New Monitor / Recorder from Convergent Design

Dear Greets,

The answer is yes.

You can record, using either the Odyssey7 or Odyssey7Q, from the Sony PMW-F3 in Avid DNxHD at up to and including 1080p60, using one Convergent Design SSD.

Thus, $1,295 for the Odyssey7 plus $595 for the 240 GB SSD and no extra cost options are required. (The prices are US Prices and prices around the world have to be different due to customs taxes, other import taxes, shipping charges and exchange rates.

Then later, after we develop the code, test, and obtain formal certification, we plan to offer, for free another very popular codec for the Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q.

Both models include extensive image analysis tools, focus assist, waveform monitor, zebras, false color, histogram, 1-1 Pixel Mode, color vectorscope and a 7.7" OLED Monitor.

Respectfully,


Dan Keaton
Convergent Design

What would I need to buy with the F3 and wanting to record 444 RGB 10 bit at up to 60p? I assume this will be the 7Q with an upgrade? Thanks.

Respectfully asked,

Jon
 
Dear Jon,

Since you want to record 4:4:4 RGB from the Sony F3, that would require the Odyssey7Q + our HD/2K High Frame Rate / RGB Recording Option.

This one extra cost option adds the following recording functionality:

1. Avid DNxHD Compressed HD YCbCr 4:2:2 10-Bit, up to 120 fps, (up to 880 Mbps, .mov format);

(Without this option, the limit is 60 fps.)

2. Full Uncompressed HD/2K RGB 4:4:4 10/12-Bit, up to 60 fps (.dpx format);

The cost of this option is $1,495 or $75 a day.

So, you need:

The Odyssey7Q ($2,295 US Price)

HD/2K High Frame Rate / RGB recording option ($1,495 or $75 a day rental) (US Price)

Thus the total, without media, is $3,790 (US Price).

You will need two SSD's for shooting 4:4:4 RGB at 59.94 or 60 fps.

You will only need one SSD for shooting 4:4:4 RGB at 50 fps or below.

Thus, the total, includis two HD-SDI 3G Cables and AC power supply.


Here is an important point that we have not stressed below.

Once you have an Odyssey7Q, all of the Recording Options are built-in to the unit, available for testing in demo mode.

Thus, you can test any of the options prior to purchasing or renting, but you will need to insert one of our SSD's to record.

In demo mode, the recorded images will have a watermark, as demo mode is provided for your testing.

Once the images are recorded in demo mode, the watermarks are permanent and cannot be removed by later purchasing or renting the recording option.

And, if you rent or purchase a recording option, and activate it, then the images will be recorded without the watermarks.

And, if you record these images while renting the recording option, you can play back these images, without watermarks, after the rental period has expired.

And you can playback these images on any Odyssey7Q.

I hope this helps.

Respectfully,


Dan Keaton
Convergent Design
 
It is rather disappointing too learn that 2k 444 RGB 10 bit (slog) out of the F3 will not be supported by the Odyssey 7 even as an upgrade option and that the cost of an enabled 7Q without media is $4000

In a different thread you said the following:

"Also, please note that we originally planned to have full the uncompressed recording option available in the Odyssey7.
But since there has not been a customer demand for this combination, we have decided not to offer it."

and

"And we found that almost universally, those that were interested in advanced recording options, such as ARRIRAW and Canon 4K Raw were interested in the Odyssey7Q as opposed to the Odyssey7. Thus, we decided to offer these advanced recording options (beyond the Compressed Codec Option, which is now included for free) in the Odyssey7Q only."

I'm sorry, but that makes no sense. I am very, very surprised to hear that F3 owners would have not been interested in recoding uncompressed 2k 444 RGB 10 bit (slog) to the Odyssey 7. Even if this entailed buying that ability as an option. According to that statement you are saying that people were adamant that Convergent charge them twice the cost of a 7 for uncompressed 2K recording? Who were these people?


I own an F3 and would have bought a 7 for which there was an upgrade to recording 2k 444 RGB 10 bit (slog) in a heartbeat. Hopefully you designed the hardware of the 7 to be capable of handling 2k uncompressed and may rethink your position some time down the road.




