AJA Io 4K Plus Professional Video and Audio I/O over Thunderbolt 3 - IO-4K-PLUS-R0

SPECIFICATIONS

Video Formats
(4K) 4096 x 2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
(UltraHD) 3840 x 2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
(2K) 2048 x 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
(2K) 2048 x 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25
(HD) 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
(HD) 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
(HD) 1080i 50, 59.94, 60
(HD) 720p 50, 59.94, 60
(SD) 625i 50
(SD) 525i 59.94

Note: High Frame Rate capabilities are dependent on host system attributes. Not all systems and configurations will support all frame rates.
Video Input Digital
12G-SDI*, SMPTE-2082, 12-bit**, 10-bit
6G-SDI*, SMPTE-2081, 10-bit
3G-SDI, SMPTE 425
RGB 4:4:4 12-bit**, YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M
Single Link HD-SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
Dual Link RGB 4:4:4 12-bit**, Dual Link YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
270 Mbps SDI, SMPTE 259M-C
YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit, 8-bit
HDMI v2.0
30/36-bits/pixel, RGB or YUV, 6 Gbps per color component
4K, UltraHD, 2K, HD and SD with HFR support up to 60p (4:2:2), 10-bit and 8-bit

*SDI connections are bidirectional. For 2K/HD, capture and monitoring can be simultaneous. For 4K/UltraHD with 12G-SDI, capture and monitoring can also be simultaneous. For 4K/UltraHD with 3G-SDI, all four connections must be used for either Input or Output. Additionally, 12G-SDI, 6G-SDI configured inputs support UltraHD / 4K only.
**Bit depth support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.
Video Output Digital
12G-SDI*, SMPTE-2082, 12-bit**, 10-bit
6G-SDI*, SMPTE-2081, 10-bit
3G-SDI, SMPTE 425
RGB 4:4:4 12-bit**, YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M
Single Link HD-SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
Dual Link RGB 4:4:4 12-bit**, Dual Link YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
270 Mbps SDI, SMPTE 259M-C
YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit, 8-bit
HDMI v2.0
30/36-bits/pixel, RGB or YUV, 6 Gbps per color component
4K, UltraHD, 2K, HD and SD with HFR support up to 60p (4:2:2), 10-bit and 8-bit

*SDI connections are bidirectional. For 2K/HD, capture and monitoring can be simultaneous. For 4K/UltraHD with 12G-SDI, capture and monitoring can also be simultaneous. For 4K/UltraHD with 3G-SDI, all four connections must be used for either Input or Output. Additionally, 12G-SDI, 6G-SDI configured outputs support UltraHD / 4K only.
**Bit depth support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.
HDR
SDI: VPID signaling for SDR/HDR Transfer Characteristics, Colorimetry and Luminance
HDMI: HDR10 Support - HDR Infoframe metadata, compatible with HDMI 2.0a/CTA-861.3
HDMI: HLG Support - compatible with HDMI 2.0b/CTA-861-G

Note: HDR support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.
Audio Inputs Digital
16-channel, 24 and 16-bit SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
8-channel, 24 and 16-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
Audio Inputs Analog
8-channel, 24 and 16-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using industry standard 8x XLR on DB-25 breakout cable (cable not included)
+24 dBu full scale digital (0 dBFS)
+/- 0.2 dB 20 to 20 kHz frequency response
Input supported across Ch 1-8, Ch 1-4, or Ch 5-8 depending on configuration chosen
Audio Outputs Digital
16-channel, 24-bit SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
8-channel, 24-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
Audio Outputs Analog
8-channel, 24-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using industry standard 8x XLR on DB-25 breakout cable (cable not included)
+24 dBu full scale digital (0 dBFS)
+/- 0.2 dB 20 to 20 kHz frequency response
Output supported across Ch 1-8, Ch 1-4, or Ch 5-8 depending on configuration chosen
Downstream Keyer
Supports graphics up to 2K/HD with alpha channel over video, matte or framebuffer, or framebuffer content over incoming video or matte
Down-Conversion 4K/UltraHD
Real time, dedicated 4K down-conversion output (1x BNC)
4K to 2K down-conversion
UltraHD to HD down-conversion
Reference and LTC I/O
1x BNC LTC output
1x BNC assignable to Reference video or LTC input
Reference
Analog Color Black (1V) or Composite Sync (2 or 4V) or HD Tri-Level Sync (1V)
Reference input is terminated into 75 ohms when Genlock is set to Ref In
Electrical Interface
Thunderbolt 3 (2x)
Machine Control
RS-422, Sony 9-pin protocol
9-pin D-connector pinout is as follows:
Shell
GND
1
GND
2
RX-
3
TX+
4
GND
5
No Connection
6
GND
7
RX+
8
TX-
9
GND
Size (w x d x h)
8.74” x 8.11” x 1.65” (222.0 x 206.0 x 41.9 mm)
Weight
3.4 lbs (1.6 kg)
Power (device only)
10-20V, 30W typical, 36W max, 70W max with USB-C power delivery to external devices
Environment
Safe Operating Temperature Range: 0 to 40 C (32 to 104 F)
Safe Storage Temperature (Power OFF): -40 to 60 C (-40 to 140 F)
Operating Relative Humidity: 10-90% noncondensing
Operating Altitude: <3,000 meters (<10,000 feet)

