Apple ProRes & Uncompressed DPX Canon C500 4K RAW Support RAW Recording Formats ARRI Alexa ARRIRAW Support RECORDING OPTION RENTALS ACCESSORIES Rental Activation Keys Convergent Design Accessories Parameters for Rentals Third Party Accessories ODYSSEY SSD MEDIA RELEASE NOTES 2.5” Premium SSD Media Firmware v5.10.100 Odyssey Utility Drive Firmware v4.10.100...
4. Power source must be able to provide up to 24 watts at all times to the Odyssey7Q. 5. When powering the Odyssey7Q from an ARRI ALEXA camera, we recommend using the 24V R/S Fischer-3 output from the ALEXA using the optional Convergent Design cable.
HD (1920x1080, 1280x720) video in Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422 or Apple ProRes 422 (LT). The Odyssey7Q can record up to 1080p30 or 1080i60 over HDMI. Convergent Design manufactures the Odyssey7Q+ to record 4K/UHD 10-bit or 1080p60 10-bit over HDMI.
Touchscreen, SDI record trigger (ARRI, CANON, PANASONIC, RED, SONY), HDMI (SONY, CANON, PANASONIC), Timecode, Remote Cable (Optional Accessory) Recording SSD Convergent Design SSDs with power-loss protection, in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB capacities, 420Mb/sec write, 500Mb/sec read speed, compatible with USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt Adapters. Media SSDs and adapters sold separately.
RECORDING CAPABILITIES INCLUDED FREE WITH ODYSSEY7Q The Odyssey7Q can record a variety of video signals. With the purchase of the Odyssey RAW Bundle or rental of individual recording options (available online) the Odyssey7Q is capable of recording RAW output from certain cameras. With an optional multi-stream upgrade available in the near future the Odyssey7Q will also be able to record up to four HD video signals simultaneously.
Recording options are available to purchase as a permanent license (Odyssey RAW Bundle) or rent on a daily basis from the Convergent Design website at Convergent-Design.com/products/odyssey-raw.html. Please note that record option upgrades (rental or purchase) are delivered in the form of activation keys that are specific to the unit for which they are purchased and cannot be transferred between units.
Page 9
RECORDING CAPABILITIES POV RAW IO Industries Flare 2KSDI: 2K/HD 10-Bit RAW / 23.98-60p Supports several industrial/ Indiecam indieGS2K: 2K/HD 10-Bit RAW / 60-120p special use cameras’ RAW outputs. Indiecam indieGS2K: HD 10-Bit RAW / 23.98-60p Indiecam indieGS2K: HD 12-Bit RAW / 23.98-60p (Included in the Odyssey RAW Bundle &...
RECORD TIME CAPACITIES APPLE PRORES & UNCOMPRESSED DPX The Odyssey7Q can record numerous video and data formats such as Apple ProRes and uncompressed DPX, which are included free with the Odyssey7Q. The chart below indicates maximum record time in minutes based on the use of two 512 GB SSDs (1TB).
RECORD TIME CAPACITIES RAW RECORDING FORMATS With the purchase of the Odyssey RAW Bundle or rental of a recording option upgrade (available online) the Odyssey7Q+ is capable of recording RAW output from certain cameras. The chart below indicates maximum record time in minutes based on the use of two 512 GB SSDs (1TB). For 512 GB (one 512 GB SSD or two 256 GB SSDs), divide in half.
Page 12
RECORD TIME CAPACITIES Recording Format ARRI ALEXA Recording Option (Included in the Odyssey RAW Bundle or available for daily rental) ARRIRAW 16:9 CANON C500 Recording Option (Included in the Odyssey RAW Bundle or available for daily rental) Canon 4K RAW Canon 4K Half RAW Canon QHD Raw Canon 4K RAW to 4K Apple ProRes 422 (HQ)
RECORDING OPTION RENTALS RENTAL ACTIVATION KEYS Rental Activation Keys may be purchased though our website for the Canon C500 Cinema RAW, the ARRI Alexa ARRIRAW and POV RAW recording options. Please visit the links in the Recording Capabilities section for more information. PARAMETERS FOR RENTALS •...
