AJA always kicks off NAB right with a Monday morning press breakfast to talk about their new products and the year ahead. AJA has really embraced the HDR world, making a lot of hardware products to facilitate a good HDR workflow. They have been at the forefront of IP video as well and that continues with NAB 2019. The biggest surprise was the Ki Pro Go which is an H.264 based version of their very popular Ki Pro line of hardware recorders. There is a lot of functionality packed into that product.

Below are the various products with detail.

AJA Introduces Ki Pro GO Multi-Channel H.264 Recorder/Player

Enables high quality, low-bandwidth multi-channel HD and SD recording to USB media 

Las Vegas, NV, NAB Conference, Stand SL2416 (April 8, 2019)—AJA Video Systems today introduced the newest addition to its Ki Pro family, Ki Pro GO – a portable genlock free, multi-channel H.264 HD and SD redundant recorder/player. Ki Pro GO records pristine quality video to off-the-shelf USB media. The flexible architecture of Ki Pro GO is designed for live production, sports, corporate events, training, houses of worship and more.

“People love to watch content on phones and tablets, making easy H.264 capture attractive to video professionals because it simplifies distribution to a range of devices. Ki Pro GO introduces a low-cost, H.264 recording solution for this need that supports several multi-channel HD and SD video recording/playback configurations,” shared Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems.  

Ki Pro GO combines the Ki Pro family’s intuitive design, flexibility and high quality with encoding/decoding of H.264 recording and playback in a compact 2RU, half-rack width form factor. Users can easily record up to four channels of HD and SD content from SDI and HDMI sources to standard USB media. Genlock free recording eliminates the need to synchronize four input sources, while redundant recording provides multiple back ups in the field to protect the recorded video. Four 3G-SDI and four HDMI ports ensure a high quality source with standard cabling compatibility options. Video and audio input matrix channel mapping simplifies switching between physical inputs to the appropriate recording channel within the device’s UI from a mix of source inputs as needed. HDMI multi-channel monitoring enables Ki Pro GO to display up to four channels of video as a matrix monitoring output on one HDMI monitor. 

Ki Pro GO feature highlights include: 

• Multi-channel H.264 recording and playback
• 5 x USB recording media slots, compatible with off-the-shelf USB 3.0 media
• Redundant recording 
• Genlock free inputs
• 4x HDMI inputs
• 4x 3G-SDI inputs
• HDMI and SDI multi-channel matrix monitoring
• Selectable VBR recording profiles 
• Balanced XLR analog audio inputs, mic/line/48v switchable
• 2-channel embedded audio per video input
• Easy-to-use web UI, compatible with standard web browsers
• Front panel button controls with integrated HD resolution screen
• Stand-alone operation 

Pricing and Availability

Ki Pro GO will be available June for $3995 US MSRP.

AJA Unveils FS-HDR v3.0 Firmware 

Update delivers new Colorfront Engine™ Film Mode with support for ACES, multi-channel Dynamic LUT support, variable PQ Nit Level output, BBC v1.3 LUTs and other enhancements

Las Vegas, NV, NAB Conference, Stand SL2416 (April 8, 2019)—AJA Video Systems today unveiled v3.0 firmware for its FS-HDR real-time HDR/WCG converter and frame synchronizer. The feature-rich update introduces enhanced coloring tools and support for multi-channel Dynamic LUTs, plus several other improvements for broadcast, on-set, post and proAV HDR production. 

“We continue to be impressed by the various ways that FS-HDR is being implemented in workflows around the world, and want to expand those possibilities by bringing customers meaningful updates,” shared Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “FS-HDR v3.0 is a continuation of our efforts to bring new tools to professionals embracing HDR who may also still have SDR deliverables, and is packed with customer-requested features that align with evolving HDR standards and formats.”

A new integrated Colofront Engine™ Film Mode offers a dense and rich grading and look creation toolset with optional ACES colorspace, ASC Color Decision List (CDL) controls and built-in LOOK selection including film emulation looks as well as variable Output Mastering Nit Levels for PQ, HLG Extended, P3 color space clamp and more. The original Colorfront Engine Transform Mode has also been upgraded with new functionality and renamed Colorfront Engine Live Mode. FS-HDR v3.0 firmware includes other feature enhancements to Live Mode including variable Output Mastering Nit Levels for PQ, HLG Extended, P3 color space clamp and more, as well as new BBC HLG v1.3 LUTs. 

