Introducing the Odyssey7Q+ from Convergent Design

M

Mitch Gross

Veteran
Convergent Design today announces the new flagship model of the Odyssey Family of Products, the Odyssey7Q+. The Odyssey7Q+ expands on the capabilities of its predecessor the Odyssey7Q, while maintaining all of the functionality, performance and ease of use. The addition of HDMI 1.4b input means that the Odyssey7Q+ can capture 4K and Ultra-HD video over HDMI. Convergent Design will begin shipping the Odyssey7Q+ in quantity in the next two weeks.

With the addition of 4K/UHD recording over HDMI, the Odyssey7Q+ continues to be the most advanced, most capable, most versatile monitor/recorder in the world. The Odyssey7Q+ can record HD/2K/UHD/4K. It can record them via SDI and HDMI. It can record RAW (with Record Options), uncompressed DPX, and Apple ProRes 422 (HQ). The Odyssey7Q+ features an OLED 1280x800 monitor with true blacks, accurate colors, 3400:1, extended color gamut and a 176 degree viewing angle. Along with the best image in the industry, the Odyssey7Q+ also features an extensive array of image analysis tools, including an RGB waveform, RGB Histogram, False Color, Pixel Zoom with finger drag, three-mode Focus Assist and monitoring LUTs. The unique Multi-Stream Monitoring mode allows up to four HD video inputs to be viewed at once in a quad-split view or to be live-switched between in full screen. The Odyssey7Q+ weighs a little over one pound, is just one inch thick and can run on any power source from 6.5-34 volts.

The Odyssey7Q+ offers uncompressed HD/2K recording in DPX stacks as well as HD/2K/UHD/4K video recording in Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), all included in the unit. In addition, Record Options for the Odyssey7Q+ are available for purchase or 24-hour rental via the Convergent Design website. Options include ARRIRAW (ALEXA), Canon Cinema RAW (C500), FS RAW (Sony FS7 & FS700) and POV RAW (IO Industries and Indiecam cameras). In addition to capturing RAW data from these cameras, on certain cameras the Odyssey7Q+ also supports converting the RAW data into video and recording it as UHD or HD Apple ProRes 422 (HQ).
The Odyssey7Q+ retains the form factor and all other characteristics of the Odyssey7Q. The only physical change is the swapping of locations for the HDMI input and output. All Odyssey accessories from Convergent Design as well as third party manufacturers, such as mounting brackets, handles, sunshades, battery plates as well as our Odyssey SSDs are fully compatible with the Odyssey7Q+.

Owners of the Odyssey7Q interested in purchasing an Odyssey7Q+ are invited to take advantage of our Odyssey7Q Owner Loyalty Program. With the purchase on an Odyssey7Q+, Odyssey7Q owners will get a one year warranty extension on their Odyssey7Q, any purchased Record Options replicated on their Odyssey7Q+, and a $500 credit to their account on the Convergent Design website.

Convergent Design is committed to expanding the functionality of the Odyssey7Q+ over time with free firmware updates. Likewise, the Odyssey7 and the now-superseded Odyssey7Q will continue to be supported and expanded upon by Convergent Design. The Odyssey7Q+ is designed around the same architecture as the rest of the Odyssey Family of Products (Odyssey7, Odyssey7Q, Odyssey7Q+). All firmware updates will apply to each device as applicable. There is much more to come for all of the Odyssey models. We’re just getting started.


 
Last edited:
Come see the new Odyssey7Q+ today at the BandPro One World open house event in Burbank.

Odyssey7Q+ scheduled to ship next week!
 
Ah, the official thread.

So for O7Q users are there any trade ins or upgrades possible or planned. It's a new product, and I can see you're offering a generous loyalty discount but not all of us need another physical 7Q.

And is the only 'under the hood' difference the HDMI 1.4a or are there other changes that will separate the products later on through firmware?

cheers
Paul
 
Well sure hope this means the rest of the promised features arrive sooner than later...! Glad to see that the Firmware updates apply to all versions. More sales usually do equal more drive in the firmware dept.




Mitch, how close are you to delivering the LUTs capability?
What is your current road map for next features delivered?
...and just to confirm, is it true that DNx encoding has been abandoned? (It is no longer listed on any retail sites or CD's)
 
Congratulations, Will the unit be able to Record 4k from the Sony A7s on launch? If so in what codec and is it an additional cost? Is this going to scrap any converter solution for the existing Odyssey 7Q ingesting 4K through HDMI?

thanks
 
i make the decision to buy 7Q one of the reason is because said it can record 4k from Sony A7s, but now seem like 7Q+ is the only way? any trade in/upgrade for 7Q owner pls?
 
HDMI 1.4b = recording limited to UHD 30 FPS and 4K 24 FPS?
Output keeps HDMI 1.4a - no UHD/4K?
So just one input connector changed only?

