Hi Dan
could you inform us with the status of the next firmware update, as it was announced to be released 4th Q '13?
And what is the preliminary scedule for the 7?

Thanks

Dear Ron,

We have decided to combine two firmware releases into one.

We are expecting to have our "popular compressed codec", for HD, for up to 1080p30 (maybe higher) in February.

There will be other features and improvements added to this firmware release also.

Our team is meeting today to discuss what features we expect to put into this next firmware release.

The Odyssey7 (not the Odyssey7Q) will not start shipping (most likely) until after Q1, 2014.

We are increasing production to help fulfill the backlog of orders for the Odyssey7Q.

Respectfully,

So now the 7 won't ship until after Q1... maybe. I've been holding off on buying a new field monitor. After seeing the Odyssey 7at NAB last year, it looked like it was worth the wait. But now, another delay. CD has lost me as a customer.

Dear Michael,

We have a dilemma.

We are trying to fulfill our backlog of Odyssey7Q orders as fast as we can.

And we have increased our weekly production.


And, I do not want to state that the Odyssey7 will start shipping in Q1, when it might not.

So, I said after Q1 in my previous post.


The Odyssey7 uses the same circuit board as the Odyssey7Q, but a different FPGA is used, and two BNC's are not used.

Thus, it is still possible that we may start shipping before the end of this quarter.

I understand your reluctance to keep waiting.

Please feel free to contact me personally, any time, 24/7.

Respectfully,

I will wait for Odyssey 7 as long as it takes. I would like to use it as a monitor only. I hope it will be possible to upgrade the firmware without buying a SSD - through the USB port. It would also be nice if I could cover the empty places for the SSDs with something - not to collect dust and dirt inside...Thanks.

Dear Geza,

Thank you!

Please note that there is an automatic door that closes if the SSD is removed from the Odyssey7 or Odyssey7Q.

I agree, we need to activate the firmware to allow firmware updates via USB. The hardware is there.

We just are working on higher priority items right now, including the "popular compressed codec".

Respectfully,

Hi Dan,
Let me just start by saying that I've had a 7Q for about a month now and it truly is a remarkable piece of gear. As a monitor alone it is worth every dollar.

Do you know if your 3:2 pulldown removal will be part of this firmware mashup? In addition to using the 7Q with my FS700, I've also been using it for certain interviews with my C100's HDMI and have to go through an Atomos converter to do the 3:2 removal and HDMI>SDI conversion until the 7Q firmware update enables it internally. Hoping it's sooner than later.

Also, would it be possible to program a button (Power Down, for example) to power up the unit? It seems silly to have to unplug and replug the power cable every time you want to turn the unit back on. We were doing interview shoots all day Friday and anytime we took a break and powered down the gear (which was probably 6 times), we'd have to go through the silly process of pulling the power plug out and back in to turn it back on. Seems like it could be potentially damaging to the unit/power supply over time. Would love an option to power up via an actually button as long as the unit is already getting juice.

Dear Cliff,

It is so nice to hear that you like our Odyssey7Q!

I know that we plan to add 3:2 Pulldown Removal.

But, at this moment (Sunday Evening), I do not know if this will be included in our very next firmware release. I will check with our engineers.



I can help with the Power Up button that you are requesting.

First, let me set the stage, for others that may not have the Odyssey7Q yet.

1. We offer a convenient Power Down button, an actual push button, on the side of the Odyssey7Q.

Since one could press this accidently, we ask for confirmation via a Touch Screen button, before we actually power down the unit, and of course, if it was an accident, one can press "No" to cancel.

2. We also offer an emergency power down button, located on the bottom of the unit, next to the power input connector.

One must hold this down for around 5 seconds to do a "Hard Reset and Power Down".


In Option 1, we do a very nice, graceful, power down,
stopping whatever is in process, closing the SSD's, and powering down the SSD's gracefully.

We always recommend Option 1, but if one needs to power down the unit using Option 2, it is available.

We made the Option 1 button much easier to access.

--------------------------------------------------

And we do have a Power Up button.

