Video Devices just announced firmware v1.10 for their 4K /monitor recorder line-up including the SDI/HDMI PIX-E5 and HDMI only PIX-E5H. The latest firmware includes higher frame rates via HDMI, enhanced playback capabilities, and anamorphic desqueeze. The Video Devices PIX-E5 now also supports 4K over SDI.
Here is a list of what's new in Firmware v1.10:
New Features and Functionality
- Added 6G-SDI to support 4K recording over a single SDI cable for cameras with 6G-SDI output, such as Blackmagic URSA. Supports up to 30 fps.
- Added new 3:2 pulldown removal option for input to file conversion.
- Added high frame rate (HFR) recording up to 1080p120 over HDMI, which is ideal for slow motion format.
- Added support for external timecode via the 3.5 mm line inputs and via HDMI. Timecode from the line inputs may also be striped to an audio track.
- Added 4:3 anamorphic desqueeze for the LCD and outputs, ideal for cameras such as the Panasonic® LUMIX® GH4.
- Added the ability to enable or disable LUTs on SDI output.
- Enhanced playback capabilities to include frame-by-frame jog, shuttle (from 1/8x to 32x), plus fast forward and rewind at 2x and 16x speeds.
- Added ability to select next or previous recorded file from Stop by pressing Rewind or Fast Forward soft key buttons.
- Added ability to turn on peaking and zebras at the same time, thereby checking focus and exposure simultaneously.
Changes
- Labeling of two options for the submenu RECORDER & DRIVES > Codec have been changed from 8-bit to 10-bit to correctly reflect accurate bit-rates. Both ProRes 422 LT and ProRes 422 Proxy are recorded at 10-bit.
- The LUTs submenu, formerly a top level option in the Main menu, is now called LCD Monitor. Select it for settings related to both LUTs and Anamorphic Desqueeze.
- The SDI Timecode option in the submenu RECORDER & DRIVES > Rec Trigger has been renamed to Timecode.
Fixed Bugs
- SDI audio de-embedder issues.
- ProRes Proxy macroblocking on playback.
Note: Enhancements made and issues resolved in previous updates still apply.
Known Issues
The list below are the published Known Issues for the latest PIX-E5 Firmware
- Line in Timecode will not be muted in the headphone monitor if the Line Input is selected as an audio source after the Line In was selected as the Timecode Mode. Workaround: select the line input as an audio source before selecting it as timecode source.
The latest firmware update for the PIX-E5 series recorder/monitor is quite a big deal as now SDI capable 4K cameras can also benefit from the professional connection while allowing the PIX-E5 to record high quality 10bit 4K ProRes files. 1080p/120 slow motion over HDMI is great, but not so useful at this stage, as no cameras can output such high frame rates via HDMI.
We highly recommend the
PIX-E5 series recorders to solo shooters, rental houses and production companies. These units are very solid and now offer even more functionality than ever before.
Download firmware v1.10 here.
To get yours head over to
our website here or give us a call at
0208 977 1222.
PRESS RELEASE
REEDSBURG, WI, DECEMBER 4, 2015 — Video Devices announces Firmware Version 1.10 for the PIX-E Series of 4K-compatible recording monitors. With this latest firmware update, the PIX-E5 and PIX-E5H monitors now offer higher frame rate recording via HDMI, enhanced playback capabilities, and anamorphic desqueeze. Additionally, the PIX-E5 will also offer 6G-SDI to support 4K over a single SDI cable.
“We pay close attention to feedback from our customers, and we’ve used these suggestions to add several key features, such as with our latest firmware 1.10 update,” says Paul Isaacs, Director of Product Management and Design, Sound Devices, LLC. “We’re committed to offering new firmware with enhanced features to better assist our customers on the job.”
With firmware v1.10, the PIX-E Series now supports the higher frame rate of 1080p 120fps for high definition recording, which is ideal for capturing slow motion footage. The update also enables a 4:3 anamorphic desqueeze feature to the LCD and SDI/HDMI outputs during both monitoring input and playback. This process stretches out the horizontally squeezed images that result from cameras using anamorphic lenses, such as the Panasonic® LUMIX® GH4.
The firmware also includes many PIX-E Series enhancements for playback, such as 16x fast forward and 16x rewind functionality, the ability to jog through playback frame-by-frame, and shuttle in slow or fast motion. The new shuttling capability provides efficient navigation of playback forward or backward at rates from 1/8 speed to 32 times normal speed. Audio monitoring is even retained while shuttling forward from 1/8x to 2x. This update also has the ability to select next or previous recorded files from Stop by pressing Rewind or Fast Forward soft key buttons.
For the PIX-E5 monitor, v.1.10 now offers users 6G-SDI support of recording 4K over a single SDI cable for cameras like the Blackmagic® URSA®, plus the added ability to enable or disable a Lookup Table (LUT) on an SDI output.
On both PIX-E models, this version of firmware also features a new 3:2 pulldown removal option for input to file conversion, as well as more options for using external timecode. When set to 3:2 Pulldown, PIX-E Series monitors will automatically apply 3:2 pulldown if it detects a 3:2 cadence in an incoming 1080i 59.94 signal. External timecode options now include linear timecode (LTC) via the 3.5 mm line inputs, and HDMI timecode. The LTC from the line inputs may also be striped to Line In 1 or Line In 2 audio tracks.
Click the following to go to the PIX-E5 / PIX-E5H firmware v1.10 download page
The PIX-E Series of 4K recording monitors includes two released five-inch models, PIX-E5 and PIX-E5H, as well as the upcoming seven-inch PIX-E7. Both the PIX-E5 and PIX-E7 monitors have SDI and HDMI I/O, while the PIX-E5H has HDMI I/O only. The monitors are equipped with a full suite of precision monitoring tools, plus the ability to record 4K and Apple® ProRes edit-ready files to the mSATA-based SpeedDrive. Video Devices built the PIX-E recording monitors in die-cast metal housings with scratch-resistant Gorilla® Glass 2. In addition to durability, the high-resolution monitors are available as 1920x1080 (PIX-E5 and PIX-E5H) or 1920x1200 (PIX-E7) LCD displays, which are color accurate and sunlight viewable.