Odyssey7 & Odyssey7Q Status Update

The first firmware update, scheduled for December 2013, has not been provided.
Roadmap: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...Update&p=1986376472&viewfull=1#post1986376472

I do not want to pick Dan or Mitch for providing roadmaps, that could not been accomlished in time. I am just nervous, that CD is following too many tracks right now instead of developing the core functions, we need most. Let's see, if CD can catch up or if the initial schedule is shifted for two or three months. Compressed recording of Sony FS700's 4K output was scheduled end of Q1/2014. I hope, that will be delivered right in time.

And I hope, delivery to the E.U. region can be accelerated now, as units are in stock in the U.S.
 
Considering that CD has a great track record with the Gemini and their other products, I am pretty sure they will deliver everything and more in a timely fashion. I am waiting until these updates come out myself before I buy it. I don't need it right now, I will need it in the summertime, so no need to rush and buy it now. I am excited to see some 4K compressed though! :)
 
ralf4u said:
Mitch ... I hope their will be a firmware !-BEFORE-! NAB 2014! You are telling stories about your team working all the time, promising nice features and announcing updates every week. This thread ist alive since Oct. 2013. What happened during this time?

We have no recorders in Europe. The five most popular dealers in Germany have less than 10 pre-orders until today. That's not so much. I only know one customer who owns a 7Q but he's not able to activate FS700-option on CD homepage. He has a nice monitor but he can't record with FS700 :-/

We have no compressed codecs to work with. We like to earn money with our work. We need an economic workflow and we want to shoot 120fps longer than a few seconds. That's all for the beginning. Is that to much? Do we require that 7Q is cooking espresso?
Some guys here are right. The market is so dynamic that you won't sell 7Qs, because new cameras will capture 4K on cards inside. Perhaps earlier than you deliver 7Qs and updates.
Sorry Mitch for these notes ... but it's time to behave instead of telling what we (may be) could exept. Spend us a realistic timeline and please ... BE HONEST !!!
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I understand your frustrations. We are frustrated at not having this out to you as well. Let me take your points one by one.

- What's happened since October?
We have shipped hundreds, perhaps nearly 1000 units in this time. We have three teams of software engineers. One working on the codecs, as we must create them ourselves to the tolerance that the Big Computer Company demands (we're actually going to far exceed those tolerances with great accuracy). The second working on the myriad of other features we have planned to implement, but on a schedule, not just willy-nilly. We have a long list of features and an order to which we will program them. And then there are the Bug Hunters, who deal with chasing down the issues that clients report and also figure out why when something is done in group One or Two it screws up something else in the code.

This is what they do, and they do it every day.


- Where are the Odyssey7Q?
We have a European distributor, to whom we send bulk orders and then they send the units out to the various dealers in their network. I honestly have no idea why German dealers have received so few units, or if in fact this is a true statement. I doubt it is completely accurate. I can tell you that we have sent out units all over the globe, and while I have not checked the tally lately it is possible that we are near 1000 units worldwide. That includes a bunch of places not heard from in this particular forum, such as India, China, Japan and South America. There is huge demand for our product and we are working hard to fulfill that demand. I must also note that when certain dealers or distributors put in an initial order of several hundred units compared to another dealer who might wait a few months and then put in an order for a handful of units, well that guy willing to make an early big commitment will likely see product earlier.

- Activating the FS700 option on our website.
Up until a few days ago one had to call in to our main office in Colorado to activate any record options. That is no longer the case and it can be done on our website. But no one can activate a record option or in fact record anything at all on the Odyssey7Q without first registering the unit on our website. This only takes a few minutes and it has been available for months.

- Where are the compressed codecs?
Like I said, we have been working on this diligently, and it has taken longer than expected. We have hired more staff in several areas, some specifically to assist in the codec. One new staffer actually wrote the code for another product so he really knows where to make the fixes. We had some really good news today in the development, but I'm just not prepared to give a date yet. I fear that if I do and we miss it by even a day or two that you'll all be really disappointed and angry. When damned if you do or damned if you don't, I figure it better to shut up and not give a date quite yet.

