Gemini updates and info direct from Convergent Design

Doug Jensen · December 16th, 2011, 10:02 AM

Dan,

It was great to see you again yesterday at Band Pro's open house and get a preview of the new firmware. The Gemini just keeps getting better and better!

Dan Keaton · December 23rd, 2011, 10:02 AM

Dear Friends,

We released new firmware for the Gemini 4:4:4 late yesterday.

If you have a Gemini 4:4:4, please click on the “Update Instructions” at the bottom of this link:

Gemini 444 Firmware Updates | Convergent Design, Professional Video Recorders

We are describing this as Beta Firmware. We have tested this release by recording and examining hundreds of clips.

Starting on Tuesday, we are going to set up dozens of Gemini 4:4:4's recording continuously to further our testing of this release.

We will elevate this release to "Production Status" as soon as possible.

If you perform tests in your own environment, and it passes your tests, you may use this for production.

Here is more information about our new firmware release:

This new firmware adds very nice slate metadata:

Reel Number Alphanumeric
Scene Number Alphanumeric
Take Number Numeric
(Automatically increments for each new recording,
and automatically resets to 001 when the Scene Number is changed)
Camera Number Alphanumeric
Project Name Alphanumeric
Shooting Day Number Numeric

In addition the Gemini 4:4:4 records the Clip Number, the Date, and the time for each Clip.

And a nice Play List has been added which allows one to select one or more files for playback
and/or looping based on the following metadata.

Clip Number
Scene Number
Take Number
Date of Year (when the clip was recorded)
Start of Clip Time of Day
Start of Clip Timecode
Shooting Day

Unless Play All is selected, the Last Clip Recorded is automatically selected
so that “Play Last Clip” is easily accomplished.

This release adds two channels of embedded HD-SDI audio.

LTC Timecode may now be input via the Remote Control Connector.
Please note that a Timecode Input cable for LTC input will be needed and the nanoFlash cables will not work.

Also, at this time, we can trigger on incrementing timecode if the timecode is embedded on HD-SDI.
Triggering on LTC timecode is not implemented at this time.

This release also corrects a timecode duplication problem.

Special code has been added to allow the Gemini 4:4:4 to work with CineFlex cameras with early firmware.

A LCD Screen Flip function has been added.
This does not flip the image that is recorded, as this is to allow more mounting positions for the Gemini 4:4:4.

The ability to control the brightness of the LCD and LED’s has been added.

We plan on adding additional features in January.

As always, please feel free to call me any time, 24/7 for support, including the holidays.

My phone numbers are listed at the bottom of this page:

Support | Convergent Design

Dan Keaton · January 13th, 2012, 12:45 PM

Dear Friends,

We put out our Beta firmware release, 1.0.371 so that our clients could become familiar with the new features, and to allow them to test it in their enviornment.

I need to stress that this Beta firmware release, 1.0.371, must not be used for production purposes.

We are working on another firmware release and I will advise when this is ready.

Dan Keaton · February 6th, 2012, 01:29 PM

Dear Friends,

I will be at our Canadian Distributor, Camera Department, in Toronto, Tuesday, February 7, from 2 to 4 pm hosting a workshop on the Gemini 4:4:4.

We will have the ARRI ALEXA, the Sony F3 with S-Log, and additional cameras.

To register, for free, please visit Gemini T.O. - Convergent Design Workshop - Eventbrite

December 16th, 2011, 10:02 AM	#16
Doug Jensen Vortex Media Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,450	Re: Gemini 4:4:4 - New Features Dan, It was great to see you again yesterday at Band Pro's open house and get a preview of the new firmware. The Gemini just keeps getting better and better! __________________ Vortex Media http://www.vortexmedia.com/ Sony FS7, F55, and XDCAM training videos, field guides, and other production tools

December 23rd, 2011, 10:02 AM	#17
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Gemini 4:4:4 Firmware Update December 22, 2011 Dear Friends, We released new firmware for the Gemini 4:4:4 late yesterday. If you have a Gemini 4:4:4, please click on the “Update Instructions” at the bottom of this link: Gemini 444 Firmware Updates \| Convergent Design, Professional Video Recorders We are describing this as Beta Firmware. We have tested this release by recording and examining hundreds of clips. Starting on Tuesday, we are going to set up dozens of Gemini 4:4:4's recording continuously to further our testing of this release. We will elevate this release to "Production Status" as soon as possible. If you perform tests in your own environment, and it passes your tests, you may use this for production. Here is more information about our new firmware release: This new firmware adds very nice slate metadata: Reel Number Alphanumeric Scene Number Alphanumeric Take Number Numeric (Automatically increments for each new recording, and automatically resets to 001 when the Scene Number is changed) Camera Number Alphanumeric Project Name Alphanumeric Shooting Day Number Numeric In addition the Gemini 4:4:4 records the Clip Number, the Date, and the time for each Clip. And a nice Play List has been added which allows one to select one or more files for playback and/or looping based on the following metadata. Clip Number Scene Number Take Number Date of Year (when the clip was recorded) Start of Clip Time of Day Start of Clip Timecode Shooting Day Unless Play All is selected, the Last Clip Recorded is automatically selected so that “Play Last Clip” is easily accomplished. This release adds two channels of embedded HD-SDI audio. LTC Timecode may now be input via the Remote Control Connector. Please note that a Timecode Input cable for LTC input will be needed and the nanoFlash cables will not work. Also, at this time, we can trigger on incrementing timecode if the timecode is embedded on HD-SDI. Triggering on LTC timecode is not implemented at this time. This release also corrects a timecode duplication problem. Special code has been added to allow the Gemini 4:4:4 to work with CineFlex cameras with early firmware. A LCD Screen Flip function has been added. This does not flip the image that is recorded, as this is to allow more mounting positions for the Gemini 4:4:4. The ability to control the brightness of the LCD and LED’s has been added. We plan on adding additional features in January. As always, please feel free to call me any time, 24/7 for support, including the holidays. My phone numbers are listed at the bottom of this page: Support \| Convergent Design __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

January 13th, 2012, 12:45 PM	#18
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Re: Gemini 4:4:4 Firmware Update December 22, 2011 Dear Friends, We put out our Beta firmware release, 1.0.371 so that our clients could become familiar with the new features, and to allow them to test it in their enviornment. I need to stress that this Beta firmware release, 1.0.371, must not be used for production purposes. We are working on another firmware release and I will advise when this is ready. __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia

February 6th, 2012, 01:29 PM	#19
Dan Keaton Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Augusta Georgia Posts: 5,421	Gemini 4:4:4 Workshop in Toronto Dear Friends, I will be at our Canadian Distributor, Camera Department, in Toronto, Tuesday, February 7, from 2 to 4 pm hosting a workshop on the Gemini 4:4:4. We will have the ARRI ALEXA, the Sony F3 with S-Log, and additional cameras. To register, for free, please visit Gemini T.O. - Convergent Design Workshop - Eventbrite __________________ Dan Keaton Augusta Georgia