Convergent Design have always been a forward thinking company. A few years back in 2009, they were first to introduce an affordable higher bit rate external recorder – the Nanoflash.
The tiny device gave broadcast quality 8bit 4:2:2 MXF recording capabilities to many shooters who needed a more robust image for broadcast, VFX, or cinema exhibition purposes.
The industry embraced their forward thinking and customer-needs oriented approach to designing products.
They made waves last year again by announcing new high-spec external recorder/monitor(s) the Odyssey 7 and Odyssey 7Q at attractive price-points of $1,295 / $1,795 respectively.
Packing significant and must-have features such as peaking, false-colour, waveform monitors and vector-scope, in a high-resolution OLED screen.
In addition to having the ability to record ProRes 422 HQ internally (on both) and 4K Raw from Sony FS700, F5/F55, Canon C500, and others on the bigger brother – the Odyssey 7Q, make these monitors very desirable for shooters.
Recently, Convergent Design released a new firmware update – 2.10.141 the details of which you can see in the full press release below:
NEW FEATURES in firmware update 2.10.141
- Advanced Playback Controls
This is a complete revamp of the Playback system. Standard deck-style controls for Play/Pause, single-frame step forward or step-back, and skip forward or back to next/pervious clip. Additionally, an interactive scrub bar allows the user to quickly access any section of a clip simply by dragging a finger across the OLED touchscreen. All recordable formats are supported and more detailed information is noted in the Play List.
- Expanded HD Video Format Support In Apple ProRes 422(HQ)
In addition to 1080p video, the Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q now support 1080i and 720p signals, as well as 24p signals embedded within 1080i video streams using “3:2 Pulldown”. New record formats in Apple ProRes 422(HQ) include: 1080/60i, 1080/50i, 1080/(24 over)60i, 720/60p, 720/50p. Additionally, upon selecting 3:2 PULLDOWN, the Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q will remove the excess material and record a pure 1080/24p video stream for more efficient storage and ease of post.
- Monitoring LUTs For HD Video
Monitoring LUTs for the LOG outputs from several popular cameras are now supported in HD video recording in both Apple ProRes 422(HQ) and Uncompressed DPX (Odyssey7Q only). Cameras and LOG formats supported include ARRI ALEXA (Log-C), Canon C100/300/500 (C-Log), Sony F3 (S-Log), Sony F5/F55 (S-Log2), Sony F5/F55 (S-Log3) and Sony FS700 (S-Log2). All monitoring LUTs conform selected Log signals to REC709. Monitoring LUTs are applied to the OLED screen, video outputs and Image Analysis tools, but not to the recorded files.
- Waveform Opacity
Opacity is now selectable when using the Waveform. The background of the waveform can be either translucent as in previous firmware, or selected to be solid black so that the waveform display can be more clearly seen.
- Dual-Link RGB 4:4:4 Support For Sony F3 (Odyssey7Q only)
- Record RGB 4:4:4 from the Sony F3 at 1080/23.98psf, 1080/25psf and 1080/29.97psf.
NEW FEATURES, RECORD OPTIONS (Odyssey7Q only):
- Sony FS700 4K RAW 100p/120p Super SloMo
Record 100fps or 120fps in 4K RAW in a 440 frame burst usng the camera’s internal memory buffer. Triggering is set on the camera at either the start of the memory buffer (capture the 440 frames after trigger is pressed) or at the end of the buffer (capture the 440 frames that occurred before the trigger is pressed). 440 frames equals 3.7 seconds of real time at 120fps and 4.4 seconds at 100fps. 440 frame played back at 24fps lasts more than 18 seconds.
- Record Options Rentals
Using the newly re-launched Convergent Design website, Odyssey7Q owners can rent ARRIRAW and Canon RAW Record Options. Rentals are based on 24hour time periods and are available for up to 31 day lengths. Rentals begin when a first recording is started. Indicators in the on-screen menus note rental time left and warn as the time gets low.
FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS:
- FIXED Occasional file corruption when using PIXEL ZOOM while recording Apple ProRes 422(HQ)
- FIXED Occasional file corruption when recording a 1080psf signal
- FIXED Playback issues at end of a file
- FIXED Image scaling in psf and interlaced signals that showed jagged lines in PIXEL ZOOM.
