AJA Announces Multiple New Products at IBC

A lot has been happening this week at IBC, especially from AJA Video Systems.  They have announced some really cool new products that are going to be shipping later this year.

In the Convert category, AJA has introduced a new UDC Mini-Converter, which is an up/down/cross converter in a super small package.

In the Editing arena, they have their new Io XT, which is the first product from AJA using Thunderbolt technology.  It has two Thunderbolt ports to allow for daisychaining and supports both 4:2:2 and 4:4:4 workflows.

AJA has also introduced the all new KONA LHe Plus, replacing the original KONA LHe. It is basically an updated version of the original KONA, offering performance improvements and a lower price point.

AJA New Updates Available for FCP 7 and FCP X

AJA announced software and driver updates early this week and continues development with another update today.

AJA have just released a new 9.0.3 software release for KONA, Io Express and Io HD users that solves a possible Kernel Panic problem for Final Cut Pro 7 users with OS X 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard), in addition to other improvements.

For FCP X users AJA have released an updated KONA X Beta software version for KONA 3G, KONA 3, KONA LHi and KONA LHe.

You can find the new AJA Mac and Windows software, plug-ins, and release notes at: http://www.aja.com/support/index.php

AJA Software update supporting Adobe CS5.5 Now Available!

AJA is pleased to announce software and driver updates for the KONA(3G) and Io Express supporting Adobe CS5.5 both windows and Mac.

AJA Windows KONA and Io Express version 5.5

KONA and Io Express version 5.5 for the Windows adds support for Adobe Premiere CS5.5, After Effects CS5.5 and Adobe Photoshop CS5.1, with significantly improved performance for the Adobe Mercury Engine in Premiere Pro CS5.5.

AJA Mac Plug-ins for Adobe for KONA and Io Express version 9.0.1

AJA Mac Plug-ins for Adobe version 9.0.1 for KONA and Io Express are now available, adding support for Adobe Premiere Pro CS5.5, Adobe After Effects CS5.5 and Adobe Photoshop CS5.1, with significantly improved performance for the Adobe Mercury Engine in Premiere Pro CS5.5.

You can find the new AJA Mac and Windows software, plug-ins, and release notes at:
http://www.aja.com/support/index.php

AJA Mac Product Updates for FCPX and FCP7 -KONA X beta driver

AJA is providing KONA X beta driver software and workflow advice for users adopting the new Final Cut Pro X from Apple. In addition, for users staying with Final Cut Pro 7,  AJA is also releasing new KONA, Io Express & Io HD 9.0.1 software for Mac with increased functionality.

Final Cut Pro X and AJA

Final Cut Pro X is the latest update for Apple's popular non-linear editing software. It features a new user interface and boasts new, exciting features for editors. However, the way editors interact with third party tools, like the AJA KONA cards, is different from previous versions of Final Cut Pro. AJA has prepared a document that explains how editors can use AJA products with the latest version of Final Cut Pro.

You can download the document here:
http://www.aja.com/pdf/FCP_X_and_AJA.pdf

KONA X Beta drivers are available for KONA users running Final Cut Pro X with KONA 3G, KONA 3 or KONA LHi. Users running Final Cut Pro 7 should use AJA KONA version 9.0.1 drivers. Before installing KONA X Beta software, ensure you thoroughly read the PDF mentioned above.

In addition to KONA X Beta drivers, AJA has also posted VTR Xchange 5.

This release is recommended for use with Final Cut Pro X and is also backward compatible with Final Cut Pro 7. New VTR Xchange features include batch capture and more advanced clip naming.

Version 9.0.1 Software for Io Express, Io HD, and KONA

Now available for download, software version 9.0.1 for KONA, Io Express and Io HD brings a whole new Control Panel layout with improved navigation!

In addition, there are a number of improvements and fixes for each product. Please read the release notes for more information.

Download KONA X Beta driver and KONA version 9.0.1 here:
http://www.aja.com/support/index.php

AJA Updates Io Express, Kona, and FS1!

New Firmware for Io Express Mac and Windows Platforms Adds Support for Avid Media Composer v5.5

AJA has released firmware updates for Io Express for the Mac and PC, adding support for Avid Media Composer v5.5.

Download v8.1.2 for Mac or v5.0.3 for Windows here.
Be sure to read the release notes included in the download for detailed release information

 



Updates to KONA and Io HD v8.1.2 for Mac

New features for each product include:
Io HD v8.1.2 fixes a problem where the video output choices for 25/29.97/30 psf were incorrectly displayed.

This version is compatible with Smoke for Mac 2011 for KONA 3G and KONA 3

Click here to download v8.1.2 for your KONA or Io HD. Be sure to read the release notes for more details.

