Our good friend, Erik Naso from ErikNaso.com has just posted his hands-on review of the ever-evolving Convergent Design Odyssey7Q+ monitor/recorder. For those of you not familiar with his work, I highly recommend you listen to our Podcast with him (Part 1 here, and Part 2 here), as well as check out his blog over here. He’s done some really informative reviews on other gear in the past, and has a lot of experience that he shares on his blog. As far as the Odyssey7Q+, its feature set continues to expand, thanks to the hard working folks over at Convergent Design, who keep pumping more functionality into this beast as it was intended from the very get go. The latest firmware update for the Odyssey7Q+ added 10bit 4K HDMI support for cameras like the Panasonic GH4.
See Erik’s video review below:
Just a reminder form the last firmware (4.10.100) released last month in December 2014, The Odyssey7Q+ can accept 4K/UHD up to 30p or 1080p60 in 4:2:2 10-bit. Also for a limited time only, the Odyssey7Q+ comes with 2 x FREE 256GB SSD’s in the box, saving you over $800 in the process.
Here’s a brief rundown of Erik’s findings from his review:
“The positives:
- Screen is beautiful.
- Fast access to the main tools you want on the bottom of the screen. No need to enter a menu first then pick a tool like on the Shogun.
- Build seems very solid but does add weight.
- Multiple battery options available with easily swappable plates. I’m using Sony NP F Series type and they seem to work pretty well. Not too heavy and powers the unit for about an hour or so. Still testing this.
- Two slots for SSD drives for more recording options. New DEAL adds two 256 SSD drives.
The not so positives:
- Mini HDMI in and out. I’m having a hard time finding a cable with micro HDMI on one end and mini on the other. This means I need to use an adapter and I really don’t like adapters especially when I’m recording. Plus it adds more weight to the connector and that could cause it to fail much easier and having to send the 7Q+ off for repair. I won’t put an adapter on the camera end with micro HDMI inputs without a lock to prevent damage to the port. I haven’t had a full size HDMI port fail yet but have on one of my GH4’s.
- No ProRes 422 or LT option. Sometimes that’s good enough and you can get more media on the SSD.
- No DNxHD option – Not sure if it’s available with download or not.
- 1/4 40 tap is on the back. I would if it was under the monitor but I didn’t have any difficulty adding a ball head with hot shoe.
- Proprietary media is expensive. 512GB cost $7951TB $1400
- No travel case included. Nanuk Custom Case $150
- Doesn’t come with sun shade $80
- Doesn’t come with battery plate option $79“
For the full writeup on his Odyssey7Q+ review head over to ErikNaso.com, follow him on Twitter @eriknaso and check out his page on Facebook.
[via Erik Naso]
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