Convergent Design Apollo 4 Channel HD Switcher Recorder Announced

D

delete

delete
$3995 at Texas Media Systems
ETA Dec 2015

[TABLE="width: 700, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: center"]Convergent Design Introduces Apollo
The First Truly Portable Multicamera Recorder/Switcher[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 700, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD](Colorado Springs, CO) 10/28/15 – Today Convergent Design announces Apollo, the industry’s first trulyportable HD multicamera recorder/switcher. Apollo can simultaneously record up to four HD video signals, along with a fifth channel of eithera live-switch between the four or a quad-split reference view. Apollo can also function as a four-channel live switcher while simultaneouslyrecording the four isolated HD video signals. The size of a small tablet and able to run for hours on a camcorder battery, Apollo is trulyportable and the only device of its kind that can both record multiple HD camera feeds as well as live-switch between them. It’s a production studio in the palm of your hand.
All cameras stay in perfect sync with matching timecode. A single SSD contains all of the multicamera media, dramatically reducingturnaround time for post. There are two SSD slots on Apollo, allowing for twice the record time or mirror recording for safety backup. Apollo utilizes industry-standard 2.5” SSD media, either manufactured by Convergent Design or qualified 3rd party models.
“Apollo is designed to answer many modern production needs.”

Using the new Apollo Media Manager™ App, recordings can be exported as separate Apple ProRes files or as a single multicameraQuickTime file that drops directly into the timeline of supporting NLEs such as Final Cut Pro-X.
“Apollo is designed to answer many modern production needs.” said Convergent Design President MikeSchell. “Field producers can take it on location, record from any four HD cameras, view a quad-split playback on the way home and drop all four cameras in perfect sync into a single timeline to dive immediately into an edit. Reality programs shot in cramped cars with tinycameras can slip Apollo in the glove box or under a seat. A concert performance can be captured by recording four camera ISOs along withrecording a Line Cut that can also be sent to a large live display at the venue. Live-streamed events can be covered with four-camera switchingwithout having to bring in a large flypack. Apollo can also be used as a secondary recorder/monitor; using our battery & wireless videoreceiver bracket makes for a great handheld Director’s Monitor. And Apollo’s advanced built-in Image Analysis tools can be used tomatch the cameras during setup. Apollo addresses many modern multicamera field production needs in a single 1” thickdevice.”​
Additional functions are planned for release in the first quarter of 2016, including two-channel 4K/UHD video recording, DNxHD recording, and cascade interconnect between up to three Apollos for up to twelve HD channel or six 4K/UHD channel simultaneous recording. These and otheradditional functions will be made available via a free firmware update. A remote keypad control unit will be offered along with a rack mountand other accessories.
Apollo is scheduled for release in December 2015. Manufacturer’s list is $3995, with an SSD to USB3 adapter, a 5-pack of SSDmounting handles, and a universal AC power supply included. Owners of the Convergent Design Odyssey7Q and Odyssey7Q+ will be able to purchase an Apollo Option for their devices as an upgrade for $1795.[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
apollo-4-up.png


[TABLE="width: 700, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD]Apollo Features/Specs at a Glance

(subject to change, planned for initial release)​
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="width: 700, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="width: 175, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]
eye.png

Monitor​
  • Four HD Streams
  • Switched/Quad View
  • Image Analysis Tools
  • Custom 3D-LUTs
  • SDI and HDMI I/O
[/TD]
[TD="width: 175, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]
film.png

Record​
  • Apple ProRes
  • 4x HD + Quad/Live
  • Single File
  • SSD Media
  • Embedded Audio
[/TD]
[TD="width: 175, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]
switch.png

Switch​
  • No Genlock Required
  • Touchscreen Interface
  • 2x SDI/1x HDMI Output
  • XML EDL for Post
  • Compact/Lightweight
[/TD]
[TD="width: 175, bgcolor: #FFFFFF, align: left"]
play.png

Play​
  • Switched/Quad View
  • Output to HDMI/SDI
  • Intuitive Controls
  • Playlist/Scrubbing
  • Clip Markers
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]


Recording


  • HD video recording, up to four signals simultaneously
  • 1080p24 / 1080p30 / 1080i60 / 720p60 (60hz territories)
  • 1080p25 / 1080i50/720p50 (50hz territories)
  • Apple ProRes HQ/422/LT
  • Record four HD signals and one quad-split view
  • Record four HD signals and one live switch
  • Up to four SDI inputs or three SDI & one HDMI
  • Embedded audio or analog input
  • Loss of any signal does not interrupt recording of other channels
  • Apollo Media Manager App outputs four separate files or one master multi-camera QuickTime for simplified post
  • Dual SSDs allow spanning (long record time) or mirroring (simultaneous backup)
  • 3.5 hours recording time at highest quality [2TB of 4x HD signals & live switch, 1080p30, Apple ProRes 422(HQ); 8.5 hours in AppleProRes 422(LT)]
Switching/Monitoring


