Odyssey SSD Announcement

M

Mitch Gross

Veteran
Odyssey7Q+ Now Includes 256GB SSD
Prices Slashed on Odyssey SSDs
Five Samsung SSDs Qualified


(Colorado Springs, CO) Today, July 1st, Convergent Design announces a major revamp of SSD support and prices. This revamp will lower costs dramatically for clients using the Odyssey7Q+, Odyssey7Q and the Odyssey7 monitor/recorders. The Odyssey7Q+ will now ship with media included as well as additional accessories. The prices on all three models of Odyssey SSDs have been dramatically lowered. And, five models of Samsung SSDs have been qualified by Convergent Design for use in all Odyssey 7.7” monitor/recorders with the upcoming 2015.07 free firmware update.


One 256GB SSD Included With The Odyssey7Q+
Starting today, July 1st, the Convergent Design Odyssey7Q+ will ship with one 256GB Odyssey SSD included. A five-pack kit of SSD handles for use with qualified 3rd party SSDs (see below) is now included with each Odyssey7Q+. Convergent Design has further added a 4K-ready HDMI cable and adapter, as well as an Ultra-Thin 3G-SDI cable, to the universal AC power supply included with the Odyssey7Q+. All accessories are available for separate purchase from any Convergent Design dealer.


List Prices Slashed On Odyssey SSDs
Starting today, July 1st, Convergent Design has drastically reduced prices on all three models of Odyssey SSDs for the Odyssey 7.7” monitor/recorders. The 256GB Odyssey SSD is now $249, the 512GB Odyssey SSD drops to $449, and the 1TB Odyssey SSD is now $795. Prices are US list prices in United States Dollars. Prices around the world will vary due to shipping and customs fees. All Odyssey SSDs are fully warrantied by Convergent Design to perform in all recording modes on all 7.7” Odyssey monitor/recorders.


Convergent Design SSD Price Drop
Capacity (Old Price, New Price, % Drop)
256GB ($395, $249, 37%)
512GB ($795, $449, 44%)
1TB (1024GB) ($1395, $795, 43%)



Five Samsung SSDs Qualified For Use In Odyssey Monitor/Recorders
After extensive testing, Convergent Design has now qualified five models of Samsung SSDs for use in all Odyssey 7.7” monitor/recorders once upgraded with the upcoming 2015.07 free firmware update. Qualified Samsung SSD models are the 850 PRO series in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB (1024GB) sizes, as well as the 850 EVO 1000GB. All five Samsung SSDs are qualified by Convergent Design to support all recording modes on all 7.7” Odyssey monitor/recorders, once these devices have been updated to the 2015.07 firmware. The previously announced Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD is not qualified. To protect clients from recording issues, only qualified SSDs or Odyssey SSDs will function in Odyssey 7.7” monitor/recorders. SSDs mount into the Odyssey monitor/recorders with a latching handle. Starting today, July 1st, a five-pack kit of SSD handles [view product info] will be included with all Odyssey7Q+ monitor/recorders as well as made available for purchase through the Convergent Design dealer network.


Qualified Samsung SSDs
Samsung 850 PRO 128GB
Samsung 850 PRO 256GB
Samsung 850 PRO 512GB
Samsung 850 PRO 1024GB (1TB)
Samsung 850 EVO 1000GB

Certified vs. Qualified
Odyssey SSDs are certified to work in Odyssey monitor/recorders. Convergent Design tests and sells these SSDs, so the company has oversight to warranty their performance. The above listed Samsung SSDs are qualified to work in Odyssey monitor/recorders. While multiple samples have been tested extensively by Convergent Design, we do not directly sell this media, so Convergent Design cannot warranty individual 3rd party SSDs. Convergent Design Customer Support is available to our clients 24/7, but we may not be able to successfully support 3rd party product to the same extent as our own products.


About Convergent Design
Founded in 2000, Convergent Design started as a manufacturer of SD/HD signal converters and evolved the product line to include video recorders, RAW data video capture devices and professional monitors. Convergent Design’s progressive technology design means that each new device includes the features and technology of the ones that preceded it. Convergent Design products are designed and manufactured in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and sold through our worldwide network of dealers and distributors.
 
That's great news, thank you!

