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News » AJA a Safe Harbor blogAJA KONA Product Line Goes Cross-Platform
AJA Video Systems, a leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, announced that it is now offering its KONA line of capture cards with software for both Mac and Windows-based systems. The company is folding its XENA line of capture cards, designed for the Windows platform, into the KONA product line, giving customers twice the software and flexibility to use KONA cards on all platforms, at no additional cost. The KONA family is AJA’s line of 10-bit uncompressed capture and playback cards for video and audio input and output. Initially designed solely for the Mac platform, KONA now supports SD, HD, Dual Link 4:4:4 HD and 2K formats, and all of the functionality of the former XENA products within the single, cross-platform KONA line. Effective immediately, every new KONA package shipped will include both Mac and Windows software and documentation. Current customers will experience no change in functionality or service, and Windows-based customers can find support on the AJA website under ‘KONA for PC’. Updated drivers for either Mac or PC platforms are always available online (http://www.aja.com/support/). AJA recommends users check the AJA website to ensure they have the latest drivers and software. "Our goal is to simplify our customers’ experience and give them greater value," said Nick Rashby, AJA Video Systems President. "The post-production world is not homogeneous, and offering a single product line with identical functionality that customers can use on either or both platforms, for the same cost, recognizes their need for ease of use and flexibility." KONA for PC software is available for Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP, with the same system specifications that have been previously published for XENA. All KONA cards now operate on both Mac and PC platforms. Those customers using Apple Mac Pro towers are able to install the KONA for Mac software to work under OS X and the KONA for PC Windows software under Apple Boot Camp to work cross-platform on the same machine. The KONA cross-platform family is currently available from AJA’s worldwide network of channel partners. MSRP pricing begins at $990. AJA reserves all rights in its XENA trademarks. AJA Video Ships Io Express
AJA Video Systems, a leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, has released Io Express, a highly portable audio and video I/O device that’s designed for the latest file-based workflows. AJA will be demonstrating Io Express September 11-15 at IBC 2009 in Hall 7, Stand F-11 at the RAI Convention Center in Amsterdam. Io Express is an ideal Mac or PC interface for video professionals looking for an inexpensive monitoring and mastering solution when working with Apple ProRes 422 and Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), XDCAM HD, DVCPRO HD and more. Io Express bridges the computer and video worlds, providing professional I/O options to laptops such as the Apple MacBook Pro or to desktops such as the Apple Mac Pro or HP workstations. "Io Express offers some of the most frequently requested features from AJA’s user-base," said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video. "Io Express provides an extremely flexible range of connectivity options, and its small form factor and low price point make it the perfect addition to any filmmaker, DP or editor’s gear kit." Io Express Features:
Io Express is now shipping with Mac driver software; Windows driver software will be available soon for free download. For a complete overview of features and technical specifications, please visit www.aja.com. Io Express is available now via AJA’s network of worldwide resellers and channel partners for an MSRP of US$995. AJA Io Express Showcased at NAB 2009
AJA Video Systems, the leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, announced the Io Express, a new highly portable audio and video I/O device that’s designed for the latest file-based workflows. Io Express will be shown for the first time April 20-23 during the NAB conference at the Las Vegas Convention Center at the AJA booth SL2513. Io Express is an ideal Mac or PC interface for video professionals looking for an inexpensive monitoring and mastering solution when working with Apple ProRes 422 and Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), XDCAM HD, DVCPRO HD and more. Io Express bridges the computer and video worlds, providing professional I/O options to laptops such as the Apple MacBook Pro, and optionally to desktops such as the Mac Pro or HP workstations. "So many of our customers are adopting file-based workflows and the Io Express is perfect for monitoring and mastering in those environments," said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video. "The Io Express provides lots of connectivity options in a very well designed product that’s extremely portable and flexible." Io Express Features:
The Io Express will be available in Q3 of 2009 for an MSRP of $995 via AJA’s worldwide network of channel partners. AJA Ki Pro Garners Support from Professional Camera Manufacturers
