Odyssey 7Q+ - What do you need to be able to shoot..

[aygie]

Hi All

We're about to purchase the Odyssey 7Q+ to go with our Canon C500 but wanted some advice on real world absolute needs and accessories to be able to go out and shoot. More often than not external recorders need a load of add ons before you can start!

Am I missing anything? Any gotchas you guys have experienced?

Odyssey 7Q+
SSD's of choice
Battery plate and choice of batteries (any recommendations?)
Adapter to connect to camera / rig (any recommendations?)
SDI cables

Anything else?

Also I'm struggling to get some concrete specs with what we can record with the C500 and the O7Q+, what limitations does it have with the C500 or is that best for another post?

Thanks all, as always appreciate the advice.

 

[Mitch Gross]

Hi, Mitch from Convergent Design here. Others can give you their personal preferences; I'll just try to supply the technical facts.

The Odyssey7Q+ ships with one 256G SSD. That's really just enough to get you started, especially if you plan to shoot 4K and very much so if you plan to shoot Canon RAW. There's a record time capacity chart on our website to get a sense as to how much memory you'll need.

Convergent Design offers our own SSDs in 256G, 512G and 1TB sizes. We also qualify the use of certain Samsung SSDs. Please note that ONLY CD or qualified SSDs will function in the Odyssey7Q+, with all others prompting an "Unsupported Media" notice. The current qualified Samsung SSDs are the 850 EVO series 1TB and the 850 Pro series in 128G, 256G, 512G and 1TB.

Included with the Odyssey7Q+ is a 5-pack of SSD handles with glue & screws. These are for attaching to qualified Samsung SSDs so that they can be mounted in the Odyssey7Q+. Additional 5-packs of SSD handles are available for separate purchase.

Convergent Design makes a number of battery plates for the Odyssey7Q+, including a Canon plate that accepts the same batteries used in the C500. Sharing the same battery type may be the most convenient for you.

There are many mounting solutions available. A simple Manfrotto hot shoe ball mount is sturdy and affordable. Tender makes a dedicated friction head mount that is well designed and versatile. I'm sure that there will be many other suggestions listed here.

It is important to use 3G-rated SDI cables. One is included with the Odyssey7Q+. The CD cable is available standardly in 18" and 36" lengths. It is 3G-SDI rated and is ultra-thin and flexible. Additional cables can be purchased from any of our dealers.

You will also need a way to offload your files from the SSDs onto a computer. Convergent Design sells a USB3 adapter, and there are others available on the market as well as some Thunderbolt adapters. You may also wish to purchase a sun hood for the Odyssey7Q+. We offer one as do some third party companies, a list of whom are on the Accessories page of our website. You may also wish to store the Odyssey7Q+ in a protective case. We make a case with custom foam cutouts, and some clients use a large tablet sleeve to store the Odyssey7Q+ within a camera case.

Please note that to record using the RAW signal from the C500, either recording RAW or converting the RAW data to video and recording it in Apple ProRes, it is necessary to purchase the Odyssey RAW Bundle for the Odyssey7Q+. This is done by purchasing the Odyssey7Q+ itself, registering on our website, and then purchasing the activation code from our website. The Odyssey RAW Bundle is not required if you plan to record the 12-bit 2K RGB 4:4:4 signal from the C500, either in DPX stacks or in Apple ProRes 4444 or 4444(XQ).

C500 support from Odyssey7Q+:

Canon Cinema RAW data is recorded as .RMF files.
4K/QHD RAW recording 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p*, 59.94p*, 60p*
4K "Half RAW" recording 50p, 59.94p, 100p*, 120p*
(* = Canon RAW 50-60p & Half RAW 100-120p require two SSDs to simultaneously record.)
4K RAW->4K Apple ProRes 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p
QHD RAW->UHD Apple ProRes 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p
2K/1080p 12-bit recording in .DPX 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p
2K/1080p 10-bit recording in .DPX 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p, 59.94p, 60p
2k/1080p 12-bit/10-bit recording in Apple ProRes 4444 and 4444(XQ) 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p, 59.94p, 60p

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

 

[aygie]

Thanks Mitch, such a great reply.

So just a couple of questions;

Convergent Design offers our own SSDs in 256G, 512G and 1TB sizes. We also qualify the use of certain Samsung SSDs. Please note that ONLY CD or qualified SSDs will function in the Odyssey7Q+, with all others prompting an "Unsupported Media" notice. The current qualified Samsung SSDs are the EVO series 1TB and the Pro series in 128G, 256G, 512G and 1TB.