Just press the Power Down / Power Up button briefly (just once will do), and the Odyssey7Q will power up.
(providing power is being feed into the unit).

This is the button on the bottom of the unit, the one next to the power input connector.


Respectfully,

Thank Dan!
I feel really stupid that I haven't noticed the power on button on the bottom, especially since it's labeled "pwr on." I think in my excitement to use the 7Q I either raced through the instructions or went though a spell of read it and forget it.

Like I said... fantastic piece of equipment that I'll never be without now.

Dear Cliff,

Don't feel bad.

It takes time to fully learn any piece of gear. And the "Power On/Off" Button is well hid.

Mitch is making many videos to make the learning process as easy as possible.

Respectfully,

Hello Dan

First of all, thanks for finding a stocking dealer for me. You rock. I now have my new 7Q in hand, and am just waiting for you guys to dropship out a pair of 512 SSD's and the Sonly NP 970 battery plate in time for my Thursday International shoot departure.

The dealer did erroneously claim it is setup for 4K ProRES, all I need to do is buy the 4K RAW functionality, so I went ahead and ordered it in tine for the next production next week, only for me to find out neither is the case.

My question or hope is, those of us who are stuck buying the FS700 2K RAW key, I hope when the other firmware for the FS700 is available, we don't get gigged twice.

I don't really want the 2K RAW compared to 4K RAW and 4K ProRes, but nothing else is available at the moment so I am stuck buying that key. I certainly don't need regular HD, as the camera already does that to the internal SD card.

I also want to nudge, er, I mean encourage C.D. to get someone like Hoodman to build a real hood. The Portabrace thing is not a hood, but a wobbly pouch that looks like a giant black floppy black basset hound's ear draped over every single square inch of the monitor excepting the screen. The other 2 piece hood with the plastic and velcro looks well, hohum. I like my Hoodman and the wingnuts for my Ikan D7W, it seems to be well made, the flat pieces are nice and stiff, and it just looks cosmetically good.

Dear Dave,

I am very sorry for the misunderstanding.

Please contact me directly so I can find a dealer for you that has these items in stock so that we can meet your deadline.

The FS700 Option, once purchased, entitles you to the various forms of the compressed codec that we will be adding for the FS700, including 4K Options, as well as 4K Raw (if Sony provides us with permission to record 4K Raw), for free.

Personally, I like the two-piece hood very much.

The first piece, remains on your Odyssey7Q and provides some protection from the sun, as it sticks out 1.75" from the front of the unit.

This first piece provides some protection in case something swings down to hit the Odyssey7Q and it provides some protection while the unit is in a case.

The second part is good in that while it is deep (around 6 inches from the front of the unit), one can press ones face to hit, and it conforms to your face to seal out almost all or all of the light.

But, your opinion is what counts.

Respectfully,

This firmware update cannot come soon enough.

Yes, it is a good monitor except for the most annoying image tearing at the top of my unit. I stopped using it as a monitor for anything beyond a static talking head because this was too distracting. Certainly don't want clients to see it. So, I have had a nice paper weight on my desk for over a month now. Haven't really been able to enjoy it as a monitor even. It would be nice if CD would at least put out an update so that those of us with the bugs could get back to using these things for something. My excitement has waned significantly and I am bummed about that, but I am not jumping ship....yet.

What image tearing?

Mine doesn't show any signs of tearing at the top of the screen David. You may want to arrange for a check out with CD. It may be something beyond a firmware issue.

What image tearing?

There is a known problem with the image tearing, it will be fixed in the next FW according to CD. With mine it is the top ¼" of the screen.

I noticed it right away, I also thought something was wrong with my O7Q. But it is a display problem, maybe not all O7Q's have this problem, maybe the later shipping ones have a fix, I don't know.

But it is very obvious when you pan and have straight vertical lines in in your scene. It is not recorded this way and it does not show up on the SDI out from the O7Q. It is annoying but at least it is not recorded.