AJA Video Systems, a leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, announced today that its Ki Pro portable digital disk recorder has been endorsed by top camera manufacturers including ARRI, Canon and RED. Ki Pro records files to the Apple ProRes codec directly from camera, allowing filmmakers, broadcasters, video professionals and prosumers to skip the process of re-rendering to an editing codec by giving immediate access to 10-bit full raster edit-ready ProRes files. Ki Pro was introduced today, and will be on display at the AJA Booth (SL2513) during the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center from April 20-23, 2009. "We are really excited about the potential of Ki Pro to streamline decision making on-set and in postproduction. Coupled with the Full HD output of the ARRIFLEX D-21 camera, the Ki Pro provides direct transfer to a ready to edit format. Using Ki Pro with an Apple Final Cut Pro workstation on set, the production team can have instantaneous real time playback for take selection," said Adrian Widera, Key Account TV International, ARRI. "Ki Pro helps create an end-to-end solution for Canon videographers working in Final Cut Pro by delivering ‘edit-ready’ 10-bit video directly off of Canon professional camcorders," said Joe Bogacz, technical advisor, professional products, Canon U.S.A. "We are happy to see this solution on display here at NAB 2009." "A big part of the RED ONE’s success in the cinema and television markets, is the combination of stunning 4K images along with flexible and logical post production solutions" said Ted Schilowitz of RED Digital Cinema. "The ability to record ProRes directly from the live HD videotap output from a RED ONE on a small portable device, while capturing the 4k REDCODE raw on the camera is a big deal. And I probably don’t even need to mention that because it’s an AJA product, it will no doubt hit the legendary quality and top notch level of support that industry pros have come to count on every day on the job." "Ki Pro fills the gap between camera acquisition and post production, giving filmmakers and video professionals instant access to their material," commented Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video. "It’s extremely gratifying to bring this product to market with the support and enthusiasm of companies such as Apple, ARRI, Canon and RED." About Ki Pro AJA Introduces XENA LHi Windows Video I/O Card and Adobe CS4 Support
AJA Video Systems, a leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, announced the XENA LHi video capture and playback card, along with support for Adobe® Creative Suite® 4 Production Premium software across the entire XENA line. XENA LHi is AJA’s newest uncompressed video capture and playback card designed for the Windows platform, and makes its debut April 20-23 during the NAB exhibition at the Las Vegas Convention Center at the AJA booth SL2513. The XENA LHi is well suited for many diverse broadcast and post production workflows and offers AJA’s 10-bit hardware up, down and cross-conversion to or from HD and SD, which can be applied to any or all inputs or outputs simultaneously. Connect to analog and digital devices including the latest 3G SDI and HDMI v1.3a enabled products for deep color space support. XENA LHi allows users to digitize HD into space-efficient SD for offline work, monitor HD files on an SD monitor and make analog or digital SD tape masters from an HD project. The entire AJA XENA family of products (2K, LHi, LHe, and LSe) also now support Adobe Premiere® Pro CS4, After Effects® CS4 and Photoshop® CS4 Extended, all of which are part of Adobe Creative Suite® 4 Production Premium. Powerful support for Creative Suite 4 allows for video playback, in addition to capture and output to a deck with deck control from within each of these applications. The AJA Windows plug-ins for Adobe Creative Suite 4 offer unparalleled integration and support for a wide range of video formats, including native QuickTime, DPX, CIN, TIFF and TGA file support within Adobe Premiere Pro CS4, After Effects CS4 and Photoshop CS4 Extended and native real time 10-bit RGB editing in Adobe Premiere Pro CS4. "AJA continues to offer ground-breaking solutions to video professionals and the LHi is no exception, giving Adobe customers streamlined access to digital and analog video formats," said Ginna Baldassarre, senior product manager for Production Premium at Adobe Systems Incorporated. "The XENA LHi brings our users extended capabilities and display options for broadcast and post production work." Available for Windows and Intel based Mac OS systems, Adobe Creative Suite 4 Production Premium pairs world-class video, audio, and design tools with integration features that help save valuable production time at every step. Benchmarking results from an independent research study conducted by Pfeiffer Consulting and commissioned by Adobe shows that features in Adobe Creative Suite 4 software can dramatically increase productivity, efficiency and return on investment. The report includes several ways Creative Suite 4 Production Premium saves time and money. "The XENA LHi delivers an incredible range of functionality to our Windows customers," said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video. "And the launch of our plug-ins for Adobe Creative Suite 4 creates really beneficial workflow efficiencies with the ability to playback, capture and output video from directly within the latest After Effects, AdobePremiere Pro and Photoshop Extended interfaces." XENA LHi Features:
The XENA LHi will be available soon for an MSRP of $1495 via AJA’s worldwide network of channel partners. The optional KLHi-Box is available for $349 MSRP. For a limited time, the massively popular XENA LHe uncompressed video capture and playback card will be available at the special price of $1295, a saving of almost $500. AJA Debuts KONA LHi at NAB 2009
