Convergent Odyssey Apollo Quad HD Multi-channel Recorder/Switcher

This unit will record 4 x separate HD video inputs onto one memory card and if you perform a live switch, can also record the switched channel as well.   It even will perform a parallel safety recording onto a separate card simultaneously.  Separate ‘Preview’ and ‘Program’ outputs allow you to monitor on set while using Apollo’s touch screen for simple switching with cut or dissolves. Playback in perfect sync while toggling cameras. All of this functionality in a unit the size of a small tablet and capable of battery power for the ultimate portability.

Main Functions

• Records 4 x HD Streams
• Switched or Quad View
• Image Analysis Tools
• Custom 3-D Luts
• SDI and HDMI input/outputs
• Apple Prores record format
• Embedded Audio which can’t go out of sync
• SSD Media record for security
• Recorded Media is timecode locked and sound locked
• Touchscreen interface
• Very easy setup
• 2 x SDI and 1 x HDMI outputs
• XML EDL for post
• Compact and lightweight
• Switched or Quad View
• Playlist/Scrubbing playback
• Clip Markers

Sync

Matching file names, matching timecode, and Apollo’s AV Align feature saves you hours data wrangling and in post production editing.

One SSD for multi-track record

Only one 2.5” Solid State Drive is required to record the four video signals and switched program streams into one file on the drive.  We calculate that 4 tracks of HD 1080 at 25P will allow you to record 2 hours (127 mins) onto 1 x 512GB drive supplied.

We supply the unit as standard with 2 x 512GB storage as standard, which will allow you to record parallel 2 hours of 4 x HD streams at 25p.

Multi HD channel record times chart

Full Security – parallel duplex record

The Apollo provides 2 x SSD slots and will allow to simultaneously record onto both drives in parallel, so that should one SSD become corrupted, you always have a spare recording for maximum security.

Vision Mixing/Switching

Using the touch-screen you can easily monitor and live switch your production, giving you a 5th recorded channel of the program stream.  Watch live switch video demonstration

AV Align

Add frame delay BEFORE you begin shooting and spare the trouble of compensating for any audio/video latency in post production.

Compatible Memory Cards

• Samsung 1TB Pro 850 Convergent Design 550/520MB/s
• Convergent 512G Odyssey 7Q additional SSD Drive
• Convergent 256G Odyssey 7Q additional SSD Drive

SSD Drive Storage

Compact Flash is a great choice for most compressed recorders, but it simply lacks the required performance for uncompressed video. Compact Flash tops out at about 90 Mbytes/sec, while uncompressed video ranges from 100 to over 300 Mbytes/sec; so clearly, it’s impossible to record uncompressed video onto a single CF card. Additionally, CF card capacity maxes out at 128GB, while SSDs are now available up to 512GB.

VMI offers the 256GB (1.8″) as a good universal storage size.

As standard, the 4K on board recorders are being supplied with 3 x 256GB storage

256GB SSD storage → 32 minutes @ 1080p24 4:2:2, 10-bit
Thus, you have sufficient storage of 90 minutes of 1080p with 3 x drives and more storage is available at an additional charge, however if you are shooting 4K, then the data files are really large.

However, you have the capability of shooting 2K DPX files off board in 12 bit sampling which offers far greater recording durations and extremely high quality.

A 4K Prores recording option is expected at some point soon and will offer a more efficient codec and longer recording times as well.

VMI Apollo Production Kit

Convergent Apollo 4 track HD Recorder with multrack record option, eSATA Transfer Station, HD-SDI cables, HDMI cable, Hotshoe with 1/4″x20, Ball Mount, Universal AC Power Supply, 4-Pin XLR Power Cable, D-Tap Power Cable, Stylus, Custom Fitted Hard Plastic Case

2 x 512GB SSD storage