AJA KONA 3G Installation And Operation Manual page 20

12
SDI Input and Outputs
In Standard Mode, mini-connectors are provided for two SDI inputs and two SDI outputs for
single or dual-link. A cable with four Mini-connectors on one end and four BNCs on the other
end is provided for connecting equipment to the SDI inputs and outputs. This cable is also
used to interconnect between the KONA 3G board to the optional K3-Breakout Box.
KONA 3G offers 4 video outputs in SD and HD—2 SDI outputs that are used for both high-
definition and standard-definition (SD/HD-SDI), and an analog video output (configuration of
this three BNC cluster is discussed later with regards to component, composite and Y/C). Each
of the three outputs is independently switchable between HD and SD. For example, if you are
working in HD, you can have simultaneous HD-SDI, SD-SDI, and HD-component analog
output. A fourth output via HDMI 4.1a is also provided.
When the KONA 3G is reconfigured for 4K Mode and a 4K format is selected, all four of the
mini BNCs are used as outputs for each of the 4K playout quadrants. There are no SDI inputs
available in 4K formats. If a format of 2K or less is selected the normal SDI inputs are available
(see "Using 4K Mode" on page 64
SDI inputs and outputs support video as well as 16-channels of embedded 24-bit digital
audio. Use SDI wherever possible for the best quality 10-bit uncompressed video input,
capture and output. If peripheral equipment has a variety of inputs/outputs, look to see if it
has SDI I/O, and use it where possible. Most high-end professional broadcast equipment
supports SDI (VTRs, cameras, media storage servers, etc.).
Note: In the past manufacturers have used separate I/O connections for standard- and high-
definition SDI because the circuits were different. On KONA 3G we use the same
connectors for both HD and SD-SDI (both input and output) due to our dual-rate chipset
which supports both HD and SD.
HDMI 1.4a Monitor Output
KONA 3G offers an HDMI 1.4a output for monitoring in HDMI or DVI protocols (use DVI if
you're outputting to a DVI monitor). The output also supports Stereo 3D output in either Side-
by-Side or Top-Bottom (Stacked) output of left-eye and right-eye signals.
Analog Monitor Out (Component HD or SD or SD Composite + Y/C)
KONA 3G features 12-bit component video output for both HD and SD. The analog
component output can be configured in a variety of ways; as a component, composite or Y/C
signal. This flexibility allows, for example, the use of an inexpensive analog input-only monitor
for both HD or SD viewing. Since the three BNC connectors share component, composite and
Y/C functions, output of component is exclusive while composite and Y/C can be output
simultaneously. For Y/C monitoring an adapter cable from dual BNC for Y/C to S-Video mini-
DIN style connector is required. For analog monitoring, a component video signal is generally
regarded as higher quality for monitoring than a composite signal.
A Note About YPbPr—Component Video, or YPbPr, has been given several names over time.
YUV, Y/R-Y/B-Y, and YCbCr, are just some examples. Although these various formats have
some differences in levels, they are all basically the same. KONA 3G uses the modern
YPbPr terminology exclusively. KONA 3G supports three different types of YPbPr: SMPTE/
EBU N10, Betacam (NTSC), and Betacam (NTSC Japan). These three formats differ in level
only and are configured in the AJA Control Panel.
A Note About RGB—Although RGB is used less in today's video systems, KONA 3G supports it
for A/V Monitor output. However, because KONA 3G's (and SMPTE SDI's) native format is
YPbPr, AJA recommends the use of YPbPr whenever possible for analog monitoring.
Although component video monitors often have RGB inputs, it's better to use YPbPr
when the monitor supports it. The YPbPr format provides "headroom" for "superwhite"
and "superblack"—and these video levels will be clipped when transcoding to RGB. Also,
the RGB/YPbPr transcoding involves a level translation that results in mathematical
round-off error. RGB can be configured in the AJA Control Panel.
for more information on 4K output mapping).