The NAB preview will showcase the addition of the H.264 codec to the PIX-E Series, as well as the capability to simultaneously record both ProRes and H.264.

H.264 at NAB!

LAS VEGAS, APRIL 13, 2016 — Video Devices will preview a new recording capability for the popular PIX-E Series of 4K-compatible recording monitors at the 2016 NAB Show – Booth C6040. The PIX-E Series will showcase two new features—the addition of the H.264 codec and the capability of simultaneously recording a high-quality, edit-ready Apple® ProRes file and a much smaller size H.264 MP4 file.

These new features will be available to PIX-E owners at no cost in a future firmware update.

Universally supported for viewing on PCs, Macs, and browsers, the H.264 codec offers a good balance between compression and quality to reach low data rates and small file sizes. As a result, it is commonly used for web streaming and long duration recording. The codec also makes for faster file uploads and easier emailing of recorded files.

While the PIX-E Series has always featured the full-range of ProRes codecs—from proxy up to 4444 XQ—with these upcoming features, end users will be able to simultaneously record an H.264 MP4 file and a ProRes MOV file. While recording 4K in ProRes, the PIX-E will automatically scale the 4K to 1080p for recording H.264, thereby reducing its file size even further. Both recordings will also include audio—up to eight channels with ProRes and two channels with H.264.

“We are excited to preview these ground-breaking new features for our PIX-E Series at this year’s NAB show,” says Paul Isaacs, Director of Product Management and Design, Sound Devices, LLC. “We will be demoing how the addition of H.264 recording, and simultaneous ProRes and H.264 record capabilities, provide more flexible and efficient file delivery options. For instance, users will have the ability to give their clients an H.264 file for content review, shot-listing or web-streaming, and a high-resolution 4K ProRes file for mastering. At the end of a shoot, quickly handing off a low-cost SD card containing the video content to a producer, director, or whomever, further streamlines the process; now they have something quick and easy to review, in their own time, on computer or tablet. Since H.264 is ideal for web streaming, houses of worship, corporate clients, and educational facilities will have a more direct way to get their presentations to the web for online viewing.”

The PIX-E Series of 4K recording monitors includes two five-inch models, PIX-E5 and PIX-E5H, as well as the seven-inch PIX-E7. The PIX-E5H features HDMI I/O only, while both the PIX-E5 and PIX-E7 monitors have SDI and HDMI I/O. The monitors are equipped with advanced features, such as LUTs, anamorphic desqueeze, and LCD orientation, while also boasting a full suite of precision monitoring tools and scopes for clear focus, proper exposure, and much more.

Visit the Sound Devices, LLC Booth #C6040 at NAB Show to see the new PIX-E Series features in action!