AJA KONA X 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 Ultra-Low Latency PCIe Card - KONA-X-R0

SPECIFICATIONS

SDI Video Formats
(4K) 4096x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
(UltraHD) 3840x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
(2K) 2048x1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
(2K) 2048x1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
(HD) 1920x1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
(HD) 1920x1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
(HD) 1920x1080i 50, 59.94, 60
(HD) 1280x720p 50, 59.94, 60
(SD) 625i 50
(SD) 525i 59.94

HDMI Video Formats
(4K CEA) 4096x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
(UltraHD) 3840x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
(2K CEA) 2048x1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
(HD) 1920x1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
(HD) 1920x1080i 50, 59.94, 60
(VESA DMT) 1600x1200p 60
(VESA DMT) 1280x1024p 60
(HD) 1280x720p 50, 59.94, 60
(VESA DMT) 1024x768p 60
(VESA DMT) 800x600p 60
(SD) 625i 50
(SD) 525i 59.94
(VESA DMT) 640 x 480p 60

Note: Additional VESA (DMT) formats supported for certain applications

Video Inputs Digital
12G-SDI, SMPTE-2082, 12-bit, 10-bit
YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit up to 60p, RGB 4:4:4 12-bit up to 30p
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
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
YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit up to 60p, RGB 4:4:4 12-bit up to 30p
Connectors are full size BNC / full size HDMI
HDMI Inputs and Outputs support VESA (DMT) rasters at limited rates

Video Outputs Digital
12G-SDI, SMPTE-2082*, 12-bit, 10-bit
YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit up to 60p, RGB 4:4:4 12-bit up to 30p
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
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
YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit up to 60p, RGB 4:4:4 12-bit up to 30p
Connectors are full-size BNC / full-size HDMI
HDMI Input and Output support VESA rasters

*Compliant with subsets of specification for supported formats

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
SDI I/O (via PCIe Bracket)
2x full-size 12G-SDI connections
SDI connections are bidirectional
Single channel SDI capture (plus simultaneous SDI pass-through monitoring)
Single channel SDI output
HDMI I/O (via PCIe Bracket)
2x full-size (Type A) HDMI 2.0 connections
HDMI connections are unidirectional (1x Input, 1x Output)
Single channel HDMI input
Single channel HDMI output
HDMI Monitoring for SDI Inputs
HDMI output connector supports
Single channel SDI source monitoring

Video I/O Performance
Capable of two channel 4K p60 capture or playback
Audio Inputs 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
8-channel, 16 and 24-bit AES/EBU audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous or nonsynchronous, internal sample rate conversion (via 4x BNC on breakout cable )

Note: Audio I/O is available via optional KONA Xpand card, or via customer supplied breakout connection to internal card connector

Audio Input Analog
2-channel, 24 and 16-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using industry standard 2x 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

Note: Requires the optional KONA Xpand card

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
8-channel, 16 and 24-bit AES/EBU audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous or nonsynchronous, internal sample rate conversion (via 4x BNC on breakout cable)

Note: AES audio requires the optional KONA Xpand card. SDI and HDMI audio do not require the Xpand card.

Audio Output Analog
2-channel, 24-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using 2x XLR
+24 dBu full scale digital (0 dBFS)
+/- 0.2 dB 20 to 20 kHz frequency response

Note: Requires the optional KONA Xpand card

Downstream Keyer
Supports graphics up to 4K/UltraHD with alpha channel over video, matte or framebuffer, or framebuffer content over incoming video or matte

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

Note: Available via optional KONA Xpand card, or via customer supplied breakout connection to internal card

Timecode
LTC timecode input
LTC timecode output

Note: Available via optional KONA Xpand card, or via customer supplied breakout connection to internal card

Electrical Interface
PCIe Gen 3x4
Machine Control
RS-422, Sony 9-pin protocol
9-pin D-connector pinout is as follows:
1
GND
2
RX-
3
TX+
4
GND
5
No Connection
6
GND
7
RX+
8
TX-
9
GND
Shell
GND

Note: Available via optional KONA Xpand card, or via customer supplied breakout connection to internal card

Noise
<50dBA (A-weighted at 1m in free air) <40-45dBA preferred (Phase 01 )>
Fan is rated at 33.1dBA
Regulatory Compliance (PRELIMINARY)
UL94 V-0 flammability requirements
RoHS 3, WEEE, and REACH compliant
62368-1 safety standards
NRTL and/or T-mark license for AJA SDK Developers

Size (w x d x h)
Passive Configuration (no fan): 190.5 x 15.9 x 98.6 mm (7.5" x 0.63" x 3.88") Bracket Height: 127 mm (5.0")
Active Configuration (with fan): 247.7 x 15.9 x 98.6 mm (9.75" x 0.63" x 3.88") Bracket Height: 127 mm (5.0")
Xpand Card: 108.0 x 15.9 x 98.6 mm (4.25" x 0.63" x 3.88") Bracket Height: 127 mm (5.0")

Weight
PCIe Card: Active (with fan): 290.3g (10.2oz), Passive (no fan): 217.7g (7.7oz)
Xpand Card: 90.7g (3.2oz)

Power
20W typical with 16W on +12V and 4W on +3.3V
PC Internal or PCi Aux Power Connector: Molex part number 45558-0003

Note: Card can utilize PCIe power from a 6 pin PCi 2x3 Aux Power connector or the PCIe slot

Environment
Safe Operating Temperature: 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) IEEE 1588-2008

Ultra-low Latency / Streaming DMA
With Streaming DMA (Direct Memory Access), the DMA operation happens directly between the video I/O and the computer’s buffer in applications that support it, completely bypassing the on-card memory. Depending on the software application being used, this enables customers to achieve as low as sub-frame latencies and a much simpler method of dealing with dynamic video.

