Convergent Design reckons its most recent firmware update for its Odyssey 7/7Q/7Q+ and Apollo monitor recorders is “a Pretty Big Deal.” Including Titan HD Extract, VariCam LT RAW, ProRes Proxy, ARRIRAW 4:3, EDLs and more, it could have a point.
First and foremost with the new v2016.10 firmware is the release of the Titan HD Extract optional upgrade which allows the output from a 4K camera to be downsampled to three HD images to create multiple angles for live switching or panning between shots. Titan HD Extract allows all four outputs to be recorded with matching file names as well as matching timecodes. Titan HD Extract is available for $1295 ($995 introductory price until November 6) and runs on Apollo and Odyssey 7Q/7Q+ models. The v2016.10 firmware is required. Titan HD Extract is also available as a daily rental for current Odyssey/Apollo owners.
I’ve had an opportunity to take a first hand look at Titan HD Extract and I immediately knew that it would be a useful tool for interview shooting. We’ll be publishing an in-depth review of it as soon as I have the firmware installed and evaluated.
Firmware v2016.10 also adds ProRes Proxy codec with 4:2:2 sampling.
Panasonic VariCam LT users will finally be able to output RAW to the 7Q/7Q+ models. Convergent Design has indicated that purchasers of the $995 RAW option will see all future RAW support enabled at no extra charge.
Updates specific to the Apollo multi-camera recorder include EDL support in all live-switch modes, Live-switch in all modes, and 1080p 50/60fps live-switch support. The EDL is in CMX3600 standard and is supported by FCP 7, FCP X, PremierePro, DaVinci Resolve, and Avid Media composer.
In addition to VariCAM LT support, the Odyssey 7Q/7Q+ RAW bundle will now support ARRIRAW 4:3 with updates, improvements and fixes to Sony FS RAW to ProRes as well as Canon RAW to ProRes.
Other new features include Canon CLog3 LUTS, revised LUTS for Sony FS5 and FS RAW, System Log file recorded on SSD and 8-channel audio out headphone selection.
Convergent Design also lists over 20 fixes and improvements.
Firmware v2016.10 is available immediately and is a free download for all Odyssey 7 series and Apollo owners.
Full release notes are over the page.
Odyssey/Apollo Firmware v2016.10
New Functions, Fixes, Improvements, Software Updates
Applies to: Apollo / Odyssey7Q+ / Odyssey7Q / Odyssey7
NEW FEATURES: TITAN HD Extract (Upgrade) for APOLLO, ODYSSEY7Q/7Q+
Titan HD Extract (Upgrade)
• Titan HD Extract is available as an upgrade option for purchase or daily rental through our website.
• Titan HD Extract Option does not require Apollo Option or Odyssey RAW Bundle Options
• Titan HD Extract Option not included in Apollo or Raw Bundle Options
• Link: https://convergent-design.com/titan
Titan 4K/UHD -> 3xHD MultiFrame HD Extract
• Use one 4K/UHD input to generate three HD images
◦ One 4K/UHD->HD SuperSample, two HD pixel-to-pixel windows
◦ Record three generated HD images simultaneously (Apple ProRes)
◦ Record & output Live-Switch between three HD images
◦ Live finger-drag pan/tilt windowed images with motion smoothing
• 4K/UHD 24p/25p/30p generates three 1080p video streams**
• 4K/UHD 50p/60p generates three 720p video streams
• Input 4K/UHD 24p/25p/30p (6G-SDI/Dual-3G-SDI, HDMI*)**
• Input 4K/UHD 50p/60p (Quad-3G-SDI)**
*NOTE: Odyssey7Q does not support 6G-SDI or 4K/UHD over HDMI
**NOTE: On 4K 4096x2160 input signals, Titan extracts all HD frames from the 3840x2160 UHD image area.
Titan FS RAW 4K -> 3xHD MultiFrame HD Extract
• Use one FS RAW 4K input to generate three HD images
◦ One 4K->HD SuperSample, two HD pixel-to-pixel windows
◦ Record three generated HD images simultaneously (Apple ProRes)
◦ Record & output Live-Switch between three HD images
◦ Live finger-drag pan/tilt windowed images with motion smoothing
• FS RAW 4K 24p/25p/30p generates three 1080p video streams
• FS RAW 4K 50p/60p generates three 720p video streams
NOTE: Titan extracts all HD frames from the 3840x2160 UHD image area.
