AJA KONA X Installation And Operation Manual
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AJA KONA X Installation And Operation Manual

AJA KONA X Installation And Operation Manual

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Capture, Display, Convert
Installation and Operation Manual
Version 1.0
Published December 12, 2023

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Summary of Contents for AJA KONA X

  • Page 1 Capture, Display, Convert Installation and Operation Manual Version 1.0 Published December 12, 2023...

  • 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

    KONA X Key Features ........5...
  • Page 4 KONA X Tech Specs ........

  • Page 5: Chapter 1 - Introduction

    • For HDR workflows, KONA X supports HDR10 and HLG for rich color delivery over HDMI 2.0. • KONA X supports Dolby Vision HDR with the appropriate 3rd party software.

  • Page 6: Kona Xpand Key Features

    "KONA Xpand Card" on page 58. Application Compatibility The KONA X card brings the highest quality 4K/UltraHD, 2K, HD, and SD video and audio to computers running Mac, Windows or Linux Operating Systems. The KONA X card supports a range of creative software for editorial, color, mastering, HDR, dailies, live streaming, graphics, game capture and more.

  • Page 7: Capture Formats

    Sienna, Softron, Tools on Air, Drastic, or Quadrus. Internal HD/SD Hardware Downstream Keyer KONA X cards have a powerful HD/SD hardware keyer that can place graphic files with an alpha channel over HD/SD video in a selectable matte or the contents of the card’s framebuffer from a software application.

  • Page 8: Aja Software & Utilities

    AJA’s KONA X software and hardware were developed for powerful integrated video/audio capture, editing, and production with a variety of 3rd-party software. With KONA X and a qualified computer, you have the ultimate system for production, post-production, broadcast, and streaming work. AJA Software is distributed as a unified package which includes all the software, firmware, plugins, and utility programs for AJA’s Io, KONA, and T-TAP Pro products.

  • Page 9: Additional With Mac And Windows Packages

    NOTE: AJA recommends a best practice test: fill your storage disk to 80% and then test capture at the highest data rate you will use. Additional with Mac and Windows Packages...

  • Page 10: Disk Storage Methods

    (read/write). There are a variety of system configurations and peripherals that can provide this level of performance. For more on disk storage performance see "AJA System Test" on page KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 11: Chapter 2 - Installation

    NOTE: AJA KONA X cards can also be used in an external Thunderbolt chassis, for when using host systems without PCIe slots. NOTE: An internal auxiliary power cable is required for the KONA X card when used in an external chassis.

  • Page 12: Installing The Kona X Card

    Thunderbolt 3 or 4 expansion chassis, the chassis must provide ATX connectivity and adequate power. IMPORTANT: If both a KONA X and KONA Xpand card are installed in an external chassis, make sure the power supply is sufficiently rated. 1. Uninstall previous version of AJA Desktop software (if any) for AJA KONA, AJA Io or AJA T-TAP from the host machine where your KONA X card will be installed and connected.
  • Page 13 Figure 3. KONA X, ATX Power connection PC Internal ATX Power Connector 1, 2, 3 = +12v 4, 5, 6 = COM (Molex p/n 45559-0002) 13. Secure the card in the chassis such as by a backplates lock bar, or by using a screw through the backplate into the chassis.

  • Page 14: Cabling The System

    4K/UHD HDMI Video In the KONA X system example above, a single link 12G-SDI camera signal and/or a digital VTR with an HDMI 2.x output is received by the KONA X card, and is sent to a Deep Color Display Monitor.
  • Page 15 You can also listen to KONA X Input concurrently with your NLE. This is useful if you need to listen out for the readiness of talent, or the presence of some other feed, whilst you continue to work.

  • Page 16: Installing Kona X Software

    During the installation process, you will be prompted to enable the AJA driver. If you do not see the option to enable this driver, it will be necessary to lower system security in the computer BIOS. To do this, complete the following steps: KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0...

  • Page 17: Firmware Update Procedure

    3. (Otherwise) click on the Firmware Tab in the left pane of Control Panel to open the Firmware panel. 4. If more than one AJA device is connected, choose the device you want to update by selecting its name from the drop-down menu at the top of the screen.
  • Page 18 7. In the Caution dialog, click Continue. 8. You will notice Erasing... and Programming... progress bars. Wait until these have completed. Figure 8. Erasing progress bar 9. After firmware has been updated, a shut down/power cycle dialog appears. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 19 10. Click to power down the computer. 11. Power on the computer. 12. Open AJA Control Panel. The AJA hardware with the updated firmware should be recognized by the Control Panel application. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 20: Chapter 3 - Operation

    KONA X card from an external source to create video files on the computer using AJA Control Room or an NLE, or just for display on the KONA X outputs. This mode is also used for stand-alone video display or conversion when Control Panel is being used without an external controlling application.
  • Page 21 + key. NOTE: If a KONA X card's SDI output BNC is available, that card's output signal will be routed to that extra BNC, providing two identical SDI output signals.
  • Page 22 Figure 11. Context sensitive menu Color Meanings All items in the AJA Control Panel block diagram are color-coded to show what is happening in real time. This applies to both icons and text. These colors indicate: Blue Video is same format as the Device Format (framebuffer).