 

 



 

AJA FS1 v2.2 Now Available

The FS1 v2.2 brings numerous improvements to the popular FS1 frame-sync, including:
Save and load individual preset configurations
New internal video and audio Test Signal Generator (TSG)
Freeze On Input Loss (FOIL) ensures the FS1 output is always stable even with unstable input signals

Download FS1 v2.2 here and read about more improvements in the release notes.

Purchase the Aja Io Express /HD, Kona 3G, Fs1 at the Motion Media Online Shop.

Ki Pro Mini & Lexar CF Card Problems

An issue has come to our attention regarding the use of Lexar 32GB Professional 600x Compact Flash cards as originally qualified for use with the Ki Pro Mini. If the Lexar Compact Flash cards are inserted in the Ki Pro Mini prior to powering up the unit, the Lexar Compact Flash cards will falsely report recording; in actuality data will not be written to the Compact Flash card as expected. While this issue does not occur if the Lexar Compact Flash card is inserted after the Ki Pro Mini is powered up, we can no longer recommend the use of these cards at this time. We are actively working to determine the cause of this issue, but for now, the Lexar 32GB Professional 600x Compact Flash card has been removed from our list of qualified Compact Flash cards for use with Ki Pro Mini.

Please note that the issue described above for the Lexar Compact Flash card does not affect the other cards qualified for use with the Ki Pro Mini. Additionally, AJA will be adding new choices to the qualified list of Compact Flash cards for use with Ki Pro Mini in the near future.

AJA Ki Pro Version 2.0 Firmware Release

AJA Ki Pro version 2.0 firmware is now available as a free download from AJA’s website! New features in this release include:

• 8-channel embedded audio support
• Multi-unit Gang recording via the web UI
• Custom Clip Naming
• RS-422 support

Download Ki Pro version 2.0 here. This release is recommended for all Ki Pro users. A detailed Release Notes is included with the installer and is also available here. It is highly recommended to read this thoroughly as it contains important installation and operational information. The Ki Pro user manual has also been updated with the new features and workflows and is included with the installer, and is also available here.

AJA Software for Mac and Mac Plug-ins for Adobe Now Available

AJA Software v8.0 for Mac and AJA Mac Plug-ins for Adobe Now Available!

3D and 2K Support Available for KONA with this Release.

AJA is pleased to announce that KONA 3 Stereoscopic 3D output from CineForm Neo3D as shown at NAB is now available. In addition, both KONA LHi and KONA 3 now support additional 2K formats along with other features. All KONAs and Io HD receive improvements and fixes in the version 8.0 software.

Also available with Software v8.0 is Adobe CS5 support for Mac!

Read the release notes and download free from the AJA website.

Aja Ki Pro Firmware Update

AJA Reseller Bulletin: Ki Pro 1.1.1 Firmware Now Available!
The following features and improvements are implemented with version 1.1.1 firmware:

• Addresses a loss of audio issue experienced by a small portion of users after they updated to firmware version 1.1.0.28


• CONFIG parameter 1.3, 1080p Playback has been added to the web browser user interface for parity with the Ki Pro front panel control


• The Ki Pro front panel control would not maintain the user entry for the 802.11 password; it now operates as expected and allows manual entry of the password


• The Apple Final Cut Pro Media Manager (v7.0.2 or later) works as expected with Ki Pro generated files


• Timestamping of clips has been changed so that there is no mis-ordering of clips on the storage module for later sequential playback

Download Ki Pro v1.1.1 here

Kona 3 & Neo3D Enable True Stereo 3D to NLE Timelines

AJA Teams with CineForm to Enable True Stereo 3D Output from Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro Timelines via Neo3D and KONA 3

AJA has collaborated with workflow solution developer CineForm to provide Apple Final Cut Pro, Adobe Premiere and other Mac and Windows-based NLE and effects software users with a variety of unique ways to output stereoscopic 3D material using the AJA KONA 3 video capture card through CineFormʼs Neo3D software.

Aja Ki Pro Teams with Avid!

AJA and Avid are pleased to announce Ki Pro compatibility with Avid NLE systems.

Through its own Avid Media Access Architecture (AMA), Avid enables users to connect the AJA Ki Pro to Mac-based Media Composer and Symphony systems to instantly view, edit and play back ProRes QuickTime files with access to all clip metadata.

Eyestorm Productions Customer Spotlight:

Motion Media and AJA win big with Eyestorm!

