Video Devices, makers of the super rugged and awesome monitors, who according to the manufacturer happen to record 4K in various flavours just got even better. The company just announced firmware update v1.10 for their 4K monitor/recorder line including the 5-inch PIX-E5 and the less expensive PIX-E5H (HDMI only). With the latest firmware the innovative 4K recorders can now record higher frame rates recording via HDMI such as 1080/120fps, also feature enhanced playback capabilities, and 4:3 anamorphic de-squeeze for cameras like the venerable Panasonic GH4. The Video Devices PIX-E5 now also supports 4K over SDI.
Video Devices PIX-E5 firmware v1.10 changes and updates in detail below:
New 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 1080p/120 fps over HDMI
- 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 de-squeeze for the LCD and outputs, ideal for cameras such as the Panasonic 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.
Change
- 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
- 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 recorder/monitor is quite significant as up until now you could only recorder 4K via the HDMI, making the lack of 4K over the more robust and industry standard SDI connection a serious limitation for many. Now, the PIX-E5 recorder gets 6G-SDI making it capable to carry a 4K signal from 4K cameras.
B&H Links
Video Devices PIX-E5 6G-SDI 4K Recorder – $1,395
Video Devices PIX-E5H HDMI 4K Recorder – $1,195
Video Devices PIX-E7 7-inch 4K Recorder – $1,595
Sony A7s II Mirrorless Camera – $2,998
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 de-squeeze. 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 de-squeeze 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 1920×1080 (PIX-E5 and PIX-E5H) or 1920×1200 (PIX-E7) LCD displays, which are color accurate and sunlight viewable.
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