Firmware update v2.33 for the Sound Devices 970 and Video Devices PIX-250i/260i/270i adds the option of Dante Sync and transport control from more devices.

• 970: http://www.sounddevices.com/support/downloads/970-firmware
• PIX-250i: http://www.videodevices.com/support/downloads/pix250i-firmware
• PIX-260i: http://www.videodevices.com/support/downloads/pix260i-firmware
• PIX-270i:  http://www.videodevices.com/support/downloads/pix270i-firmware

At NAB 2015, Sound Devices will preview the new PIX-E Series of portable field recording monitors, including three camera mount models and a variety of accessories made for camera operators who need fast, high-quality tools to ensure their vision is captured with complete confidence.

The monitors are equipped with a full suite of precision monitoring tools, tactile touchscreen controls, SDI and HDMI I/O, and the ability to record 4K and Apple ProRes 4444 XQ edit-ready files to affordable mSATA-based SpeedDrives. Shipping is estimated to start Summer 2015

• PIX-E5 5" 1920 x 1080 Touchscreen Monitor with 3G-SDI/HDMI input & output
  Estimated shipping date: Summer 2015
   
• PIX-E5H 5" 1920 x 1080 Touchscreen Monitor with HDMI input & output
  Estimated shipping date: Approximately two months after the PIX-E5
   
• PIX-E7 7" 1920 x 1200 Touchscreen Monitor with 3G-SDI/HDMI inputs & output
  Estimated shipping date: September 2015
   
• PIX-E Accessory Kit with hard case, sun hood, articulating arm, two SpeedDrives, L-mount batteries, USB3 Y-Cable, and video I/O cables.
   
• PIX-LR screw-on audio interface with two XLR inputs and two XLR outputs
   
• SpeedDrive mSATA SSD drive that plugs directly into PIX-E series monitors. Available as a 240GB model or as an enclosure.

Video Devices' PIX-E monitors feature compact, die-cast metal housing and an LCD display protected by Gorilla Glass 2. This makes them the ideal choice for cinematographers and videographers looking for a monitor that can stand up to the rigors of the most extreme and demanding production environments. PIX-E monitors come standard with PIX-Assist™, an impressive suite of monitoring tools including TapZoom™ for unrivaled focusing speed, false colors and zebras to help set exposure, guide markers for framing, LUTs and a range of scopes including waveform monitor, histogram and vectorscope. These new on-camera monitors incorporate a ‘best-of-both-worlds’ user interface that combines easy-to-access real tactile buttons and intuitive touch screen. With their ability to record the highest quality Apple ProRes edit-ready video, the PIX-E recording monitors are an affordable, must-have tool for any video production professional.

LCD - Detail, Accuracy, Brightness
Discerning cinematographers and videographers need high-resolution, color-accurate, sunlight-viewable monitoring with a wide angle of view. The PIX-E Series monitors excel in all those aspects with their IPS, 500 nit LCD displays.

PIX-Assist™ Monitoring Tools & Scopes

• Waveform Monitor
• Vectorscope
• Histogram
• TapZoom™
• Peaking
• Zebras
• False Color
• Frame Markers
• Four Way View
• LUTs

TapZoom™
Its never been faster to zoom in and check focus! TapZoom provides instant 2x or 4x zoom to where you tap on the touchscreen. Tap again to zoom out. Once zoomed in, tap on the screen in the direction of a moving subject to keep it centered - the perfect tool for quickly checking focus when an actor lands short or overruns a mark

Outstanding Recording Capabilities
The 4K-compatible PIX-E Series are the first on-camera monitors to offer the full range of Apple ProRes codecs including the highest quality Apple ProRes 4444 XQ*. This is a 12-bit codec designed to preserve the detail in wide dynamic range imagery captured by today's high performance digital image sensors. PIX-E can record 4K up to 24 fps, UHD up to 30 fps and 1080p or 720p up to 60 fps.

​* Available only on the PIX-E5 and PIX-E7 models.

SpeedDrive™ Recording and File Delivery
The PIX-E records to the affordable, super fast SpeedDrive, an industry standard mSATA drive contained within a custom-designed enclosure. The SpeedDrive, which plugs directly into the PIX-E, doubles as a USB 3.0 thumb drive for very high speed offload to any computer without the need for a special cable or drive docking station. Two SpeedDrive options are available, a 240 GB SpeedDrive and an Enclosure-Only version that allows the user to choose and easily fit any size of mSATA drive. mSATA drives are available in sizes ranging from 128 GB to 1 TB.

Best-of-Both-Worlds User Interface
Some functions are better controlled via touchscreen and others by real buttons. PIX-E incorporates both types of control. The touchscreen is best used when interacting directly with a specific area of the displayed image such as zooming in to a point of interest with TapZoom. Buttons allow the operator to locate a control without looking and instant tactile response leaves no doubt a function has been activated. Button control is well suited to commands such as 'Record' where failure to activate can be catastrophic.

Mechanical Construction and Powering
With their compact, die-cast metal chassis, nutted connectors, and an LCD protected by scratch-resistant and optically-bonded Gorilla Glass 2, the PIX-E field recording monitors are designed to withstand the most extreme and demanding production environments. The PIX-E monitors are powered by external DC (10-34V) or dual L-mount Sony batteries with powering seamlessly switching from one source to another should one become depleted or removed.

Based on reports from the field and through Sound Devices close investigation with Intel engineers, the PIX-SSD5 hard drive, also known as the Intel 520 drive, has the potential for drive failure or data corruption when used in a PIX-CADDY,. This failure is most likely to occur when a drive is initially connected to a computer or when left idle while connected to a computer for an extended period of time. While these conditions are rare, Sound Devices recommends PIX users of the PIX-SSD5 (Intel 520 drive) take one of he following actions:

1. Advanced Replacement – Sound Devices offers an advanced replacement drive, the PIX-SSD6 to U.S. customers of the PIX-SSD5 for $100 which includes ground shipping (expedited shipping is available for additional expense). Return the original PIX-SSD5 using the pre-paid shipping label included with the replacement drive. Sound Devices reserves the right to charge the balance of the cost of the PIX-SSD6 ($299 USD) if the PIX-SSD5 is not returned within 30 days of receipt of the PIX-SSD6. Customers outside the U.S. should contact their Sound Devices reseller or distributor for details. Sound Devices recommends the advanced replacement.
    
2.  (or) Firmware Update – Customers may choose to update their PIX-SSD5 (Intel 520 drive) with a firmware release developed by Intel specifically to address the issues above. Intel is confident that this firmware update resolves the cause of the drive failure. This update can be applied to any Intel 520 drive by following the steps outlined in the tech note, Intel 520 Firmware Update Instructions. Please note that this update requires specific computer knowledge to apply the update.

Gotham is an authorized service center for the firmware update. Call us as 212-629-9430 or email [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.

More info can be found in the Sound Devices Tech Notes here.