AJA ColorBox Installation And Operation Manual
  1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. AJA Manuals
  4. Media Converter
  5. ColorBox
  6. Installation and operation manual
AJA ColorBox Installation And Operation Manual

AJA ColorBox Installation And Operation Manual

In-line color and hdr/sdr transform
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
ColorBox
In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform
Installation and Operation Guide
Version 1.0
Published August 30, 2022

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the ColorBox and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for AJA ColorBox

Summary of Contents for AJA ColorBox

  • Page 1 ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform Installation and Operation Guide Version 1.0 Published August 30, 2022...

  • Page 2: Notices

    AJA® and Because it matters.® are registered trademarks of AJA Video Systems, Inc. for use with most AJA products. AJA™ is a trademark of AJA Video Systems, Inc. for use with recorder, router, software and camera products. Because it matters.™ is a trademark of AJA Video Systems, Inc.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    ColorBox Safeboot........13...
  • Page 4 ColorBox Tech Specs ........48...

  • Page 5: Chapter 1 - Introduction

    4K image as a 16-bit .tiff file for the highest quality reference stills. ColorBox can even overlay information onto the image, including helpful user definable text fields.
  • Page 6 • Extensive AJA Color Pipeline processing in 12-bit RGB, built around the 33pt. 3D LUT processor with tetrahedral interpolation: • 7 nodes plus Overlay • 1x 3D LUT processor, user configurable as 3D LUT or Dynamic • 4x 1D LUT processors, user configurable as 1D LUT, Dynamic, or Color Corrector •...

  • Page 7: Block Diagram

    (see"eMini-Setup" on page 42). ColorBox also supports the use of 3rd party USB WiFi adapters through this port. "Appendix A Specifications" on page 48 for a list of supported WiFi adapters. ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0...
  • Page 8 SDI LOCK LED • Green = indicates ColorBox is locked to a valid and supported SDI input format • Off = LED indicates ColorBox is not locked to a valid or supported input format STATUS LED The STATIS LED illuminates to report the following conditions in priority order.

  • Page 9: Rear Panel

    10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet port (RJ45 connector), including network communications status LEDs. Power ColorBox requires a DC power input in the range of 10-18V DC. An AJA power supply module is included with purchase. It accepts a 110-240VAC, 50/60Hz power input and outputs +12V DC.

  • Page 10: Bottom Panel

    Figure 4. ColorBox External Power Supply Bottom Panel Two chassis mounting screw holes are located on the bottom of the unit, with 2 inch spacing between holes and 4-40 threads. ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 11: Chapter 2 - Installation

    ColorBox to your network with an Ethernet cable, the DHCP server will assign ColorBox a compatible IP address. However, you will need to know that IP address before you will be able to access ColorBox’s internal web server for configuration.

  • Page 12: Static Ip Address Configuration Using Emini-Setup

    4. You now should now be able to make any necessary network configuration changes. A. You can use eMini-Setup to edit the ColorBox's static IP address to be compatible with your computer's current network settings. B. Alternatively, you can change your computer's IP settings to be compatible with the ColorBox's static IP address.

  • Page 13: Colorbox Firmware Update

    NOTE: Do not change the License Key filename. ColorBox will reject the License Key if the filename is changed. The filename format is: AJA_COLORBOX-LIC-ACT_PERP_ XXXXXXXXX where XXXXXXXXX is the serial number of the ColorBox. ColorBox Firmware Update Visit the AJA website to locate and download the latest firmware.

  • Page 14: Chapter 3 - Colorbox Operation

    When loading an ACP Preset, all files that were stored in that Preset will populate the ColorBox Library if not already present. A warning will be displayed if not enough library locations are available.
  • Page 15 When loading an ACP Preset, all files that were stored in that Preset will populate the ColorBox Library if not already present. A warning will be displayed if not enough library locations are available.

  • Page 16: Web Ui Description

    Selected Pipeline Node All ColorBox web screens have certain areas and controls in common. Vertical and horizontal scroll bars appear when information extends past the border of a screen panel. The round blue Up/Down or Left/Right arrow button on each pane opens and closes that pane.
  • Page 17 Selected Library Pane Figure 8. Library Pane, Image Example The Library pane lets you manage all your files in one place. See "About the ColorBox Library" on page 14 for more information. ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 18 A Startup Preset can be chosen from a drop down list at the bottom of this pane, which will be automatically recalled when that ColorBox starts up. NOTE: The Startup Preset recalled on startup will be for the pipeline mode the ColorBox was configured for when it was powered down.
  • Page 19 Controls Tab (AJA Color Pipeline Only) Figure 10. AJA Color Pipeline Configuration Settings Controls Tab settings only apply to the AJA Color Pipeine, and are not used in any other pipeline modes. These controls will be grayed out (inactive) if not accessed from the AJA Color Pipeline.
  • Page 20 System Name - Click the Change button to enter a custom name for this ColorBox, which can be useful if more than one ColorBox is being used in a production. This name appears in the Network tab of AJA devices connected on that network.