- "BE HONEST !!!"
I will never try to be anything but.
 
rheinturmblau said:
The first firmware update, scheduled for December 2013, has not been provided.
Roadmap: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...Update&p=1986376472&viewfull=1#post1986376472

I do not want to pick Dan or Mitch for providing roadmaps, that could not been accomlished in time. I am just nervous, that CD is following too many tracks right now instead of developing the core functions, we need most. Let's see, if CD can catch up or if the initial schedule is shifted for two or three months. Compressed recording of Sony FS700's 4K output was scheduled end of Q1/2014. I hope, that will be delivered right in time.

And I hope, delivery to the E.U. region can be accelerated now, as units are in stock in the U.S.
Click to expand...
We understand your concerns.

Many developments can occur concurrently. Different people work on different projects. We are working to catch up as fast as we can. But we also try not to release anything that isn't right.
 
I've ordered mine yesterday. Got a stock notification from videoguys.com.au,
will get it Tuesday in oz where I am. Got the ssds from BHpv tho, some crazy double pricing going on in oz for ssds. (People rightly hedging our dollar which is down 20pc on the USA in 3 months after years of parity). I'll just wait a week for them.

i didn't ask them how many they got or sold but it's changed from in stock to 2-3 days (which is probably inaccurate). I didn't preorder as thought I would wait to be closer to useable firmware for the recording side.

i was in the market for a small hd dp7 high bright. Even plonked down preorder money lost when cancelled. If cd had not announced way ahead of shipping, that's what I down now, not something that can 4k crop stabilise my fs700 in a car shoot.

If I had not waited a few weeks when the delays started, and put it off till the dust settled. I'd be more ansy too. Looking forward to using a good monitor while I wait, and even though delays continue, its Mitch's communications that are making me hit go now instead of waiting to see how it really performs as a recorded when it can in a more useful fashion.

thanks cd.

Kieran
 
Christopher Barry said:
Mitch, thank you for your reply. Back in August, Andy Mangrum at CD replied to one of my emails noting that the 7Q will essentially being taking on the Gemini 4:4:4 capabilities, which include anamorphic record modes and, as I understand the Gemini 4:4:4 capabilities, a desqueeze live view for monitoring. This desqueeze monitoring will become more useful with the screen real estate the 7Q provides with the larger 7" screen. My main question remains, and for CD to consider and disclose in the future, given that a number of professional monitors on the market provide the ability to 'live view' 2x anamorphic desqueeze, either as a preset, or ability to enter the monitor menu and manually apply a 50% reduction to the vertical axis (X axis), is it fair to say that the Odyssey 7 (not 7Q) will have a preset or ability to live view only (not record), 2x anamorphic desqueeze? Those who want to only monitor anamorphic, and not record to an external recorder may find having to purchase a 7Q just to monitor anamorphic will be expensive compared to other monitor only options. I think the 7Q makes the most sense to me, just some thoughts and I would appreciate any feedback that you and/or the CD team have to share, in due course. Thank you.
Click to expand...

Mitch Gross said:
Let me look into this and get back to you, I'm not sure if the Odyssey7 has the horsepower internally for this. The 7Q has way more logic gates available in the processor.
Click to expand...

Mitch, following up on the above, if I may?

1. Will the O7 have the capability to live view 'de-squeeze' 2x anamorphic to monitor 2.35:1? I am not concerned about recording options to be available in this mode on a O7, only interested in de-squeezed monitoring.

2. Will the O7Q firmware updated, anticipated prior to NAB 2014, include live view 'de-squeeze' 2x anamorphic monitoring 2.35:1? I am not concerned about recording options at this moment, just monitoring anamorphic with an O7Q as soon as possible, the O7Q being the preferred model to purchase and use soon as it appears to be available in limited quantities here in Australia.

Mitch, thank you for again considering and reviewing these features for the O7 and O7Q, which remain unclear to me.
 