Quick question: what would be the disadvantage (if any) of purchasing the Samsung 850 EVO 1TB SSDs instead of the 850 PRO 1TB SSDs? I'm thinking for say 4K from the FS700 recording at 50p/60p ProRes or HD at 200/240fps ProRes (when the firmware updates allow this) - would the PRO model be better or make no difference?
 
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Well, that sucks, it looks like the couple 500gb Samsung 850 EVOs that I bought last month will suddenly have to be put to another use. The 500gb's were the best bang for you buck out of all of them, which is why I got them. Wish I would have sprang for the 1TBs, I guess.

I mean, I'm glad that third party SSD support is coming, it just is tough luck I guess that the best value out of all the ones previously listed is the one that is being taken off the list.
 
The previously announced Samsung 850EVO 500GB SSD is not qualified.

Whoua ... So what can i do now with mine ?

Updates, now SSDs ... Promises only bind those who believe in it.
 
Take back my posting, although this announcement is not as good for me as it probably is for others. Gulp the financial loss of my additionally bought proprietary SSDs...
 
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I'm not going to complain about the lower CD drive prices or when they decide to include freebies or other sales incentives. It isn't Convergent Design's job to worry about our resale value, they are simply trying to offer the best product at the most competive price. I find it crazy that people complain when CD throws in freebies, offers upgrade paths to the 7Q+, discounts recording options, etc. CD is just trying to attract new customers and new sales, and it doesn't make the tool that the rest of us already bought any less useful. Electronic and camera companies cut prices and add incentives every single day to try to stay competitive in the market place, that is just the way it works. The Odyssey 7Q is one of the few devices that I've ever owned that has actually keeps getting better and better as time goes on rather than more and more obsolete.

I WILL complain about the Samsung 850 EVO 500gb because: 1. It helps me blow off some steam and 2. Deep down inside, I know that I should have waited for official support to be released (given CDs track record) before I purchased the drives. I'm not even going to pick up any of the 5 drives listed until the firmware is released and people are using them because who knows what will change in the next month(s) and I don't feel like getting burned again.
 
May Firmware Update
Additional monitoring/recording features
High frame rate compressed recording for FS7 & FS700 (FS RAW Record Option)
New Record Option

Can I assume the May firmware update will NOT be in July either? (2015.07)
 
pythonman said:
That's great news, thank you!

Quick question: what would be the disadvantage (if any) of purchasing the Samsung 850 EVO 1TB SSDs instead of the 850 PRO 1TB SSDs? I'm thinking for say 4K from the FS700 recording at 50p/60p ProRes or HD at 200/240fps ProRes (when the firmware updates allow this) - would the PRO model be better or make no difference?
Click to expand...
Well one of them is 1024GB and the other is 1000GB, but that's not much of a difference. The Pro model has a 10-year warranty from Samsung while the EVO has a 5-year. If you are still using these drives 5-years from now, well, bless your heart.

All of the SSDs listed will fully support all of the formats the Odyssey currently supports or ever will support. They do so equally well.
 
Strouty said:
Well, that sucks, it looks like the couple 500gb Samsung 850 EVOs that I bought last month will suddenly have to be put to another use. The 500gb's were the best bang for you buck out of all of them, which is why I got them. Wish I would have sprang for the 1TBs, I guess.

I mean, I'm glad that third party SSD support is coming, it just is tough luck I guess that the best value out of all the ones previously listed is the one that is being taken off the list.
Click to expand...
If we could have qualified them then we would have.

Everything appeared to be okay, and they are in fact excellent SSDs. But we did encounter parameters where the way that the Odyssey functions and the way that the SSD functions were not fully compatible, and there could be a chance for issues. And we absolutely refuse to allow issues in your recordings.
 
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Cyril-from-France said:
The previously announced Samsung 850EVO 500GB SSD is not qualified.

Whoua ... So what can i do now with mine ?

Updates, now SSDs ... Promises only bind those who believe in it.
Click to expand...
You have a computer, don't you? These are excellent SSDs otherwise. Use them to store files like you would any other highly reliable media.
 