Included with the Odyssey7Q+ is a 5-pack of SSD handles with glue & screws. These are for attaching to qualified Samsung SSDs so that they can be mounted in the Odyssey7Q+. Additional 5-packs of SSD handles are available for separate purchase.

So any of the Pro range? i.e 840's / 850's etc? (these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-256GB-Solid-State-Drive/dp/B00LMXBOP4)

Convergent Design makes a number of battery plates for the Odyssey7Q+, including a Canon plate that accepts the same batteries used in the C500. Sharing the same battery type may be the most convenient for you.

I get worried about 3rd party batteries connectors so will probably go with the CD one but its proving difficult to find in the UK, would you recommend Hawk-Wood? http://www.hawkwoods.co.uk/Prods/Product/DV-7QC

There are many mounting solutions available. A simple Manfrotto hot shoe ball mount is sturdy and affordable. Tender makes a dedicated friction head mount that is well designed and versatile. I'm sure that there will be many other suggestions listed here.

We've got a few different rigs (tripod + shoulder) so want to make sure I can stick this on an arm and it fits in the rig well, do you guys have any pictures of the O7Q+ back, sides etc? I find I can only see the same images on the web of the front of the unit so any others would help.

C500 support from Odyssey7Q+:

Canon Cinema RAW data is recorded as .RMF files.
4K/QHD RAW recording 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p*, 59.94p*, 60p*
4K "Half RAW" recording 50p, 59.94p, 100p*, 120p*
(* = Canon RAW 50-60p & Half RAW 100-120p require two SSDs to simultaneously record.)
4K RAW->4K Apple ProRes 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p
QHD RAW->UHD Apple ProRes 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p
2K/1080p 12-bit recording in .DPX 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p
2K/1080p 10-bit recording in .DPX 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p, 59.94p, 60p
2k/1080p 12-bit/10-bit recording in Apple ProRes 4444 and 4444(XQ) 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p, 59.94p, 60p

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Great info, thanks. I'm sure I'll more questions, are you ok for me to PM you if needs be?

Thanks again.

 

[Mitch Gross]

Thanks Mitch, such a great reply.

So just a couple of questions;



So any of the Pro range? i.e 840's / 850's etc? (these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-256GB-Solid-State-Drive/dp/B00LMXBOP4)


I get worried about 3rd party batteries connectors so will probably go with the CD one but its proving difficult to find in the UK, would you recommend Hawk-Wood? http://www.hawkwoods.co.uk/Prods/Product/DV-7QC



We've got a few different rigs (tripod + shoulder) so want to make sure I can stick this on an arm and it fits in the rig well, do you guys have any pictures of the O7Q+ back, sides etc? I find I can only see the same images on the web of the front of the unit so any others would help.



Great info, thanks. I'm sure I'll more questions, are you ok for me to PM you if needs be?

Thanks again.

Sorry, typed that up too fast. It is the Samsung 850 EVO and 850 PRO SSDs, and only in the sizes I listed. I'll correct the original post. The one you linked to is fine.

Hawk-Wood does this stuff as a main part of its business, so I imagine it's fine. I have tested some of their product in the past and it worked without issue.

If you download the manual from our website you will see renders of the sides and rear.

 

[aygie]

Sorry, typed that up too fast. It is the Samsung 850 EVO and 850 PRO SSDs, and only in the sizes I listed. I'll correct the original post. The one you linked to is fine.

Hawk-Wood does this stuff as a main part of its business, so I imagine it's fine. I have tested some of their product in the past and it worked without issue.

If you download the manual from our website you will see renders of the sides and rear.

Hi Mitch

just to say I am now the proud owner of the Odyssey 7Q+ . Thanks for all your help, it made the difference in actually purchasing it so thank you.

In terms of work flow have you got any pointers with working with .dpx and .rmf files in FCP X?

 

[Mitch Gross]

Hi Mitch

just to say I am now the proud owner of the Odyssey 7Q+ . Thanks for all your help, it made the difference in actually purchasing it so thank you.

In terms of work flow have you got any pointers with working with .dpx and .rmf files in FCP X?

You can't work with them directly in FCPX. Instead you will have to process them in a program such as Resolve and then import to FCPX, or you can edit directly in Resolve these days. There's a Quick Start Guide for working with the Canon camera & The Odyssey7Q+ available in the downloads section of our website.