Christopher Barry said:
Mitch, following up on the above, if I may?

1. Will the O7 have the capability to live view 'de-squeeze' 2x anamorphic to monitor 2.35:1? I am not concerned about recording options to be available in this mode on a O7, only interested in de-squeezed monitoring.

2. Will the O7Q firmware updated, anticipated prior to NAB 2014, include live view 'de-squeeze' 2x anamorphic monitoring 2.35:1? I am not concerned about recording options at this moment, just monitoring anamorphic with an O7Q as soon as possible, the O7Q being the preferred model to purchase and use soon as it appears to be available in limited quantities here in Australia.

Mitch, thank you for again considering and reviewing these features for the O7 and O7Q, which remain unclear to me.
Click to expand...
We absolutely will have anamorphic desqueeze in several ratios. Bu it is unclear if that will make it in before NAB 2014. I should know more in the next week or so.
 
Mitch, I am getting my Od7q and C500 on monday but nowhere in NYC has the Canon battery plate, all backordered. Know anywhere to get one like now? If not, I know you are coming to B&H this Wednesday. Can you bring one? Nothing like personal service lol. By the way is there any lightweight battery system that would handle C500, Od7q and a small light? The Anton Bauers are really heavy. Thx.
 
Are all these cool features like LUTs, etc. on the 7 or just the 7Q? The only difference between 7 and Q is the higher end codecs right?
 
lightstrum said:
Mitch, I am getting my Od7q and C500 on monday but nowhere in NYC has the Canon battery plate, all backordered. Know anywhere to get one like now? If not, I know you are coming to B&H this Wednesday. Can you bring one? Nothing like personal service lol. By the way is there any lightweight battery system that would handle C500, Od7q and a small light? The Anton Bauers are really heavy. Thx.
Click to expand...
I don't exactly keep a personal stockpile gathered about my desk. As soon as we have them available we ship them to our dealers. I'll never end-run a dealer,; you have to buy through one of them.

As for a lightweight battery that can handle a lot of power, you're asking for the impossible. If it has to deliver enough juice for multiple items then it needs to be big. The camera and the Odyssey don't take a lot of power, but depending on the light that can be a big draw. There's really nothing in between the little camcorder batteries and something like a Dionic 90 or one of the many equivalents available in V-Lock or AB mount. If it really is too heavy then I would suggest one of the shoulder strap or belt configurations. I never liked these because I hate being tethered to the rig, but sometimes a cheap Bescor battery slung over my shoulder that I can easily hang from the tripod when necessary can be the answer. They may be heavy (and decidedly old school technology), but they are dead cheap and the weight is where you don't mind it so much.
 
Josh Bass said:
Are all these cool features like LUTs, etc. on the 7 or just the 7Q? The only difference between 7 and Q is the higher end codecs right?
Click to expand...
Features of the Odyssey7Q not available on the Odyssey7:

Access to the optional record modes, such as FS700 RAW, Canon C500 RAW, and ARRIRAW.

Record 4K video from cameras such as the F55 (future functionality).

Multi-Stream Viewing.

Multi-Stream Recording (future record option).


And the Odyssey7 cannot be upgraded to an Odyssey7Q.
 
Thanks. Potentially dumb question: multi-stream viewing, what is that. . .viewing feeds from more than one cam simultaneously (monitor splits into different windows)?
 
Whoa, plans to do Sony F55 4K recording? Is that something new? I would love this feature since I used the Sony F55 for one short film and loved it. Are we talking like 4K 444 recording?

It seems this recorder is going to probably be the best investment I have made in video so far. It is probably more future proof than my lenses because I can always go up from here. Recorder doesn't get much better, unless I want to spend mega dollars.
 
Sorry to be late in here, but a few questions:
When will the O7 ship? Will it do 1080p50 (I've seen inconclusive information about this)?
Is there a release date for the compressed codecs, or are we going to have to wait indefinitely like with the Gemini?
Thanks!
 
