By associate editor Elliot Smith:
Video Devices have released updated v1.05 firmware for their Pix-E line of 5″ monitor / recorders which adds support for LUTs, and also enables Panasonic cameras (like the GH4, for example) to start or stop recording over HDMI. The firmware includes several LUTs as standard and will allow users to import new ones via SD card.
This is a welcome addition to a well-built piece of hardware, and hopefully Video Devices will continue this trend with more features in the future. It’s certainly a vey competitive market out there for camera-top recorders at the moment. Top of Newsshooter’s list for features to add next would be downconversion of a 4K signal to HD to send to client or director monitors…
The new firmware can be downloaded from the Video Devices site now.
This from Video Devices:
REEDSBURG, WI, SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 — Video Devices,a brand of video products developed by Sound Devices, LLC,announces Firmware Version 1.05 for the PIX-E Series. With this latestfirmware update, the PIX-E Series recording field monitors will now include several standard lookup tables (LUTs), the ability to utilize custom LUTs, and support for HDMI recording triggers for Panasonic cameras. “The features being added to the PIX-E Series with firmware v1.05 are the direct result of requests from users in the industry,” says Paul Isaacs, Director of Product Management and Design, Sound Devices. “The variety of LUTs we have added to the monitors enable production professionals to simulate their desired final appearance while still recording the full-dynamic range needed for post production.”
To aid onset viewing, most camera manufacturers provide monitoring LUTs to convert the cameras’ LOG output into easily viewed imagery that more accurately represents the final recorded image. PIX-E users can take advantage of new customizable touch-screen options for quick-tap comparison of simulated looks using up to four LUTs. With firmware v1.05, the PIX-E monitors are equipped with several standard LUTs, but custom LUTs may also be used via SD card or SpeedDrive™. This latest update also expands HDMI recording triggers to include Panasonic cameras – such as Panasonic Lumix GH4 – in addition to triggers added previously for Sony and Canon cameras.
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. The line was designed to cater to the varying needs of a diverse range of production professionals – from camera operators to video assist technicians. 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 any mSATA-based SpeedDrive.
The five-inch models are best utilized for smaller format DSLRs, while the seven-inch model is ideally suited for larger cameras. Both the PIX-E5 and PIX-E7 monitors have SDI and HDMI I/O, while the PIX-E5H has HDMI I/O only. 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.