  • No Genlock required
  • Touchscreen interface
  • Monitor outputs for switched or quad view
  • Two SDI outputs, one HDMI output
  • Preset or Custom Monitoring LUTs
  • Image Analysis tools: False Color, Focus Assist, Histogram, Pixel Zoom, Spot Meter, Vectorscope, Waveform, and Zebra
  • 7.7” OLED panel for true blacks and accurate colors
Other Specs


  • 7.9”x6.1”x1” / 20x15.5x2.5 cm
  • 1.2lbs. / 560g
  • Under 20w power draw, 6.5-34v with battery mounts available
  • Two 2.5” SSD slots (Convergent Design SSDs or qualified 3rd party models)
  • Magnesium case / Gorilla Glass cover / stick-on/peel-off screen protector
  • No fans or vents
Additional features in free firmware update (Early 2016)


  • Dual 4K/UHD recording (Apple ProRes in 24p, 25p, 30p)
  • DNxHD recording
  • Record XML file Edit Decision List from Live Switch
  • Remote keyboard control pad
  • Audio delay
  • On-screen source naming
  • Cascade interconnect for 12-channel HD / 6-channel 4K recording
 
Last edited:
I got an email about this a couple of minutes ago. Super pumped. I'm a video producer at a church and we currently do a lot of on the field multi camera event productions. We own a 7Q+ and I personally own a 7Q. I'm hoping Mitch can chime in with some answers. What are the benefits of buying a stand-alone Apollo? Will it give me the same usability as my 7Q with regards to Sony RAW -> HD ProRes? Is the Odyssey capable of everything the Apollo will have? So should I expect the same features in the $1795 license for my Odyssey as buying a stand-alone Apollo? Thanks.
 
At first glance (in the e-mail/newsletter), I thought this was a Blackmagic monitor with the HDR marketing images.
 
Vegz said:
I got an email about this a couple of minutes ago. Super pumped. I'm a video producer at a church and we currently do a lot of on the field multi camera event productions. We own a 7Q+ and I personally own a 7Q. I'm hoping Mitch can chime in with some answers. What are the benefits of buying a stand-alone Apollo? Will it give me the same usability as my 7Q with regards to Sony RAW -> HD ProRes? Is the Odyssey capable of everything the Apollo will have? So should I expect the same features in the $1795 license for my Odyssey as buying a stand-alone Apollo? Thanks.
Click to expand...
The Apollo v the Apollo Option for the Odyssey7Q/7Q+ is essentially the same thing. The Odyssey7Q (not the plus model) has some hardware limitations for future 4K functions in Apollo mode.

Apollo does not do RAW. It is for multiple HD video sources. It is a multi channel recorder and switcher for HD video sources. When in the Apollo mode certain functions will be shut out so that the switching is simple and effective. You'll be able to use the various scopes and other tools during setup, but then when going into record Apollo switches into a quad-view mode so that you can easily see everything and switch between inputs.
 
All it's missing is a way to do lower thirds.

Mitch, any chance of a luma key via the HDMI channel?

Or anyone know of a good third party device? (Ideally something that would take the SDI from this & a HDMI from a laptop providing the lower third.)
 
Mitch, this looks like a great product. I often am a single person crew and operate two cameras at once (one wide, one close) and it would be great if I could perform switches with a foot switch. Is this at all possible? Sounds like a lot but this would open up some possibilities for simple two camera jobs. Thanks.
 
zijital said:
All it's missing is a way to do lower thirds.

Mitch, any chance of a luma key via the HDMI channel?

Or anyone know of a good third party device? (Ideally something that would take the SDI from this & a HDMI from a laptop providing the lower third.)
Click to expand...
No promises, but we are looking into various ways to expand the functionality over time.
 
Bassman2003 said:
Mitch, this looks like a great product. I often am a single person crew and operate two cameras at once (one wide, one close) and it would be great if I could perform switches with a foot switch. Is this at all possible? Sounds like a lot but this would open up some possibilities for simple two camera jobs. Thanks.
Click to expand...
In early 2016 we will be expanding functionality, including the introduction of a separate keyboard control panel accessory. I'm sure there would be a way for you to rig a foot pedal control at that point.
 
I'm a bit unclear on the difference between CD products now. So why would one by an Apollo over a 7q+ w/Apollo license? Sounds like the 7q+ is still better since it has a raw option? And you say the 7q+ will not be limited in its 4k functionality vs Apollo but how would a 7q+ input two 4k streams?
 
alohype said:
Thanks! :D And what would be lovely (but I know it could be cpu intensive) would be punch in HD crop pan recording from 4K stream.
Click to expand...
I'm gonna tell you right now that this is not gonna happen on this device. Interesting sure, but we'll have to leave it to something else. Maybe we should call that one Mercury?
 
nyvz said:
I'm a bit unclear on the difference between CD products now. So why would one by an Apollo over a 7q+ w/Apollo license? Sounds like the 7q+ is still better since it has a raw option? And you say the 7q+ will not be limited in its 4k functionality vs Apollo but how would a 7q+ input two 4k streams?
Click to expand...
Apollo is designed for people who just want to use it for the purpose of multi camera recording and/or switching. Some people like tools that can do many things, some like to pigeonhole them into clearly-defined definitions. Odyssey7Q+ does so many things that it get confusing for many people, and becomes difficult to define in the marketplace. So we created Apollo so that we can direct the message very clearly to what is largely a new market, a market that frankly doesn't care about shooting RAW. But we are not ones to leave our loyal clients behind, so we also have the Apollo Option for Odyssey7Q/7Q+.

