PIX 260i User Guide
v. 2.10
Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
46
PIX Gr
ouping
Network Grouping
When multiple rack-mounted PIX video recorders (PIX 250i, PIX 260i, or PIX 270i) or the 970 Audio
Recorder are in use on an Ethernet network, they can be grouped together for transport control and
linking of most setup options. Setup Menu option
[Network - Network Group]
assigns the PIX 260i
to one of four available groups.
In this section, the term “unit” refers to PIX 250i, PIX 260i, or PIX 270i Video Recorders, or the 970
Audio Recorder, unless otherwise specified.
There is no “master”/“slave” relationship in Network Groups. All units in a group are “master”.
Transport commands and settings changes made on any unit in a group will ripple to all other units
in the group. If a transport command or settings change has to be made to only one unit in a group,
the unit must be temporarily removed from the group before making the change. To quickly toggle
between
No Group
and the current group setting, press MENU + Control Knob.
Requirements and considerations when setting up Network Groups:
• The maximum number of units supported in a single group is currently 10. Increasing the amount
of units in a group increases the time of response for grouped transport commands and auto-con-
figuration.
• It is recommended that timecode be distributed individually to each unit in a group rather than
“daisy-chained” through units in a group.
• Allow all units in a group to auto-configure before proceeding with grouped operations. See the
following section for details.
See “Group Auto-Configuration”, page 47
• For frame-synchronized recording, Setup Menu option
[Video - File Resolution/Rate]
must be set
to
Same as Video Input
on all units in the group.
See “Grouped Transport”, page 47
• For frame-synchronized recording, video input signal to all units in the group must be of the same
resolution and frame rate.
See “Grouped Transport”, page 47
• Shuttle, Fast Forward, and Rewind functions are linked, however frame-synchronization is not
guaranteed while these functions are occurring. Frame synchronization will resume when return-
ing to Playback/Pause mode. Normal (1x) playback, Pause, and Jog will always be frame synchro-
nized. (
See “Grouped Transport”, page 47
• Frame-synchronous recording and playback is possible on the PIX 260i and PIX 270i only. Al-
though transport commands are transmitted to PIX 250i units in a group, recording and playback
on PIX 250i units is not frame-synchronized.
• Some settings are not linked even when units are in the same group. (