3D-LUT files. The Convergent Design SSD Utility Drive will not record video files. It is intended for Odyssey owners who do not wish to tie up an SSD with utility features, or for Odyssey owners who use their devices as monitors and do not need to purchase the more expensive recording media.
There are two Solid State Drive (SSD) slots, SSD1 and SSD2. Only Convergent Design 256GB, 512GB and 1TB Odyssey SSDs can be used to capture video on the Odyssey7Q. The Odyssey Utility Drive can be used for firmware updates and other future functions, but not to record video files.
Page 16
ODYSSEY7Q - RIGHT SIDE There are three connector ports, (top to bottom) USB, HDMI OUT and RMT. An access point for servicing by Convergent Design. HDMI OUT Output to an HDMI compatible device A remote control connection to the Odyssey7Q.
ODYSSEY REMOTE TRIGGER The Convergent Design Odyssey Remote Trigger is a pushbutton active remote start/stop trigger for Odyssey monitor/recorders. Remote Trigger feature has been enabled in firmware version 5.10.100 in HD ProRes recording only. The trigger button illuminates while recording. The trigger plugs into the RMT port on the left side of the Odyssey and comes in a six foot standard cable length.
GETTING STARTED ODYSSEY7Q ACTIVATION Convergent Design requires each Odyssey7Q to be registered via our website. This is so that we can provide notices of free firmware updates, issue alerts for critical issues, and track rentals or purchases of record options.
DEMO MODE Out of the box the Odyssey7Q is in DEMO MODE and must be owner-registered with Convergent Design. On the Odyssey7Q a watermarking blue bar will appear on the lower third of the image both on the OLED and in the recording while in DEMO MODE.
MENU SYSTEM ODYSSEY MENU The ODYSSEY Menu allows you to access basic device settings. This is where you can view and enter activation keys, set date, time & metadata, format & recover SSDs and view information about the device such as the firmware version and serial number. It is accessed by tapping ☼ then tapping ODYSSEY. →...
Page 22
MENU SYSTEM The remainder of the ☼ menu replicates controls available on the Upper Tool Bar when the Odyssey7Q+ is in RECORD mode. ☼ ╚ SETUP INPUTS OUTPUTS AUDIO SETUP Controls for Camera Type, Recording Format, and Trigger. Replication of RECORD STATUS button controls (for details see page 26) INPUTS Controls for video and timecode inputs.
MENU SYSTEM UPPER TOOL BAR (RECORD MODE) Tapping the REC/PLAY Button toggles the Upper Tool Bar between Play mode and Record mode. Upper Toolbar selections are different in Play Mode than in Record Mode. Some buttons appear in all modes while others will only appear in a certain mode.
Page 24
MENU SYSTEM SYSTEM STATUS (ALL MODES) Displays critical specs of Odyssey7Q. Input voltage, Current wattage draw of Odyssey7Q 12.2V 8.1W (varies with mode), current temperature of main processor. Tapping button brings up more +40°C detailed information including the ABOUT menu of the Odyssey7Q. The Odyssey7Q has a wide internal operating temperature window, up to 65°...
Page 25
MENU SYSTEM INPUT/OUTPUT STATUS (RECORD MODE ONLY) Displays current video input signal type. Tapping button brings up detailed information 29.97 on Input and Output signals, record mode and frame rates. S-LOG2 INPUT CONTROL SETTINGS This identifies the cycling of the signal coming into the VIDEO CADENCE: Odyssey and how it is to be recorded.
Page 26
MENU SYSTEM Adjusts for incoming video signals that may extend beyond LEGALIZE HDMI: the broadcast-legal range of 0-100 IRE. OUTPUT CONTROL SETTINGS The settings of the OUTPUTS menu allow adjustments to the video outputs of the Odyssey7Q+. The OUTPUTS menu is accessed by tapping * then tapping OUTPUTS. On/Off control to switch video outputs from True Progressive VIDEO PSF OUT: (p) to Progressive Segmented Frames (psf) signal structure.
Page 27
TIMECODE (Use detection of timecode incrementing to start/ stop recording -- Odyssey7Q TIMECODE must be set to SDI/ HDMI or LTC and timecode source set to Record Run) REMOTE (Use the Convergent Design Remote Trigger accessory to start/stop recording. Currently only available for HD Apple ProRes recording.)
