Sound Devices PIX 240 ProRes/DNxHD Video Recorder with EPIC

[Steve Sherrick]

For those of you saying "We have an Epic, we don't need to record 1080p!" I'd like to point out that we had this EXACT disscussion withthe RED ONE oh, about 1 million different times. Needless to say, it's been talked to death. Feel free to search it...

Bottom line of all 1 million or so comments on the subject: Horses for courses.. We all agreed to disagree. It's a good solution and I think it's a great idea to continue it.

But like i said, if you want the details.. Just search.. By the time you finish reading it all, we'll be on Dragon sensors.

Jay

I think when all is said and done, you'll be able to have your cake and eat it too. As it stands right now, you're only a few pixels away from being able to do it. Once RED enables a few more controls in the look files, that means you'll be able to tweak the look just right for 1080P output to a recorder like PIX. It's very close.

 

[Ken Willinger]

The Pix 240 was very impressive during testing with Steve today. I found it very intuitive with easy to navigate menus. The audio portion is fantastic with so many options. And it was designed with Red in mind as it's built right into the menu choices. Once the scaling issue is tackled I'll have some very happy clients who have been reluctant to use Red because of the R3D's. And I'd rather have them using my Red camera and give them the 1080 (prores 422hq) that they want, than have them have me rent a 1080 camera (which I've had to do many times).

 

[RivaiC]

Hi Steve

Which brand of SSD drive do you use in your PIX ?

Thanks

 

[Steve Sherrick]

Ken has this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/767844-REG/Sound_Devices_PIX_256SSD_256GB_SSD_Hard_Disk.html and a second one which I believe is this one http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/memory-storage/MZ-5PA256/US

They may be one in the same but one has the Sound Devices stamp of approval on it. Ken will have to chime in or I can check for specifics next time I'm using it.

 

[RivaiC]

Thanks Steve

I personally dont feel very secure with samsung drive. I thought Samsung HDD division was sold to Seagate. That's why im a little surprised reading the recommendation page. Im not sure what is so special in the samsung drive.

If we can use Intel SSD or some other brand will be good, but im not it is supported.

Rivai

 

[Steve Sherrick]

The Sound Devices guys don't take storage lightly. I'm sure they have tested them thoroughly and found the performance meets the needs of the recorder. You are correct. Samsung did sell their HDD division to Seagate.

 

[Rocco Schult]

what happens when you shoot in slowmotion?
does it know it and does/can playback the files at higher framerates like the PSU-3?

The machine doesn't know that it's highspeed, there is no 120, 150 or 300 in HD-SDI.
The PSU I believe has playback of slomo, but as long as its fed via HD-SDI (which is an AJA or Blackmagic), it simply doesn't know.

...2 problems.

1 (WHICH IS THE BIGGEST) the files it records is .MOV and not MXF so you need to re encode the footage unless you link to it via AMA.
...

It should be a rewrapping, not recoding/recompression. Big difference in speed.
And AMA is for what it is. Maybe nothing for a feature, but good enough for many things... just my .02

 

[Paramon Ivanovich]

You are not shooting 1080 when you use this - see Haakon's post

I know, but PIX240 is

 

[Mike Lary]

Can someone who owns a PIX-240 please verify the physical dimensions of the device? It's oddly lacking from the documentation.

Thanks.

 

[Larry Kelly]

You're right there's no physical dimensions anywhere however, taking the dimensions off the the pictures, knowing that it is a 5 inch screen, it appears to be about 4 inches high plus the length of the BNC connectors, 5.5 inches wide, and a bit more than 3 inches deep.

Larry

 

[Mike Lary]

You're right there's no physical dimensions anywhere however, taking the dimensions off the the pictures, knowing that it is a 5 inch screen, it appears to be about 4 inches high plus the length of the BNC connectors, 5.5 inches wide, and a bit more than 3 inches deep.

Larry

You're probably right on width. The sun shield is 5.75", and that sticks out a bit over the edges. Depth is an unknown, however, and I don't want to guess. We're having custom cases made while our units are on backorder, so I'm hoping someone can take a quick measurement for me.

 

[Mitch Gross]

6"wX5"hX2.5"d. 7.25"w if you include the SSD caddy. Just measured our floor model.

 

[Mike Lary]

Thanks, Mitch!

 

[Mark Deeble]

Is there any reason why the Pix 240 shouldn't be able to make proxies from the Epic's playback ( when that is enabled ).
Going lightweight EFP and shooting wildlife, the Pix 240 would add considerably to the weight, power requirements, and rig size if used at the time of capture - instead, could it be used later when reviewing material e.g. in camp after a days filming so proxies were being made at the same time as watching rushes...?

 

[kylebainter]

So... are these working as describe in the real world? I haven't seen a whole lot of feedback since people have been getting theirs. Does the file name record exactly as the RED records it to SSD? How about auto record and auto stop sent over SDI?

Thanks

 

[Mark Pugh]

... and auto REC trigger by hitting starting playback on the Epic, please, for off-speed shots.

 

[Taylor Morrison]

Kyle, Yes the auto record is working for me over SDI. File name is the same although you must name the drive at format in the PIX. I suppose if you named it the same as the redmag that would work. The mag and clip numbering flow over SDI. I am quite happy with it so far.

Mark I will try this now and see if it works

 

[Taylor Morrison]

Mark, No auto REC trigger over SDI on playback...yet?

 

[kylebainter]

Kyle, Yes the auto record is working for me over SDI. File name is the same although you must name the drive at format in the PIX. I suppose if you named it the same as the redmag that would work. The mag and clip numbering flow over SDI. I am quite happy with it so far.

Mark I will try this now and see if it works

Taylor thank you very much! So you name the drive when you format it, but what happens when you change SSD's from say, A001 to A002, can you just leave a huge drive in the pix and have it record all day? Will your file names change to A001 and then to A002 automatically on the pix files when you put in new media?

 

[Taylor Morrison]

Kyle That unfortunately does not happen. The clip numbers will match until you change the RED mag...You would need to put a new PIX SSD in and Format with the matching RED mag number and continue. Not the best case scenario... But not the worst either. If you do not you will end up with a continuation of the numbering established on the PIX mag...