  • Page 21: Connection Pane

    ColorBox overheats an Overtemp Alarm will be displayed. Clicking on the arrow opens or closes this pane to show or hide the alarms. Network Pane At-a-glance you can see the AJA devices that are present on the same local LAN using the Network pane (Figure 5 on page 16 ).

  • Page 22: User Management Pane

    This cannot be accomplished in the Library pane. NOTE: Information displayed in the Configure pane can also be presented in the Library pane. Deleting a file from either pane deletes the file from that ColorBox (see "Library Pane" on page 17).

  • Page 23: Colorbox Pipelines

    ColorBox Pipelines The lower area of the screen has a signal flow diagram of the currently selected color processing pipeline. ColorBox comes with a range of pipelines to choose from. • AJA Color Pipeline (ACP) • Colorfront Pipeline • ORION-CONVERT Pipeline •...
  • Page 24 ColorBox's outputs, and any color processing configured in other pipeline modes will be disabled. Different pipelines will have different signal flow diagrams. NOTE: Switching from one pipeline mode to another requires ColorBox to reconfigure its internal pipeline, which requires a few seconds.
  • Page 25 NOTE: Whenever the Frame Store is active the Overlay becomes unavailable and is removed from the ColorBox pipeline signal flow diagram. Like the Frame Store, the Overlay settings are shared with all ColorBox pipeline modes. Any Overlay adjustment made in one mode will affect the Overlay behavior in every other ColorBox pipeline mode.
  • Page 26 NOTE: Whenever the Frame Store is On, Overlay becomes unavailable and is removed from the ColorBox pipeline signal flow diagram. The Frame Store is shared with all ColorBox pipeline modes. Any Frame Store adjustment made in one mode will affect Frame Store behavior in every other ColorBox pipeline mode.

  • Page 27: Aja Color Pipeline

    (SMPTE/Full), Colorspace (BT.709/BT.2020), and the HDR output Transfer Characteristic (SDR/PQ/HLG) that will be used with the AJA Color Pipeline. NOTE: The settings on this tab only affect the AJA Color Pipeline, and do not affect any other ColorBox pipeline modes.

  • Page 28: 1D Lut Nodes

    • SMPTE FULL to SMPTE Narrow RGB Color Corrector In the AJA Color Pipeline (ACP), 1D LUT nodes can be set up as RGB Color Correctors for color correcting a source before or after 3D LUT processing. This is a common workflow in live production applications.

  • Page 29: 3X3 Matrix Nodes

    • SMPTE FULL to SMPTE Narrow Proc Amp In the AJA Color Pipeline, 3x3 Matrices can be set up as Proc Amps for adjusting a signal’s Gain, Black level, Hue, and Saturation before 3D LUT processing,. This is a common workflow in live production applications.

  • Page 30: 3D Lut Node

    Colorfront Pipeline NOTE: The Frame Store, Bypass, and Overlay controls are available on all ColorBox pipeline modes, and their settings are applied to all the other pipeline modes. These settings are also saved to Presets.

  • Page 31: Orion-Convert Pipeline

    • PQ BT.2020 • HLG BT.2100 ORION-CONVERT Pipeline NOTE: The Frame Store, Bypass, and Overlay controls are available on all ColorBox pipeline modes, and their settings are applied to all the other pipeline modes. These settings are also saved to Presets.

  • Page 32: Orion-Convert Configure Pane Description

    HDR only and a post-conversion compression in SDR only providing very effective roll off management control. NOTE: Watermarks are added to the ColorBox's video output when an unlicensed pipeline is being used. This lets you test the color science in advance of purchase.

  • Page 33: Orion-Convert Parameters

    For example, when using the SDR output of a Camera (as camera splits/isos, etc…) that can simultaneously produce SDR and HDR, we want the HDR program (after conversion to SDR) to match ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 34 • Unclamped (clamping will still occur in the hardware output) • Clip sub-blacks • -7 to 109 IRE (SDI permissible range) • -5 to 105 IRE (EBU R 103 preferred range) • 0 to 100 IRE ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 35: Orion-Convert Workflow Example

    BBC HLG LUTs Pipeline NOTE: The Frame Store, Bypass, and Overlay controls are available on all ColorBox pipeline modes, and their settings are applied to all the other pipeline modes. These settings are also saved to Presets.

