AJA Launches New Mini-Converters, KONA and Io Software With AJA Control Room Updates
AJA Video Systems (Booth SL2505) has introduced new Mini-Converters, portable devices that harness AJA technology for more flexible and extensible digital video workflows, and has released v12.2 software for its KONA and Io products.
The newly announced FiDO-4T-ST and FiDO-4R-ST Mini-Converters enable quad-channel SDI-to-ST fiber and ST Fiber-to-SDI and fiber transmission of 4K/Ultra HD signals. HA5-4K converts Ultra HD/HD HDMI to 4X 3G-SDI.
“AJA Mini-Converters are constantly working around the clock to hold together post, broadcast, and production workflows,” said President Nick Rashby. “These products are the grease in the gears of any digital-video environment, and, with our new FiDO boxes and HA5-4K, we’re making it simpler than ever before to streamline pipelines in multiformat environments.”
AJA is also offering CWDM (Course Wavelength Division Multiplexing) fiber choices, allowing multiple channels of 3G-SDI to be carried on a single fiber. The advantage of CWDM is that there are nine pairs of wavelengths, so up to 18X 3G SDI signals can be muxed for transmission across one fiber cable, extending flexibility in the field for running long video- signal paths. The CWDM modules plug into AJA’s existing SFP cages.
AJA extends the CWDM technology into our FiDO standalone fiber offerings with the introduction of the FiDO-2T-CWDM. FS1-X and FS2 frame synchronizers can also now accept a full complement of CWDM dual transmitters, configurable in existing SFP cages, as options at time of order.
FiDO-4T-ST and FiDO-4R-ST Fiber Converters are available for $1,495 MSRP; the FiDO-2T-CWDM is priced at $1,295 and can be ordered as one of nine supported wavelengths. HA5-4K is priced at $595. Dual CWDM transmitter options for FS1-X and FS2 are priced at $695. More information about these products and where they can be purchased is available at www.aja.com.
The software update includes a new capability for Io 4K that offers AJA Raw ingest to Cinema DNG files from AJA’s CION production camera, at up to 4K at 60 fps on Mac or Windows. KONA 4 will support AJA Raw capture from CION up to 4K at 120 fps on Windows. Additionally, 4K Avid DNxHR capture using KONA 4, KONA 3G, and Io 4K has been added to AJA Control Room and Avid Media Composer version 8.4, announced this week by Avid.
AJA Control Room is a unified, cross-platform ingest, playback, and output software, available for free for use with the latest KONA and Io products.
“At this year’s NAB, we’re opening up several new options for capture,” says Rashby. “AJA Raw support is huge for many of our CION customers who already own and use KONA 4 or Io 4K devices in production, providing a cost-effective and flexible approach for CION’s Raw workflows either on-set or in the edit suite. The addition of Avid’s great new DNxHR codec offers more options for high-quality 4K finishing in an efficient file size.”
For streaming clients, the v12.2 integrated driver and plug-in package also includes expanded support for AJA Io Express products with Telestream’s Wirecast software.