Convergent Design today announced the predecessor to their popular Odyssey 7Q external recorder, and it's fittingly called the Odyssey 7Q+. Although nearly identical in design, the Odyssey 7Q+ features the ability to record 4K and QHD to ProRes 422 (HQ) over HDMI, which makes it a perfect companion for the likes of the Panasonic GH4 and Sony A7s, as well as a plethora of other cameras.

Here's the launch video from Convergent Design, which shows off the versatility of the Odyssey 7Q+.


And here are the key specs of the updated recorder:

  • 7.7", OLED, 8-bit, touchscreen panel
  • 1280x800 resolution
  • Intuitive touchscreen interface
  • 3400:1 contrast ratio, true blacks
  • HD/2K/UHD/4K recording over HDMI or SDI
  • 2x 3G-SDI inputs, 2x 3G-SDI outputs, 2x bi-directional inputs (switchable between inputs or outputs in menu)
  • Supports Single, Dual, and Quad Link formats
  • HDMI input: up to 1080p60 4:2:2, up to 30 fps in UHD (3840x2160), and up to 24 fps in 4K (4096x2160)
  • HDMI output: up to 1080p30
  • Output downscaling
  • Includes Apple ProRes 422 HQ and Uncompressed DPX recording formats
  • RAW Recording options available for purchase or rental through Convergent Design's website (Sony RAW, Canon RAW, ARRIRAW, POV Raw)
  • 2 channels of embedded audio, 48kHz, 24-bit
  • ARRI, Canon, and Sony LUT Support
  • Image analysis tools (Waveform, Histogram, False Color, etc.)
  • Lightweight magnesium chassis

Convergent Design Odyssey 7Q+

And here are the included recording formats that can be achieved with the Odyssey 7Q+:

Compressed Formats:

  • 4K/UHD 10-bit YCC 4:2:2 up to 30fps in Apple ProRes 422 HQ
  • 2K/1080p 10-bit YCC 4:2:2 up to 60fps in Apple ProRes 422 HQ
  • 1080i 10-bit YCC 4:2:2 up to 60i in Apple ProRes 422 HQ
  • 720p 10-bit YCC 4:2:2 up to 60fps in Apple ProRes 422 HQ

Uncompressed Formats:

  • 2K/1080p RGB 10/12-bit 4:4:4 up to 30fps in DPX file format
  • 1080p RGB 10-bit 4:4:4 up to 60fps in DPX file format

And the formats which can be added by purchasing optional firmware upgrades from Convergent Design:

ARRI ALEXA

  • ARRIRAW (16:9) up to 60fps

Canon C500

  • 4K (4096x2160) RAW up to 60fps
  • UHD (3840x2160) RAW up to 60fps
  • 4K "Half-RAW" up to 120fps

Sony FS RAW

  • 4K RAW up to 60fps
  • 4K RAW 120fps burst
  • 2K RAW up to 240fps
  • "4K24K" 4K RAW to 4K Apple ProRes 422 HQ up to 30fps
  • "4K2HD" 4K RAW to HD Apple ProRes 422 HQ up to 60fps

POV RAW

  • POV 2K 10-bit RAW
  • POV HD 10-bit RAW
  • POV HD 12-bit RAW

Unfortunately, for folks already invested in the Odyssey 7Q, there's no way to upgrade the old device to include the functionality of the Odyssey 7Q+ because the new version was rebuilt from the ground up around the new hardware and firmware needed to accommodate the 4K HDMI image processing pipeline, according to News Shooter's Matt Allard

The Odyssey 7Q+ is retailing for $2300 and is expected to begin shipping before the year ends. This puts it right in the same price range as the Atomos Shogun, which is coincidentally expected to begin shipping around the same time after a short delay.

Source: Convergent Design Odyssey7Q+ OLED Monitor & Recorder