Official: Convergent Design Gemini 4:4:4

[Chris Hurd]

See the full press release at Convergent Design unveils Gemini 4:4:4 at DVInfo.net

This is your official Convergent Design Gemini 4:4:4 discussion thread.

[Andrew Stone]

Congratulations to Convergent Design on the announcement of the Gemini video recorder. I am sure you will have lots of interest in this unit at most levels within the industry.

[Ed David]

Yes - this is extraordinary news! C-D - you guys are amazing.

[Jack Zhang]

Am surprised there isn't a economy recording mode for if you're low on storage.

However, I will say that 1.8'' isn't going to be the smallest SSD out there for long:

PC Perspective - Intel releases m-SATA form factor line of SSD's

Include a proper enclosure, and you've got yourself an even smaller SSD to record to.

[Ryan Koo]

This is a game-changer for the F3. The only things one could ask for would be a higher-resolution monitor and some baked-in native codec support. Other than that, the specs, size, weight, codec support, etc. are all very impressive. Great job CD.

[Simon Wood]

It will be interesting to see how CD might market the 2 devices at two different fields .

I'm guessing the Nanoflash would still be the 1st option for older generation cameras like the XLH1 and 8 bit cameras like the AF101.

The Gemini would be the 1st option for newer 10 bit camera like the F3 and whatever else is next around the corner.

I guess there would be a big overlap, like with the EX series, which would be dependent upon customers specific budgets and requirements, computing power etc. No doubt we'll be seeing F3's paired with the Nanoflash, and AF101's paired with the Gemini.

Does the Gemini have HDMI in? I couldn't see it on the pictures. The HV30 with a Gemini would have been an interesting one to see.....

Will the Gemini run on the same batteries as the Nanoflash?

[Chris Hurd]

Originally Posted by Simon Wood

Does the Gemini have HDMI in?

Gemini has HDMI out. Inputs are SDI.

[Jack Zhang]

Since there is no HDMI in, someone has to build a HDMI 1.3 to 3G-SDI converter box to make the TM900 work on this thing.

[Simon Wood]

I'm a little surprised CD did not offer a 'sneak-peek' of the Gemini at the same time the F3 was released.

There may be a couple of Ki-Pro Mini and Cinideck owners out there that may have chosen to hold off on their purchases with that in mind...

[Ned Soltz]

But, then again, there is nothing to prevent one from selling those KiPro Minis or Cinedecks to buy a Gemini 4:4:4 ;)

[Andrew Stone]

I think their timing was exquisite. There is only one affordable recorder on the market right now that is well positioned to take advantage of the F3 with the 444 software upgrade. Convergent Design is not in that much of bind to release information. Sony's recorder pricing won't be announced until NAB as they are trying to guage the competition. Convergent Design has announced their recorder 2 days before Sony is going to have their next press junket so there is a bit of media vacuum right now and now it has been filled!

[Andy Mangrum]

Hello Everyone,

If you are interested in the GEMINI 4:4:4, Check out are You Tube channel, for a teaser Video.

YouTube - ConvergentDesign's Channel

Best Regards

[Andrew Stone]

Question for the Convergent Design people. The monitor is to be daylight viewable. Do you know how many NITS the screen puts out when in daylight viewable mode and are you planning to put a transreflective layer on top of the screen to add to the daylight viewability?

[Mike Schell]

Originally Posted by Jack Zhang

Am surprised there isn't a economy recording mode for if you're low on storage.

However, I will say that 1.8'' isn't going to be the smallest SSD out there for long:

PC Perspective - Intel releases m-SATA form factor line of SSD's

Include a proper enclosure, and you've got yourself an even smaller SSD to record to.

Hi Jack-
We looked at this form factor, but it does not have enough board real estate to create a 512GB drive (at least with the current technology). The 1.8" SSDs used in the Gemini will be available in 256 and 512GB capacities. 512GB = one hour of uncompressed recording at 1080p24 10-bit.

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Simon,

We try hard not to release product annoucements too far in advance.

Our goal is not to prevent people from purchasing other company's equipment.

Here is why this was announced yesterday.

We will be showing the Gemini 4:4:4 at NAB 2011, in Booth C11126, near Sony.

We have ads coming out in many magazines for their NAB issues, so that people will know about the product, and hopefully come to our booth to see it.

One magazine, American Cinematographer, with one of our full-page ads, should be mailed shortly, maybe tomorrow. As such, we wanted the annoucnment out today, so people would have more information available, as opposed to an ad, which has to leave out quite a few details.

Our ad will be in other major magazines, timed for their NAB issues.

We could have announced this months ago, but we did not think that was appropriate.

Of course, we are not ready to deliver this today, but it is very important, for any company in this industry to promote their new products at NAB.

We expect, and hope, to be swamped at NAB! It should be a fun time. Most people have no idea how much work goes into designing a very high tech, leading edge product, like this, from scratch.

We spent months just checking and double checking the circuit design, then the circuit board design, then the milled alluminum case, then testing SSD's and finally testing our actual circuits.

It is very rewarding when many people are pleased with our designs.