Page 28
MENU SYSTEM Determines playback frame rate from the SSDs. Note that PROJECT RATE: all incoming frames are always recorded, Project Rate only determines the intended playback speed, which can always be changed in post. The Project Rate can follow the incoming source frame rate or be set to a specific rate for faster or slower than real time playback.
Page 29
MENU SYSTEM REC/PLAY (ALL MODES) Displays current status as to whether Odyssey7Q is in RECORD or PLAY mode. Tapping button toggles between modes. NOTE: Playback Mode changes the upper and lower tool bars. See Play Mode, below. CLIP METADATA (ALL MODES) Displays current recording format.
MENU SYSTEM LOWER TOOL BAR (RECORD MODE) In addition to being a high quality recorder of multiple formats, the Odyssey is also a full-featured production monitor. The Lower Tool Bar activates and controls the monitoring tools and image analysis functions. OLED GUIDE FOCUS...
Page 31
PRESET LUTS folder, or one of three custom LUT folders (for details see below). A list of available LUTs from each source will appear in the menu and a LUT can be selected by tapping on it. Additional LUTs can also be downloaded from the Convergent Design website.
Page 32
MENU SYSTEM LUT RANGE A signal can exist in a video brightness range from 0 to 100% or in a data range from -7 to 109%. In a data format this can be represented in bit values between 64-940 or 0-1023, and are sometimes (but not always) indicated with an EE or an LL notation).
Page 33
MENU SYSTEM TIMECODE At the center of the Lower Tool Bar is a counter displaying timecode. 00:12:16:04 This counter displays hours, minutes, seconds and frames in the format 00:00:00:00. FALSE COLOR Tapping button activates False Color. Holding button brings up False Color settings. FALSE False Color is an exposure reference tool, attributing different colors to various brightness portions of the image.
Page 34
MENU SYSTEM ZEBRA Tapping button activates Zebras. Holding button opens Zebras settings. A Zebra stripe ZEBRA (/////) is an exposure tool to indicate any part of the image that is at a particular brightness. There are two Zebra stripe patterns, ///// and \\\\\. Each Zebra pattern can be represented in Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Cyan, or Magenta colored stripes, and the underlying image is visible in between the stripe lines.
Page 35
MENU SYSTEM HISTOGRAM Tapping button activates Histogram. Holding button brings up Histogram settings. A HIST Histogram is an exposure tool indicating brightness by volume of image across a horizontal plane. The brighter the image the farther it is to the right. The more of an image registering at a particular brightness the taller the line graph at that brightness.
Single flags as well as in/out points can be marked. Used in MARKERS: CLIP conjunction with the Convergent Design Apple ProRes Transfer Utility (1.4 or above) markers are translated into Final Cut 7 and FCPX GOOD .XML files. These can be imported into Final Cut 7, FCPX and Adobe <ENTER CLIP...
MENU SYSTEM LOWER TOOL BAR (PLAY MODE) A different tool bar will appear at the bottom of the screen in Play Mode. TOOLS <STEP ► STEP> NEXT> 00:12:16:72 05:59 14:55 TOOLS/SCRUB BUTTONS (PLAY MODE ONLY) SCRUB Toggles Lower Tool Bar between PLAYBACK CONTROLS and IMAGE ANALYSIS TOOLS. TOOLS For information on TOOLS, please see LOWER TOOL BAR (RECORD MODE) on p.
Convergent Design offers a USB 3.0 SSD Adapter (CD-SSD-USB3) through authorized dealers and distributors. This device allows you to access files on the Convergent Design SSDs on any computer with a USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port. (Please note that USB 2.0 ports have much slower data transfer rates.)
WORKING WITH MEDIA FILE STORAGE The Odyssey SSDs support read rates of 500 Mbytes/sec. Keep in mind you will be limited by the slowest median in the transfer process. For example: eSATA 3GBps interface cards have a max performance of ~270Mbps, and eSATA 1.5GBps have a max performance of ~130Mbps.