AJA Video Systems, a leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, announced the KONA LHi, AJA’s newest uncompressed video capture and playback card for SD, HD and 3G SDI single-link 4:2:2 formats for Apple Mac Pro systems. The KONA LHi makes its debut April 20-23 during the NAB exhibition at the Las Vegas Convention Center at the AJA booth SL2513. The AJA KONA LHi allows legacy analog devices alongside the newest 3G SDI and HDMI v1.3a enabled products to interface to the latest PCIe Apple Mac OSX hardware, with integrated support for Apple Final Cut Studio and other QuickTime software applications. The card also features AJA’s proven 10-bit SD to HD up-conversion, HD to HD cross-conversion, and HD to SD down-conversion, providing complete flexibility when working with multiple SD and HD formats. "KONA LHi represents the next evolution of our massively popular KONA LHe. With the addition of HDMI and 3G SDI support along with up, cross and down-convert, we’re offering even more workflow solutions for our customers," said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video. "The KONA LHi delivers a huge amount of functionality in a very cost-effective package." The AJA KONA LHi allows editing, monitoring and mastering of professional quality video in an affordable, easy to use product. Since all of KONA LHi’s conversions are hardware-based, they are available all the time—during ingest or playback. Outputs can be configured independently allowing users to have simultaneous HD and SD output—or two different types of HD, 720 or 1080, output via cross-conversion. KONA LHi Features:
The KONA LHi is available immediately for an MSRP of $1495 via AJA’s worldwide network of channel partners. The optional KLHi-Box breakout box is also available now for $349 MSRP. For a limited time, the KONA LHe uncompressed video capture and playback card will be available at the special price of $1295, a saving of almost $500. AJA Debuts Two New Mini-Converter Products at NAB 2009
AJA Video Systems,, the leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, is releasing two new Mini-Converters at NAB 2009, the Hi5-3G and the HDP2. These Mini-Converters are designed both for the broadcast and post-production display markets and provide support for a wide array of the latest video and audio formats. These new converters will be showcased at the AJA booth SL2513 during the NAB conference, April 20-23, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Hi5-3G converts 3G-SDI, dual or single-link HD-SDI, or SD-SDI to HDMI v1.3a for driving HDMI monitors. HDMI v1.3a capability with Deep Color support at 30 and 36 bits per pixel provides integration with the latest 10-bit monitors. Audio is supported in the HDMI output allowing a convenient single cable audio/video connection. The Hi5-3G provides 2-channel RCA style audio outputs for separate audio monitoring if needed. The HDP2 is a miniature HD/SD-SDI to DVI-D converter for digital display devices, such as LCD, DLP, and Plasma monitors or projectors. Using a very high quality scaling engine and de-interlacer, the HDP2 will automatically size 4:3 or 16:9 video inputs to many DVI-D monitors. For appropriate monitor configurations, scaling is automatically 1-to-1—for example, displaying 1920x1080 video on a WUXGA (1920x1200) monitor. The HDP2 will also automatically adapt the input frame rate for monitor compatibility. In addition, the HDP2 provides 2-channel audio monitoring and a looping output of the SDI input. The HDP2 is designed for general monitoring, and is perfect for use in applications such as general post-production reference monitoring, client monitoring, presentation, projection, corporate displays, kiosk applications, and much more. The HDP2 also supports HDMI v1.3a Deep Color (with a DVI to HDMI adapter). In the HDMI mode, Deep Color is supported at 30/36 bits per pixel with 8-channel audio. HDP2 replaces the hugely popular HDP. Both the Hi5-3G and the HDP2 provide USB connectivity to allow for easy PC/Mac setup and field upgrades, and are backed by AJA’s five-year warranty. "We’ve been making many of the industry’s most popular video converter products for over fifteen years and our Mini-Converters are known for their great price/performance ratio," said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. "With these two new Mini-Converters we’re building new and unique functionality that responds directly to our customer’s demands." Hi5-3G has an MSRP of $690, and HDP2 also has an MSRP of $690. Both products will be available in May via AJA’s worldwide network of channel partners. AJA Announces Ki Pro Portable Digital Disk Recorder at NAB 2009