  • Page 36: Bbc Hlg Lut Conversions

    SDR highlights so that there is a close match to natively produced HDR content.  100% SDR signal is up-mapped to 79% HLG. 105% SDR signals (EBU R.103 “preferred range” signals) are up-mapped to 83% HLG. ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 37 IRE input signal (90% reflectance) thus maps to 73% HLG. A scene-light conversion is used, so that the converted S-Log3 signal is a close subjective-match to the “look” of BT.2100 HLG cameras. ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 38 “ideal” output values for the EBU Tech 3373 HLG Color Bars, we also provide the expected output values from a trilinear interpolator. Errors should be smaller with tetrahedral interpolation, the 65-cubed LUTs and also with real pictures. ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 39 Type III LUTs, HLG signals above 100% are mapped to PQ signals greater than 1000 cd/m2, up to a maximum of 1810 cd/m2 (corresponding to 109% HLG ‘super-white’, i.e. 10-bit code value 1019). ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 40: Nbcu Luts Pipeline

    NBCU LUTs Pipeline NOTE: The Frame Store, Bypass, and Overlay controls are available on all ColorBox pipeline modes, and their settings are applied to all the other pipeline modes. These settings are also saved to Presets. NBCU LUTs, developed by NBCUniversal Media, LLC in collaboration with Cromorama, enable a workflow for single-master live production of simultaneous HDR and SDR content.
  • Page 41 BT.2100 PQ at the 1,000nits “bridge” condition so that 100% HLG maps to 1,000nits PQ. This is a transparent conversion. NOTE: NBCU LUT numbering goes from #5 to #7. LUT #6 is skipped intentionally. ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 42: Chapter 4 - Emini-Setup

    DHCP server, by simply connecting ColorBox to your network with an Ethernet cable, the DHCP server will assign ColorBox a compatible IP address. However, you will need to know that IP address before you will be able to access ColorBox’s internal web server for initial configuration.

  • Page 43: Mac Installation

    When finished, an AJA eMini-Setup shortcut will be installed on the desktop, and you will be able to locate the eMini-Setup application in the AJA folder in the Programs listing. NOTE: If the eMini-Setup application already exists on the PC, a different Setup Wizard appears.

  • Page 44: Running Emini-Setup

    PC Startup To run eMini-Setup on a PC, double-click on the AJA eMini-Setup icon on your desktop, or open the AJA folder in the program list and click on the AJA eMini- Setup application located inside the eMini-Setup folder. NOTE: Windows OS application icons can sometimes become hidden on the desktop.
  • Page 45 • Version - The version of firmware installed in the AJA device is displayed below the graphic. • Sn - This is the factory set unique serial number of your AJA device. If you ever call AJA Support for service, you may be asked for this number.

  • Page 46: Network Tab Screen

    The current Gateway address is displayed. A different IP address can be entered. If your ColorBox needs to communicate to servers on another LAN or WAN, you have to enter the address of the computer/router that is making that external connection.

  • Page 47: Info Tab Screen

    AJA Support for service or technical support. System Name This field allows you to give your AJA device a unique name. This can be useful if you have several attached to a Mac/PC via USB so you can distinguish between them easily.