Previously introduced single-channel Dynamic LUTs support 4K resolutions, and v3.0 brings new support for multi-channel HD workflows, with integration support for Pomfort’s LiveGrade Pro and TVLogic’s WonderLookPro for continuous real-time LUT updates as grading is performed in third party software.

“Extending the integration of LiveGrade Pro and AJA FS-HDR is the result of a great collaboration,” said Patrick Renner, Product Manager, Pomfort. “With the new integration for the FS-HDR multi-channel mode, LiveGrade Pro can now control four independent channels in the device. The combination of FS-HDR and LiveGrade Pro is the ideal solution for customers looking for a compact, rack-mount solution for multi-camera and multi-monitor setups.”

Key FS-HDR v3.0 release highlights include:

• New Colorfront Engine™ Film Mode 

• Input Dynamic Range and Gamut: Support for a broad range of selections including SDR, PQ, HLG, HLG Extended, Sony Slog3, ARRI Log C, Panasonic V-Log, Red Log3G10, Canon Log 2 and Log3 and ACEScct

• Output Dynamic Range and Gamut: Support for a variety of selections including SDR, PQ, HLG, HLG Extended, Sony Slog3, ARRI Log C and ACEScct

• Nit Level Control for PQ Output: 

• Variable adjustments from 48-4000 Nits

• • DCI P3 Colorspace Clamp for HDR Output 
  • SDR Preview for HDR Output
  • HDR Amount and Ambient Surround Compensation
  • LOOK: Look A Select, Look B Select and A/B Mix

• • • Includes 23 different optional Looks including popular film emulation with Bleach, Ektachrome, Kodachrome, ARRI K1S1, FujiXD and more

• Grading Colorspace Selection: 

• LogC, ACESscct, and SLog3

• • • ASC CDL Defined Parameters: 

• • • • Slope, Power, Offset, and Saturation 

• • Scene Referred Adjustments: 

• Exposure, Color Temp and Tint

• Colorfront Engine Live Mode for Transforms with New Additions:

• Input/Output Dynamic Range:

• Support for HLG Extended 

• Nit Level Control for PQ Output: 

• Variable adjustments from 48-4000 Nits

• DCI P3 Colorspace Clamp for HDR Output

• Updated BBC v1.3 LUTs: This update includes the latest improvements to the BBC’s licensed HLG conversion LUTs

• Single-channel and Four-channel Dynamic LUT Mode Integrates with:

• • Pomfort LiveGrade Pro
  • TV Logic WonderLookPro

Pricing and Availability

FS-HDR v3.0 will be available June as a free download from AJA’s website. FS-HDR is available now for $7995 US MSRP. For more information, visit: www.aja.com/products/fs-hdr.

About FS-HDR
FS-HDR is a versatile 1RU, rackmount universal converter/frame synchronizer for real time HDR transforms as well as 4K/HD up/down/cross conversions. Fusing AJA’s production-proven FS frame synchronization and conversion technology with video and color space processing algorithms from the award-winning Colorfront Engine, FS-HDR matches the real time, low-latency processing and color fidelity demands that broadcast, OTT, post production and ProAV environments require. FS-HDR offers comprehensive signal conversion, and allows users to also convert a range of camera Log formats to HDR broadcast standards as well as to/from BT.2020/BT.709.

AJA Announces HELO v4.0 Firmware 

New UI improvements advance the user experience 

Las Vegas, NV, NAB Conference, Stand SL2416 (April 8, 2019)—AJA Video Systems today announced v4.0 firmware for its HELO H.264 streaming, recording and encoding device. HELO v4.0 adds new features that allow users to customize their streaming service and offer improved monitoring and control for live stream workflows. 

New AV Mute allows HELO users to personalize the viewing experience with their own service branding by supplying an image to be streamed while muting audio and video streams. The user-supplied still image can be streamed until the video feed is ready to go live or if any technical difficulties arise. New Event Logging allows users to monitor the activity of the encoder, making it easier to identify and troubleshoot service connection issues. The release also adds Korean and Japanese support to the UI, making HELO more accessible to users in some parts of the world.