That issue aside can you please tell me if
DNxHD 444 (440 Mbps in 10 Bits) will be available for the Odyssey 7? Will this be a standard feature or also be an optional upgrade?


Thank you


 
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Dear Harry,

The Sony F3, at least according to the latest F3 Operators Manual that I have, will not record 2K, just HD (1920 x 1080).

(There may have been an update that I have missed.)

Yes, we did design the hardware in the Odyssey7 so that it could record uncompressed.

As I promised, we will review this decision in the future.

Our decision was based on feedback from our dealers, phone calls with our customers, and those that met with us at NAB.

Of course this is a limited sample.

If we find a demand for this option, then we will add it.


The Avid DNxHD 444 (440 Mbps - 10-Bits) is not a SMPTE Standard yet.

It is in the approval process and we will definitely consider offering it when it becomes a standard, scheduled for later this year.

This may become a standard before the Odyssey7 comes out.

I hope this helps.


Respectfully,


Dan Keaton
Convergent Design
 
Hello Dan

Dear Harry,

The Sony F3, at least according to the latest F3 Operators Manual that I have, will not record 2K, just HD (1920 x 1080).

(There may have been an update that I have missed.)

I was referring to HD (1920x1080) as 2k. It's a small jump from 1920 to 2048, but technically speaking you are correct.

Yes, we did design the hardware in the Odyssey7 so that it could record uncompressed. As I promised, we will review this decision in the future. Our decision was based on feedback from our dealers, phone calls with our customers, and those that met with us at NAB. Of course this is a limited sample. If we find a demand for this option, then we will add it.

Thank you Dan. I hope I did not come off as too abrasive in my post. As I mentioned earlier I would be extremely interested in the option to record uncompressed HD from my F3 to the Odyssey 7 and I suspect that I am not alone. 4k is quite often overkill, because of the sheer amount of data involved. For many of us uncompressed HD is a great compromise (and many actors are thankful also).


The Avid DNxHD 444 (440 Mbps - 10-Bits) is not a SMPTE Standard yet. It is in the approval process and we will definitely consider offering it when it becomes a standard, scheduled for later this year. This may become a standard before the Odyssey7 comes out. I hope this helps.


Respectfully,


Dan Keaton
Convergent Design

That is very good news. A Odyssey 7 that captured DNxHD 444 would be very attractive. There are few other another products on the market that could compete at that price point, especially in light of the quality of the screen you are providing.


Thank you.
 
Dear Harry,

Thank you for your post.

We really do want to provide solutions that you will like and enjoy using.


Respectfully,


Dan Keaton
Convergent Design
 
There hasn't been a recent post here for a while, not sure if there is a new thread but:

Is this an option that makes sense for a DSLR (Canon 5D3) shooter who occasionally needs the recording fuctionality for TV work?

Everyone is talking about 2k/4k and FS700 compatibility -- from what I undertsand so far -- DNxHD can work natively in FCP without additional transcoding -- I haven't used this codec, but it appears as if CG is hinting that Pro-Res would be included once they figure out their licensing deal with them.

On top of that, I see on B&H that estimated shipping is November 15th for the Odyssey7? Almost the end of the year? While the 7Q is coming sooner.

I would need a solution for monitoring and recording before that, because I'm sick of renting.
I was thinking of pulling the trigger on a SmallHD AC7 OLED SDI that gives me the SDI I/O capability I need, but without a recorder at a comparable price.

I feel like I'm getting more with the Odyssey7, but not sure if I can wait that long.
The Odyssey7 also had HDMI In and Out while the SmallHD only has an HDMI out.
I know the DP7 has these options, but then I'm looking at an initial price of over $2,000 if I want all these features with OLED.

Is November 2013 the finalized ship date for the unit?
 
Dear Kabz8,

The Odyssey7Q is scheduled to start initial shipping in August 2013.

The date for the Odyssey7 is currently November 2013.

I made a post yesterday listing the features of the Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q.

(I wanted to post a link, but I could not find my post from yesterday, sorry.)

Respectfully,


Dan Keaton
Convergent Design
 
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