Sorry if this is redundant, but before I drop thousands on the 7Q, I want to be certain it will serve the function I need it to. We are shooting a feature in July, and plan to capture picture with the 7Q. We are shooting on a FS700 which already has the 4k upgrade.

I have several questions:

1) I'm confused by what the Convergent website says about which firmwares are currently available. It says the 2K Raw is available now for the FS700, but the "future development order" lists 4K YCC. Does that mean the 7Q can *not* shoot 4K at this time? If not, will that option be available by summer? Will that firmware be offered free to folks who have already purchased the $795 FS700 package, or will we have to pay some additional fee?

2) I've been researching power options for the 7Q. We've decided that Anton Bauer & comparable batteries are absurdly priced and overly-heavy, so plan to get power to the battery via a different means. I've combed the videos and photos on the web, but can't find any images of the *back* or *bottom* of the 7Q, to see mounting options - and if battery solutions we are considering would interfere with the mount. Can you provide a link to an image of the back/bottom?

3) I've heard rumors that people are using FS700 batteries to power the 7Q. What type of adapter would be needed to do this? Does Convergent warn against this?

4) If we use the Convergent battery & battery charger shown here...
Convergent Design 4-Cell Li-Ion Battery for Odyssey CD-OD-BATT
...it appears that it will run the 7Q for 3-4 hours. How long does it take to *recharge* that battery? Where does it mount on the 7Q? Can the battery mount be removed and moved elsewhere (to the back of a shoulder rig) and power run to the 7Q via cable? Does Convergent make such a cable?

Thanks. I'm ready to pull the trigger on a purchase, but haven't been able to find answers to the questions after all my research. It's awesome that you guys have a presence on here and are answering customer questions. Thanks a million!

Wade,

I think I know the answer to #1:

The 7Q can record 4K uncompressed (= huge files) but convergent designs are waiting for licensing issues regarding compressed format, "popular codec" (aka ProRes). That is what's coming in the next update. 4K raw will only be available if Sony decides to license that capability, and as I understand it that is more an IF than when.
If you pay for the FS700 package, future updates will be free.

Someone correct me if I got something wrong.

The answer to #2

There is there is a 1/4-20 tapped into the rear bottom center.

There is also a 1/4-20 tapped on each side.

Sorry if this is redundant, but before I drop thousands on the 7Q, I want to be certain it will serve the function I need it to. We are shooting a feature in July, and plan to capture picture with the 7Q. We are shooting on a FS700 which already has the 4k upgrade.

I have several questions:

1) I'm confused by what the Convergent website says about which firmwares are currently available. It says the 2K Raw is available now for the FS700, but the "future development order" lists 4K YCC. Does that mean the 7Q can *not* shoot 4K at this time? If not, will that option be available by summer? Will that firmware be offered free to folks who have already purchased the $795 FS700 package, or will we have to pay some additional fee?

Dear Wade,

Our Odyssey7Q with the FS700 option can currently record 2K Raw, up to 240 fps.

It cannot, at this time record 4K Raw.

We are waiting on Sony's permission to enable this feature.

If we receive permission, recording 4K Raw will be in our February 2014, Odyssey7Q firmware release.

This is already programmed and tested, we are just waiting for permission to enable it.


Also, we will be adding the ability to record 4K compressed to a popular compressed codec in 4K mode.
This will come later (and will not be ready for our February 2014 firmware release.)



2) I've been researching power options for the 7Q. We've decided that Anton Bauer & comparable batteries are absurdly priced and overly-heavy, so plan to get power to the battery via a different means. I've combed the videos and photos on the web, but can't find any images of the *back* or *bottom* of the 7Q, to see mounting options - and if battery solutions we are considering would interfere with the mount. Can you provide a link to an image of the back/bottom?



We provide many different ways to power the Odyssey7Q. We offer and Olof offers a Sony L-Series battery plate that powers the Odyssey7Q using the same type of battery that powers the FS700.

Also, there are XLR power cables, D-Tap power cables, and bare leads power cables.

And there are battery plates that work with Anton Bauer or IDX batteries.