HELO v4.0 feature highlights include: 

• AV Mute: The user can toggle a web UI control to mute the video and audio while maintaining the stream to the end viewer. When audio and video are muted, a user-customizable still image is encoded and streamed instead of the incoming video. 
• Event Logging: Export an event log for all HELO activity on the web UI in a separate browser window or export as a .TXT or .CSV file for deeper analysis and troubleshooting.
• Enhanced Language Support: Access the HELO web UI in the Japanese and Korean languages.

Pricing and Availability

HELO v4.0 will be available May as a free download from AJA’s website. HELO is available now for $1295 US MSRP. For more information, visit: www.aja.com/products/helo.

About HELO

AJA HELO is an affordable, flexible stand-alone H.264 streaming and recording device. Combining 3G-SDI and HDMI I/O into a single appliance, it allows users to stream out to a CDN while simultaneously encoding and recording H.264 files to either SD cards, USB storage or network-based storage.

AJA Introduces ProRes Integration in AJA Control Room v15.2

ProRes capture/playback supported in AJA Control Room on Windows, Linux, and macOS, including ProRes 4444 XQ

Las Vegas, NV, NAB Conference, Stand SL2416 (April 8, 2019)—AJA Video Systems has announced support for the ProRes family in AJA Control Room v15.2 software. AJA Control Room, together with KONA 5, AJA’s PCIe card, extends the workflow to 8K/UHD2 frame sizes at 60p.

“Our engineering teams have worked closely with Apple over the years to continually support the most advanced workflows that our customers demand,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “With this new level of Apple ProRes support in AJA Control Room, we’re thrilled to bring one of the most popular video formats in professional workflows to all our supported platforms. Extending our high-quality, high-performance options to all video professionals and combined with the KONA 5, our customers can take advantage of a powerful, flexible, and cost-effective 8K capture and playback solution.”

AJA Control Room is a powerful capture and media player application that extends Apple ProRes support to Windows and Linux, enabling delivery of an unparalleled combination of performance, impressive image-quality preservation, and reduced storage rates for high-bit-depth 4:2:2 and 4:4:4:4 video— all the benefits of ProRes to any media professional in post production.

About AJA Control Room

AJA Control Room 15.2 is a free cross-platform software for capture, conversion, playback, VTR control, and output that works as a standalone professional media player, even on systems without AJA hardware installed. Whether using tape, files, or Broadcast IP, users now have a unified experience on all platforms, macOS®, Windows®, or Linux®. For more information visit: https://www.aja.com/products/aja-control-room

AJA Introduces Corvid 44 12G with 12G-SDI I/O, 

Supporting 8K and Multi-Channel 4K Workflows

Low-profile 8K Powerhouse for Use in Workstations or Servers

Las Vegas, NV, NAB Conference, Stand SL2416 (April 8, 2019) — At NAB 2019, AJA Video Systems debuted Corvid 44 12G, a new 8-lane PCIe 3.0 video and audio I/O card supporting 12G-SDI I/O in a low-profile design for workstations and servers. Corvid 44 12G supports 8K/UltraHD2/4K/UltraHD high frame rate, deep color and HDR workflows, plus multi-channel 12G-SDI I/O, enabling either 8K or multiple 4K streams of input or output. Corvid 44 12G joins the family of renowned Corvid I/O cards, engineered to meet the needs of AJA’s Developer Partners.

“Demand for 8K as well as multi-channel 4K and HD workflows is growing quickly. Corvid 44 12G brings Developers a powerful solution to create applications that streamline high resolution, deep color workflows, merging the flexibility of AJA’s popular and powerful KONA 5 into a low profile I/O solution with active and passive cooling options,” shared Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. 

The Corvid 44 12G capture and output card leverages AJA’s world-class SDK to provide the power and flexibility across macOS, Windows and Linux used by leading companies to create the highest performance applications for imaging, post, broadcast and virtual production.

