Hands-On Review: Convergent Design Gemini and nanoFlash Video Recorders

Convergent Design ranks among industry leaders in the manufacture of the portable video recorder, a type of device that offers better image quality than the built-in recorder in most camcorders. Convergent Design has recently announced the Odyssey7 and Odyssey7Q monitor and recorder, their new flagship models, which should be available in July. Of course, B&H already carries Odyssey’s predecessors, the nanoFlash and the Gemini 4:4:4.

 

Gemini 4:4:4

The Gemini 4:4:4 is a portable video recorder and monitor that features two HD-SDI inputs, two HD-SDI outputs, one HDMI output and—most importantly—a built-in SSD recorder with dual slots for two proprietary 1.8” SSDs. Gemini can record uncompressed 1080/60p video with 10-bit RGB 4:4:4 color. Other recording formats include Avid DNxHD (QT) and a variety of optional formats via paid upgrades, including ARRIRAW, Canon 4K Cinema Raw and Stereo 3D. B&H currently offers the Gemini with two free 512GB 1.8” Convergent Design SSDs.

Recorded footage can be quickly and easily ingested by removing the proprietary 1.8" SSD and inserting it into a docking station. As a replacement for Convergent Design's original eSATA Transfer Station—which is included with the Gemini 4:4:4 video recorder—Convergent Design now also offers the Universal Transfer Station. The new Universal Transfer Station features a built-in AC power source to ensure safe data transfer. It is also compatible with a range of third-party adapters, such as Seagate's External Thunderbolt Adapter, which enables transfer speeds of up to 10 Gb/s.

Available firmware upgrades can enable the Gemini 4:4:4 to record ARRIRAW and Canon 4K Raw. The latter option allows Canon EOS C500 users to capture 4K Raw at up to 30 frames per second. Moreover, using the C500 with two Gemini 4:4:4 recorders, you can capture 4K Raw at up to 60 fps or 1080HD at up to 120 fps. A third, paid firmware upgrade offers support for Stereo 3d recording. The Stereo 3D option allows the Gemini 4:4:4 to record left- and right-eye channels independently to Gemini's dual SSDs. Other Stereo 3D features include side-by-side, line-by-line, anaglyph, 50% + 50%, Left/Right Luma and Right/Left Luma.

Video I/O Ports	Four SDI ports: 2-In (HD-SDI Single Link/Dual Link/3G),  2-Out (HD-SDI Single Link/Dual Link),  HDMI-Out
Video Standards	HD-SDI, SMPTE 292M; HD-SDI 3G, SMPTE 424M; HD-SDI Dual-Link, SMPTE 372M
Video Formats
REC 709	RGB 444 / YCC 422 1080p up to 60 fps
ARRIRAW	ARRI Alexa: 16:9 (2880x1620) up to 60 fps (with optional upgrade)
Record Options
Compressed	Avid DNxHD support (QT) for 1080p YCC 422 up to 30 fps
Uncompressed	1080p 10-Bit RGB 444 up to 60 fps (DPX) with TC and metadata, wav audio
RAW Formats	ARRIRAW and Canon 4K Cinema Raw (with optional upgrade)
Multi-Stream (x2)	Parallel recording of two RGB 444 Streams up to 1080p30 (with 3D Option)
Live Preview / Playback
Single Stream	Real time decompressed / debayered output with / without LUT applied
Stereo 3D	Individual output of each stream or combined streams: Side by Side, Line by Line, Anaglyph, 50/50 Composite (with optional upgrade)
Log Viewing LUTs	Support for S-Log, Log-C with user programmable 1D LUTs
Other Features
Playback Control	Play, Rewind, Fast-Forward, Pause and Step Control
Metadata	Reel Number, Scene Number, Take Number and Project Name
Media	Two Slots for 1.8" Solid-State Drives (SSD), 256GB / 512GB sizes
Transfer Station	1.8" SSD Transfer Station compatible with Seagate GoFlex Adapters (USB 3, FW-800, Thunderbolt)
Built-In LCD Monitor	5" high brightness LCD, sunlight viewable, 800 cd/m², 800 x (RGB) x 480 Pixels, 24-Bit, 900:1 True Contrast, Wide +/-85⁰ Viewing Angle (IPS Technology) 1:1 Pixel Option, with user positioning of desired window via touch control
Menu System	Touch Sensitive menu system with user-defined presets and customizable level of on-screen data
Timecode	HD-SDI Embedded (SMPTE RP-188) or LTC via the remote-control option
Digital Audio I/O	HD-SDI Embedded 4-Channels, uncompressed, 24-Bit, 48K
Analog Audio I/O	3.5mm output jack, headphone or consumer line level
Power Requirements	6 to 19 Volts DC, 6 to 15 watts
Environmental	Ambient Temp: -10 to +40⁰ C (Operating) / -20 to +70⁰ C (Storage)
Dimensions	5.4 x 4.7 x 1.45" (138 x 120 x 37mm)
Weight	1.35 lb (612 g)

nanoFlash

The nanoFlash recorder has been popular with video professionals for years. The device utilizes a camcorder’s HD-SDI or HDMI output to capture an uncompressed video signal on a CompactFlash memory card. The two CF card slots support hot swapping, and the HD-SDI and HDMI output enable external monitoring and playback. The nanoFlash is currently offered in a bundle, which includes a USB 2.0 CF card reader, a shoe mount with adjustable ball head, an HD-SDI cable, an HDMI cable, a D-Tap power cable and an AC power adapter.