Eyestorm Productions consists of an innovative group of filmmakers located in Santa Monica dedicated to making pretty pictures for a gamut of short form productions that range from music videos and commercials, to documentaries and game trailers.  Founders Kyle Ruddick and Michael Klima have been hard at work ever since they first came together for Star Wars: Episode 3.  Check out some of their great work at http://eyestormproductions.com/blog/

Recently Eyestorm looked to Motion Media and for a reliable HD solution. Eyestorm Productions’s team is consistently  pushing the creative envelope, which  necessitates a system that’s stable and can perform under such demands.  Enter AJA. We outfitted them with a  AJA Kona Lhi and voila!  Problem solved.  The card worked to perfection.  The Kona soaked up the heavy workload required in a high-level production environment. The Kona card’s hardware acceleration and  conversion capabilities,  along with AJA’s  famously solid drivers, led the way to a successful installation yet again.

“You guys really stand out to us as a company far beyond a normal retailer. The amount of time you invested with us and accuracy in your advice really was such a stress reliever to come across. People remember personal relationships, trust, and a strong knowledge in the products you sell...Motion Media has all that and more. We really were in a bind and you definitely helped us find a simple solution to a very complex problem we had.

Thanks Brian! “

~Michael Klima, Creative Director, Eyestorm Productions

AJA Kona goes cross-platform

As of March 15, 2010, the XENA product line will be merged with the award winning KONA line, to supply both PC and Mac users with a single set of cross-platform solutions. XENA and KONA have long used the same industry-leading hardware with tailored software unique to each platform. To add value for customers, we will be packaging each KONA card with both Mac and PC software, so they can be used on either platform or both. The hardware and software are the same--only the name and package have been changed to give customers twice the software and ease-of-use on all platforms. This new naming will allow you to more easily carry inventory for any need while at the same time simplifying your marketing and sales efforts. The successful introduction of Io Express as a cross-platform solution, under one product name, reflects the ease and simplicity we hope to achieve with a unified cross-platform KONA.

Timeframe: AJA will stop selling XENA-branded products on March 15, 2010. At that time KONA products will be shipped and marketed by AJA as cross-platform PC & Mac solutions.

AJA KONA 3 Only Qualified Video Card for Autodesk Smoke on the Mac

AJA Video Systems, a leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, announced today that Autodesk has qualified the KONA 3 as the only digital video I/O card approved to work with Autodesk Smoke editorial finishing software running on Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

Autodesk has incorporated AJA video cards into its advanced systems products, including Flame, Inferno and Lustre, since 2006. KONA 3 is AJA’s top of the line 10-bit uncompressed capture and playback card which delivers flexible video I/O options to customers of Autodesk’s newly released Smoke creative editorial and finishing software for the Mac.

“We’ve had a successful track record with integration of AJA’s OEM technologies in our advanced systems products for many years now,” said Stig Gruman, Vice President, Autodesk Digital Entertainment. “With the eagerly anticipated release of Smoke on the Mac, it’s imperative that Autodesk customers have a reliable video I/O solution and the AJA KONA card meets the stringent standards that our product engineers and users demand.”

“The news of Autodesk Smoke for Mac OS X has been received with great enthusiasm by the professional Mac community in film and television,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “Autodesk is so committed to this community and the release of Smoke on the Mac continues this support. We are delighted that once again AJA can enhance the workflow of this talented group of editors and digital artists.”

About Autodesk Smoke 2010 for Mac OS X

Autodesk(R) Smoke(R) 2010 software for Mac OS X is an all-in-one editorial finishing solution designed to augment Apple(R) Final Cut Pro(R) and Avid(R) Media Composer(R) editing workflows. Encompassing a comprehensive toolset that spans editorial, color correction, paint, cleanup, titling, keying, tracking, 3D visual effects and finishing, Smoke allows editors to move quickly between creative disciplines. Autodesk Smoke software provides real-time, mixed-resolution interactivity for many types of creative editorial work and client-supervised sessions; with direct access to native media formats - from Apple ProRes and MXF to fully uncompressed 10-bit RGB image sequences.

About KONA 3

KONA 3 is the ultimate uncompressed capture card for seamless operation with Apple Mac Pro systems and Apple Final Cut Pro. Supporting any uncompressed SD or HD format, including Dual Link 4:4:4 HD and 2K, KONA 3 captures and plays back uncompressed 10-bit and 8-bit digital video and 24-bit digital audio, providing unparalleled power and workflow efficiency. KONA 3 also includes a variety of 10-bit broadcast-quality features, such as hardware-based up-, down-, and cross-conversion to and from HD, and adds a live hardware HD/SD keyer for compositing bugs, live clips, and other elements over video.

About AJA Video Systems, Inc.

Since 1993, AJA Video has been a leading manufacturer of high-quality and cost-effective digital video interface, conversion and Desktop solutions supporting the professional broadcast and post-production markets. With headquarters in Grass Valley, California, AJA maintains an extensive sales channel of dealers and systems integrators around the world. For further information, please see our website www.aja.com.