Convergent Design's Latest Firmware Enables 4K Raw Recording from Sony FS700, More Options for Canon C500

Convergent Design added ProRes 422 (HQ) to the Odyssey7Q monitor and compressed recorder with a firmware release yesterday, along with 4K raw recording from the Sony FS700 camera at up to 60p. 

The 7Q can record and playback 1920×1080 ProRes 422 (HQ) at up to 30p. The company has indicated that more options will be enabled in future updates — including the ability to use 4:4:4, 12-bit, and compressed 4K codecs — but says ProRes 422 (HQ) was prioritized as the single most-requested codec of them all.

Also new with this firmware release is a feature called "4K2HD" that downconverts the FS700's 4K raw output to ProRes 422 (HQ) HD (using either Sony's S-Log 2 gamma or Rec. 709) for an improved image compared to direct HD output. 

Canon C500 users get some new features as well, with the enabling of 3840×2160 Quad HD raw recording at up to 60p, and 2K and 1080p 12-bit RGB at up to 30p in DPX format.

The 7Q also got some bug fixes with this update, including issues with tearing and other artifacts that affected only monitoring on the OLED screen, not recording. Here's the complete list of new features, bug fixes, and other tweaks as published by Convergent Design.

New Features
–       Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) 1920×1080 recording/playback up to 30p
–       Mix file types on SSDs (raided, non-raided, RAW, ProRes, etc.)
–       OLED Pixel Zoom frame drag (move window around frame)
–       Improved/Added reference marks to Waveform, Histogram and False Color tools
–       OLED automatic screen flip (defeatable)
–       Audio meters
–       Headphone volume control
–       Hide video function (blackout OLED)
–       1.33 Frame Guide added
–       Overlays on/off for SDI & HDMI outputs
 
Sony FS700 Record Option
–       FS700 4K RAW recording up to 60p
–       “4K2HD” FS700 4K RAW to Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) 1920×1080 recording up to 30p.  This feature supports either SLOG2 or IT709 (REC709) Picture Profiles.  1080p super-sampled from 4K RAW for a superior image.
 
Canon C500 Record Option
–       QuadHD RAW (3840×2160) recording up to 60p
–       2K & 1080p 12-bit RGB recording up to 30p in .DPX
 
Fixes & Improvements:
–       FS700 false triggering reduced
–       FS700 RAW white balance tracking corrected
–       Monitored image tearing corrected
–       Intermittent lines in image corrected
–       Cinema DNG files improved for greater post software compatibility
–       Improved SDI signal detection
 
Convergent Design: www.convergent-design.com/Home.aspx