DV Info Net - The PIX 220 Video Recorder or the ninja

I bought the Pix220 over the Ninja.

It's bigger, heavier, thirstier, but I think I'll be using it after my current camera is retired.

- Superlative audio control and quality, bar none (confirmed whilst working with a Sound Recordist who used my mics through his gear into my camera. As well as sounding nicer (mic placement) his recording had better dynamic range with a much lower noise floor)
- Unburstable limiter for when you don't have a Sound Guy with you and/or your audio comes from another source (e.g. line feed from desk)
- Great screen on the Pix that you can focus on (big deal with FS100 and top mounted screen) - I live in hope of punch-in and peaking focus aids plus false colour exposure.
- Great down/up/cross convert that actually delivers good quality results
- Big buttons that light up when you engage them (this is a major point if this is in a backup/master recording system)

Will I use it on every shoot? No. Will it pay for its self? Yes, but more so on shoots where reliability and quality are key and the client will pay a little extra for this. Will it make my life better? Hell yes, and I can't quite put a value on that yet.

Should I have bought the PIX240? That's where my Buyer's Remorse is kicking in. I have never, ever, been asked or needed Genlock. All my HD-SDI cameras do HDMI. But almost all of the clients I work for use other suppliers who work in HD-SDI throughout. I'll get an Atomos HD-SDI to HDMI converter, but that weakens my chain. I won't earn revenue hiring this box out on dry hire. But would I recoup the cost difference if I did - and would I want to?

Having used both the Ninja and now the Pix220, I'm happy with the Pix and feel it's well worth the doubling of cost for my corporate shoots. But if I were shooting indie narrative on a shoestring, with more complex rigs for monitoring, I'd understand why folks would go for the Ninja.