Archive notice: This article was originally published on May 7, 2014. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
According to the manufacturer, Athena is the first standalone, tapeless player/recorder deck capable of 4K/UHD 60p and 2K/HD 60p playback with multiple streams. Athena is intended to be suitable for feeding large screens, multicamera recording at live events, or as a replacement for tape machines.
Convergent Design emphasizes, however, that the Athena recorder is not simply a "PC in a box". Thanks to the easy-to-use playback system, Apple ProRes, Avid DNxHD, or DPX files are intended to be loaded directly from a computer onto an SSD and played with Athena, or transferred directly onto an SSD via Gigabit Ethernet.
The recorder offers an LCD display, a slot for 2.5-inch SSDs, and various controls.
You can find all further technical specifications of the Athena recorder here.
Convergent Design intends to ship the Athena 4K Recorder at the end of the year. No pricing information is available yet.
