KONA HDMI, KONA 1 and Desktop Software v14.2

“Speed, compatibility and reliability are key to delivering high quality video I/O for our customers. KONA HDMI and KONA 1 give video professionals and enthusiasts new options to work more efficiently using their favorite tools, and with the reliability and support AJA products offer,” shared Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems.

New Solutions Supporting SMPTE ST 2110

[quote]“SMPTE ST 2110 is positioned to drive IP video adoption forward, and AJA is committed to delivering tools that help bridge IP with existing technologies,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “IPR-10G-HDMI and KONA IP, with SMPTE 2110 support, allow facilities to take advantage of the many benefits ST 2110 offers for uncompressed HD video and audio over IP, while getting the most out of the gear they already have in edit bays, OB trucks, control rooms and other environments.”[/quote]

• SMPTE ST 2110 audio, video receiver
• Rugged, fanless design
• 1x 10GigE SFP+ cage for media LAN [with status light]
• 1x 1GigE RJ45 socket for control LAN [with status light]
• Dedicated HDMI receiver with full size HDMI 1.4b video port
• Support for 1080p 60, YCbCr 4:2:2
• Full 10-bit pixel processing pipeline
• Embedded HDMI audio output (up to eight channels)
• 2x RCA analog audio output
• Mini-USB port for quick initial network configuration with AJA eMini-Setup software
• Complete control interface on any web browser from a built-in webserver
• Customizable control with AJA REST API
• 5-year international warranty and support

NEW KUMO 3232-12G and KUMO 1616-12G Routers

• 12G-SDI inputs and outputs for up to 4K/UltraHD support at 60p
• Small, portable 2RU (3232) and 1RU (1616) form factors
• Single cable support for streamlined 4K/UltraHD signal routing
• Redundant power supply option
• Configure and save up to eight salvos per router
• Auto re-clocking SDI rates: 270 Mbps /1.483/1.485/2.967/2.970/5.934/5.940/ 11.868/11.880 Gbps
• Support for AJA KUMO Control Panels (hardware, with direct connect or networked)
• USB port to easily configure the router IP address and simplify initial network configurations
• Embedded web server for remote control on any standard web browser
• 5-year warranty and support

“4K/UltraHD, HFR and deep color workflows have introduced new challenges for professionals and facilities by requiring more bandwidth, so we’ve expanded our line of KUMO routers to the latest 12G-SDI standard,” shared Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “KUMO 3232-12G and KUMO 1616-12G pack the throughput and single cable simplicity of 12G-SDI into a compact router with a very high-density for 4K/UltraHD sources and destinations.”

FS-HDR v2.5 Firmware Update

• Colorfront Engine support for ITU BT.2408-0 Operational Practices in HDR Television Production
• Simultaneous 4K/UltraHD and 2K/HD/SD dual output mode: In single-channel mode with a 4K/UltraHD input and 4K/UltraHD output, configure the SDI monitor output for SDR/BT.709, PQ/BT.2020, HLG/BT.2020 or Sony S-Log3 S-Gamut3, with these output formats and frame rates independent of the main output:
  • 2K: 2048 x 1080p up to 60p
  • HD: 1920 x 1080p up to 60p; 1920 x 1080PsF up to 30p; 1920x1080i 50 and 59.94; 1280x720p up to 60p
  • SD: 625i 50; 525i 59.94
• BBC HLG LUTs
  • Support for HLG HDR dynamic range mapping per ITU BT.2408-0
  • SDR, PQ, and Sony S-Log3 to HLG
  • HLG to SDR and PQ
  • Colorimetry: BT.709 and BT.2020
• HDMI HDR Infoframe generation: Locally monitor HDR content on HDMI 2.0 HDR televisions or monitors. When an output is configured for PQ or HLG, FS-HDR will signal the selected HDR output format to the HDMI display.
• HDR Test Patterns: BT.2111-0 Color Bars and BT.814-3 Pluge
• Support for third party Tangent Element Kb knob-based controller for remote parameter controls

• FIBERLC-1RX-12G SFP 12G-SDI Single Fiber LC Receiver Single Mode 1310nm
• FIBERLC-1TX-12G SFP 12G-SDI Single Fiber LC Transmitter Single Mode 1310nm

• FIBERLC-1RX-MM SFP Single Fiber LC Receiver Multi-Mode 850nm
• FIBERLC-1TX-MM SFP Single Fiber LC Transmitter Multi-Mode 850nm
• FIBERLC-2RX-MM SFP Dual Fiber LC Receiver Multi-Mode 850nm
• FIBERLC-2TX-MM SFP Dual Fiber LC Transmitter Multi-Mode 850nm