3) I've heard rumors that people are using FS700 batteries to power the 7Q. What type of adapter would be needed to do this? Does Convergent warn against this?

This is perfectly acceptable.





4) If we use the Convergent battery & battery charger shown here...
Convergent Design 4-Cell Li-Ion Battery for Odyssey CD-OD-BATT (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1001355-REG/convergent_design_cd_od_batt_4_cell_li_ion_battery_14_4v.html)
...it appears that it will run the 7Q for 3-4 hours. How long does it take to *recharge* that battery? Where does it mount on the 7Q? Can the battery mount be removed and moved elsewhere (to the back of a shoulder rig) and power run to the 7Q via cable? Does Convergent make such a cable?

This was our original battery solution. The cable from the battery to the Odyssey7Q is short, as this battery is designed to attach to the back of the Odyssey7Q via Velcro.

I recommend that you consider the Sony L-Series Battery plates.




Thanks. I'm ready to pull the trigger on a purchase, but haven't been able to find answers to the questions after all my research. It's awesome that you guys have a presence on here and are answering customer questions. Thanks a million!

Thank you!

Here is a link to a video that Mitch Gross prepared about various power options:

http://www.convergent-design.com/Support/Videos/VideoPlayer/TabId/209/VideoId/9/Odyssey-Power-Options.aspx

Respectfully,

Also, we will be adding the ability to record 4K compressed to a popular compressed codec in 4K mode.
This will come later (and will not be ready for our February 2014 firmware release.)



Dan can you confirm that there will be a "less popular" compressed codec in the Feb release (DNxHD)?

Will we have the option for MXF container?

Dear Chris,

I am sorry but no.

We will not have the DNxHD codec ready for our February 2014 firmware release.

Our plans are to add this later this year, and it may be near the end of 2014.

Respectfully,

Bummer. Looks like I'll not be selling the PIX240 any time soon.

Wow! You guys rock! Ouch on the Sony holding back Convergent from the 4K feature.

Now, one last, very simple (stupid?) question... How does one connect the FS700 to the 7Q? Is there a preferred method? BNC? HDMI?

Wow! You guys rock! Ouch on the Sony holding back Convergent from the 4K feature.

Now, one last, very simple (stupid?) question... How does one connect the FS700 to the 7Q? Is there a preferred method? BNC? HDMI?

3G BNC cable is the best. Make sure it is a 3G cable. HDMI can also be used but not for RAW.

BTW Westside A V still has an Odyssey 7Q unsold from our last shipment, we also carry all the accessories and SSD cards.
We make many of the accessories like the hood and battery plates and mounting brackets and custom cables.

http://www.westsideavstore.com/index.php?p=product&id=75

Dear Chris,

I am sorry but no.

We will not have the DNxHD codec ready for our February 2014 firmware release.

Our plans are to add this later this year, and it may be near the end of 2014.

Respectfully,

Dan, I am confused about the compressed recording on the 7/7Q. On your web site it states that the base device will record to a compressed codec. So which one is that?
I was hearing that you were offering DNxHD recording when the Odyssey 7Q shipped. But now you are saying that the DNxHD codec will not be ready until the end of the year. I am confused.

Dan, I am confused about the compressed recording on the 7/7Q. On your web site it states that the base device will record to a compressed codec. So which one is that?
I was hearing that you were offering DNxHD recording when the Odyssey 7Q shipped. But now you are saying that the DNxHD codec will not be ready until the end of the year. I am confused.

That was my understanding as well. Till then it will just be a very expensive monitor for me. If I had understood that DNxHD was not in the initial release I would have waited to purchase the 7q.

Dear Chris,

I am sorry but no.

We will not have the DNxHD codec ready for our February 2014 firmware release.

Our plans are to add this later this year, and it may be near the end of 2014.

Respectfully,

So Dan - I'm trying to work out what this means? The end of 2014 is some 14 months after the initiaI release of the 7Q - that just seems an absurd amount of time to wait for something that was scheduled in before you started shipping your first unit. It is also unclear what this means:
1. for example I assumed that the debayered raw output of the FS700 recorded to a popular codec in 4K 422 @ up to 30fps was going to be ready for Feb release.

