Maybe this is late since I already ordered the 7Q, but I'm wondering about it's current capability.

As of NOW, can the 7Q:

1 - DISPLAY 720?
2 - DISPLAY 4 inputs as a quad split?
3 - SWITCH display between quad split and each individual SDI input

This is from Dan Keaton,

I emailed your questions, this is his reply, below your questions:

As of NOW, can the 7Q:

1 - DISPLAY 720?

No, not at this time, this is planned for a future firmware update, in compressed mode.

2 - DISPLAY 4 inputs as a quad split?

Yes, Quad Split Monitoring is available, for HD right now.

3 - SWITCH display between quad split and each individual SDI input

Yes, but we switch between the each individual SDI inputs, at this time, in sequential manner, A then B, then C, then D.

I hope we improve this soon so one can select A, B, C or D Directly.

Thanks, Olof.

Which codec are currently included?
Which will be added with firmware?
Which can be added at extra cost now?
Which will be added at extra cost?
Is 1080P 60 included now?
Is 2k and 4k included now in the base price?
Are those extra cost items?
If so, are they available now?

Where can we get "Hands On" before we buy?
I do not like sending things back.

1. Which codec are currently included?
2. Which will be added with firmware?
3. Which can be added at extra cost now?
4. Which will be added at extra cost?
5. Is 1080P 60 included now?
6. Is 2k and 4k included now in the base price?
7. Are those extra cost items?
8. If so, are they available now?

9. Where can we get "Hands On" before we buy?
I do not like sending things back.

Dear Roger,

I numbered your questions. Here are my answers.

1. The Odyssey7Q comes with the ability to record full uncompressed, HD, in DPX mode, an industry standard for recording full uncompressed files, which are the ultimate in quality for HD.

One can record HD (1920 x 1080) up to 1080p60 in this mode.

We accept 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 sources in either single link or dual link.

We support HD-SDI 3G sources.

Near the end of this month, February 2014, we expect to release a free firmware update that allows HD to be recorded in a popular compressed codec, at 220 Mbps. This will support 1080p up to 30 frames per second.

Later we will increase this to 1080p60 or higher.

Also, later we will add additional flavors of this popular codec, including the ability to record HD, in 4:4:4 RGB mode.

2. All features will be added via firmware updates. We know of no planned features, at this time, that will require a hardware update.

But, the Odyssey7Q HDMI input and output are currently limited, by hardware, to up to 1080p30.

Thus, we cannot add HDMI input at 1080p60 or output 1080p60 or 4K.

3. and 4. By purchasing extra cost options, the functionality of the Odyssey7Q can be enhanced.

All Raw and 4K Modes, for specific cameras are extra cost options.

And the ability to record multiple HD Video streams are also extra cost options.

Sony FS700 Option adds the ability to record 2K Raw, up to 240 fps, to CinemaDNG. $795 US

This option is available now, and later we will enhance this option:

And later we will record 4K Raw, if we obtain permission from Sony.
And later we will record 4K to a popular compressed codec.
And near the end of this month, we will take 4K Raw from the FS700, in 12-Bit, deBayer it, encode it to S-Log 2, then record in in HD to a compressed codec at 220 Mbps.

Canon 4K Raw Option.

This option is available now and records 4K Raw, up to 60 fps. $1495 US

And near the end of this month, we will add additional support for the Canon C500, including 120 fps recording in full uncompressed, in DPX mode. Other support will be added also.

ARRI ALEXA ARRIRAW Option

This option is available now and records ARRIRAW, in 16:9 up to 60 fps and in 4:3, up to 48 fps, which are the limits of the camera in ARRIRAW Mode, recording to an external device. $1,995 US

Other options will be available in the future.

One will be our Multi-Stream Option which will allow recording of multiple HD video streams, up to 1080p30 each.

Our Multi-Stream Viewing feature is built-in, which allows quad-split or individual viewing of up to four video sources. This is for monitoring only, not recording. One does not need to purchase an extra cost option to use this feature.

5. Yes, 1080p60 can be recorded in the Odyssey7Q, base unit, no extra cost option required, now.

6. Is 2k and 4k included now in the base price?

No.

7. Are those extra cost items?

Yes.

8. If so, are they available now?.

Yes. While 4K for the Canon C500 is available now, 4K for the Sony FS700 is not available yet,

If Sony provides permission for us to record 4K Raw, then this can be available as soon as near the end of this month.

We will add 4K to a compressed codec after February, sometime in Q1, 2014. This will require the Sony FS700 Extra Cost Option.