- FIXED Black line in image from Canon 5D Mark III in 1080/24p
- IMPROVED Hide Menu/Video Functionality
FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS, RECORD OPTIONS (ODYSSEY7Q ONLY):
- FIXED Canon EOS C500 Quad HD RAW (3840×2160) file corruption at 50p & 60p
- IMPROVED Sony FS700 4K/2K RAW S-Log2 to REC709 LUT
- IMPROVED Sony FS700 4K2HD S-Log2 to REC709 LUT
- IMPROVED Sony FS700 4K2HD REC709(800%) to REC709 LUT
- IMPROVED Sony FS700 4K2HD REC709 color science (internal LUT)
For the latest firmware, go to www.convergent-design.com/firmware-downloads.html to download the update instructions, firmware, release notes, guides, and the latest Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q manuals.
An Odyssey SSD or Odyssey Utility Drive is required to perform the update.
Convergent Design Ships Odyssey7
The Convergent Design Odyssey7, little sister to the popular Odyssey7Q, is now shipping. Convergent Design plans to ship this product in volume, fulfilling current backorders in August 2014.
The Odyssey7 (CD-ODYSSEY7) is a monitor/recorder designed for on-camera use. The monitor features a 1280×800 OLED touchscreen with true blacks and accurate colours. Monitor functions include advanced Image Analysis Tools for exposure and focus, such as Waveform, Histogram, False Colour, Focus Assist and Pixel Zoom. As a monitor alone, the Odyssey7 delivers an outstanding value beyond any competitor in the field.
The Odyssey7 is also a professional HD video recorder. It currently captures HD video in Apple ProRes 422(HQ) up to 1080/30p, 1080/60i and 720/60p. Future free updates will expand the available frame rates as well as add other formats of compressed HD video recording. An SSD slot will accept a Convergent Design Odyssey SSD, available in 256GB & 512GB. One 512GB SSD will hold 330 minutes of 1080/24p material. The Odyssey7 features full playback functions including file scrubbing. HD signals are cross-converted and output over both SDI and HDMI simultaneously.
The Odyssey7 shares similarities to the Odyssey7Q, but there are also significant differences (see Odyssey7 vs Odyssey7Q Comparison Chart). Some specs of the product have changed since the Odyssey7 was first announced. For a complete list of technical specs, see the Odyssey7 Spec Sheet.
Of course the biggest difference between the Odyssey 7 and the Odyssey 7Q is the price. The Odyssey7 is just US$1295 list, $500 less than the Odyssey7Q.
New Facility, New Website
In April 2014, hot off the heels of NAB, Convergent Design completed our move to our new facility. As a complete building renovation, purpose-built by Convergent Design for our needs, the workspace brings together all of our operations. All design, engineering, assembly, testing and shipping of Convergent Design products occur within these walls. While we’ve only moved across the street, Convergent Design has more than doubled our space, allowing for the dramatic growth the company is experiencing. The additional capacities of the new office will allow Convergent Design to hire more staff and manufacture more product moving into the future.
For reference, our new address is: 4525 Northpark Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918.
With our new building and new product shipments, Convergent Design is also announcing the launch of our completely redesigned website. More than a makeover, the website represents a completely new ground-up design to better support our clients and community. Detailed product information, lots of technical support material, product videos and charts, easily accessed downloads with helpful utilities and a host of other convenient features in an easy to navigate design makes the new Convergent Design website a pleasure to use. Client accounts, including the purchase and new Record Option rental store are simple to navigate.
We invite you to explore what we have to offer at www.convergent-design.com.
New Accessory Product for Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q
Odyssey Utility SSD
Convergent Design now offers the low cost Odyssey Utility SSD, (CD-SSD-UTILITY, list US$149). It is for Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q firmware updates as well as future functionality such as 3D-LUT libraries for the Odyssey7Q. The Odyssey Utility Drive will not record video files. It is intended for Odyssey7 & 7Q owners who do not wish to tie up an Odyssey SSD with utility functions, and for Odyssey7 & Odyssey7Q owners who use their devices as monitors and do not need to purchase the more expensive recording media.
Check out Convergent Design on the road!
Convergent Design participates in events and shows around the world. Come see us at these upcoming international trade shows.
- BIRTV in Beijing, August 27-30, 2014
- IBC in Amsterdam, September 12-16, 2014
- Cinec in Munich, September 21-23, 2014
- ProFusion in Toronto, October 15-16, 2014
[via Convergent Design, and Cinescopophilia]
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