Gemini 4:4:4 Recorder

That link duke is for an older version of the quicktime codec, you needed that additional viewer codec to read prores. But as of QT 7.6.3 I believe, a codec that can read all versions of prores is bundled and built into quicktime for windows, so as long as you keep your quicklime up to date, you're good to go. I can drag and drop prores into any cs3/cs4/cs5 timeline and edit in in realtime without a problem, including prores 444
 
Convergent Design - Gemini 4:4:4 Announcement

Convergent Design - Gemini 4:4:4 Announcement

Dear Friends,

Here is our official Press Kit for our new full uncompressed 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 recorder. This affordable recorder offers the ultimate in image quality.

This is a revolutionary product in that this very small, light-weight, professional quality recorder costs only $5,995 (Street, US). MSRP is $6,295 (US).

While this is a full uncompressed recorder, it may be also be used very effectively for compressed work flows.

In fact, one can obtain a “First Encode” to any codec of your choice, by using the full uncompressed footage from the Gemini 4:4:4, by using Apple Compressor, Adobe Media Encoder, or other software. This allows one to fulfill the needs of a client, while shooting with a different camera.

The critical question that we have not addressed in the Press Kit is when we will be starting deliveries.

Our goal is to ship initial units by the end of July, 2011. Please note that this is not a promise, but this is our target. We feel that we are in a good position, in spite of the recent tragedy in Japan.

We will be demonstrating full uncompressed recording, playback, monitoring, and other advanced features at NAB 2011, in Both C11126, near the Sony Booth.

We are finalizing an introductory video. I will forward a link as soon as we have it uploaded to an appropriate video server.

We are also in the final stages of performing a technical check on our FAQ document.

Respectfully,



Dan M. Keaton
Director of Sales and Marketing
Convergent Design
 

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Looks hot! so it will only do full uncompressed? Which would be 21 minutes per 256gb ssd drive ($500)? (at 24p)
 
ALL RIGHT DAN! WAY TO GO! Even with the price of SSD cards this is a game changer.

@fohdeesha, the record times are in the PDF. At 1080p 24fps a 256g is 22 minutes.
 
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This is really, really great, although I really wish it had ProRes 444. The recording times on uncompressed are better than I had guessed, though.

Whether uncompressed is feasible or not for me I think will hinge on transfer rates back to my edit rig from SSD. It's no good if it takes 3 hours to transfer an hour of uncompressed. I have the RAID5 to deal with uncompressed, it's just a whole lot of lovin for a lot of jobs that beg for something better than XDCAM, but don't need full blown uncompressed.
 
That's pretty sweet, it supports 3G as well so it can record Epic's 1080p 4:4:4 signal as well. Quite a well rounded device!
 
Don't you need a recorder that supports T-Link for ArriRAW (dpx) or am I mistaken?

I'm just talking about for a 1920 Log-C image in DPX.

1920 LogC in DPX would be a pretty small difference to 2048 ArriRaw, I would think. I don't think FX people are all that hung up on RAW anyway...that's never been the case is my experience with FX folks.
 
This is really, really great, although I really wish it had ProRes 444. The recording times on uncompressed are better than I had guessed, though.

Whether uncompressed is feasible or not for me I think will hinge on transfer rates back to my edit rig from SSD. It's no good if it takes 3 hours to transfer an hour of uncompressed. I have the RAID5 to deal with uncompressed, it's just a whole lot of lovin for a lot of jobs that beg for something better than XDCAM, but don't need full blown uncompressed.

if you look at the press release on DVINFO - http://www.dvinfo.net/news/convergent-design-unveils-gemini-444.html. It looks like it does ProRes, DNxHD, Cineform, etc. I think in the next month or so we'll find out even more precise information. Looks like a true winner!

I hope the SSD harddrives are not proprietary - to keep the prices down. But it may look like they will be.

Also finally you can go to Nanoflash.net to preorder the Gemini.
 
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I hope the SSD harddrives are not proprietary - to keep the prices down. But it may look like they will be.

I wouldn't worry so much about that...most SSDs are incapable of sustained data rates necessary for high-end video work. The ones that are cost around as much as proprietary ones...at least with proprietary drives you know it'll work without any hitches.
 
if you look at the press release on DVINFO - http://www.dvinfo.net/news/convergent-design-unveils-gemini-444.html. It looks like it does ProRes, DNxHD, Cineform, etc. I think in the next month or so we'll find out even more precise information. Looks like a true winner!

I hope the SSD harddrives are not proprietary - to keep the prices down. But it may look like they will be.

Also finally you can go to Nanoflash.net to preorder the Gemini.


it only records complete uncompressed, the article states that you can take those complete uncompressed originals and transcode them to the editing codec of your choice.
 
Do you think there will be a way to power this unit from the camera or will it have to be external? Trying to figure out to go as light as possible. I guess one way could be to store this device in a backpack
 
if you look at the press release on DVINFO - http://www.dvinfo.net/news/convergent-design-unveils-gemini-444.html. It looks like it does ProRes, DNxHD, Cineform, etc. I think in the next month or so we'll find out even more precise information. Looks like a true winner!

I hope the SSD harddrives are not proprietary - to keep the prices down. But it may look like they will be.

Also finally you can go to Nanoflash.net to preorder the Gemini.

Actually, I think they are saying that you can use another computer to transcode the uncompressed files to any codec you want. It seems that the Gemini will record a simultaneous H.264 proxy if you want. Doing an onset transcode to DNx or Prores makes pretty reasonable sense, IMHO. You don't need a whopping computer and even with a fast shooting schedule, you should be able to transcode if you so desire.
 
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it only records complete uncompressed, the article states that you can take those complete uncompressed originals and transcode them to the editing codec of your choice.

Makes no sense in my book to record uncompressed and than transfer to a compressed codec. The benefit of uncompressed recording is a uncompressed workflow from end to end. No codec is so snappy and easy in the timeline as uncompressed, even a older coputer can handle that pretty fine. All you need is a raid.

Space is no issue anymore with the prices for drives in free fall.

The only reason when you want compressed is, if you absolutely have to edit on your laptop.

Frank
 
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