AJA Adds Avid DNxHR Support to Ki Pro Ultra and Ki Pro Ultra Plus with v3.0 Firmware

• DNxHR HQX
• DNxHR SQ
• DNxHR LB

Five New openGear Cards with DashBoard Support

NEW HELO v2.1 Firmware

• Closed Captioning (CC) streaming from SDI input
• HLS streaming for direct interoperability with Apple® iPads® and other consumer devices
• Chinese, Japanese and Korean language support in HELO’s web UI

HDR IMAGE ANALYZER

• • Precise, high quality UltraHD UI for native-resolution picture display • Advanced out of gamut and out of brightness detection with error intolerance • Support for SDR (Rec.709), ST2084/PQ and HLG analysis • CIE graph, Vectorscope, Waveform, Histogram • Out of gamut false color mode to easily spot out of gamut/out of brightness pixels • Data analyzer with pixel picker • Up to 4K/UltraHD 60p over 4x 3G-SDI inputs • SDI auto signal detection • File base error logging with timecode • Display and color processing look up table (LUT) support • Line mode to focus a region of interest onto a single horizontal or vertical line • Loop through output to broadcast monitors • Still store • Nit levels and phase metering • Built-in support for color spaces from ARRI, Canon, Panasonic, RED and Sony

Canon launched of three new portable zoom 4K UHD broadcast lenses1: the CJ24ex7.5B, CJ18ex7.6B and CJ14ex4.3B. These new additions are compatible with 4K UHD broadcast cameras that have 2/3-inch sensors. Flanking the existing UHDxs series of 4K portable broadcast lenses that deliver excellent optical performance, these three lenses usher in the newly launched UHDgc series that will broaden 4K UHD shooting options. These new lenses provide 4K UHD imaging quality at a price point that is more accessible to the majority of the broadcast market. Additionally, the new lenses provide impressive UHD optical performance while maintaining a compact and lightweight design to meet a wide range of needs for video productions that include documentaries, sports, events and news coverage.

AJA Video Systems released FS-HDR, a versatile 1RU, rack-mount universal converter/frame synchronizer for real time HDR transforms as well as 4K/HD up, down, cross-conversion. FS-HDR delivers breakthrough real time High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG) conversion and processing capabilities for 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD HDR workflows.

The Canon DP-V2411 4K HDR1 Reference Display, a 24-inch display that features stable high luminance and 12G-SDI terminals, ideal for use on-set in broadcasting vans, and in-studio needs.

Firstly, this is not an Avid press release! AvidConnect (the annual Avid Customer Association event) is in its fourth year, and while it is a way for Avid to show off some of their new offerings and partnerships, there has always been some really interesting discussions about the industry we work in, and where we are headed. This year was no exception, and I have put together some of my thoughts on what I have seen over the weekend, and how I see this affecting our future. Here are three key points I have taken from AvidConnect2017, feel free to comment!