Josh Bass said:
Thanks. Potentially dumb question: multi-stream viewing, what is that. . .viewing feeds from more than one cam simultaneously (monitor splits into different windows)?
Click to expand...
Essentially yes. In Multi-Stream Viewing mode, the Odyssey7Q can accept up to four HD video signals. The screen can be split into four quadrants to view them all simultaneously, or one can switch between the four inputs sequentially. The HD video signals do not have to be genlocked and do not even have to be the same frame rates, so one could use several different models of cameras and view them all at the same time.

One neat thing about Multi-Stream Viewing is that it is a great way to compare two images. Not just for the director wanting to check coverage, but also for a DP or video engineer. The various image analysis tools of the Odyssey7Q will apply to whatever is up on the screen, so if one puts two images side-by-side and then turns on the waveform it effectively becomes a pair of waveforms to compare the two signals. Very useful.

Multi-Stream Viewing mode is included in the Odyssey7Q at no additional cost and is available now on all units.

Coming in a few months will be the optional Multi-Stream Recording mode. This will allow the recording of up to four separate simultaneous HD video signals in a 4:2:2 High Quality compression of a popular codec. That is four separate 422HQ files recorded simultaneously, with matching timecode, filenames, etc. If recording the video signals do have to be of the same type (say, 23.98 or 60i) but still do not need to be genlocked.The Odyssey7Q will also act as a a Live Switcher, simply by tapping the image in the appropriate quadrant on the screen. This will send a live cut signal out one of the SDI or HDMI outputs. If there are only three signal inputs, the fourth channel can be used to record the live cut. Either way a small XML file will also be recorded which is the EDL (edit decision list). This way the unedited camera files (aka "Isos" or isolated recordings") can be brought into an NLE and the edit fine tuned for later use.

It's pretty powerful stuff.

This week at some events I'm showing off a new accessory which makes use of the Multi-Stream Viewing functionality. I'll be atB&H Photo/Video in NYC on Wednesday afternoon, SIM Digital's Open House event in Toronto on Thursday afternoon, and then a Vistek event in Toronto on Friday afternoon. I'll try to post here about it when I can but I'll be busy with a lot of traveling!
 
Chris Langer said:
Whoa, plans to do Sony F55 4K recording? Is that something new? I would love this feature since I used the Sony F55 for one short film and loved it. Are we talking like 4K 444 recording?

It seems this recorder is going to probably be the best investment I have made in video so far. It is probably more future proof than my lenses because I can always go up from here. Recorder doesn't get much better, unless I want to spend mega dollars.
Click to expand...
Once we have our popular compressed codec up and running, we will work to get the 4K variant operational. This can be used in a few ways. One is to take the 4K RAW data feed from cameras such as the FS700 and the Canon C500, deBayer them and turn them into 4K video, and then record them in the 4K video codec. Another is to take a 4K video signal over SDI, such as what can come from the F55 over four SDI feeds or from the Phantom Flex4K over two 3G-SDI feeds, and record this as 4K compressed video. I don't think we'll be able to capture 4K 444, as this is a vast amount of data, but we will certainly record 4K 422 HQ.

Please note that the F55 only outputs RAW signals to the proprietary connection to the R5 recorder. We do not have access to this signal. We will be able to take the SDI monitor outputs and capture the 4K as video.
 
macgregor said:
Sorry to be late in here, but a few questions:
When will the O7 ship? Will it do 1080p50 (I've seen inconclusive information about this)?
Is there a release date for the compressed codecs, or are we going to have to wait indefinitely like with the Gemini?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
The current forecast for shipping the Odyssey7 is the end of February. It will record 1080p50 & 1080p60.
At this point the release date for compressed codecs is "as soon as possible," which I expect to be measured in days or weeks, not months. We want it done more than you do, believe me.
 
That multistream is a very cool feature, but probably doesn't justify the price bump of the Q for me. But you could still toggle between inputs like with any other monitor, right? For comparison purposes (two cams plugged in, toggle between input A and B to see how they match)?
 
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