SOFTWARE UTILITIES Convergent Design has three free file utility programs, CD transfer, CD clip Merger and CD ProRes Transfer Tool, available for download for both Mac & PC on our website. https://convergent-design.com/support/firmware-downloads/software-utilities.html CD DATA UNPACKER Higher frame rate 8-12-bit (1920x1080, 2048x1080) DPX files are recorded in “Packed” files. CD Data Unpacker Utility copies and converts 1080p/59.94 and 1080p/60 DPX files and clips.
SOFTWARE UTILITIES CD APPLE PRORES TRANSFER UTILITY Copies Apple ProRes files recorded on the Odyssey and merges files within each clip. Also optimizes Apple ProRes clips for playback and editing. Version 1.5 supports Markers and Clip Notes functions in PLAY Mode. Markers and Notes are exported to a Final Cut XML file for FCP7, FCPX, Adobe Premiere and Resolve 10 &...
POST PRODUCTION WORKING WITH RECORDED FILES There are numerous post systems and NLEs that can read natively the various file formats recorded by the Odyssey. Some NLEs may require plug-ins in order to read certain file formats. Blackmagic Design Resolve software is available for free and can read all formats recorded by the Odyssey. FILE STRUCTURE UNCOMPRESSED SUPPORT (DPX SEQUENCE) All Uncompressed recording on the Odyssey is recorded as 10 bit RGB 4:4:4 DPX, this is for all sources...
POST PRODUCTION Apple ProRes The Odyssey can record in Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), Apple ProRes 422 and Apple ProRes 422 (LT) compressed codecs. This allows for high quality recording while avoiding high data rates of working with uncompressed video. PRORES 422 (HQ) The Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) codec offers the utmost possible quality for 4:2:2 or 4:2:0 sources (without an alpha channel) and provides the following: •...
The Media Pool settings are helpful if you have a mix of different clip types, you can sort by codec, select a group and adjust. For your convenience, Convergent Design has generated several example LUTs that can be applied to your RAW footage. Keep in mind these LUTs are an approximation, and may need adjustment depending on your application.
POST PRODUCTION TO LOAD 3D LUTS INTO DAVINCI RESOLVE 1. Select the Project Settings wheel, and navigate to Look Up Tables 2. Select Open LUT Folder, and copy the included example LUTs into this folder. 3. Now Select Update Lists 4.
POST PRODUCTION CANON C500 4K RAW SUPPORT All Canon C500 4K recording on the Odyssey is recorded as 10 bit Cinema RAW file. Also note that with RMF files timecode, and Clip Metadata is stored in every frame, as well as in the XML file within each clip.
Odyssey for several hours. The Odyssey is supplied with a Convergent Design AC power supply. This is a universal switching power supply that can be used throughout the world, and comes complete with several interchangeable plug connectors.
Page 48
ACCESSORIES TERADEK BATTERY PLATES Convergent Design also makes battery plates that can also hold and power a pair of Teradek Bolt video receivers along with the Odyssey. Two camcorder batteries (one for the Odyssey, one for the Teradeks) are used or a single large battery. These plates are shipped in kits that include short SDI cables and power cables for the Odyssey and Teradeks.
Page 49
ACCESSORIES ODYSSEY PROTECTIVE CASE The Convergent Design Odyssey Case is based on a Nanuk 910 case with custom foam insert. The use of precision-cut rigid foam means less is needed for protecting the gear The main cutout for an Odyssey includes removable layers of rigid foam to allow the Odyssey to fit snugly when bare or with a variety of battery plates and 3rd party accessory mounts.
Page 50
ODYSSEY MICROFIBER CLEANING CLOTH Cloth for cleaning the Odyssey screen CD-OD-MFC For information on where to buy these accessories and other Convergent Design products please visit the Dealers section of our website at Convergent-design.com/dealers. ODYSSEY REMOTE TRIGGER The Convergent Design Odyssey Remote Trigger is a pushbutton active remote start/stop trigger for Odyssey monitor/recorders.
ACCESSORIES THIRD PARTY ACCESSORIES Convergent Design works with numerous manufacturers for additional support products for the Odyssey Monitor/Recorders. While we have provided information and support, Convergent Design makes no claim and accepts no responsibility in the use of these products. These products are available through these manufacturers’...
