NAB 2016: AJA Video Embraces IP, Streaming, and Robotic Camera Control

AJA Video hits NAB today with a new free application called RovoControl that will make it easier than ever control the complete features of AJA’s newly shipping RovoCam compact block camera for broadcast. The UltraHD/HD capable RovoCam includes an integrated HDBaseT interface supporting uncompressed video, power, stereo audio and RS-232 control over a single CAT 5e/6 cable at lengths of up to 100 meters.

RovoControl features include zoom, focus and iris control; electronic PTZ to move a 1080p box around an UltraHD frame for Region of Interest (ROI) Pan, Tilt, and Zoom extraction for HD workflows; change resolution dynamically between UltraHD and HD options; and Windows, Mac OS X and Linux cross-platform support.

“RovoCam opens up many new possibilities for high quality video capture where space and infrastructure limitations pose a challenge,” says Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “With RovoControl software we’re offering easy control for RovoCam with unique features suitable for a range of applications from live events to broadcast, security and more.”

AJA also has made the leap into IP-based productions with the KONA IP desktop video and audio I/O product for professional IP-based workflows. KONA IP is the next generation of AJA’s industry-leading KONA line of PCIe capture cards and works with AJA Control Room and Control Panel software and SDK tools along with leading third-party content creation applications.

The company’s goal is to provide a flexible platform that supports today’s SMPTE 2022-6 IP-encapsulated uncompressed 3G-SDI, HD-SDI and SD-SDI video, audio and VANC data, and via future firmware updates and codec package offerings, will also support compressed codecs like J2K and advanced IP protocols including VSF TR-04, VSF TR-03 and more. It also features multi-channel input and/or output to read or send multiple IP-based encapsulated 3G-SDI, HD-SDI and SD-SDI video streams to and from software applications. It will be available next month and will cost $2,495.

Rashby says AJA’s IP roadmap and as IP video finds its way and customers choose the KONA IP card will be able to respond to market needs.

“It’s designed to be extensible, flexible, and programmable,” he adds. “It’s designed to just be a KONA but with IP instead of baseband. And any of our manufacturer partners who have done work with our cards will have to do very little work to move to IP.”

Sue Skidmore, head of partner relations for professional video at Adobe, says video professionals using the latest Adobe tools have been able to count on AJA technology for years.

“With the KONA IP technology, AJA is pushing the industry forward today, and helping to build the platform for IP connected workflows in the future,” she explains.

AJA is making the jump into streaming products with the Helo.

Also new is HELO, the company’s first H264 standalone streaming product with a range of professional workflow options with both 3G-SDI and HDMI inputs and outputs. It can also handle up to 1080p recording formats and a simple web-based UI for easy configuration. It allows users to simultaneously stream video signals directly to Web Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) while recording either to an SD card, USB drives or network-based storage, with dedicated record and stream buttons for easy operation.

“Producers who stream content in any setting often need a separate recording of the source to hand off to clients or editorial, and HELO makes this easy with the ability to simultaneously stream and also record to SD cards, USB drives or network storage,” adds Rashby. “This is a really great product, small and easily portable, that opens up a world of new streaming workflows to our customers in AV, live events, houses of worship, webcasting, corporate communications, production and post.”

U-TAP HDMI and U-TAP SDI offering high quality HD/SD capture through a bus powered USB 3.0 port. The U-TAP products offer a simple, cost-effective and portable solution for plug-and-play capture that is compatible with OS X, Windows and Linux, and a broad range of software applications. From video conferencing to streaming, traditional post-production and more, U-TAP brings powerful functionality and simple operation without requiring any additional driver software.

“U-TAP fits in the palm of your hand, and is incredibly useful in the field, on-set or at a studio,” explains Rashby. “USB 3.0 connectivity provides a quick and easy way to pull SDI or HDMI sources for capture, with the convenient plug-and-play ease of not needing to install drivers or plug-ins. Every person we’ve shown this to who works in production wants one to keep in their gear bag.”

A new digital frame sync and universal up/down/cross converter, the FS4, is what the company says is the most advanced ever from AJA, supporting 4K, UltraHD, 2K, HD and SD workflows in a 1RU frame. FS4 offers unparalleled flexibility and offers two modes. Single-channel mode provides a full suite of video processing options for 4K/UltraHD with the ability to up, down, cross-convert to and from a 2K/HD/SD input or output. Four-channel mode enables four channels of 2K/HD/SD simultaneous processing, offering multi-channel density at a very reasonable cost per channel. FS4 will be available for a US MSRP of $4995.00; significant price reductions of between $500-$1000 have also been announced for AJA’s FS family including: FS1, FS1-X, FS1-X-FRC and FS2.

“FS4 is the first frame synchronizer to market with this range of 4K/UltraHD conversion options that can also be easily switched to multi-channel mode with up to 4 channels of simultaneous processing for 2K/HD and SD workflows,” says Rashby. “It is endlessly extensible, and packs an incredible range of functionality and features into a very small 1RU footprint perfect for mobile production trucks and small facilities—really any production or post scenario where multiple formats are being used. This thing really does a ton of stuff.”