It was my understanding from another response that CD already had this working in the lab?

Sorry you can't multiquote from different threads in this forum but you definitely said it was scheduled for the Feb 2014 firmware release.. but maybe you meant ProRes and not DNxHD?

2. I also thought you were going to have 2K compressed recording from the same source ready for February, but it seems now that is only going to be SDI video.. but I don't really know because I haven't heard it from you, only from forum posts.

3. I also thought you were shipping units with DNxHD included for free HD recording - it was in all your publicity releases once you decided to release a free recording option with the 7 and 7Q.

Confused.. BTW great news about the 4K Raw from Sony.. I know the FS700 is not the only camera you are supporting but it does seem to be the one generating the most interest.

That was my understanding as well. Till then it will just be a very expensive monitor for me. If I had understood that DNxHD was not in the initial release I would have waited to purchase the 7q.

I can understand the confusion - it does seem like CD are going to lose some cred over that decision.

So Dan - I'm trying to work out what this means? The end of 2014 is some 14 months after the initiaI release of the 7Q - that just seems an absurd amount of time to wait for something that was scheduled in before you started shipping your first unit. It is also unclear what this means:
1. for example I assumed that the debayered raw output of the FS700 recorded to a popular codec in 4K 422 @ up to 30fps was going to be ready for Feb release.

It was my understanding from another response that CD already had this working in the lab?

Sorry you can't multiquote from different threads in this forum but you definitely said it was scheduled for the Feb 2014 firmware release.. but maybe you meant ProRes and not DNxHD?

2. I also thought you were going to have 2K compressed recording from the same source ready for February, but it seems now that is only going to be SDI video.. but I don't really know because I haven't heard it from you, only from forum posts.

3. I also thought you were shipping units with DNxHD included for free HD recording - it was in all your publicity releases once you decided to release a free recording option with the 7 and 7Q.

Confused.. BTW great news about the 4K Raw from Sony.. I know the FS700 is not the only camera you are supporting but it does seem to be the one generating the most interest.

Where this has left me is going into my 7th shoot this weekend since I bought the 7q and I've not recorded a single frame of video with it yet. Its not useful to me till it can record longer than 45 min per hard drive. In the mean time I'm using it for exposure and monitoring and still recording to my PIX240. The PIX has the recording options I use most (DNxHD) plus a couple extra channels of audio via XLR inputs on its case.

I'm stuck with mounting extra gear on the camera where I was expecting to have a nice simple 7q. I'm less than happy with this situation and to be honest I wish I had saved my $3500 and kept using what has worked well with me for a couple of years.

Recording RAW is awesome on the occasion when I'll be doing it. RAW isn't the norm for my shoots. Me purchasing the equipment based on the pre-release hype from CD has proven to be a costly mistake for me. I take responsibility for my actions. At the same time I'm sorry to say but CD has lost a lot of my respect from not meeting what they promised.

I've been holding my tongue on this but I've reached a level of frustration where I felt I should say something about it.

Dan is a great liaison here on the forum. Its good that he is here. With that being said someone somewhere in the Convergent Design organization appears to have no idea how to roll out a schedule and keep it.

My feedback to CD - I don't need to hear how its hard to build this product and its unpredictable to get these things done as justification why you can't ship what was hyped out of the gate. If that is true then you don't talk about it. Why?? Because WE make decisions based on those announcements and WE are the ones that get burned by them.

I can understand the confusion - it does seem like CD are going to lose some cred over that decision.

To CD's credit... I'm actually glad they released what they did when they did. I'd rather have a product that is 75% complete and improved to 100% over the course of a year than have a product dangled in front of me and continually delayed for years, only to see it ultimately cancelled (like Zacuto recently did with their "revolutionary" PlaZma light).

I'm chompin at the bit for the compressed option to come online, but the Odyssey is still totally usable in its current form (and probably the best monitor I've ever used).

Do you find it color accurate? Im mainly interested in it as a monitor, dont care about the recording.

