Recording is done to any of four attached drives, which include two front-panel drive bays and two rear panel e-SATA connected drives. Material can be recorded to multiple drives simultaneously or sequentially. This eliminates time-consuming post-record copying and allows for continuous long-form, high-track count recordings.
The Sound Devices 970 also features a built-in Ambient Recording Lockit time-code generator and master clock, supporting also external sync from most sources. Plus, to simplify the connection of multiple digital inputs, SRCs are available for all MADI, Dante or AES inputs. In addition to RS-422 and GPIO control, the unit also allows for format conversion between analog, AES digital, MADI and Dante.
The 970 can be controlled from browser-capable computers and tablets. Machine transport and setup control over Ethernet-based networks, as well as file transfer over the data network with SMB, is done via an embedded Web-based control panel. File metadata editing of scene name, take name, notes, track names, and reel folders can be done during, before and after recording across all drives. Multiple units can be grouped for simultaneous control.
The recorder is designed with a large five-inch screen for metering of up to 64 tracks and for fast and intuitive menu control. It also features the Sound Devices proprietary PowerSafe technology. PowerSafe circuitry has a built-in 10-second power reserve. In the event of power loss, the unit continues to operate for up to 10 seconds, then stops any file operation and shuts down. This ensures that a complete power loss has no effect on the recording.
Sound Devices introduces Video Devices
In a separate announcement, Sound Devices has launched Video Devices, a new brand and identity for its line of video products.
“To reinforce and clarify our audio and video product lines, Sound Devices is focusing its video product efforts into a new brand identity, Video Devices. This new and separate brand will allow us to clearly define and tailor our video product portfolio specifically to video applications and markets,” says Matt Anderson, President of Sound Devices. “While production sound equipment is our foundation and we continue to develop cool new audio gear, video production has become increasingly important for us. The Video Devices brand is a clear message to the industry that we are in this market for the long haul.”
Since the company introduced its first video product, the PIX 240, in 2011, Sound Devices has expanded on its success with additional camera-mounted and rack-mounted video recorders. These ground-breaking product additions, including the new PIX 270i and PIX 250i, have opened new markets and product categories.
The network-connected PIX 270i and PIX 250i video decks offer significant advantages and time-savings to production workflows, providing tapeless, file-based recording and playback with the ability to remotely control, setup, and transfer high-quality files over Ethernet. The units record edit-ready Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD files and allow simultaneous multiple-drive recording, giving production staff peace of mind with their rock-solid redundancy and backup capabilities (four drives for PIX 270i and two drives for 250i).
Their extensive audio capabilities, including 64 channels of both MADI audio and Dante audio-over-Ethernet for PIX 270i (a world’s first for a video deck) and PIX 250i’s 16 tracks of audio, make each unit a comprehensive, cost-effective tool for high-performance video capture and presentation.
Over the next several months, the company will brand all video-related products as Video Devices, including the PIX 220i, PIX 240i, PIX 250i, and PIX 270i recorders. All future products, specific to video markets, will also be branded Video Devices.
www.sounddevices.com
www.videodevices.com