The onboard recorder built into many older camcorders is limited to 1440 x 1080 resolution, 25/35 Mb/s and 4:2:0 color sampling, but the nanoFlash allows users to record full-raster 1920 x 1080 with 4:2:2 color at up to 220 Mb/s. In addition to improved image quality, the nanoFlash revitalizes tape-based camcorders by recording to solid-state media. The nanoFlash can also perform real-time DVD and Blu-ray encoding by recording MPG formats.

For more information on these and other Convergent Design products, please stop by the B&H SuperStore in New York, or contact a Sales Professional over the phone at 1-800-606-6969 or online via Live Chat.

Video Standards	HD-SDI, SMPTE 292M; SD-SDI, SMPTE 259M, HDMI 1.3a
Video Formats	1080p23.98/24/25/29.97/30; 1080i50/59.94/60; 720p23.98/24/25/29.97/30/ 50/59.94/60; 576i; 480i
Video I/O	Two BNCs, (1 Input, 1 output);  Two HDMI (1 Input, 1 Output) Type C; (No SD output via HDMI)
Record Features	High-Quality MPEG2 Compressed Recording using Sony hardware CODEC module, stored into Quicktime (MOV), MXF, or MPG file formats with audio and timecode User programmable Over/Under-Crank, Time-Lapse, 3:2 and 2:2 Pull-down Removal, On-Screen Tally, Loop Recording, Record on Power-Up, Duration Recording, Record Triggers Pre-Record Buffer (Cache Recording): 4 or 7 Seconds, depending on Bit-Rate
MPEG2 Profiles	[email protected]: 100, 140, 180, 220, 280 Mbps VBR (1920x1080i/p, 1280x720p, 4:2:2, I-Frame) [email protected]: 50, 100, 140, 180 Mbps VBR (1920x1080i/p, 1280x720p, 4:2:2, Long-GOP) [email protected]: 18, 35 Mb/s VBR (1440x1080i/p, 4:2:0, Long-GOP) (XDCAM HD) [email protected]: 30, 40, 50 Mb/s, CBR (720x480, 720x576) 4:2:2, I-Frame (IMX) [email protected]: 3,5,6,7,8,9 Mb/s VBR (720x480, 720x576) 4:2:0, Long-GOP) (MPG Only)
Playback Control	Play, Fast-Forward (Depending on Bit-Rate), and Pause; Queue to Timecode
Media	Two CompactFlash card slots, Only Qualified Cards are supported, 133x to 600x, 8GB to 128GB, Only one CompactFlash card necessary for recording, Hot-Swappable Media
Transfer Station	Compact Flash to USB 2.0 Reader Included
Monitor Support	External Pass Thru (E to E Direct or regular) to HD-SDI or HDMI Monitors
NLE Compatibility	Final Cut Pro, 6.0.4+; Avid 3+; Adobe CS3/4 with Main Concept Codec, CS5, 5.0.3.5+; Avid < Version 5, 50 Mbps Long-GOP or any I-Frame bit-rate; Sony Vegas, 9+; Edius 5+
Menu System	LCD for Menu/Status, with simple keypad to control menu system, Time Remaining in Minutes, Card Status Indicators, Timecode Display, Frame Rate Display, Battery Voltage Display, LED Status
Timecode	HD-SDI Embedded (SMPTE RP-188) or LTC via the remote control input with optional cable, Internal Timecode Generator (Time of Day, Free Run, Preset/Reset, Jam Sync), Internal Clock
Digital Audio I/O	HD-SDI Embedded up to 8-Channels, uncompressed, 24-Bit, 48 kHz
Analog Audio Input	3.5mm input jack, 1 balanced or 2 unbalanced, mic or line, 24-Bit, 48 kHz audio, audio level meters
Analog Audio Output	3.5mm output jack, headphone or consumer line level, monitor any channel pair, menu selectable
Remote Control (Option)	Wired Remote Control with Tally Light and LTC Input, cable available at extra cost
Power Requirements	6 to 19 Volts DC, < 6 watts (active) / under 0.3 watt (automatic idle mode, with no video input)
Environmental	+70⁰ C to -20⁰ C Ambient Temp (Operating);  +75⁰ C to -40⁰ C (Storage)
Dimensions	4.2 x 3.7 x 1.4” (107 x 94 x 36mm)
Weight	0.85 lb (385 g)