Do you find it color accurate? Im mainly interested in it as a monitor, dont care about the recording.

I've not put a calibrator on there to see hard numbers but the "seat of the pants" color looks to be quite good with the 7q sitting next to my calibrated color correction monitor.

Thats a good sign. I tend to trust cam lcds so if it looks like that also good. Have you judges footage in the field with it and then been surprised how it looked when you watched same footage at home?

It is a whole lot better than most LCD based field monitors. I do like that part quite a bit.

I have used it a good bit for field work. The issue with me is that I shoot a good bit of LOG based video and unfortunately that doesn't look good on ANY monitor. The 7q doesn't have LUTs enabled yet for normal video inputs so I'm not able to use it in that way. Where I have come to rely on the 7q in the field is with its waveform functions. Waveform is a great tool (and much better than the image itself) for judging what you are exposure wise. Judging exposure with the image can work for run-n-gun setups where clipping a bit here and there is OK but where exposure is truly critical and you are trying to capture all the DR you can you need to use more advanced measurement tools such as waveform. The 7q has you covered out of the box there.

Indeed. I myself like zebras and false color more than waveform because the wf can be hard to interpret in detail (where are my skintones falling, etc).

Anyway, good to hear. Dont plan on messing with luts but theyre supposed to update be firmware and implement that right?

Did i hear OLEDs will start color shifting after a year or so or is that outdated info?

That isn't outdated info except the time it takes to happen is longer than it used to be. It will happen eventually though. Especially with the blue pixels. It helps that the panel on the 7q does not appear to be over-driven.

Thats a shame. Is that something that happens after a certain time NO MATTER WHAT? Or does it happen after a certain amount of time of the monitor being used? Like if i only use it a day a month could it stay "true" for 20 years?

Its based on hours of run time and how bright the image being displayed is. More an "area under the curve" kind of thing.

All phosphor based LEDs go through lumen degradation over time as they run. The organic variety have a shorter life relative to that of the traditional LEDs.

The plus side is the technology has developed enough that even though the pixels degrade the loss rate is lower and likely not noticeable over the expected lifespan of the monitor.

Never a good idea to buy a product for a feature which has not been released yet. I actually trust Convergent Design will come through with the updates but currently I would only buy it now as a monitor and what ever recording it is currently capable of. Ii is important to test critical components like recorders before I rely on them for a big job so I would look for some other solution if I needed a compressed recorder right now.

Im not sure what is and is not in place on those monitors right now. Features that interest me are wavefrom, false color, peaking, all the different inputs, general image accuracy. Can live without luts and recording. Its either this monitor or the dp7 (non oled) for me.

Never a good idea to buy a product for a feature which has not been released yet. I actually trust Convergent Design will come through with the updates but currently I would only buy it now as a monitor and what ever recording it is currently capable of. Ii is important to test critical components like recorders before I rely on them for a big job so I would look for some other solution if I needed a compressed recorder right now.

One thing to understand here (and the bottom line source of my frustration) is that I was under the impression based upon what CD had released about the 7q is that DNxHD was included from the start. And yes, I have a PIX240 that is doing a great job recording to DNxHD. The 7q was to give me the ability to do some fun stuff with the FS700 and allow me to record DNxHD from my F3 and from my FS700 at the same time.

When I purchased the monitor the drives were delayed so I played around with it for a few weeks with no drives. When the drives arrived I dropped them in only to find there was no DNxHD or any other compressed recording option. The only option is for uncompressed and unfortunately with 2 256gig drives installed that gets me a total record time of 20min each. Hardly practical when recording talking head interviews that last more than an hour each.

The attached file shows the 7Q for sale on the B&H website as of the writing of this post. It clearly states DNxHD is included. There is no indication that it won't be available till the end 2014.

How would you feel if you bought the product based on reading the CD website and hearing the info from the vendor (which comes from CD) only to find AFTER you have spent $3500 that NOPE you'll be waiting A YEAR for that feature?