Thunderbolt 3 – Solutions from AJA
Bring more power, speed and simplicity to your workflows with Thunderbolt™ 3 solutions from AJA.

Learn how AJA’s Io 4K Plus and Io IP I/O devices give you the bandwidth to easily move 4K/UltraHD, High Frame Rate and deep color content over a single cable in and out of your computer, including HDR support across HDMI 2.0.

New Apple M1 Chip Support
Desktop Software v16.1 and above is optimized for the new Apple M1 chip with native support for AJA macOS drivers, application plug-ins, AJA Control Room, AJA Control Panel, AJA System Test and AJA NMOS software.

Apple Mac Pro Compatible
AJA offers full compatibility for the new Apple Mac Pro, including support for AJA Control Room with Metal compatibility as well as extensive support for a range of applications. For productions handling high resolution workflows all the way up to 4K, Io 4K Plus is a perfect companion with the new desktop offering Thunderbolt 3-based 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 capture and playback.

Professional Connectivity:
12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0
Today's workflows demand speed, bandwidth and simplicity. Io 4K Plus supports 4K, UltraHD, 12G/6G/3G/1.5G-SDI, Dual Link, HD-SDI and SD-SDI as well as UltraHD and HD over HDMI 2.0 for both capture and output. The HDMI output is also able to accurately display HDR 10 and HLG to support emerging HDR workflows.

12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 bring both power and simplicity to your projects, with the ability to use single cables for both input and output for the most demanding workflows. 12G-SDI is backwards compatible with SDI sources, covering all your bases through a single port. HDMI 2.0 allows high raster and frame rate capture and the ability to display the same to affordable and beautiful HDMI 2.0 displays.

4K Closed Caption Support AJA Control Room

Supports CEA-608 or 608-in-708 via ANC extraction firmware

Avid & Adobe Plugins

All SMPTE-291 (ANC) based captions supported
Adobe Premiere supports native 708 if the raw data is available. For instance in the Adobe plug-ins we handle the case where Premiere hands us full 708 data, we just pass it through to the device
Avid Media Composer supports active video ANC (line 21) or ANC via ANC extractor/inserter (up to UHD/4K)

Universal Compatibility:
Thunderbolt™ 3 via USB-C
Io 4K Plus provides two Thunderbolt 3 ports for true Thunderbolt flexibility.

Thunderbolt 3 doubles the speed of the previous Thunderbolt 2 standard with up to 40 Gps of throughput and utilizes the universal USB-C connection standard for true simplicity over a single cable and port for today's leading Mac and PC workstations and laptops, ideal for Video and Audio I/O as provided by the Io 4K Plus.

Thunderbolt™ 3 features:

Thunderbolt™, USB, DisplayPort, and power on USB-C
USB-C connector and cables (small, reversible)
40 Gb/s: Thunderbolt™ 3 – double the speed of Thunderbolt™ 2
Bi-directional, dual-protocol (PCI Express and DisplayPort)
4x lanes of PCI Express Gen 3
DisplayPort 1.2 – supports two 4K displays (4096 x 2160 30bpp @ 60 Hz)
Lowest latency for PCI Express audio
USB 3.1 (10 Gb/s) – compatible with existing USB devices and cables
DisplayPort 1.2 – compatible with existing DisplayPort displays, devices, and cables
Daisy chain up to six devices
Thunderbolt Solutions

Monitor 4K/UltraHD in HD
When working at 4K resolutions, Io 4K Plus outputs a high quality HD-SDI down-converted signal on a dedicated BNC connector. This HD signal can be used to output 4K projects directly to HD recorders for broadcast and for easy viewing of 4K images on HD monitors during post production.

