AJA has announced KONA X, the latest generation of KONA desktop I/O technology featuring built-in Streaming DMA. AJA KONA X is a 4-lane PCIe 3.0 card offering ultra-low latency video capture and playback for applications spanning media and entertainment, live production, OEM development, etc.
It combines bi-directional dual, full-size BNC 12G-SDI and dual HDMI 2.0 connections and it is compatible with the new AJA Desktop Software v17 and version 17 of AJA’s software development kit (SDK).
Key features
- 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD/SD up to 50/60p
- 2x bidirectional 12G-SDI with up to 16-channels of embedded audio
- HDMI 2.0 input and output with up to 8-channels of embedded audio
- RGB 4:4:4 12-bit (4K/UltraHD) workflows supported
- YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit and HFR workflows supported
- VESA HDMI I/O compatibility – the video subsystem timing is agnostic, enabling capture and playback of a myriad of HDMI formats
- Support for Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere Pro and Avid Media Composer and much more
- Support for OEM applications with the AJA Developer SDK and In-Firmware Microcontroller
- 4K Closed Caption Support
- VPID signaling for SDR/HDR Transfer Characteristics, Colorimetry and Luminance via SDI
- PQ, HLG, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision Support
- HDR Metadata Capture and Auto Playback Detection
- Includes support for the latest Apple silicon
- Optional KONA Xpand board provides Bi-level / Tri-level Video Reference (BNC), LTC in/out, RS-422, 8-channels of AES/EBU audio (with included breakout cable) and 2-channels of analog audio in and out (via user supplied DB-15 to XLR cable)
- Three year warranty
One of the key features of KONA X is built-in Streaming DMA. DMA operation occurs between the video I/O and KONA X user buffer, bypassing the KONA X on-card memory. This functionality allows users to achieve as low as sub-frame latencies, which is important for eSports and live production environments, where the synchronization of AR graphics and graphical overlays, and split-second reaction times for viewer interactions are required. For virtual production, it keeps camera tracking, the LED wall, and game engine in sync, while in broadcast applications, it provides a simpler way to manage dynamic video.
KONA X includes dual full-size BNC, 12G-SDI bi-directional connections, and dual, full-size HDMI 2.0 connections (one for input and one for output) with VESA HDMI I/O support. With VESA HDMI I/O compatibility, the video subsystem timing is agnostic, enabling capture and playback of a myriad of HDMI formats. The Firmware Microcontroller lets KONA X users and OEM developers run code directly on the card and achieve ultra-low latency or functionality that might need to exist before the system containing the card fully boots.
The full-size I/O streamlines installation while providing extended card longevity, and visible status LEDs on the KONA X backplane to ensure intuitive connection and status reporting. An In-Firmware MicroController allows AJA Developer Partners to utilize the card for nearly any use case while support for the AJA SDK on Windows, Linux, and macOS makes it easy to program and configure the KONA X using a familiar toolset. For applications that require advanced audio, LTC, RS-422 and other functionality, an optional KONA Xpand break-out board is available, which can be installed in an adjacent PCIe slot.
The KONA Xpand breakout board includes two channels of balanced analog audio (via user-supplied DB15 to XLR cable); Bi-level/Tri-level Video Reference (BNC); eight channels of unbalanced AES/EBU audio (Breakout Cable – BNC); LTC In/Out (Breakout Cable – BNC) and RS-422 (Breakout Cable – DB-9).
KONA X can also take advantage of AJA’s Desktop Software, including new enhancements in the latest v17 update, such as improved closed caption support, performance improvements for Apple silicon systems, and support for Rocky Linux. AJA Desktop Software is available on macOS, Windows, and Linux, and it includes application plug-ins for Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Apple Final Cut Pro, among others. AJA Control Room, Control Panel, and System Test applications are also included.
Pricing & availability
KONA X will be available alongside a free Desktop Software v17 update in Q4 2023 via AJA’s worldwide reseller network for $3,695 USD. The optional KONA Xpand expansion board will be released simultaneously for $595 USD.
To download Desktop Software v17 upon release visit the AJA Downloads Page.