To CD's credit... I'm actually glad they released what they did when they did. I'd rather have a product that is 75% complete and improved to 100% over the course of a year than have a product dangled in front of me and continually delayed for years, only to see it ultimately cancelled (like Zacuto recently did with their "revolutionary" PlaZma light).

I would have been OK with that if the features that were missing were more clearly stated as missing and would not show up for a long time AFTER the product was released. I purchased the monitor based on the information that was given at the time and that information has turned out to be wrong. The monitor today does not ship with any compressed codecs and we were promised that capability by the end of 2013. Its been delayed until at least the end of Feb for ProRes and DNxHD is looking like the end of 2013. This is a LONG way from what was promised 4 months ago.

Will the next firmware release be delayed again so CD can unlock 4k RAW from the FS700 that they just got permission to record??? I really hope not. I would rather have a firmware update TODAY that gives me compressed and another one TOMORROW that gives me 4k RAW. I just want to be able to use my $3500 investment for something more than a monitor.

Chris,
I understand your issue as CD still does have literature on their website which mentions DNXHD capability.

http://www.convergent-design.com/Portals/0/Odyssey/PricingAnnouncment_Attachment_050613.pdf

The hard part about buying gear like this is discovering issues which might have made one wait. Sometimes you have to return the food at a restaurant or a piece of gear to a vendor. Your time and energy are valuable and a purchase like this shouldn't waste them.

So Dan - I'm trying to work out what this means? The end of 2014 is some 14 months after the initiaI release of the 7Q - that just seems an absurd amount of time to wait for something that was scheduled in before you started shipping your first unit. It is also unclear what this means:

1. for example I assumed that the debayered raw output of the FS700 recorded to a popular codec in 4K 422 @ up to 30fps was going to be ready for Feb release.

It was my understanding from another response that CD already had this working in the lab?

Dear John,

I am very sorry that I could not respond to your post immediately.

I believe that we stated that we were going to take the 4K Raw, from the FS700, in 12-Bit, and deBayer it to HD, and record it to the popular compressed codec, and that we were going to include this in our next firmware release, due out near the end of February.

The Key Point is that we were going to create HD, from a 12-Bit Source, as opposed to the 8-Bit HD-SDI output of the FS700 over HD-SDI or HDMI.

This was, and is planned for our February release, but I want to provide you with the very latest info.

Late yesterday, in our testing of this feature, we detected some high-frequency noise in the HD image.

Thus our team is working to resolve this quickly. We wanted this feature to be included in the February release, and we still do, so if we fix this in time, it will be.

Recording 4K Raw to a 4K compressed codec will come later, but it should not be long.



Sorry you can't multiquote from different threads in this forum but you definitely said it was scheduled for the Feb 2014 firmware release.. but maybe you meant ProRes and not DNxHD?

We hope to make a announcement about the name of the codec that we will be releasing soon.
At this time, we can't name the codec.

2. I also thought you were going to have 2K compressed recording from the same source ready for February, but it seems now that is only going to be SDI video.. but I don't really know because I haven't heard it from you, only from forum posts.

John, we have not announced recording 2K to a compressed codec.

But, we try to listen to our customers.

Do you want this to be at high frame rate, say 200 or 240 fps from the FS700?

This may be hard, as compressing 240 frames per second to popular compressed codecs, which may actually involve compressing some frames twice or more to reach the target bit rate, is quite a task.


3. I also thought you were shipping units with DNxHD included for free HD recording - it was in all your publicity releases once you decided to release a free recording option with the 7 and 7Q.

DNxHD has been delayed while we develop another compressed codec, and various variants of this codec. We expect to be able to release more information very soon.

Confused.. BTW great news about the 4K Raw from Sony.. I know the FS700 is not the only camera you are supporting but it does seem to be the one generating the most interest.

Yes, we will be supporting the Sony F55 and other cameras, recording 4K to a compressed codec (in 4K).

And of course, we support the Canon C500 in 4K Raw and shortly in additional modes.

And we support ARRIRAW from the ALEXA, providing the camera outputs ARRIRAW.

And we will support recording to a popular compressed codec from the ALEXA and many other cameras.

