Pix-E gets audio interface
Published: PRODUCTS
Sound Devices’ Pix-LR is designed for use with the manufacturer’s Video Devices brand of Pix-E Series recording monitors, including the Pix-E5, Pix-E5H, and Pix-E7. The audio interface features mic preamps, LED metering, dedicated transport and gain controls and provides the Pix-E recording monitors with XLR inputs and outputs.
The Pix-LR includes XLR-3F connections and two three-pin XLR-3M connections and comes equipped with dedicated backlit transport controls and dedicated gain controls. The manufacturer states that 48V phantom power is supported for condenser mics, and inputs can be linked for stereo level and pan control. A ¼-inch 20-thread screw mounts the Pix-LR to the base of any Pix-E Series monitor, deriving its power from the monitor to which it is attached.
Also new from Sound Devices, as part of the latest V3 firmware update for its 688 mixer/recorder and SL-6 power and wireless system, is an RF Scan feature. When using the RF Scan, the scanned block is displayed on the 688’s larger colour LCD to offer a clearer image of what frequencies within the block are free of RF noise. Whilst the graph can be zoomed in on, the manufacturer states that the 688’s interface simplifies and speeds up frequency selection. The new capability scans the RF spectrum using a Sound Devices SL-6 with three SuperSlot-compatible receivers, such as Wisycom’s MCR42 and Lectrosonics’ SRb and new SRc. The RF Scan’s triple-scan capability uses parallel processing, reportedly cutting the time it takes to run the scan by a third.
In other news, Sound Devices has announced a version 2.30 firmware update for its rack-mount recording solutions, which includes new copy functionality and enables grouped playback of non-native files. This reportedly hands users the ability to group multiple video decks together for frame-accurate playback of non-native files, including those created in Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro and Avid. With this update, the Pix 270i and Pix 250i can also recognise timecode from non-native files.
Lastly, as part of the manufacturer Video Devices line, v1.3 firmware has been released for the Pix-E7, Pix-E5 and Pix-E5H, offering an expanded anamorphic de-squeeze feature set including options for sensor ratio, lens ratio and display format. The LCD orientation menu also now allows for greater positioning flexibility and enhanced false colour capabilities, and a new submenu allows users to mirror and flip the on-screen display to operate a Pix-E from various mounting positions.
Other enhancements include an improved False Colour menu with additional options, including individual key selection to indicate IRE threshold colour levels and the ability to display false colour scales on screen. For storyboarding, comparing lighting setups and ensuring continuity, screenshots can be captured as JPG or PNG still images. Additionally, the Pix-E series can now send time-code over SDI out.