Convergent Design announced the Apollo, a new touchscreen monitor/recorder that records four HD video signals in sync and can be used at the same time as a portable live switcher via one HDMI and two SDI outputs.

The Apollo simultaneously records up to four HD video signals plus a fifth channel representing either a live-switched program or a quad-split reference multi-view, the company said. That means users can edit a multi-camera program on the fly while simultaneously recording high-quality masters from each camera for later use. Not bad for a device that measures roughly eight inches by six inches by one inch thick and weighs 1.2 lbs. with a power draw of less than 20 watts.

"Field producers can take it on location, record from any four HD cameras, view a quad-split playback on the way home, and drop all four cameras in perfect sync into a single timeline to dive immediately into an edit," said Convergent Design President Mike Schell in a prepared statement. "A concert performance can be captured by recording four camera ISOs along with recording a line cut that can also be sent to a large live display at the venue."

The recordings can be exported via an Apollo Media Manager app as individual Apple ProRes files or as a single multicamera QuickTime for direct use on an NLE timeline. The device records to two 2.5-inch SSD drives, allowing either extended recording time or redundancy for back-up purposes. Max recording time for Apple ProRes 422 HQ at 30p is 3.5 hours; if you can settle for ProRess 422 LT, you can get up to 8.5 hours.

If you're one of those power users who scoffs at a device without 4K capabilities, Convergent says it will have you covered early next year, when it plans to enable two channels of 4K/UHD recording on the device. Also due in that free firmware update are DNxHD support, the ability to record an EDL (XML) from a live-switched program, and interconnectivity between up to three devices for 12-channel HD or 6-channel 4K recording.

The Apollo is scheduled to ship next month at an MSRP of $3995. Included in the box will be an SSD-to-USB 3.0 adapter, a five-pack of SSD mounting handles, and a universal AC power supply. If you already own the Odyssey7Q or 7Q+ and the Apollo makes you jealous, an upgrade will be available for $1795.