That sounds like an intermediate step.

Mitch Gross said:
Over HDMI the Odyssey7Q+ will record 4K to 24p, UHD to 30p. Higher frame rates are available over SDI. These limitations are true for other manufacturers as well, based on the currently available HDMI receiver chips.
Click to expand...



Next version will be Odyssey7Q ultra?
HDMI 2.0 and 12 G-SDI?
 
Last edited:
hi Mitch,

so with the new 7+ version, do i still have to get XDCA-FS7 Extention unit?
[h=1][/h]
 
Last edited:
https://vimeo.com/114257003

The Video was shot in Garden of the Gods, with the Odyssey7Q+, using the GH4,
A7s, F55, FS7, FS700 all recording 4K Apple ProRes HQ (880Mb).

For More details about Odyssey7Q+ Please visit
convergent-design.com/products/plus.html

The 4K H.264 (1.8GB ) version can be downloaded here:
s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/web-download/Sample+Footage/Odyssey7Q%2B/H.264/Odyssey7Q%2B-%2BIn%2BThe%2BGarden%2Bof%2BThe%2BGods-4K.mov

The 4K ProRes version (41GB) can be downloaded here:
s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/web-download/Sample+Footage/Odyssey7Q%2B/Odyssey7Q%2B%3A+In+The+Garden+of+The+Gods.mov
 
Both the 7Q+ & Shogun use HDMI 1.4b but according to their websites the 7Q+ is limited to 8-bit over HDMI while the Shogun can accept 10-bit (camera dependent).

I'd prefer the overall design, & the 4K>2K, of the 7Q+ but the lack of 10-bit over HDMI is concerning.
 
sunnyjimfilms said:
Will the promised updates for the original 7Q still be forthcoming or will it slowly become obsolete?
Click to expand...

+1

That's what I'm wondering too. Will the promised features ever happen? Looks less and less likely and more like CD are concentrating on finding new customers, rather than looking after the ones that have purchased in good faith.
 
Gonna throw out a prediction - Sometime in January;

"We have extensively tested the 7Q with 4k ProRes @ 60fps and 2k ProRes at higher frame rates and have concluded that we are unable to deliver footage good enough for Apple's stringent guidelines. However, the 7Q+ has upgraded processor and is able to deliver these features."

Or something to that effect.
 
Prendi said:
Mitch, Can you tell us what this means for ProRes @60fps on the original 7Q?

Thanks
Click to expand...
The announcement of the Odyssey7Q+ does not alter this at all. We continue to work on 4K60p ProRes and if implemented it will be available on both the Odyssey7Q and the Odyssey7Q+.
 
sunnyjimfilms said:
Will the promised updates for the original 7Q still be forthcoming or will it slowly become obsolete?
Click to expand...
The full Odyssey Family of Products (Odyssey7, Odyssey7Q, Odyssey7Q+) share a common architecture. Firmware updates will apply to all three where applicable.

We are not abandoning the Odyssey7Q. Lots more stuff coming. We're just getting started.
 
Prendi said:
Gonna throw out a prediction - Sometime in January;

"We have extensively tested the 7Q with 4k ProRes @ 60fps and 2k ProRes at higher frame rates and have concluded that we are unable to deliver footage good enough for Apple's stringent guidelines. However, the 7Q+ has upgraded processor and is able to deliver these features."

Or something to that effect.
Click to expand...
The Odyssey7Q and the Odyssey7Q+ utilize the same FPGA chip and therefore have equal capabilities in this matter.
 
Conclusio:
There is no really reason to be mad about this new born sibling, if existing O7Q owners do not have 4K cameras with HDMI 1.4b output today. It internal resources are the same, there is only one input connector replaced, not even the output HDMI. The loyalty program is fair from my perspective. I hope, there will be something like that - e.g. an exchange in extended warranty, if there are price changes for the FS recording option in the future, too. Competition will put pressure upon that for sure.

The Atomos device does not offer HDMI 2.0 also (but 12 G-SDI). It will take some more time, and a third generation will arrive. This O7Q+ is useful for a certain generation of 4K cameras, but will be only another intermediary step. It is surprising, how long industry needs to support higher 4K frame rates.

Also conclusio:

:smiley_up I am happy to learn, that we can expect 1 TB SSD for existing devices soon.

:smiley_do I am not happy to read, that 4K 50/60 FPS compressed recording is still at risk. If this one cannot be solved, using the existing FPGA chip, that would de-value our device in the long run more than that single missing HDMI 1.4b connector. That would add pressure to release a third generation quad recorder for sure.

So Firmware Release will be released next Monday or Tuesday (before Christmas, and CD won't chase us last minute before Holiday)?
:Drogar-Shock(DBG):
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top