NEW FEATURES: APOLLO & ODYSSEY APOLLO OPTION (ODYSSEY)
Quad-HD: EDL Support for all Live-Switch Modes
• Generates Edit Decision List (EDL) of cuts & fades made when recording
• EDL recorded as .EDL file in CMX3600 standard
• EDL also generated in Titan Option
• Up to 1000 events per clip
• Support for standard post systems including FCP7, FCPX, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Avid Media Composer (see White Paper “Working with EDLs from Apollo and Titan” on CD website)
• Link: https://convergent-design.com/edl
Quad-HD: Live-Switch in All Modes
• Added Live-Switch to A/B/C/D and Quad-Split modes
• Live-Switch output as video to SDI B OUT; switching recorded in EDL
Quad-HD: 1080p 50/60 Live-Switch Support
• Added Live-Switch to Quad-HD 1080p 50/60
• Live-Switch output as video to SDI B OUT; switching recorded in EDL
Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) Support
• 4K/UHD 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94
• 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94
• 1080i 50, 59.94
• 720p 50/60
NEW FEATURES: ODYSSEY RAW BUNDLE (ODYSSEY7Q+/7Q)
Panasonic VariCam LT Support [Link]
• Record RAW in CinemaDNG from the Panasonic VariCam LT
• 4K/UHD 12-bit RAW -> 4K CinemaDNG 23.98, 25, 29.97
• 4K/UHD 10-bit RAW -> 4K CinemaDNG 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94
• VariFrame frame rates available from 2-60fps
ARRIRAW 4:3 Support
• Record RAW in .ARI from ALEXA cameras outputting a 4:3 signal
• 23.98-48p
Sony FS RAW to Apple ProRes Support (Update)
• Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy)
• 4K/UHD 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94
• 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94
Canon Raw to Apple ProRes Support (Update)
• Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy)
• 4K/UHD 23.98-29.97
NEW FEATURES: ALL MODELS (APOLLO, ODYSSEY7/7Q/7Q+)
Canon CLog3 Preset LUTs [Link]
• LUTs for Canon CLog3 added as presets in LUT menu
Sony REV Preset LUTs
• Revised LUTs for use with Sony FS5 and FS Raw -> Apple ProRes Modes added as presets in LUT menu
System LOG File
• Text file that reside outside of the clip folder on a record SSD, includes information about record, power up, on time, and setup.
8-Channel Audio Out (Headphone) Selection
• Select audio channels to output over 3.5mm Audio Out port
• Select on 8-Channel SDI embedded audio
• Select embedded audio channel pairs 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, 7&8
• Also available in Apollo and Titan Options
Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) Support
• 4K/UHD 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94
• 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94
• 1080i 50, 59.94
• 720p 50/60
NEW FEATURES: ODYSSEY7
Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy) Support
• 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94
• 1080i 50, 59.94
• 720p 50/60
FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS
Apollo
• FIXED Fade/Cut transitions
• FIXED Issue with UHD25p over 6G-SDI
• IMPROVED SDI B Out carries embedded audio
Odyssey RAW Bundle
• FIXED Rare Canon RAW -> Apple ProRes frame issue
• FIXED Pixel Zoom causing monitored image shift when recording FS 4K RAW -> 4K/UHD Apple ProRes at 50/59.94p
• FIXED Frame Rate detection in Canon RAW
• IMPROVED Sony FS7 4K FS RAW -> 4K/UHD Apple ProRes debayer color fringing issue (yellow artifact at sharp edges)
• IMPROVED Playback Scrubbing artifacts of RAW recordings
Odyssey7Q+/7Q
• FIXED DPX support for Sony F35
• FIXED Issue with UHD25p over 6G-SDI (7Q+ only)
• IMPROVED Playback of 4K Apple ProRes
• IMPROVED Playback scrubbing artifacts in 4K Apple ProRes
All Devices
• FIXED Guides interaction with Hide function
• FIXED Apple ProRes recording artifacts 2016.06
• FIXED Adobe “Green Screen” Issue with file not run via the ProRes Tool
• FIXED Adobe audio issue with 8-channel audio and CC 2015.4
• FIXED Intermittent issue of first frame corrupted in various RAW formats
• FIXED FS700 issues with changing frame rates
• FIXED Safe-Eject “Error 11” and related errors
• FIXED C300 Mark II audio issues with 8-channel audio
• FIXED FS5 Glitching (Intermittent issue)
• FIXED Rental issues with various modes
• IMPROVED 4K SDI Detection
• IMPROVED FS RAW Files
• IMPROVED Playback in all modes