Firmware 2017.06 DNxHD and more

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

Today, we released new firmware for the Odyssey7Q, Odyssey7Q+ and Apollo.

The major additions include support for Avid DNxHD in Single Camera Mode and Apollo Mode.

We also added support for the Panasonic Varicam LT 240 fps Raw mode.

NEW FEATURES:

APOLLO & APOLLO OPTION (ODYSSEY7Q+/7Q)

Quad-HD: Avid DNxHD (.MOV) Support

● Simultaneously record up to four streams of Avid DNxHD 220 or 145Mb.
● 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
● 1080i 50, 59.94;
● 720p 50, 59.94, 60
● Note: Activation Key required (free) to enable Quad-HD DNxHD Support.

Quad-HD Quad-Split: Timecode Option

● Option to “deselect” or select a Timecode window which is baked into the Quad-Split recorded image in Quad-HD Apple ProRes, or Avid DNxHD Recordings.

NEW FEATURES: ODYSSEY RAW BUNDLE (ODYSSEY7Q+/7Q)

Panasonic Varicam LT 2K/ HD 240p Support (Raw Bundle Required)

● Record RAW in CinemaDNG from the Panasonic Varicam LT
● Variframe Supported from 2->240 fps

● HD LT RAW -> HD Cinema DNG 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94, 100, 120, 200, 240
● 2K LT RAW -> 2K Cinema DNG 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94, 100, 120, 200, 240

NEW FEATURES:

ODYSSEY ( ODYSSEY7Q+/7Q/)

HD DNxHD (.MOV) Support

● Single Channel Recording to Avid DNxHD 4:2:2 at 220 or 145 Mb.
● 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
● 1080i 50, 59.94; 720p 50, 59.94, 60
● 720p 50, 59.94

Note: Activation Key required (free) to enable HD DNxHD Support.


NEW FEATURES: ALL MODELS (APOLLO, ODYSSEY7Q+/7Q/7)

8-Channel Audio / 2-Channel Audio Selection

● Selection is now available for Embedded Audio to be either 8-Channel or 2-Channel in various record modes including:
○ HD/2K Apple ProRes
○ HD Avid DNxHD
○ 4K/UHD Apple ProRes
○ Quad HD Apple ProRes
○ Quad HD Avid DNxHD

Note: 8-channel audio not available in RAW, RAW->Apple ProRes, DPX, or Apple ProRes 4444 modes

Please go to our website, then logon, then Support, then Firmware Downloads to download the new firmware.

During a firmware update, the system resets the unit to Factory Defaults.

It is important to first upload any important footage that you have on your SSD before performing a firmware update.

Respectfully,

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

We have two problems right now.

1. Many people are getting "You are not authorized to view this resource" when they click on the link to obtain the DNxHD activation code.

2. When we manually provide the DNxHD activation code, multiple users have informed us that there is a watermark (a gray bar) in the image on the monitor while recording and the gray bar is in the recorded footage.

We apologize for both issues.

Our engineers are working on Problem 2.

Our webmaster needs to correct Problem 1.

==============

At this time, I have this recommendation.

You may test the DNxHD code, just by selecting DNxHD in the Odyssey7Q or Odyssey7Q+ or Apollo setup menu.

There will be a permanent watermark in your images (the gray bar, so this is just for testing.)


As soon as we correct Problem 2, we will issue a new firmware version with the correction.

If you will be using DNxHD for production (generally, if either you or your clients use Avid), then please send your device's serial number to

CDSupport@convergent-design.com

We will respond with your DNxHD activation code.

And to be clear, it is very important not to use the DNxHD mode for productive work until we resolve the watermark issue.
This is a permanent watermark and cannot be removed later.

Respectfully,

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

We have found the problem why some using our DNxHD mode get a gray bar in the monitor and in the footage.

This affected units with the DNxHD authorization code enabled, but without the Apollo Option enabled or running on an Apollo.

Regretfully, this was not found during our extensive testing, since our test units had both DNxHD and Apollo Options enabled, or we tested it on an Apollo.

Thus, most users of the DNxHD did not have Apollo Option enabled, so most users had this "gray bar" problem.

We have created a new firmware release to correct this problem.

We will send a link to the new firmware if you send an email to CDSupport@convergent-design.com

In addition, if you need to use our DNxHD support (typically those who use Avid or whose clients use Avid), please send your name and unit serial number via email to CDSupport@convergent-design.com

Respectfully,

[Lance Librandi]

Hello Dan I have just received my Apollo unit and it came shipped with firmware 2017.07.173
My question, in the codec options I can only see ProRes HQ, 422,LT and Proxy and no DNxHD is this correct? I am confused after reading this thread.
Many thanks

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Lance,

Thank you for getting an Apollo!

Yes, in HD, the Apollo (or Apollo Option for the Odyssey7Q or Odyssey7Q+ supports DNxHD.

In the Setup Menu, after pressing Camera, then Multistream, you will see Quad HD - DNxHD at the bottom of the list.

If you have not already done so, please do the following:

Go to our website: www.convergent-design.com
Logon
Click on Account
Click on My Devices
Then near the top, you will see "DNxHD Activation Keys"

This provides you with the DNxHD activation code that you will need to add to your Apollo:

Press the Gear Button in the upper left-hand corner.
Press Apollo
Press Activations
Press DNxHD
Then enter your unit's DNxHD activation code, then press enter.

I hope this helps.

Respectfully,

[Lance Librandi]

Many thanks Dan