Some of you dedicated readers are thinking “this isn't a new product, I'm almost sure I read this article already.” While that is true, I submit that based on the updates Convergent Design added to the Apollo at NAB this year, this product warrants a second First Impression. For those unfamiliar with the product, the Convergent Design Apollo is a field recorder, which makes it nothing special. In fact, the market is now flooded with field recorders. However, as I said, some updates were made to this product, and I believe they move it from the standard field recorder category and into the small switcher category.
Convergent Design is the first company I am aware of that really adopted the “4K means four HD signals” idea. As a result, they marketed their recorder as a four HD camera isolation (iso) recorder. Which, in my opinion, is way more useful than a 4K field recorder right now. Let's face it, unless you are a super giga-church, then 4K still just doesn't make sense for live production. Conversely, a four camera iso recorder can be used by everyone with more than one camera.
SPECS
The Apollo is also unique for a few reasons; first it really is a great looking monitor. It features a 7.7-inch OLED 1280x800 resolution, with a wide color gamut and a contrast ratio of 3,400:1 and is appropriate for REC709 or DCI-P3 viewing. Since it was originally designed as field recorder it also has a slew of onboard features such as; histogram, vector scope, waveform, zebra, focus assist, false color and LUT support. The frame is literally bristling with I/O; two SDI in, two SDI out, and two discretionary SDI, which are selectable in or out. It also has an HDMI in, and an HDMI out as well as a 3.5-mm in and out for audio. Two audio channels can also be embedded on the SDI or HDMI. Longitudinal timecode (LTC) is also available on its own BNC or embedded via SDI/HDMI.
On the recording side it records in my favorite edit-ready codec, Apple Pro Res HQ, on two 2.5-inch SSDs. The Apollo uses select Samsung SSDs as well as Convergent Design's own SSDs. While not as cost effective as the Samsung, the Convergent Design media offers a power-loss protection not available on other manufacture's SSDs.
The screen itself is touch capacitive, making menu navigation a pleasure, as well as making the switcher functionality super intuitive. Simply touch the video signal you want and it's live; transitions can be cut or fade. This makes the Apollo a great option for volunteer-centric churches. While it may not be volunteer-proof, it's certainly volunteer-ready.
With a recent firmware update, the Apollo can now record those four signals, plus either a switched program out or a quad split mulit-viewer. In switched program mode, the Apollo turns into a small four-channel switcher. Without sacrificing the camera iso, it also records a live switched feed on a fifth channel. This makes it a great option for churches just getting into multi-camera production. If you are looking for a small switcher without keying, then the Apollo fits the bill. Once you get to the point that keying and a full-featured switcher becomes required, the Apollo is future proofed by being a multi-camera iso recorder.
I would also submit a third scenario that might be rarer now, but I believe it will catch on: multisite distribution. Imagine if you will, having four dedicated synced video channels show up at a multi-site, on a drive, that can be played back and distributed, giving each venue different yet appropriate content. For example; one channel could be used as a main program out, tight shot of the pastor with lower third notes embedded. Channel two could be a head-to-toe shot of the pastor on the stage used for telepresence. Channel three could be a third shot of the pastor to switch between at the multi-sites. Channel four could be just graphics. This would give each site the option to use the video they needed in the main room as well as overflow or a second onsite venue --- all from the same device. For this use case the Apollo is more uniquely suited because it features dual SSD slots and can create double master recordings, meaning you can send one and keep one with no added time to the work flow.
I've been a fan of Convergent Design several years ago at the NAB Show. In talking with other church techs at Infocomm, it's pretty obvious they are passionate about what they do. However, I think the Apollo is a product in a class by itself. I have been looking for a reasonably priced multi-channel iso recorder since I got into live production. At an MSRP of $2,995 Convergent Design delivers.