First Look: PixBox Live Video Editor

by Charlie White
SeniorProducer,Digital Media Net

If you've ever hauled in a 48-foot network-quality truck to shoot a simple three-camera setup, you must know the feeling: All this heavy equipment is extreme overkill! Creation Technologies of Petaluma, California has what looks like a perfect solution to that problem. They've managed to pack all the essential functions of a four to eight camera broadcast television control room into a small, suitcase-sized package called PixBox.

Weighing in at about 25 pounds, this new TV production tool features a 17" high-resolution color LCD that can show eight source inputs as well as Preview and Program monitors on one screen at the same time. The Preview and Program monitors can instantly zoom to full screen, without affecting the output signal, for critical live editing directorial judgments. Time base-corrected switching allows a mixture of consumer, prosurner and professional cameras to be inter-cut with plug and play compatibility from either 4 composite video, 4 S-Video and/or 2 FireWire inputs as well as four stereo Audio inputs.

Outputs are: 4 Composite, 4 S-Video and 1 daisy-chainable FireWire output. Two stereo Audio outputs as well as a FireWire encoded audio and video output are also available. And, as you can see in the picture above, a hood shields the screen from direct sunlight, while bright LEDs ensure proper audio levels. And, according to Creation Technologies, this unit meets RS-170A broadcast specifications for complete professional quality.

But what if you just want to direct a shoot using camcorders, each with its own tape, and then edit it all together later- This unit will still come in handy because it gives the director the ability to see all the camera shots and converse with the camera operators via an 8-station, 2-channel intercom system. Making matters easier also is PixTally, a proprietary LED tally system built into the beltpacks and mic boom to indicate when camera positions are "live." Then all the cutting could be done in a multi-camera nonlinear editing system, giving you the ability to edit the contents of each iso reel into a final master.

A separate VGA connection allows an outboard 18" or larger director's monitor to be used along side of the PixBox although the

…Now we have a 24-inch suitcase…I'd rather have the suitcase. This PIXBOX is a great product!”
—Charlie White
Emmy winning TV director

unit itself is a complete stand-alone control room for Web streaming, TV remotes and/or broadcast television location control. Suggested list price of PixBox will be $25,000. Company officials expect to ship PixBox after NAB.

Find out more about PixBox by calling Creation Technologies at 707 762 4086. If you'd like to take a look at PixBox at NAB, check it out at the Bexel booth at the North Hall of the LVCC, #L555.