I hope this helps.

Respectfully,

Dear John,
I believe that we stated that we were going to take the 4K Raw, from the FS700, in 12-Bit, and deBayer it to HD, and record it to the popular compressed codec, and that we were going to include this in our next firmware release, due out near the end of February.

The Key Point is that we were going to create HD, from a 12-Bit Source, as opposed to the 8-Bit HD-SDI output of the FS700 over HD-SDI or HDMI.

This was, and is planned for our February release, but I want to provide you with the very latest info.

Late yesterday, in our testing of this feature, we detected some high-frequency noise in the HD image.

Thus our team is working to resolve this quickly. We wanted this feature to be included in the February release, and we still do, so if we fix this in time, it will be.

Recording 4K Raw to a 4K compressed codec will come later, but it should not be long.

Disappointing



John, we have not announced recording 2K to a compressed codec.

But, we try to listen to our customers.

Do you want this to be at high frame rate, say 200 or 240 fps from the FS700?

This may be hard, as compressing 240 frames per second to popular compressed codecs, which may actually involve compressing some frames twice or more to reach the target bit rate, is quite a task.
My bad I meant 2k as in 1920x1080 and you thought somewhere CD had mentioned this but maybe iut was only CinemaDNG your talking about..




DNxHD has been delayed while we develop another compressed codec, and various variants of this codec. We expect to be able to release more information very soon
Ok - that is difficult to understand from a consumer viewpoint - you announce something to be delivered free with all units and then tell consumers its delayed 15 months because something else got in the way. IMO that doesn't seem good enough - personally I don't care ProRes or DNxHD but if had been me I'd have gone for DNxHD first as its cross platform.
Bottom line - its breaking faith with the end user.

CD has always said that the reason they switched from DNxHD to the other codec was because of consumer feedback. From what Dan and Mitch have told us, they asked the end users which codec they would prefer first and the majority of the user base said ProRes.

With this in mind, their decision does make sense from a consumer perspective. They listened directly to feedback and adjusted their plans. It's a sign of a good company, in my view.

Now, I also can understand the frustrations of anyone expecting or wanting DNxHD, but a) CD announced the delay way before the product actually started shipping so anyone could have cancelled their order if DNxHD was crucial to them and b) the decision wasn't as much CD as it was the user base that they polled.

CD has always said that the reason they switched from DNxHD to the other codec was because of consumer feedback. From what Dan and Mitch have told us, they asked the end users which codec they would prefer first and the majority of the user base said ProRes.

With this in mind, their decision does make sense from a consumer perspective. They listened directly to feedback and adjusted their plans. It's a sign of a good company, in my view.

Now, I also can understand the frustrations of anyone expecting or wanting DNxHD, but a) CD announced the delay way before the product actually started shipping so anyone could have cancelled their order if DNxHD was crucial to them and b) the decision wasn't as much CD as it was the user base that they polled.

I'm OK with either compressed codec. I would prefer DNxHD since I edit in Avid but I can handle either one.

Can you please reference where the delay in the compressed codec was announced well BEFORE shipping? All the threads I can read here in this section is repeatedly indicating that the compressed codec would be available by the end of 2013.

I'm ok with either codec as well although I can't render to or consolidate to ProRes out of Avid on a PC.

Afaikt it was announced prior to and after shipping that every unit would include a free recording option of DNxHD - the stuff about a popular codec came later. And a delay of 15 months in development was not revealed by Dan until about 2 weeks ago.

I'll stick by what I said - that's breaking faith with the end consumer - whether they've bought or were planning to buy. And I have elected not to buy an O7Q until CD actually implement at least a few of the many promised features. I like CD gear, I own a Nano, and Dan's a salt of the earth kind of guy, but buying something on a firmware wishlist especially when dates and features seem to constantly slip is a game I'd rather skip.

I'm ok with either codec as well although I can't render to or consolidate to ProRes out of Avid on a PC.



As an aside and a bit OT, if you have the later versions of MC you can consolidate ProRes as native on a PC. You just can't render it out.