In the same way that the original Atomos Shogun helped fast track the transition from HD to 4K filmmaking, Atomos are intent on delivering 4K HDR to everyone with the launch of the Shogun Flame and Ninja Flame. The Atomos Flame Series delivers the world’s most advanced 7” field monitor, accurately displaying 10 stops of the luminance detail of Log with 10 bit HDR Post Production color accuracy, for the first time in a field monitor. The AtomHDR engine not only resolves HDR brightness detail (dynamic range), with 10-bit color accuracy it also resolves 64 times more color information than traditional 8-bit panels. For Rec709 standard dynamic range scenes, the 1500nits brightness aids with outdoor shooting as does the upgraded continuous power management system that will keep you shooting longer in the field. Of course you also get the professional 4K/HD ProRes/DNxHR Recording, Playback and Editing that has made Atomos famous. Shogun Flame and Ninja Flame are available for sale in quantity week of March 28th, from the authorized Atomos reseller network. “HDR is simply amazing, it’s the next revolution for filmmaking, once again Atomos are first with the technical solution to make it quicker, easier and more affordable for filmmakers” said Atomos CEO and co-founder Jeromy Young, “Anyone that sees HDR, from content creators to consumers are immediately sold, - more life like shots and real world detail. Our job is to open up HDR to all filmmakers by removing the technical and affordability hurdles that might slow its progress.” The Flame series of monitor-recorders are equipped with the AtomHDR engine, utilising the power of the 1500nit panel in tandem with Atomos’ patent pending image processing to resolve the brightness detail of Log camera signals with the color accuracy of 10 bit HDR images mastered in post production. This means that the usual complications of exposing Log signals on a washed out image are eliminated – with AtomHDR you simply frame, expose, focus and shoot. All major camera makers log formats are supported - Sony, Canon, Panansonic, Arri, Red and JVC. The monitor itself is a calibrated 7” 1920x1200 325ppi IPS with upgraded 10-bit color accuracy, resolving 1.07 billion colors compared to the 16.7 million colors of traditional 8-bit panels. This all but eliminates the color branding seen on traditional panels and in tandem with AtomHDR lets you see images as you would with your own eyes. For existing SDR, Rec709 delivery or scenes that do not have the wide brightness variation required for HDR shooting, switch to traditional video mode (Rec709) and activate a Brightness slider that lets you take advantage of the impressive “Daylight Viewable” 1500nits of brightness emanating from the Flame units. This adds huge versatility for the Flame series – if you have scenes that call for HDR, activate the AtomHDR mode. If you don’t, switch to High Bright mode for outdoor monitoring hood free. Shogun and Ninja Flame have a rugged built in armour ensuring it is battle-ready for the field and also now inherits the Atomos patented continuous power system pioneered on our HD range. The hot-swappable dual battery system automatically swaps to the second battery when power is low, allowing hot swapping to new fresh batteries. This coupled with our new improved battery charger which is 3 times faster means that power is always taken care of. The addition of AtomHDR, the 1500nit brightness, 10-bit colour accuracy and Continuous power genuinely positions the Flame Series as the best 7” Field Monitors in the world, but as we know with Atomos they are much more than monitors alone, featuring advanced recording, playback and editing capability as well. Both units record 4K/HD direct from the sensor to 10-bit 4:2:2 Apple ProRes or AVID DNxHR/DNxHD onto affordable yet reliable SSD’s from the world’s leading media brands. They also feature on the fly 3:2 and 2:2 pulldown removal and advanced recording features such as Timelapse & Pre-roll. Playback with controls is possible on screen or out to larger monitors and you can even use the built-in focus, framing and exposure tools to judge the shot and then start tagging to make decision making in Post faster and easier.

• With a Dynamic range to match that of a 10-bit camera LOG footage, AtomHDR monitors deliver the detail in highlights and shadows usually clipped on traditional monitors.
• A highly advanced field monitor even in non-HDR scenarios with 1500nits brightness for outdoor shooting, native full HD resolution and optional calibration to ensure natural LCD colour drift can be corrected over time.
• Record direct from the sensor in pristine 4K UHD (up to 30p) or record high frame rate HD (up to 120p)
• long with recording the high pixel density of 4K, the Ninja and Shogun Flame also record higher resolution 10-bit colour information and more precise yet efficient 4:2:2 colour encoding.
• Recording to Apple ProRes and AVID DNxHR visually lossless edit-ready codecs ensure you capture full individual frames like film, providing more flexibility and creativity in post. Can be delivered to any standard – never worry about having your footage technically rejected due to the format again.
• Ready for real-word conditions with built-in armour protection, dual battery hot-swappable continuous power system to ensure you always have power and a raft of included accessories including a new fast charger and snap-fast sun hood.
• Our patented hot-swappable dual battery system for continuous power is backed up with the included power accessories (2 x 4-cell batteries, D-Tap adaptor and blazingly fast battery charger)
• An arsenal of creative weapons including focus and exposure tools, 3D Custom Looks, Waveforms (LUMA and RGB) and Vector Scopes ensure you set the shot up perfectly every time.
• XLR audio via breakout cables for Shogun Flame or 3.5mm line level input with audio delay, level adjustment and dedicated audio meters with channel selection for Ninja Flame.
• We support affordable, readily available SSDs from the world’s most trusted media brands.

While everyone has their own take on the show depending on what interests them, here is what our very own James Taylor (@VideocraftJames) took from NAB this year. 4K is everywhere now. This was absolutely the case, with pretty much every company having 4K logos on their gear. Obviously 4K has been around for a while now in digital cinema production, but is now a real option to now produce 4K for live television. I may be jaded and cynical, but walking between all of the stands I felt that 4K on big TV’s did not feel as ‘special’ as maybe I would have hoped. But with an exception: the new hope is not more pixels, but High Dynamic Range (HDR), also defined as a new standard, BT.2020.