  • Page 48: Appendix A - Specifications

    • Processes in 12-bit RGB • 5x pipelines; AJA Color, Colorfront, ORION-CONVERT, BBC HLG LUTs, NBCU LUTs • 7x processing nodes plus Overlay in AJA Color; 4x 1-D LUTs, 2x 3x3 Matrices, 1x 3-D LUT AJA Color Pipeline (ACP) • 7x nodes in order of processing: •...
  • Page 49 • S-Log3/BT.2020 200% Scene Referred(SR-Live) to HLG/BT.2100 v1.5 • HLG/BT.2100 to SDR/BT.709 Scene Referred v1.5 • HLG/BT.2100 to SDR/BT.709 Scene Referred Strict v1.5 • HLG/BT.2100 to SDR/BT.709 Display Referred v1.5 • HLG/BT.2100 to SDR/BT.709 Display Referred Super White v1.5 ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 50 • (HD) 1920x1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 • (HD) 1920x1080i 50, 59.94, 60 • (HD) 1280x720p 50, 59.94, 60 Note: Raster and Frame Rate Dependent, please see ColorBox Video Formats in Documents and Manual Video Output HDMI • 1x HDMI Type A connector*, HDMI v2.0b •...
  • Page 51 *If a connected monitor doesn’t support HDMI protocol the unit automatically switches to DVI protocol (which does not pass audio) Note: Raster and Frame Rate Dependent, please see ColorBox Video Formats in Documents and Manual Video Processing • Nominal video delay is less than 1/2 video line •...
  • Page 52 • Enclosure: 10-18VDC regulated, 4-pin mini-XLR, 16W typical 3G-SDI, 21W typical 12G-SDI, 25W max. • AC Adapter, included: 100-240VAC, 50/60 Hz, universal input, 60W • Optional spare AC adapter sold separately, AJA-PWR-12-60W Environment • Safe Operating Temperature: 0 to 50 C (32 to 122 F) •...
  • Page 53 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 YCbCr 4:2:2 1920x1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 YCbCr 4:2:2 1920x1080i 50, 59.94, 60 YCbCr 4:2:2 1280x720p 50, 59.94, 60 YCbCr 4:2:2 ColorBox Video Formats, September 01, 2022 ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 54 50, 59.94, 60 YCbCr 4:2:2 To contact AJA Technical Support: Email: support@aja.com Phone: +1-530-271-3190 Fax: +1-530-274-9442 Web: https://www.aja.com/support/contact Shipping: 180 Litton Dr. Grass Valley, CA 95945 USA ColorBox Video Formats, September 01, 2022 ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 55: Appendix B - Safety And Compliance

    AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, BULGARIA, CYPRUS, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, ESTONIA, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, HUNGARY, IRELAND, ITALY, LATVIA, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBOURG, MALTA, NETHERLANDS, POLAND, PORTUGAL, ROMANIA, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, UNITED KINGDOM, ICELAND, LICHTENSTEIN, NORWAY, SWITZERLAND ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 56 For more information about where you can drop off your waste for recycling, please contact your local authority, or where you purchased your product. Korea KCC Compliance Statement ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 57 Aviso! Leia e siga todos os avisos e instruções assinalados no produto ou incluídos na documentação. Avviso! Leggere e seguire tutti gli avvisi e le istruzioni presenti sul prodotto o inclusi nella documentazione. ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 58 (incluindo amplificadores) que produzam calor. Avviso! Non installare vicino a fonti di calore come termosifoni, diffusori di aria calda, stufe o altri apparecchi (amplificatori compresi) che emettono calore ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 59 Aviso! Dado que a ficha principal é utilizada como a desconexão para o dispositivo, esta deve manter-se prontamente acessível e funcional. Avviso! Poiché il cavo di alimentazione viene usato come dispositivo di sconnessione, deve rimane prontamente accessibile e operabile. ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 60 Aviso! Desconecte este dispositivo da tomada durante trovoadas ou quando não é utilizado durante longos períodos de tempo. Avviso! Utilizzare soltanto i collegamenti e gli accessori specificati e/o venduti dal produttore, quali il treppiedi e l'esoscheletro. ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 61 Advertência! Não abra o chassi. Não há internamente nenhuma peça que permita manutenção pelo usuário. Abrir o chassi anula a garantia, a menos que a abertura seja realizada por uma central de serviços da AJA ou por um local autorizado. Avvertenza! Non aprire lo chassis. All’interno non ci sono parti riparabili dall’utente.
  • Page 62 ¡Advertencia! Utilice solamente los accesorios y conexiones especificados y/o vendidos por el fabricante. Aviso! Utilize apenas equipamentos/acessórios especificados e/ou vendidos pelo fabricante. Avviso! Utilizzare soltanto i collegamenti e gli accessori specificati e/o venduti dal produttore. ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 63: Warranty And Liability Information

    If the Customer brings a valid claim under this limited warranty for a hardware product or storage module (hereafter, a “product”) during the applicable warranty period, AJA Video will, at its sole option and as the Customer’s sole remedy for breach of the above warranty, provide one of the following remedies: •...

  • Page 64: Index

    Installing 42 Regulatory Compliance 55 IP Configuration 12 On/Off Button 8 RGB Color Corrector 28 Overview 42 Open Web Page 47 Round Trip Conversion Running 44 Option Licensing 12 ORION-CONVERT 35 ORION-CONVERT ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 65 User Management Pane 22 Using eMini-Setup 12 Web Browser Accessing Unit Via IP Address 42 Web Browser Client 14 Web Server Built In 42 HELO Internal 14 Web UI Description 16 Workflow Example ORION-CONVERT 35 ColorBox In-Line Color and HDR/SDR Transform v1.0 www.aja.com...

Table of Contents