The much-anticipated Gemini 4:4:4 digital recorder from Convergent Design could begin hitting the streets within a week. Today we got a chance to play with one unit featuring the latest firmware (intercepted on its way to the Createasphere show in Burbank this afternoon). Here's what we learned about the feature set of the Gemini that is about to be released.

When the Gemini 4:4:4 is initially released not all features will be enabled. Those features that have been fully tested will be included from the outset and can be seen in the list below. (We're glad to see that 4:4:4 Record/Playback and viewing on a LUT-corrected 422 output are both functional from the start, as many of our customers are buying this unit to go with their Sony PMW-F3 cameras.)

Even as the first Gemini recorders are leaving the factory, testing on other features will continue, and once they have been proven reliable they will be included in future firmware upgrades. Some features will require a paid upgrade (3D and ARRIRAW), but these should not come as a surprise as they were always intended to cost extra.

When the nanoFlash from Convergent Design debuted in 2008 it put afforable, high-quality recording in the hands of many camera owners who had previously been constrained by the codecs of their particular camera. Now, with the release of the Convergent Design Gemini 4:4:4 uncompressed recorder, they have answered the call for an even more recording capability, and has thrown in a few fantastic extras as well.

The Convergent Design Gemini 4:4:4 allows for HD and 2K recording at 8-bit or 10-bit* and in 4:2:2 or 4:4:4 color space**. Uncompressed data is recorded directly from the camera to various input options: HD-SDI, 3G-SDI or Dual-Link. It records 16-Channel Audio as well. The tiny unit (5.4 x 4.5 x 1.1", 1 lbs) features a 5" touchscreen monitor (800 x 480 resolution) which acts as the device interface as well as a color monitor for live view or playback for file verification.. An HDMI output is available for further external monitoring options as well. Furthermore, the Gemini comes with corrective LUTs for monitoring S-Log and Log-C footage.

The Gemini 4:4:4 uses Solid State Drives (SSD) as the recording media (currently 256 GB or 512 GB) and features two SSD slots. Having two drives allows the Gemini to write to either one drive at a time, allowing for longer record times, or to write the same data to both drives simultaneously, creating two identical master copies at once. The Gemini comes with an eSATA Transfer Station for offloading footage from the SSDs.

In the future look for firmware upgrades to enable new features. Some announced features include support for 3D recording (left eye/right eye streams) and ARRIRAW. Both of these will come as paid upgrades to existing Gemini units.

*Bit rate depends on the camera being used.
**4:4:4 color space is only supported in 1080p23.98/24/25/29.97 and 2048x1080p23.98/24.

See Convergent Design's intro video for the Gemini 4:4:4 below:

Convergent Design Gemini 4:4:4 - Product Brochure

Convergent Design Gemini Workflow Diagram

Gemini 4:4:4 Press Release from Convergent Design