Video Devices Pix 270i Network Connected Video Deck with Dante & MADI
At NAB earlier this year, it seemed all the talk was 4k, 4k cameras, 4k recorders everything 4K. However, the Video Devices Pix 270i rack mount production video recorder wasn't in that category. At its most basic level, it's a hard drive-based video tape recorder (VTR). This isn't really anything new. Hard drive-based VTRs have been around for years. However, Video Devices has raised the bar on the standard VTR by putting in some features on the Pix 270i that make it redefine expectations. Some of those things can be seen immediately, like the large five-inch LCD, in-plane switching (IPS) 800x480 pixel display, and very large transport controls. However, some of the features that really make this product great are less easily noticed, but far more important.
Technical I/O
The Pix 270i has some interesting features in the I/O, which include different forms of video, audio, sync, and control. On the video side the Pix 270i has SDI and HDMI in and out. An interesting feature to note here: it can function as an HDMI to SDI or SDI to HDMI converter since both outputs are simultaneously active. The outputs contain 16 tracks of embedded audio on the SDI and eight tracks of embedded audio on the HDMI port. However, the audio inputs are far more extensive and reflective of the company name, including two XLR in and out and three DB-25 connectors; one for line in and one for line out (eight channels each) and another for AES in and out. It also features an Ethernet port that can be used for 64 channels of Dante.
If MADI is more your style, it has two SC optical ports (one in and one out) and two BNC ports (one in and one out) for that as well. On the sync side, it has two BNCs for timecode (one in and one out) and two for sync (one in and one out), which can be genlock or wordclock, as well as another Ethernet port. On the control side it has a 10-pin phoenix connector for general-purpose in/out (GPIO) a DB-9 for RS-422. Beyond all of those connectors it also has some connections that fit in the “other” category including USB-A for a keyboard, USB-B that the documentation says is for factory use only, and two eSATA ports which can be used to attach extra drives.
The most interesting feature available on the Pix 270 is the record grouping; this feature really makes the product very viable for multi-site churches.
While this extensive list covers the ports on the device itself, there are several more ports that need to be included in the list, like the ports located on the Pic-Caddy hard drive caddy. The caddy itself is mounted to the SSD and attached with two screws and has three ports: eSATA, USB 3.0, and for legacy users like myself, Firewire 800. These drives attach to slots located behind the LCD monitor. Once attached, they can record multiple formats including Apple ProRes, Avid DNxHD, and Broadcast Wave for audio only. These drives can be recorded to simultaneously or sequentially, giving the option to be able to record for very long periods of time or to strike to all the drives, which is great for multi-site churches hand delivering hard drives. In fact, it is possible to use the eSATA ports on the back of the device to add two extra drives, giving you four total using the Pix Drive Bay that rack mounts next to the recorder.
The Pix 270i will also handle up/down/cross conversion from 480i, 576i, 720p, 1,080i, 1,080p to 480i, 576i, 720p, 1,080i, 1,080p, anamorphic conversion and deinterlancing on the recorded file, as well as the output in real time. This is great, but it goes beyond simple format conversion and will handle frame rate conversions, as well, although there are limitations. The Pix 270i will not frame rate convert between integer and non-integer frame rates; if the incoming video is 1,080i59.94 it can be converted to 1,080p29.97, or 720p59.94 but not 1,080p30 or 720p60.
The sheer amount of options the [Pix 270i] has for audio inputs should be enough to make any audiophile happy.
Beyond the specs
All the technical I/O and up/down/cross conversion is great, but none of these things are the factors that really set this product apart from others in its class. Some of these factors are PowerSafe circuitry, Focus assist, PixNet network control, and record grouping. The PowerSafe circuitry is one of the features I would like to see more manufacturers implementing. The way it works is that part of the device functions like an uninterruptable power source (UPS)—when you pull the plug or the power goes out, the UPS flips on, automatically giving the device a few moments of power. However, the kicker is the device starts stopping all critical functions so that when/if it does finally run out of power it has stopped everything and shut itself off safely, rather then just slamming to a stop. This is a feature that should be on every piece of production gear.
The five-inch LCD is equipped with focus assist, which removes all the color from the video signal and highlights the in focus portions of the signal in red. The Pix 270 is also network controllable through browser-capable computers and tablets on PixNet. This control gives you access to transport controls and setup menu options. However, the most interesting feature available on the Pix 270 is the record grouping; this feature really makes the product very viable for multi-site churches. It allows up to 10 Pix 270i's to be synced together and controlled simultaneously for record and playback. The obvious practical application for this is the two shot multi-site recording; one Pix 207i could record a dedicated camera of the speaking pastor while another could record an IMAG feed with notes. Another great application for grouped recording would be doing camera isolation, record feeds of all your cameras raw, which could be edited together later for a broadcast/podcast cut. Lastly, while the Pix 270i isn't advertised as 4k-compliant, it stands to reason that 4k could be accomplished using four Pix 270i. While the record grouping would ensure that it functions appropriately, using four recording devices for one piece of video just seems like overkill, but it would be possible.
All in all, I think the Video Devices Pix 270i is a fantastic product. The sheer amount of options it has for audio inputs should be enough to make any audiophile happy. The video inputs, codec choices, and cross conversion should make all the video people happy. However, it's the rest of the features that really make this recorder stand out: the PowerSafe, PixNet, and grouped recording really make the Pix 270i a unique alternative to the video recorder market. At a price of $5,000 each it would be possible to purchase six recorders for the cost of many single multi-channel video recorders, making it a great option for the house of worship market.