If one buys an Apollo, all that is needed are SSDs and whatever accessories one may want. With Odyssey7Q+, there is a second purchase of the Apollo Option and a menu level that must be traversed. For the new clients who know nothing of Odyssey and don't have any interest in its abilities, Apollo is simply easier to deal with both in purchase and use.

An Odyssey7Q+ has four SDI input ports and one HDMI input. One 4K30p signal could be sent over dual-link SDI and the second either also over dual-link SDI or over HDMI. Examples of 4K cameras that can output 4K over dual-link SDI are F55, F5 (upgraded), C500, IO 4KSDI, and Phantom Flex4K.

Note that Apollo or an Odyssey in Apollo mode cannot accept a RAW data signal in any resolution.
 
1920x1080 at 60P would be nice as this is what most who would have shot at 60i would now be moving to with newer cameras. All my cameras other than my NX5U now shoot 60P.
 
Thanks for your reply about the foot switch Mitch. To share some feedback, I do think this is an interesting product, but I am having some reservations about the price, lack of 1080p60 and the lack of any on-screen graphic capabilities. From the outside it appears to be a great tool but without the finishing touches, it would be difficult to create a deliverable finished product and never go to post. If you are still going to post I do not see as much benefit for the expense. I would like to see a simultaneous mp4 encoder as part of the mix for quick deliveries and an SD card slot (probably too late for that...) I guess I am wondering if this is meant to serve large budget or smaller single person crew jobs. I shoot a lot of sports and this could allow me to offer more but I would need some graphics capability to really be interested.

With the 7Q+ priced at $2,300 and the Apollo add-on priced at $1,795, this "focused" product is pretty much the same price as the full featured 7Q+ If Apollo is really a down and dirty switcher and simple recorder it would seem to command a lower price.

You have portability on your side compared to a Tri-Caster but this portability comes at the expense of end product/deliverable capability. Keeping track of 4 cameras on a 7.7" screen is going to be a challenge and will inhibit some close scrutiny of details. I sometimes have issues following some sports on a 10" monitor. I will be watching and best of luck with the launch.
 
Ron Evans said:
1920x1080 at 60P would be nice as this is what most who would have shot at 60i would now be moving to with newer cameras. All my cameras other than my NX5U now shoot 60P.
Click to expand...
We are looking into the possibility of such functionality in the future. No promises.
 
Bassman2003 said:
Thanks for your reply about the foot switch Mitch. To share some feedback, I do think this is an interesting product, but I am having some reservations about the price, lack of 1080p60 and the lack of any on-screen graphic capabilities. From the outside it appears to be a great tool but without the finishing touches, it would be difficult to create a deliverable finished product and never go to post. If you are still going to post I do not see as much benefit for the expense. I would like to see a simultaneous mp4 encoder as part of the mix for quick deliveries and an SD card slot (probably too late for that...) I guess I am wondering if this is meant to serve large budget or smaller single person crew jobs. I shoot a lot of sports and this could allow me to offer more but I would need some graphics capability to really be interested.

With the 7Q+ priced at $2,300 and the Apollo add-on priced at $1,795, this "focused" product is pretty much the same price as the full featured 7Q+ If Apollo is really a down and dirty switcher and simple recorder it would seem to command a lower price.

You have portability on your side compared to a Tri-Caster but this portability comes at the expense of end product/deliverable capability. Keeping track of 4 cameras on a 7.7" screen is going to be a challenge and will inhibit some close scrutiny of details. I sometimes have issues following some sports on a 10" monitor. I will be watching and best of luck with the launch.
Click to expand...
Appreciate the honest feedback. We are looking at ways to add functionality in the future, including in some of the areas you mention. We felt that the feature set so far developed was enough to serve the needs of a great many clients and that we could expand upon the device as time went on. This model has served us well on the Odyssey7Q+.

I'm not sure what you are comparing Apollo to that suggests it "command a lower price". Show me another device that can record four ISOs and a Line Cut plus act as the basic live-switcher. Trip-Caster systems are interesting tools with many features. They are also three times as expensive as Apollo. And Apollo can always output to larger monitors, both in quad-split view and in live-switch view or both simultaneously.
 
I was just comparing the 7Q+ and the Apollo. The Tricaster I was thinking of is the "40" product which retails for $5,000. Good luck with product.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top