9. We have many dealers in California.

If you have a local dealer and they do not sell our products or do not have a unit to show you, please have them contact me.

Respectfully,

In the specs of Odyssey it is written:
"HDMI Video I/O HDMI I/O Version 1.4a support, Up to 1080p60 422 8-bit" .

In this post:
"But, the Odyssey7Q HDMI input and output are currently limited, by hardware, to up to 1080p30.

Thus, we cannot add HDMI input at 1080p60 or output 1080p60 or 4K."


So is it 1080p30 or 1080p60 ?
Best regards
Geza

I 2nd the query :) would like to know before needing it and working around it. Winter sports stuff I shoot in 50/60 sometimes on a camera that's hdmi only

Dear Friends,

The Odyssey7Q supports HDMI input and output, in 1080p, up to 1080p30.

No 1080p60 or 4K over HDMI, sorry.

But, HDMI can be converted to HD-SDI.

Respectfully,

There are lot of DSLR cameras with 1080p60 or 1080p50 recording possibilities (e.g. Sony A7, A7R,
A6000-all clean HDMI output). Will it be possible to monitor HDMI out on these cameras with the Odyssey 7 (not 7Q) when in 1080p50 mode (of course without a converter HDMI - HD-SDI)?
Thanks

Dear Geza,

I am sorry, but we do not think this will be possible when we start shipping the Odyssey7.

Respectfully,

Will it be possible to use Odyssey 7 as a monitor with DSLR cameras making still pictures (not videos). Do not know what kind of signal is coming out through HDMI port when taking still pictures...(Sony A7R)
I mean tools like focus peaking etc.
Thanks.

Dear Geza,

I would like others with experience with your camera to share their experience.

My answer:

If the camera outputs a live HDMI output, in 1080p, up to 1080p30, then the Odyssey7 should allow you to compose your still image on our unit, and you should be able to use any of our features.

I hope others will add their comments.

Respectfully,

Will it be possible to use Odyssey 7 as a monitor with DSLR cameras making still pictures (not videos). Do not know what kind of signal is coming out through HDMI port when taking still pictures...(Sony A7R)
I mean tools like focus peaking etc.
Thanks.

Not to get to off topic but wouldn't that kind of defeat the rason d'etre of the A7R - that is its compact size compare to a normal FF DSLR? Addding a monitor that weighs as much as the camera and s bigger than it?

FWIW if you can add overlays to the HDMI output should work..

Thank you for your help. It doesnt need to be Sony A7R. Any DSLR live HDMI output could be e.g. 720 (when taking still pictures) and in this case I am not able to use Odyssey. I cannot find any information what signal is coming out through the HDMI port when taking still pictures...Thanks.

I found out that my DSLRs HDMI signal out in "auto" mode is 720 but can be switched to 1080, so no problem using Odyssey. Same in movie and in still mode. Thanks.

So, it looks like the Odyssey recorders are not designed for HDMI out only cameras like my GH4 and Nikons.
That is why they are not listed as possible external recorders on any of the GH4 reviews.
Especially when 4k and P50 or 60 is so much better than 24 or 30 fps recording for all of my Videos.

Are there any plans for a Hardware upgrade in the near future?

So, it looks like the Odyssey recorders are not designed for HDMI out only cameras like my GH4 and Nikons.
That is why they are not listed as possible external recorders on any of the GH4 reviews.
Especially when 4k and P50 or 60 is so much better than 24 or 30 fps recording for all of my Videos.

Are there any plans for a Hardware upgrade in the near future?

While its not optimal there is a workflow to get you there. You will need an external HDMI to SDI converter then the 7Q can accept the signal.

It is pretty sad that the $2300 Convergent Desgn "top of the line" product has such a poor HDMI port.

Dear Roger,

This was a matter of parts availability.

We use an HDMI receiver chip to accept the HDMI signal from the camera.

4K versions of these chips were not available.

Roger I am curious about your Nikon cameras that are not working.

Please when me know which specific cameras and modes are not working with our Odyssey7Q.

Respectfully,

So I will just keep using SD cards to record internally.

Dear Roger,

You mentioned that a Nikon camera was not working with our Odyssey7 or Odyssey7Q.

If you let us know which Nikon model you are using, then we can investigate and determine if we can support it.

You may send me a private message if you wish, or call me:

seven one nine --- nine three zero ---- one three seven six

Respectfully,

Dan
You must have confused me with someone else.
I have never tried using an Odyssey 7 or 7Q
Roger