While many of us are patiently waiting for the Atomos Shogun 4K HDMI recorder, Convergent Design reminds us that they already have an SDI 4K and other recorders on the market, now made better with a recent firmware update.
I'm sure that many Sony A7s owners and Panasonic GH4 owners (at least the ones who didn't purchase the optional Panasonic DMW-YAGH Interface Unit) are excited about the upcoming Atomos Shogun, which, as of this writing, is still the only 4K HDMI recorder announced. If you're one of these people, your wait will continue at least a couple of months, as the Shogun is slated to arrive sometime in mid-October.
If your camera has SDI-out, however, you don't have to wait at all. Convergent Design's Odyssey 7Q will record your 4K footage right now. And due to a recent firmare upgrade (2.11.110) which affects the 7Q and its HD-only cousin, the Odyssey 7, your recording options just got better.
Here are some of the firmware update highlights for these popular combination recorder-monitors:
Check out the full press release from Convergent Design after the page break.
Today Convergent Design releases a firmware update for the Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q. This release adds features, improves current functions and fixes some previous issues.
Highlights of the new firmware include:
Higher Frame Rates For Apple ProRes 422(HQ) In 1080p
Apple ProRes 422(HQ) recording is now enabled in 1080p50 and 1080p59.94.
Integrated Deck Control And Scrubbing in Play Mode
Scrubbing through clips is now available both while the file is playing as well as when it is paused.
Selectable Pixel Zoom Drag Orientation
When using the finger drag function to select the section of the image visible in Pixel Zoom function, the drag orientation can be set to follow the finger move (drag the image) or oppose the finger move (drag the window).
New POV RAW Record Option Available For Purchase or Rent
The POV RAW Record Option is for various special function cameras with RAW output. The RAW data is captured as Cinema DNG files. The POV RAW Record Option is $1495 to purchase or $99/day to rent through the Convergent Design website.
The cameras currently supported include the IO Industries Flare 2KSDI and the Indiecam indieGS2K. Supported RAW formats for these cameras are as follows.
IO Industries Flare 2KSDI 2048x1080 23.98 – 60p 10-bit RAW
IO Industries Flare 2KSDI 1920x1080 23.98 – 60p 10-bit RAW
Indiecam indieGS2K 2048x1080 23.98 – 60p 10-bit RAW
Indiecam indieGS2K 1920x1080 23.98 – 120p 10-bit RAW
Indiecam indieGS2K 1920x1080 23.98 – 60p 12-bit RAW
Canon C500 High Speed RAW SupportCanon Cinema RAW “4K Half RAW” mode 4096x1080 is supported at 50p/60p and 100p/120p. The Odyssey7Q currently supports the original full frame height version of the Canon 4K half RAW, not the “4Kx1K” cropped mode. Only the highest frame rates in the Slow & Fast modes are currently supported.
Sony FS700 4K2HD Recording Up To 60p
FS700 4K RAW to HD Apple ProRes 422(HQ) is now available up to 60p (59.94). 50p is also available.
FIXED Time of Day timecode issue
FIXED Backward file compatibility during firmware updates
FIXED “Ticking” audio after 720p file recovery
FIXED Black dots in live image when overexposing or white-clipping
FIXED False-triggering when Odyssey set to camera trigger
FIXED Timecode triggering in 720p
FIXED False “Warranty Void” notice on some units from previous firmware
FIXED 1080psf audio sync issue in Playback
FIXED Pixel Zoom mode distorting of image on OLED
IMPROVED Touchscreen response
IMPROVED Touchscreen recalibrates by engaging F1 Lock button
Go to www.convergent-design.com/firmware-downloads.html to download the latest firmware, update instructions, firmware release notes, quick-start guides, and the latest Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q manuals.
An Odyssey SSD or Odyssey Utility Drive is required to perform the update.