Dec
Sound Devices has announced the latest firmware update for the PIX 240 recorder, which goes by the name Aurora, V3.0.
The main new feature is that it is now possible to record in RGB 4:4:4:4 from this device through a single 3G-SDI input, which will allow several possibilities that could not have been realized before.
The PIX 240’s recording support is Compact Flash or SSD cards, and it does so in both ProRes and DNxHD files. It includes HDMI and HD-SDI inputs and outputs, and although it has always had a 3G-SDI input, until now it has only been used as a 1.5Gbps HD-SDI connection.
Thanks to this update, it is now possible to record in ProRes 4444, 12-bit, up to 30p; which means that new workflows can be created with cameras such as the ARRI Alexa or Sony F3 (which outputs 10-bit RGB 4:4:4 via 3G-SDI). In order to get the most out of 12-bit, other combinations can be chosen, such as with the Canon C500, which has a 12-bit RGB output.
The new Aurora firmware also allows timecode and recording of status indications via the SDI and HDMI outputs. In addition, audio signals can be delayed up to 500ms to resolve any sync issues if we are sending the video and audio sources separately.
For those who already own a PIX 240, you can download this update for free from here. If you are not yet a PIX 240 owner but want to purchase it, you can do so for a price of $2,479 (you can find all its features on this page ).
We wish you all a great start to 2013! 🙂
