ColorBox

Introduction

ColorBox from AJA is a compact, high-performance converter for color managed workflows designed to specifically meet the conversion needs of broadcast, live events, and on-set applications.  Supporting Standard Dynamic Range (SDR), High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Wide Color Gamut (WCG) signals, it utilizes 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 for single wire 4K/UltraHD HDR up to 4:2:2 10-bit 60p or 4:4:4 12-bit 30p with a unique color processing pipeline.

Built around the 33-point 3D LUT processor with tetrahedral interpolation, AJA Color Pipeline provides additional 4x 1D LUTs and 2x 3x3 matrices that are each individually configurable even as Proc Amps or RGB Color Correctors. Easily manage color processing options via the web user interface which can be accessed directly from a wired Ethernet connection or through a wireless connection via a third party WiFi USB adapter.

ColorBox includes processing pipeline modes from Colorfront and NBCU LUTs, as well as a powerful AJA Color Pipeline. ColorBox also expands its capabilities by offering licensable upgrade options for advanced color managed workflows, including BBC HLG LUTs and the all new ORION-CONVERT engine.  ORION-CONVERT’s unique real-time floating point math approach to color transforms produces higher precision results to get “access to the colors between the colors.”  This enables pixel perfect color transforms and round tripping where maintaining colors is paramount. 

ColorBox also offers a sophisticated test pattern generator and frame store, bringing useful tools to your workflow, including the ability to capture up to a 4K image as a 16-bit .tiff file for the highest quality reference stills. ColorBox can even overlay information onto the image, including helpful user definable text fields. These images can be saved locally on ColorBox or onto a third party connected PC running an application like Pomfort’s Livegrade Pro/Studio and Assimilate Live Looks.

Features

12-bit 4:4:4 12G-SDI I/O for up to 4K/UltraHD HDR/WCG 30p

10-bit 4:2:2 12G-SDI I/O for up to 4K/UltraHD HDR/WCG 60p

12-bit 4:4:4 HDMI 2.0 output for up to 4K/UltraHD HDR/WCG 30p

10-bit 4:2:2 HDMI 2.0 output for up to 4K/UltraHD HDR/WCG 60p

Ultra low latency, less than ½ a video line

Extensive AJA Color Pipeline built around the 33pt. 3D LUT processor with tetrahedral interpolation

7x nodes plus Overlay

1x 3D LUT processor, user configurable as 3D LUT or Dynamic

4x 1D LUT processors, user configurable as 1D LUT, Dynamic, or Color Corrector

2x 3x3 Matrix processors, user configurable as 3x3 Matrix, Dynamic, or ProcAmp

Supports industry standard file types, no conversion to proprietary format required

Configurable Colorspace, Range, and Transfer Characteristic

Full frame LUT processing

Five Color Processing Pipelines

AJA Color

Colorfront Mode

ORION-CONVERT Mode (Licensable option)

BBC HLG LUT Mode (Licensable option)

NBCU LUTs

Video Preview in web user interface for confidence monitoring

Built in Frame Store

Up to 4K/UltraHD frame capture and recall

Capture pre or post processed images

Test Pattern up to 4K/UltraHD, 9x test patterns built-in

Overlay information on output

User Text

Input and Output signal information

Pipeline Configuration

Overlay can be captured with image for future reference

Onboard library for file management

16x 1D LUTs

16x 3D LUTs

16x 3x3 Matrices

16x Images

ANC metadata pass-through

Embedded audio pass-through, SDI 16-ch. and HDMI 8-ch.

User defined text fields that can be overlaid on image

Preset Management, 10 per Pipeline plus Startup Preset

ANC metadata pass-through

Embedded audio pass-through, SDI 16-ch. and HDMI 8-ch.

Compact; 4 units can fit in just 1RU

Ultra quiet fan operation

Lightweight

Robust locking 4-pin mini-XLR power connector, DC power

On/Off button so you can save power when not in use

Select button used to bypass video processing

Extensive API for 3rd party control integrations

Embedded web server for remote control

Configure IP Address via USB port and supplied AJA eMini-Setup software for PC/Mac

Three year warranty

ColorBox features elegant design, with the front panel offering:

USB OTG (on-the-go) port, configure initial IP address or connect 3rd party WiFi adapter

Select Button, manually bypass video processing

Power Button, save power when not in use

SDI Lock LED, indicates lock to supported SDI input format

Status LED, indicates various ColorBox states

The rear provides:

12G-SDI Input

12G-SDI loop through output

12G-SDI Output

HDMI 2.0 Output

4-pin mini-XLR power

1GigE Ethernet port

The ultra quiet fan and properly positioned vents draw cool air through the front of the unit and exhausts warm air out of the back.

Integration Across Broad Applications

ColorBox offers key applications for modern workflows, including:

4K/UltraHD SDR and HDR pipelines for live television and concert production.  OB trucks and other live event infrastructure can easily use ColorBox to convert SDR signals to HDR and HDR to other delivery formats.  The licensable ORION-CONVERT and BBC HLG LUTs options as well as the free built-in Colorfront transforms and NBCU LUTs provide all the necessary tools to manage HDR workflows.  For hardware based control, SKAARHOJ and CyanView have integrated native control of ColorBox into their control panels.

On set look management and color grading for DITs or anyone in charge of ensuring that the content captured on set will meet the needs of the Cinematographer, Director of Photography, colorist, costume and lighting designers, and editors on the production. A DIT can easily manage workflows to load multiple looks, make adjustments as needed and save reference images (up to 4K) for dailies, postproduction, and later use. Pomfort’s Livegrade Pro and Studio and Assimilate Live Looks and Live Assist integrate easily, offering native control of ColorBox in real time.  The unique full frame processing capability of ColorBox eliminates partial frame LUT processing.

Monitor Calibration. Wherever the highest quality display calibration is required for a production studio, rental house, production or post production facility, ColorBox can help. ColorBox features an extensive API that allows 3rd parties to control the ColorBox Frame Store and its ability to output 12-bit RGB test patches for high quality monitor calibration applications.

Compact Form Factor

ColorBox is just 4in. x 7.5in., requiring a small footprint on your desktop or you can rack mount up to four ColorBox devices in just 1RU for easy addition to both production and post installations, in DIT carts, fly away kits, and equipment racks.  It is also lightweight at just 1 lb. making it perfect for DIT and mobile applications.

Pipelines

ColorBox comes with a range of Pipelines to choose from. Select any particular Pipeline for your production needs. Some Pipelines are designed specifically for live broadcast or live event needs. Others, like the AJA Color Pipeline, offer great flexibility for more control over each step of a transform for any application. Pipelines like BBC HLG LUTs or ORION-CONVERT will display a watermark over the image until a license is applied offering you the ability to evaluate the color science prior to purchasing the optional license. ColorBox offers unique image processing capabilities with an unrivaled array of options for a device of its type with full 12-bit 4:4:4 up to 4K 30p and 10-bit 4:2:2 up to 4K 60p.  Full bypass nodes are also offered for both 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 out, for quick comparisons.

These are the five Pipelines available:

AJA Color

Colorfront

ORION-CONVERT (requires License to remove watermark)

BBC HLG LUTs (requires License to remove watermark)

NBCU LUTs