RELEASE NOTES FIRMWARE VERSION 2015.5 Please note new naming convention for firmware updates, containing year followed by month. NEW FEATURES (ODYSSEY7 / ODYSSEY7Q / ODYSSEY7Q+) EXPANDED ODYSSEY LUT SYSTEM, INCLUDING CUSTOM 3D-LUTS Improved & Expanded set of Preset LUTs Support for user-loadable custom 3D-LUTs (up to 140, Odyssey7Q, Odyssey7Q+) .CUBE LUTs translated for Odyssey using CD 3D-LUT Converter App LUTs are currently for MONITORING only, not “baked in”...
Page 53
RELEASE NOTES FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS FIXED AUD OUT (Headphones) unmute FIXED Audio gain settings when switching Analog to SDI FIXED Safe Eject process to remove OLED flashing during procedure FIXED FS700 4K RAW -> HD Apple ProRes detection IMPROVED 4K Apple ProRes playback IMPROVED 4K pixel zoom 1:1 and 2:1 IMPROVED PSF output support in all modes IMPROVED Reduced overall power usage...
RELEASE NOTES MONITOR • Focus Assist in Edge Enhanced mode and recording Apple ProRes 422(HQ) shows edges as white instead of selected color. • PIXEL ZOOM in RAW or DPX occasionally causes stretching of image. Recording is unaffected. • Switching between ARRIRAW 1.5G DL and 3G DL occasionally can make the image incorrect on the OLED screen.
Page 55
RELEASE NOTES NEW FEATURES (ODYSSEY7Q & ODYSSEY7Q+) APPLE PRORES 422 & APPLE PRORES 422 (LT) SUPPORT 4K/UHD/2K/1080/720 resolutions all supported 4K/UHD up to 30p; 2K/1080/720 up to 60p SONY F35 12-BIT/10-BIT RGB 4:4:4 SUPPORT 12-bit or 10-bit RGB 4:4:4 recording in uncompressed DPX stacks Dual-link capture, 23.98, 25, 29.97 SONY FS7/FS700 RECORD OPTION ADDS ADDITIONAL APPLE PRORES SUPPORT Apple ProRes 422...
THIRD PARTY DEVELOPMENTS SONY PXW-FS7 AND ODYSSEY7Q WORKFLOW GUIDE Nick Shaw of Antler Post worked with Convergent Design to develop Resolve Workflow for FS7/FS700 .DNG files. Also created corrective LUTs for FS7 DNG files created in firmware builds prior to this release (versions 2.1.100 –...
Page 57
RELEASE NOTES MULTI-STREAM 720P INPUT Allows 720p HD video signal for Multi-Stream Monitoring. Mixable with 1080i and 1080p HD video. SONY FS7 (WITH XDAC-FS7 EXTENSION BACK) SUPPORT Record modes available with FS RAW Record Option 4K RAW 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94 2K RAW 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94, 100, 119.88 (120), 200, 239.76 (240) 4K RAW to 4K Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) 23.98, 25, 29.97 4K RAW to UHD Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) 23.08, 25, 29.97...
Page 58
Record C500 2K @ 50p/60p in Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) CD APPLE PRORES TRANSFER TOOL 1.5 Support for expanded Marker & Notes functions. Required for MAC OSX Yosemite compatibility. Java JRE 1.6 required. CD Apple ProRes Transfer Tool available for download on the Convergent Design website. FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS •...
RELEASE NOTES MONITOR • Focus Assist in Edge Enhanced mode and recording Apple ProRes 422(HQ) shows edges as white instead of selected color. • PIXEL ZOOM in RAW or DPX occasionally causes stretching of image. Recording is unaffected. • Switching between ARRIRAW 1.5G DL and 3G DL occasionally can make the image incorrect on the OLED screen.
Also Convergent Design will not be liable for a failure of the unit to properly record or play back for any reason. Convergent Design’s total liability, in all cases, is limited to the actual purchase price.
Need help?
Do you have a question about the Odyssey7Q ProRes 422 (HQ) and is the answer not in the manual?
Questions and answers