with the supplied adapter.

Video

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Approved Storage Devices

The following is a list of media types approved by Sound Devices for use with the Pix 240 and 220 recorders.

2.5″ SSD

• Corsair Force GT 240GB (SATA 3)
• Sandisk Extreme 240GB (SATA 3)
• SanDisk Ultra® 240 GB drive
• SanDisk Ultra® Solid State Drives

CompactFlash Cards

• Sandisk Extreme Pro 90 MB/s (UDMA 6)

External eSATA Enclosures

(For use with approved 2.5″ drives)

• StarTech S2510PESAT
• G-Technology G-DRIVE(Gen4). (Uses the Oxford 934DSB chip-set)

SDI Input & Output

SMPTE 12M-1, 12M-2, 125M, 259M, 272M, 291M, 292, 296M, 299, 352M

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

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