AJA Video Systems, a leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, has announced Ki Pro, a portable tapeless video device that records files to the Apple ProRes 422 codec directly from camera. Ki Pro provides a new way of connecting production and post with its extensive analog and digital connectivity; virtually any video and audio source can be fed into Ki Pro to record pristine 10-bit ProRes 422 media that is then immediately available to edit within Apple’s Final Cut Studio. Ki Pro will be on display at the AJA Booth (SL2513) at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center from April 20-23, 2009. "Since its introduction two years ago, Apple ProRes 422 has become the codec of choice for professional editors," said Richard Townhill, Apple’s director of Video Applications Marketing. "AJA's Ki Pro is the latest product to provide support for ProRes 422 natively in hardware, and for the first time delivers immediate access to the 10-bit, full raster ProRes 422 codec directly from camera." Ki Pro allows filmmakers, broadcasters and video professionals and prosumers to skip the process of re-rendering to an editing codec by giving immediate access to full raster edit-ready ProRes 422 files directly from camera. Ki Pro records hours of media to a removable storage module with built in FireWire 800 or to 34mm ExpressCard Flash. The device is a small, portable unit that can sit on a table, in a bay or mounted between a camera and tripod. Ki Pro is also ideal for on-set monitoring, providing instant access to multiple display devices simultaneously. Core Ki Pro Features:
For a complete set of features and technical specifications, please visit www.aja.com. Ki Pro is priced at $3995 US MSRP and will be shipping in June of 2009. Ki Pro is a standalone unit that includes the Ki Pro Recorder, Ki Pro HDD Storage Module and an AC Adapter. Product options include: an Exo-Skeleton for mounting between camera and tripod; Ki Pro SSD Storage Module; extra Ki Pro Hard Drive Storage Modules; Ki Pro Rod Accessory Kit adding endplates to the Exo-Skeleton; and an AJA Lens Tap Cable Accessory allowing Ki Pro to connect between the lens tap control connector and a camera body. WEVA Partners With Universal Studios Florida For WEVA EXPO 2008 Tour
WEVA International has partnered with Universal Studios Florida Production Group to plan an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Universal Studios Production Facilities for professional videographers in conjunction with the WEVA 18th Annual Wedding & Event Video Expo, August 11-14, 2008. WEVA EXPO 2008, the wedding and event video industry's largest convention and trade show will be held at Orlando Grande Lakes Resort, just 10 minutes from Universal Studios Florida. The largest working motion picture and television studio outside of Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida boasts 9 state-of-the-art soundstages, multiple broadcast studios, and more than 100 backlot sets. Numerous feature films (including The Waterboy, Matinee, and Parenthood) have been shot on the studio backlot. Home to cable network’s Nickelodeon, Universal Studios Florida has hosted TV programs as diverse as The Ellen Degeneres Show; The Food Network's Emeril, Live!; The Steve Harvey Show; America's Most Wanted; Fear Factor; BattleBotsIQ and TNA (Total Nonstop Action). TNA, today's popular contemporary wrestling show, is taped in Stage 21 - (adjacent to the park). This summer, WEVA EXPO 2008 attendees will have a rare opportunity to take an optional pre-convention, behind-the-scenes tour of Universal Studios that is being planned for Monday August 11, 2008 (starting early afternoon, ending before the official WEVA EXPO 2008 Opening Night Gala at 5:45pm). "As announced at our NAB event this week, WEVA is already at work with the Universal Studios Production Group (USPG) designing a backlot tour that is ‘professional to professional’ rather than the standard ‘visitor’ version normally presented to park guests," relates Dan Argenas, WEVA’s Director of Association Communications. "Our goal is to offer WEVA EXPO 2008 attendees an inside view of state-of-the-art television and film production that’s up close and personal." The WEVA and USPG teams are finalizing details of the tour, including ground transportation (private busses will depart from the JW Marriott). Watch WEVA.com for more news on the Universal Studios Tour and continuous updates on all WEVA EXPO 2008 Wedding and Event Video Sessions, EXPO 2008 Trade Show, and EXPO 2008 Special Events. AJA Debuts New Mini Converter Products at NAB 2008
AJA Video Systems, a leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, is releasing four new mini converters at NAB 2008. The products are designed both for the broadcast and post-production markets and provide support for a wide array of the latest video and audio formats. The new HD10CEA converter provides a simple and cost effective way for video professionals working with HD-SDI to interface with analog video and audio formats. HA5 allows conversion of HDMI signals to HD-SDI, allowing low-cost HD cameras to be interfaced with professional equipment. AJA's new 3GM and 3GDA converters underscore the company's commitment to adopting emerging broadcast formats with support for 3Gb ("3G") SDI. "Our converter products have long had a reputation for robust performance, reliability and delivering a lot of power for a low price point," said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. "With these four new mini converters we're responding directly to our customer demands for increased broadcast and post-production workflow flexibility and format support." About HD10CEA About HA5 About 3GM About 3GDA In addition to launching these new products at NAB, AJA is announcing dramatic price reductions, from 10-40%, on several of the company's most popular converters including the D10CE, D10C2, D10CEA, D10AD, D5DA, HD10C2, HD10MD3, HD10DA, HD5DA, HD10AM, HD10AMA, RH10UC, RH10MD, RD10MD2, RH10DA, R20DA, R20AD, R20ADF, R20CE, R20CEF and the FSG. View Safe Harbor's complete AJA product listing for prices.
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