Virtual Production Workflow
The latest connectivity combined with up to sub-frame latency and Steaming DMA engine, makes KONA X ideal for modern virtual production environments.

This workflow diagram illustrates the KONA X, with its ultra-low latency, as a key part of a virtual production workflow.

AR Support with Unreal Engine
Capture real time footage with KONA X 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), virtual production and more.

Digital filmmakers also benefit from 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 postproduction.

AR Sports Workflow
KONA X and application software that supports Streaming DMA 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.

This workflow diagram illustrates KONA X being used on a live sports broadcast for realtime graphics insertion and overlays.

Hardware Keying
The combination of KONA X's built-in hardware downstream keyer and ultra-low latency allows graphics and images up to 4K/UltraHD to be easily overlaid on the input video in real time.

KONA Xpand
Optional Breakout Board
KONA Xpand is a PCIe card that expands the connectivity options on KONA X. It provides Bi-level/Tri-level Video Reference, as well as a 9-pin RS-422 connector for controlling a range of devices, 8-channels of unbalanced AES/EBU audio I/O, and LTC In/Out on the included breakout cable that ships with the KONA Xpand. Two channels of balanced analog audio I/O are also available (via a user supplied DB15 cable).

NLE / VFX Software Support
The latest AJA Desktop Software advances 4K workflows with KONA X by providing native support for 4K video in Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer plus many other applications. KONA X offers broad video format support, providing a powerful I/O tool for Sports, eSports, Virtual Production, and other cutting-edge workflows.

For those who move between 2K/HD visual effects sequences and 4K live action footage, KONA X also supports fast bitfile switching. In under 10 seconds you can flip between a KONA X personality tuned for 4K operations to one dedicated to HD and below. No waiting for firmware to update, no reboots required, just powerful options to make your day go that bit faster and easier.

HDR NLE / VFX Software Support
AJA Desktop Software supports HDR across many third party professional video software applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro and Avid Media Composer. Take advantage of HLG, PQ, HDR10 workflows in broadcast and post, and work between 709, BT2020, and P3 with ease.

HDR
HDR (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.

KONA X HDR workflows can also benefit from AJA's Control Room application and its companion AJA Control Panel, which comes complete with built-in HDR test patterns.

AJA Control Room provides VPID signaling for SDR/HDR Transfer Characteristics, Colorimetry, and Luminance transfer characteristics over SDI, bringing flexible output options to your workflow. KONA X provides simultaneous HDR output via both SDI and HDMI.

AJA Control Room software 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 also provides the KONA X with 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 KONA X 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 high 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.

4K Closed Captioning Support
AJA Control Room software

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

Supplied Avid & Adobe Plugins

All SMPTE-291 (ANC) based captions supported.
Adobe Premiere Pro 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 UltraHD/4K).

AJA Developer SDK
Developers who wish to use AJA’s world class SDK (Software Development Kit) can choose between two different methods to gain access and start putting their creativity to work with this rich, deep, and powerful set of video technologies. AJA’s SDK is available on Windows, Linux, and macOS, including support for the latest Apple silicon.

For the quickest and easiest way to get up and running with the core AJA SDK, we recommend the AJA Open Source Developer path, which is under the MIT license and hosted via GitLab.

For access to the AJA SDK, including AJA proprietary technologies and world class support, we recommend the AJA Developer Program path. This is accessed via the dedicated AJA SDK Developer page and requires a signed agreement.

It is entirely possible for a developer to begin on the AJA Open Source Developer path, and, if necessary, in the future, apply to enroll in the AJA Developer Program path.

In-Firmware Microcontroller
AJA OEM Developers can run code directly on KONA X with it's In-Firmware Microcontroller for supervisory and safety purposes and achieve ultra-low latency or functionality that might need to exist before the system containing the card fully boots.

Apple Silicon Support
AJA Desktop Software is optimized for the latest Apple silicon with native support for AJA macOS drivers, application plug-ins, AJA Control Room, AJA Control Panel, and AJA System Test.

Apple Mac Pro Compatible
AJA offers full compatibility for the new Apple Mac Pro, including support for AJA Control Room with Metal compatibility and extensive support for various applications.

For productions handling high resolution workflows all the way up to 4K, KONA X is a perfect companion for high performance workflows.

KONA X Operating Systems Compatibility

macOS 13.x (Ventura), macOS 13.x (Monterey), macOS 11.x (Big Sur), macOS 10.15 (Catalina), macOS 10.14 (Mojave), and macOS 10.13 (High Sierra). Note that some functionality may not be available when using legacy macOS versions

Linux Ubuntu support for 20.04 LTS, 22.04

Linux Rocky 8.5 and Rocky 9.1

Windows 11, 10 and updates.

*Note that some features are not available with legacy release versions of macOS

3 Year Warranty
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 KONA installation, configuration, operation or encounter any technical issue, AJA Support will work with you to get up and running.

KONA 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.

All new, next generation video I/O card, KONA X, featuring the ultra-low latency Streaming DMA engine from AJA Video Systems on Vimeo.