Sound Devices ready to ship new production recorder

Sound Devices is to begin shipments this month of the latest in its range of video and audio recorders. The PIX 260i is based on the 240i file-based location recorder but is a rack mount unit aimed at outside broadcast, studio production, post-production and corporarte presentation work.

The PIX 260i was announced at NAB and received a further preview at the recent BVE (Broadcast Video Expo) North show in Manchester. Sound Devices’ technical development manager, Paul Isaacs, gave a presentation on both the 260i and the new 664 production mixer to an invited audience of sound recordists and press on the evening of the first day of the exhibition.

Offering video recording using either Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD codecs, the PIX 260i can record and play files at up to 220Mbps in 10-bit 4:2:2 video. On the audio side it records 32 tracks at 48kHz and is able to export files directly to Avid or Final Cut Pro editing systems in native format.

Isaacs commented that although Sound Devices had moved into video with the PIX 240i and was continuing the trend with the 260i, the new machine was still very much a sound device. “We’ve taken the core technology and added features that apply more to audio than video,” he says, adding that the 260i could be used purely as a sound recorder as well as a video with audio unit.

Recording on to either SSD or Compact Flash, with two slots on the front panel for the media, Isaac says the 260i also offers additional outputs for recording on to other drives if someone is “really paranoid” about ensuring the recording works, with the ability to connect up to four SATA drives simultaneously.

The 260i has been configured as a 19-inch, 2U 1/2 rack unit, which Isaacs says allows two to be installed side-by-side. It features an Ethernet port and is claimed to be the first device of its kind to support the Audinate Dante IP transport carrier.

Other features include eight-channels of HDMI audio as well as 16-channels of embedded SDI sound, eight-channels of AES digital audio, eight channels of line level analogue I/O, timecode, gain lock, master lock, RS-422 interface and a LCD screen. Isaacs says applications include film and TV post and OB, with the 260i able to work as slave units for main recordings. Other possible areas for use are theatre and houses of worship. The PIX 260i is priced at £3750 (approx €4624).