  • Page 23: Controlling Application

    It is important to understand that your computer may contain many applications that can use the AJA device (as you switch from window to window) and it may not always be obvious which currently controls it. In the top right corner, the Control Panel displays the name of the application controlling the unit.

  • Page 24: Presets

    AJA Control Panel Restart Services is new functionality (since v6.1) that allows for restarting the AJA services if necessary. This can help if various applications begin contesting for access to the Video I/O device. In this situation an AJA Agent is not running message can appear as the controlling application status. Hovering your cursor over that message displays a Restart Agent button, which clicking on will bring Control Panel back to its startup state.

  • Page 25: Function Screens

    System Administrator in the following locations. On Mac: /Users/Shared/Library/Preferences/com.aja.devicesettings On Windows: C:\Users\All Users\Aja\com.aja.devicesettings Function Screens Listed below are the function screens for KONA X and what they are used for. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 26: Using Multiple Aja Products

    In the upper left corner of the AJA Control Panel application, you will see a board name, such as KONA X and the pane heading will read “AJA Control Panel” if you have more than one product and the associated drivers installed (if only one product is installed, you’ll see no product...

  • Page 27: General Control Panel Operation

    KONA X will have when no third-party video application is controlling it. Default State • Pass Through (Cap) - This selection directs KONA X to route video from its selected input through the card for processing and output. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0...
  • Page 28 • Hold Last App - This selection directs KONA X to hold and output the last frame of video from the last application to control KONA X. This can be helpful when operating in an environment where you’re switching back and forth...

  • Page 29: Format Screen

    Format Screen Figure 17. AJA Control Panel Format Screen (Playback mode) The Format Screen shows the video format currently in use by the KONA X framebuffer (called the Device Format) and allows you to change it. AJA Device Format...

  • Page 30: Input Select Screen

    The RGB Range pulldown menu allows you to select either Auto, Full-range (0- 1023) or SMPTE range (typically 64-940) for RGB color output. NOTE: The AJA Control Panel software uses the abbreviation “sf” instead of “PsF” when referring to “progressive segmented frame” formats. In the manual and in other literature you may see either of these acronyms used interchangeably.
  • Page 31 "Digital Cable Harness (Multi IO)" on page 59. (KONA Xpand card only.) • Analog Audio Ch 1,2 (XLR) NOTE: See "Analog Audio Cable Harness (Optional)" on page 60. (KONA Xpand card only.) KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 32: Sdi Output Screen

    • 11-12 to 1-2 • 13-14 to 1-2 • 15-16 to 1-2 NOTE: This setting does not affect the embedded audio being sent to the KONA X's BNC or HDMI output connectors. SDI Output Screen NOTE: If all KONA card SDI output BNC connectors are not required for the currently configured transport, the same SDI signal will be routed to both SDI output BNC connectors.
  • Page 33 • 3Ga - Single link HD output using one BNC. The Level A format is the direct mapping of uncompressed 1080p (up to 60 fps) video into a serial digital interface at the nominal 3 Gbit/s. Figure 20. AJA Control Panel SDI Output Screen (Playback mode) KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 34: Hdmi Screen

    • Device Format - Selects the framebuffer format for output. NOTE: The 4K Transport setting on the SDI Out screen also affects the KONA X HDMI output signal, even if the SDI inputs are not being used. A SMPTE 2Si setting is required for UltraHD/4K HDMI output.
  • Page 35 • Auto Set – (best quality) The AJA device will attempt to automatically set the output monitor into the best color space and bit depth that matches the user's application needs regardless of EDID of the output monitor.