CORVID 44 12G feature highlights include: 

• 12G-SDI I/O for 8K, UltraHD2, 4K, UltraHD, 2K, HD and SD with HFR support up to 8K 60p at YUV 10-bit 4:2:2, and support for RGB 12-bit 4:4:4 up to 8K 30p 
• 4x bi-directional 12G-SDI ports and 1x Reference In
• Choice of robust HD-BNC connectors, with included HD-BNC to full-sized BNC cables included, or a full-size BNC model of the card
• 16-channel embedded SDI audio per 12G-SDI port
• 10-bit downstream keyer in hardware, supporting up to 4K resolution
• AJA SDK compatibility, offering advanced features including multi-channel 4K I/O 
• Low-profile design for use in workstations or servers
• 8-lane PCIe 3.0 design
• RS-422 serial control via PCIe bracket, or header on card
• Active or passive heatsink
• Three-year international warranty

AJA SDK

AJA’s popular SDK enables some of the most powerful image-based products on the market today across Science, Medicine, Security, Space, Military, Post Production, Broadcast, Ingest, Playout, VR, Virtual Production, Projection Mapping, eSports and more. The Corvid 44 12G family also includes models for active or passive cooling, RS422 on the PCIe bracket or on the card header, and HD-BNC or full size BNC connectors.

Pricing and Availability

Corvid 44 12G will be available soon. For more information, visit: www.aja.com/products/developer/corvid-44-12g

AJA Announces IPT-10G2-HDMI and IPT-10G2-SDI 

SMPTE ST 2110 Mini-Converters

Las Vegas, NV, NAB Conference, Stand SL2416 (April 8, 2019)—AJA Video Systems debuted the IPT-10G2-HDMI and IPT-10G2-SDI Mini-Converters, single channel IP video transmitters for bridging traditional HDMI and 3G-SDI signals to SMPTE ST 2110 for IP-based workflows. Compact, quiet and rugged, both models feature dual 10 GigE SFP+ ports for facilities relying on redundancy in critical transmission environments.

These new Mini-Converters provide a bridge from existing baseband sources to SMPTE ST 2110 infrastructure and are suited for point-of-acquisition and contribution applications, including broadcast studios, sports trucks, newsrooms, enterprise media facilities, stadiums, concerts and other live event and professional AV environments. IPT-10G2-HDMI and IPT-10G2-SDI support uncompressed HD video and audio conversion and transmission and are the complimentary products to the previously released IPR-10G2-HDMI and IPR-10G2-SDI receivers. With this release, AJA now offers a range of HDMI and SDI, IP Mini-Converters to support SMPTE ST 2110 workflows. Both models are also fully compatible with the AJA KONA IP and AJA Io IP ST 2110 modes released with the Desktop Software v15.2.

Additional IPT-10G2-HDMI and IPT-10G2-SDI features include:

• Compact, rugged, quiet fanless design
• Two 10 GigE SFP+ ports for SMPTE ST 2110 stream transmit with status light
• One 1 GigE RJ45 socket for control LAN, with status light, for setup and configuration
• Dual redundant stream transmission (SMPTE 2022-7)
• Full 10-bit pixel processing pipeline
• IPT-10G2-HDMI supports up to 1920×1080 60p, YCbCr 4:2:2, or RGB 4:4:4
• IPT-10G2-SDI supports up to 1920×1080 60p, YCbCr 4:2:2
• Up to 16 channels of embedded audio (SDI) and 8 channels (HDMI), 24-bit per channel, 48 kHz synchronous, or 2 channels of dual RCA analog audio
• NMOS for Discovery, Registration and Control (IS-04 v1.2 & IS-05 v1.0)
• Ember+ or AJA REST API for Control
• DHCP enabled at factory for easy setup and control with web browser
• One mini-USB port for quick network setup with free AJA eMini-Setup software
• SSDP & MDNS supported for network automatic device discovery
• Five-year warranty and support

“As the industry transitions towards IP-based workflows, our customers are seeking solutions to bridge existing baseband sources with evolving SMPTE ST 2110 production environments,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “With the introduction of our newest IP Mini-Converters, we continue to provide our users with futureproof technologies to streamline and simplify workflows.”

Pricing and Availability

IPT-10G2-HDMI and IPT-10G2-SDI will be available soon through AJA’s worldwide reseller network for $1295 US MSRP each. For more information, visit: www.aja.com/category/mini-converters.