AJA Unveils Spate of New Products at IBC 2013
September 17, 2013

AJA Unveils Spate of New Products at IBC 2013

AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS — AJA Video Systems has been busy at IBC 2013 with a number of new offerings.

AJA Video Systems announced the upcoming release of a new plug-in for KONA 3G that will support Telestream Wirecast 5 with up to four HD-SDI input channels and is also the first video card to support 4K/Ultra HD input to Wirecast. AJA developed the new plug-in using Wirecast's SDK for partners to accommodate customer requests for boosted support for top quality live and on-demand streaming workflows. Wirecast from Telestream is a live video streaming production tool that allows Mac and Windows users to create live or on-demand broadcasts for the web. Wirecast works like a video switcher, controlling real-time switching between multiple live video cameras, while dynamically mixing in other source media, such as QuickTime movies, music, audio and slides to create professional broadcast productions for live or on-demand distribution on the web.

KONA 3G features 10-bit uncompressed video 3G/HD/SD SDI I/O, HDMI 1.4a output for stereographic monitoring to consumer 3D displays, 4K playout, 8-channel AES digital audio I/O (16-channel AES with optional K3G-Box) and 16-channel SDI embedded audio I/O, real-time hardware-based up/down/cross conversion to support a range of SD and HD, dual-link HD, even 2K formats, a hardware-based downstream keyer and more. KONA 3G is available for $1995.. The new plug-in will be available free of charge to all existing KONA 3G customers upon the release of Wirecast 5 which will be available from Telestream in late Q3, 2013.

AJA Control Room

Also, AJA announced the KUMO v3.0 firmware update to enable Dual Link, 4K and Ultra HD support in its KUMO family of compact SDI routers. Available in super-compact 1RU or 2RU form factors and with support for 3G/HD/SD-SDI, cost-effective KUMO routers are ideal for any production environment from mobile production trucks to live event A/V rigs. KUMO routers are available in three configurations: KUMO 3232 supports thirty-two 3G-SDI inputs and outputs, KUMO 1616 supports sixteen 3G-SDI inputs and outputs, and KUMO 1604 supports sixteen 3G-SDI inputs and four 3G-SDI outputs. The new KUMO firmware also supports ganged dual and quad port routing, allowing users to group together multiple inputs and outputs for Dual Link, 4K and Ultra HD workflows.

In addition, the company released V2Digital, V2Analog, HD10A-Plus and 4K2HD, new additions to its range of compact, high-quality Mini-Converters. Each new Mini-Converter offers new features and capabilities for analog and digital workflows across SD, HD, UltraHD (UHD) and 4K.

4K2HD downconverts 4K 3G-SDI to HD-SDI and HDMI 1.4 simultaneously, and is ideal for HD monitoring with 4K cameras. Supporting 4K (4096x2160) and UHD (3840x2160) input signals, 4K2HD enables simultaneous HD-SDI and HDMI output from 4K, downscaled at high-quality to HD. Additionally, a "pixel for pixel" center cut of the original 4K/UHD frame is supported for camera focus checks. 4K2HD also supports the latest 4K/UHD 50/60fps high frame rate input formats, which then output as 25/30fps to HD. The 4K2HD Mini-Converter is highly configurable via the supplied AJA MiniConfig software for Mac and PC.

V2Digital and V2Analog convert analog video to digital and digital video to analog, respectively, supporting HD/SD-SDI and YPbrPr/RGB component or composite. The devices are configurable on USB via AJA MiniConfig software for Mac and PC, and offer 10-bit high-quality conversion in a new compact, low power design.

HD10A-Plus facilitates the high quality conversion of HD/SD 10-bit analog to digital for HD and SD digital workflows. With full bandwidth component HD RGB, RGBS or YPbPbr input, HD10A-Plus features three HD/SD-SDI outputs, SD mode support and internal or external sync input.

Each Mini-Converter includes a 5-20VDC universal power supply. 4K2HD is available now for $795. V2Digital and V2Analog are available now for $345 each. HD10A-Plus is available now for $695.

And, the company announced a public beta of AJA Control Room, a unified cross-platform software for ingest, playback and output with AJA products across Mac and Windows. Offering an elegant UI, AJA Control Room supports AJA's latest desktop I/O products, enabling capture, conversion, playback, VTR control and output. AJA Control Room is available at no cost for all currently shipping KONA cards, Io Express, Io XT and Io 4K.