Strouty said:
I'm not going to complain about the lower CD drive prices or when they decide to include freebies or other sales incentives. It isn't Convergent Design's job to worry about our resale value, they are simply trying to offer the best product at the most competive price. I find it crazy that people complain when CD throws in freebies, offers upgrade paths to the 7Q+, discounts recording options, etc. CD is just trying to attract new customers and new sales, and it doesn't make the tool that the rest of us already bought any less useful. Electronic and camera companies cut prices and add incentives every single day to try to stay competitive in the market place, that is just the way it works. The Odyssey 7Q is one of the few devices that I've ever owned that has actually keeps getting better and better as time goes on rather than more and more obsolete.

I WILL complain about the Samsung 850 EVO 500gb because: 1. It helps me blow off some steam and 2. Deep down inside, I know that I should have waited for official support to be released (given CDs track record) before I purchased the drives. I'm not even going to pick up any of the 5 drives listed until the firmware is released and people are using them because who knows what will change in the next month(s) and I don't feel like getting burned again.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your general sentiments and I do understand your reticence as voiced in your second paragraph. As we near the release of our July update I can assure you that we have extensively tested the qualified SSDs, but I also can understand if you choose to wait just in case.
 
Chris Johnston said:
May Firmware Update
Additional monitoring/recording features
High frame rate compressed recording for FS7 & FS700 (FS RAW Record Option)
New Record Option

Can I assume the May firmware update will NOT be in July either? (2015.07)
Click to expand...
The July update will be released shortly, after which time we will issue a new forecast for updates.
 
There are added functions for all Odyssey monitor/recorders coming in the next update.

I'm curious, do you complain when the gas you've been filling your car with for a year is suddenly lowered in price at the gas station?
 
Mitch Gross said:
Well one of them is 1024GB and the other is 1000GB, but that's not much of a difference. The Pro model has a 10-year warranty from Samsung while the EVO has a 5-year. If you are still using these drives 5-years from now, well, bless your heart.

All of the SSDs listed will fully support all of the formats the Odyssey currently supports or ever will support. They do so equally well.
Click to expand...

That's great, thanks for the clarification Mitch.

Although nowhere do I see the 850 EVO model being listed as "1000GB", everywhere lists it as "1TB", including Samsung's own website: http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/memory-storage/MZ-75E1T0B/AM


Not that I care about the semantics over 24GB, but just want to make sure that if I purchase a "Samsung 850 EVO 1TB SSD" that it will be the correct model to work in the 7Q+. Can you clarify? Thank you.
 
pythonman said:
That's great, thanks for the clarification Mitch.

Although nowhere do I see the 850 EVO model being listed as "1000GB", everywhere lists it as "1TB", including Samsung's own website: http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/memory-storage/MZ-75E1T0B/AM


Not that I care about the semantics over 24GB, but just want to make sure that if I purchase a "Samsung 850 EVO 1TB SSD" that it will be the correct model to work in the 7Q+. Can you clarify? Thank you.
Click to expand...
It's funny that Samsung says 1TB there, then puts a note underneath stating that for various reasons it might have less actually available. In other places Samsung does clearly describe it as 1000GB, and if you look at the other 850 EVO models you will see that they are 500GB, not 512GB, etc.

Anyway, this is the correct SSD and it will work just fine when we come out with the new update. May I note that this SSD is currently selling on Amazon, B&H and other sites for about $395, which is exactly $1000 less than the old price Convergent Design had set for our 1TB SSD. That's quite a sea change.
 
Mitch Gross said:
I'm curious, do you complain when the gas you've been filling your car with for a year is suddenly lowered in price at the gas station?
Click to expand...

Thats a really bad comparison. I am looking to sell the FS7Q0 in order to get the FS7, and this announcement just gutted my wallet directly.
 
Mitch Gross said:
It's funny that Samsung says 1TB there, then puts a note underneath stating that for various reasons it might have less actually available. In other places Samsung does clearly describe it as 1000GB, and if you look at the other 850 EVO models you will see that they are 500GB, not 512GB, etc.

Anyway, this is the correct SSD and it will work just fine when we come out with the new update. May I note that this SSD is currently selling on Amazon, B&H and other sites for about $395, which is exactly $1000 less than the old price Convergent Design had set for our 1TB SSD. That's quite a sea change.
Click to expand...

Great stuff, thanks again for the confirmation. As soon as the firmware updates come out I'll order 2 of these, plus the handles of course.
 
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