AJA’s NAB 2019 efforts were focused in three areas: 8K, HDR and IP video, with announcements including a broad software update that brings Apple ProRes support to Windows and Linux along with extending the Kona 5 card’s capture capabilities to 8K.
AJA Desktop Software v15.2, set for release in May, will support encode and decode of Apple ProRes formats all the way up to 4444 XQ in Windows and Linux as well as MacOS.
Playing back 8K ProRes with AJA’s Control Room software
AJA
AJA’s SDK will now support up to 8K capture and playback via AJA Kona 5, as will AJA Control Room 15.2, the new version of its free capture and playback software. “This is a powerful 8K enabler,” said AJA’s Nick Rashby, announcing the update earlier this week.
Desktop Software is also being extended for IP video workflow, with added support for SMPTE ST 2110 in AJA’s Io IP. That’s a handy way to bridge 10 GigE content to Thunderbolt for ingest to Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro X and Avid Media Composer, to name a few.
AJA’s IPT-10G2 mini-converters
AJA
AJA also announced two new Mini-Converters (the IPT-10G2-HDMI and IPT-10G2-SDI) that bring HDMI and 3G-SDI signals into SMPTE ST 2110 IP workflow, complementing two existing converters that do the reverse, converting SMPTE ST 2110 IP signals to HDMI and SDI. Each one will ship “soon” and costs $1,295.
IPT-10G2-HDMI and IPT-10G2-SDI Features
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
Source: AJA
AJA Corvid 44 12G
AJA
The new Corvid 44 12G is an eight-lane PCIe 3.0 card designed for use in workstations and servers supporting 8K and multichannel 4K workflow. It has four 12G-SDI inputs and outputs and supports video at up to 8K 60p, or four streams of 4K 60p, Rashby said. It will be available “soon,” according to AJA.
Corvid 44 12G Features
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
Source: AJA
The Helo H.264 streaming system, which addresses the burgeoning Esports market, among others, is getting v4.0 firmware that includes an “AV mute” capability to swap out streaming audio and video with a still image (think “Sorry, we are experiencing technical difficulties” or “Stand by, the show will begin momentarily”). A new logging feature should make it easier to troubleshoot issues with connectivity, and Japanese and Korean language support has been added. The $1,295 Helo can stream to a CDN while simultaneously recording H.264 to SD cards or other storage devices. The new firmware will be available in May, AJA said.
AJA HDR Image Analyzer
AJA
On the HDR front, both of the products AJA developed in partnership with Colorfront are getting updates. The HDR Image Analyzer is getting its first significant software revision to v1.1, a free update that will include a new browser UI and remote desktop capabilities. Rory Gordon, senior colorist at ArsenalFX Color was on hand to testify for the press on the system’s utility. “It kind of helps us do HDR triage, understanding where the limitations are going to be in a bigger color volume,” she explained, illustrating her comments with samples of the scopes and displays that help her keep HDR under control.
AJA FS-HDR
AJA
AJA’s other product dedicated to HDR, the FS-HDR frame sync/converter, is getting a v3.0 upgrade with a raft of features including updated BBC v1.3 LUTs and a new film mode that lets users do real-time camera previews. It now supports ACES color space and ASC CDL parameters. The update will be a free download and is expected in June.
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, ACEScct and ACESLin
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
Source: AJA
