Convergent Design - IBC 2015

About

An interview from the 2015 International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam with Mitch Gross of Convergent Design. 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. In this interview Mitch talks with us about the Odyssey 7Q & 7Q+ and the latest firmware update being brought to their recorder/monitors.

The Odyssey7Q+ is the most advanced, most capable, most versatile monitor/recorder in the world. The Odyssey7Q+ can record HD/2K/UHD/4K. It can record them via SDI and HDMI. It can record RAW (with Record Options), uncompressed DPX, and Apple ProRes 422 (HQ). The Odyssey7Q+ features an OLED 1280x800 monitor with true blacks, accurate colors, extended color gamut and a 176 degree viewing angle. Along with the best image in the industry, the Odyssey7Q+ also features an extensive array of image analysis tools, including an RGB waveform, RGB Histogram, False Color, Pixel Zoom with finger drag, three-mode Focus Assist and monitoring LUTs. The unique Multi-Stream Monitoring mode allows up to four HD video inputs to be viewed at once in a quad-split view or to be live-switched between in full screen. The Odyssey7Q+ weighs a little over one pound, is just one inch thick and can run on any power source from 6.5-34 volts.

The free Dual-Stream Monitoring offers the ability to view two HD video signals at once while recording one of them in Apple ProRes. The two signals can be viewed as a pair of equally sized Side-by-Side images, as overlapping large and small images in a Picture-in-Picture configuration, or can be switched between as full screen images. HD video signals up to 1080p60, 1080i60, or 720p60 can be accepted in SDI and HDMI, and different resolutions and frame rates mixed. Dual-Stream Recording will be included in the Odyssey RAW Bundle and made available in the upcoming firmware update. Dual-Stream Recording offers capture of two HD video inputs of the same resolution and frame rate to a pair of separate Apple ProRes files.

Upon release later in the year (in November according to Sony) the Sony FS5 will output QFHD (UHD) 3,840 x 2,160 video in 4:2:2 10-bit up to 30p via HDMI. The Odyssey7Q+ will record this in Apple ProRes in 422(HQ), 422 or 422(LT). The FS5 will also offer output of S-Log2 and S-Log3, which are fully supported in the Odyssey7Q+ LUT System.

Using the Odyssey LUT System, six different presets provide a preview of a color corrected image for proper lighting and exposure on set. In addition to the provided presets, the Odyssey LUT System also accepts up to 140 custom 3D-LUTs.

The Odyssey LUT System can display the corrected image on its OLED screen and distribute it over two SDI and one HDMI outputs. These outputs can be individually adjusted to show the LUT, the original signal, or the either along with the Odyssey Image Analysis Tools such as Waveform, Vectorscope and False Color.

With anamorphic shooting becoming very fashionable many users have been looking for ways to shoot the format easily. With the latest update, anamorphic shooting is now available on the Odyssey 7/7Q and 7Q+ external 4K recorders. These have advanced options for viewing and recording an anamorphic image when hooked up to the modern 4K cameras like the Sony a7S and Panasonic GH4.The latest options include additional anamorphic de-squeeze settings and a centre extraction mode. The centre extraction mode de-squeezes and magnifies the centre portion of image, transforming wider letterbox footage into the more common anamorphic formats for viewing – this replaces having to tape off parts of your screen to adjust for the aspect ratio. The adjusted image is sent to video outputs but the recording itself remains unaffected. Desqueezing of the image is available in 1.33x, 1.5x and 2x ratios.

For more information please visit: http://www.Convergent-Design.com