Convergent Design Ships Odyssey7

The Odyssey7 (CD-ODYSSEY7) is a monitor/recorder designed for on-camera use.  The monitor features a 1280x800 OLED touchscreen with true blacks and accurate colors.  Monitor functions include advanced Image Analysis Tools for exposure and focus, such as Waveform, Histogram, False Color, Focus Assist and Pixel Zoom.  As a monitor alone, the Odyssey7 delivers an outstanding value beyond any competitor in the field.

The Odyssey7 is also a professional HD video recorder.  It currently captures HD video in Apple ProRes 422(HQ) up to 1080/30p, 1080/60i and 720/60p.  Future free updates will expand the available frame rates as well as add other formats of compressed HD video recording.  An SSD slot will accept a Convergent Design Odyssey SSD, available in 256GB & 512GB.  One 512GB SSD will hold 330 minutes of 1080/24p material.  The Odyssey7 features full playback functions including file scrubbing.  HD signals are cross-converted and output over both SDI and HDMI simultaneously.

The Odyssey7 shares similarities to the Odyssey7Q, but there are also significant differences.  Some specs of the product have changed since the Odyssey7 was first announced.  For a complee list of technical specs, see the Odyssey7 Spec Sheet.  Of course the biggest difference between the Odyssey7 and the Odyssey7Q is the price.  The Odyssey7 is just US$1295 list, $1000 less than the Odyssey7Q.

New Accessory Product for Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q
Convergent Design now offers the low cost Odyssey Utility SSD, (CD-SSD-UTILITY, list US$149). It is for Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q firmware updates as well as future functionality such as 3D-LUT libraries for the Odyssey7Q.  The Odyssey Utility Drive will not record video files.  It is intended for Odyssey7 & 7Q owners who do not wish to tie up an Odyssey SSD with utility functions, and for Odyssey7 & Odyssey7Q owners who use their devices as monitors and do not need to purchase the more expensive recording media.

Odyssey7 & Odyssey7Q Firmware 2.10.141
Convergent Design will release a firmware update for the Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q on 21-Monday-2014 at 10am Mountain Standard Time.  This release adds features, improves current functions and fixes some previous issues.Highlights of the firmware update include:

Advanced Playback Controls
This is a complete revamp of the Playback system.  Standard deck-style controls for Play/Pause, single-frame step forward or step-back, and skip forward or back to next/pervious clip.  Additionally, an interactive scrub bar allows the user to quickly access any section of a clip simply by dragging a finger across the OLED touchscreen.  All recordable formats are supported and more detailed information is noted in the Play List.

Expanded HD Video Format Support In Apple ProRes 422(HQ)
In addition to 1080p video, the Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q now support 1080i and 720p signals, as well as 24p signals embedded within 1080i video streams using “3:2 Pulldown”.  New record formats in Apple ProRes 422(HQ) include:  1080/60i, 1080/50i, 1080/(24 over)60i, 720/60p, 720/50p.  Additionally, upon selecting 3:2 PULLDOWN, the Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q will remove the excess material and record a pure 1080/24p video stream for more efficient storage and ease of post.

Monitoring LUTs For HD Video
Monitoring LUTs for the LOG outputs from several popular cameras are now supported in HD video recording in both Apple ProRes 422(HQ) and Uncompressed DPX (Odyssey7Q only).  Cameras and LOG formats supported include ARRI ALEXA (Log-C), Canon C100/300/500 (C-Log), Sony F3 (S-Log), Sony F5/F55 (S-Log2), Sony F5/F55 (S-Log3) and Sony FS700 (S-Log2).  All monitoring LUTs conform selected Log signals to REC709.  Monitoring LUTs are applied to the OLED screen, video outputs and Image Analysis tools, but not to the recorded files.

Waveform Opacity
Opacity is now selectable when using the Waveform.  The background of the waveform can be either translucent as in previous firmware, or selected to be solid black so that the waveform display can be more clearly seen.

Dual-Link RGB 4:4:4 Support For Sony F3 (Odyssey7Q only)
Record RGB 4:4:4 from the Sony F3 at 1080/23.98psf, 1080/25psf and 1080/29.97psf.

Sony FS700 4K RAW 100p/120p Super SloMo (Odyssey7Q only)
Record 100fps or 120fps in 4K RAW in a 440 frame burst usng the camera’s internal memory buffer.  Triggering is set on the camera at either the start of the memory buffer (capture the 440 frames after trigger is pressed) or at the end of the buffer (capture the 440 frames that occurred before the trigger is pressed).  440 frames equals 3.7 seconds of real time at 120fps and 4.4 seconds at 100fps.  440 frame played back at 24fps lasts more than 18 seconds.

Record Options Rentals (Odyssey7Q only)
Using the newly re-launched Convergent Design website, Odyssey7Q owners can rent ARRIRAW and Canon RAW Record Options.  Rentals are based on 24hour time periods and are available for up to 31 day lengths.  Rentals begin when a first recording is started.  Indicators in the on-screen menus note rental time left and warn as the time gets low.

For the latest firmware, go to www.convergent-design.com/firmware-downloads.html to download the update instructions, firmware, release notes, guides, and the latest Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q manuals. An Odyssey SSD or Odyssey Utility Drive is required to perform the update.