HDR
HDR or High Dynamic Range, provides the ability to display a wider and richer range of colors, much brighter whites, and much deeper, darker blacks than standard signals allow. This gives your imagery a more ‘dynamic’ look and allows for natural true to life colors to be communicated to your audience.

Io 4K Plus provides this support for your 4K/UltraHD/2K and HD HDR pipelines to HDMI and SDI compatible displays in software v16 with HLG and HDR 10 support with HDR Infoframe metadata, in accordance with HDMI 2.0a/CTA-861.3 and HD.

AJA Control Room software and Io 4K Plus adds support for HDR metadata capture from an incoming SDI or HDMI signal. The captured .mov video file will have embedded HDR metadata, allowing the file to be played back at its intended dynamic range.

AJA Control Room software and Io 4K Plus also provides HDR Auto Playback Detection. Embedded HDR metadata in a recorded .mov file, is read and used to automatically set the HDR format on the monitor(s) connected to the AJA HDMI and/or SDI outputs.

Support for file-based .mov HDR outputs with metadata from Adobe Premiere Pro / Adobe Media Encoder HDR files is also available. Screening those rendered outputs is a simple and hi-quality experience with AJA Control Room. Every frame is presented in its full-quality, at the timing intended, and with the proper HDR format set correctly and automatically.

v16 Desktop Software also offers HDR input from HDMI 2.0 for capturing HDR gaming content from PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro and more.

Explore more of our HDR Solutions here:

HDR Solutions

Workflow
Connect your digital sources via 12G-SDI to Io 4K Plus for capture to a wide variety of formats. Monitor via HDMI 2.0 output (HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision*), and master to destinations using high quality professional SDI outputs, machine control and analog or tri-level reference.

*Dolby Vision integration available when using the AJA SDK.

Integrated Digital Audio, Analog Audio Flexibility
Embedded 16-Channel SDI and 8-Channel HDMI audio are supported as well as analog audio inputs, outputs or both via a standard DB-25 connection.

Stereo monitoring is also possible with a front panel mini-TRS headphone jack.

With desktop software v14 analog audio can be configured for flexibility when needing to record voice overs and more with the ability to choose how the DB-25 connection on Io 4K Plus is configured:

8-Channel, 24 and 16-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using industry standard 8x XLR on DB-25 breakout cable (cable not included)
Balanced Analog Audio I/O:
Input across Ch. 1-8, Ch. 1-4, or Ch. 5-8
Output across Ch. 1-8, Ch. 1-4, or Ch. 5-8

AR Support with Unreal Engine 4.22
Capture real time footage with Io 4K Plus over SDI from high quality cameras, meld your footage with your virtual environment created by the Unreal Engine and send it back out in real time to air - a growing need for broadcasters, augmented reality (AR) needs and more.

Digital film makers also benefit with these new workflows: On set, enhance your live action VFX work with the ability to see a full composite live during the course of the shoot. This results in fewer reshoots, the ability for actors to understand the virtual environment they are working within for stronger performances and ultimately leads to a range of efficiencies and cost savings with the added benefit of a smoother transition into post production.

Quick Start Guide on using Io 4K Plus with Unreal Engine

Sync Up
Io 4K Plus can be locked to an external reference for integration into larger productions, or feed LTC in and out to ensure footage captured with Io 4K has the proper timecode.

Machine Control
An RS-422 port allows control of tape decks for frame accurate captures and layoffs.

Io 4K Plus Operating Systems Compatibilities
macOS Support for 11.0 (Big Sur), 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14 (Mojave).

Windows 10 and updates.

Host Systems Compatibilities
Desktop Software v16 comes with a wide range of tested configurations to help you make an informed choice based on requirements.

Laptops for AJA Thunderbolt devices.
Workstations and Minis for AJA Thunderbolt devices.

AJA DataCalc
AJA DataCalc is a mobile OS application for iOS, iPadOS and Android, offering two modes for storage and time calculations based upon raster, frame rate and codec choices.

DataCalc - Calculate your storage needs before capture.

TimeCalc – Calculate the run time of materials you can capture by storage size.

Share results with your team straight from the application.

Industry Leading Support
AJA’s technical support is recognized as among the best in the industry and is available to all AJA customers. If you need assistance with any aspect of your Mobile I/O installation, configuration, operation or encounter any technical issue, AJA Support will work with you to get up and running.

Mobile I/O products are covered by a generous three year warranty. Please see the individual Product’s Manual for additional specifics around warranty conditions for the product itself.

Thunderbolt 3 – Solutions from AJA from AJA Video Systems on Vimeo.