  • Page 36: Hdr Screens

    Two tabbed screens are available. The HDR Capture tab settings affect the HDR metadata saved with your captured video, while the HDR Playback tab settings affect what HDR metatdata is included the KONA X's HDMI and SDI outputs. KONA X supports HDR over both its SDI and HDMI outputs.
  • Page 37 • Maximum: Defines the ceiling of the SMPTE ST 2086 color volume (in the case of HDR) and is determined by the mastering environment. • Range: 1 cd/m2 to 65535 cd/m2. • Step size: 1 cd/m2. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 38: Video Setup Screen

    The HDR Playback tab settings are identical to the HDR Capture settings, but affect the KONA X's HDMI and SDI outputs. Video Setup Screen Figure 23. AJA Control Panel Video Setup Screen (Playback mode) KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 39 Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro will not capture or output this data through the KONA X, if this box is not checked on. NOTE: KONA X does not require enabling the VANC checkbox for Closed Captioning. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0...

  • Page 40: Audio Setup Screen

    Delay In/Out Here you can set up to six frames (in tenths of a frame) of delay for KONA audio input and output. The AJA Control Panel delays all audio outputs—SDI, HDMI, and Analog. IMPORTANT: If you use this Control Panel delay, do not use other delay settings in your applications.

  • Page 41: Audio Mixer Screens

    The Audio Mixer screen has two tabs; Capture Monitor and Playback Monitor. These tabs display what sources are available for monitoring / mixing via the AJA hardware when in either of those two modes (if applicable). The controls on this screen are dedicated only to monitoring adjustments, and do not affect the level at which inbound audio signals are captured to storage.

  • Page 42: Audio Mixer Screen Capture Monitor Tab

    Playback tab settings will be applied and your host system audio monitoring will resume. NOTE: The 'Analog XLR' and 'AES/EBU (BNC)' options in the AJA Input select menu shown above, only appear when an optional KONA Xpand card has been correctly installed.

  • Page 43: Audio Mixer Screen Playback Monitor Tab

    AJA Input Selects for monitoring the audio being input to KONA. NOTE: The AJA Input Item Select dropdown selection is linked to the Input Select screen's Audio Input Select dropdown. Changing the setting on one screen will also change the setting on the other screen.
  • Page 44 NLE file. Any actual recording level adjustments to Capture or Audio Punch In / Voice Over to Timeline operations will either need to be made upstream of the AJA input, or else via adjustments within the main NLE application (e.g. via a pass through mix tool).

  • Page 45: Downstream Keyer Screen

    “bugs” or other video material with an alpha channel on top of video being played out or printed to tape. Keyed video can be from the KONA X’s internal framebuffer (from storage, video In, etc.) or from a graphics file that has an alpha channel (PhotoShop etc.).
  • Page 46 Audio Out • Frame Buffer - Select audio out to be routed from the contents of the framebuffer. • Audio In - Select audio out to be routed from KONA X’s currently selected input(s). Opacity (slider) This slider controls the transparency of the keyed video (over the background) from translucent to completely opaque.
  • Page 47 Converted Format if upconverting. Example: you wish to key a logo on top of your 1920x1080 footage, the still image with alpha channel that you load should be 1920x1080. See "Graphic Selection and Matte Color Selection" on page KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 48: Lut Screen

    The LUT screen allows you to create a custom 10-bit color look up table (LUT) on the KONA X output, for matching a production "look" on a specific display. These custom LUTs can also be exported as .cube files for use with supported AJA devices and compatible professional applications.
  • Page 49 NOTE: .cube files are the new standard for importing and exporting LUTs with AJA Control Room as of v17.x and v16.2. Prior to v16.2, Control Room supported CSV files containing LUT information. While this LUT formatting is still supported for import, it is no longer supported for export.
  • Page 50 Once the LUT file is created, you can upload it with the following steps: 1. Before loading a LUT, make sure you are using an RGB/RGBA framebuffer format, and that you have a AJA Video Device that supports LUTs. 2. Open AJA Control Panel and select the “LUT” pane.

  • Page 51: Timecode Screen

    The Timecode Screen selects the timecode stream read for applications that use it (for example, when the timecode source is set to “Use control panel setting,” AJA Control Room will read the selected stream). It is also used for monitoring the RP-188 timecode embedded in the digital data stream.

  • Page 52: Presets Screen

    Equipment manufacturers can use the meta data for different purposes. Presets Screen Figure 37. AJA Control Panel Presets Screen (saving a Preset) KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 53 After configuring the AJA Control Panel screens, you can then save all your settings as a snapshot for later recall—called a preset. In this way, you can organize presets for all your typical tasks, eliminating time-robbing manual reconfiguration each time. To save a preset, go to the Presets screen and click “Save Preset.”...

  • Page 54: Firmware Screen

    You will be required to power-cycle your computer to finish the changeover. NOTE: See "Firmware Update Procedure" on page 17 for complete details. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 55: Info Screen

    Figure 39. AJA Control Panel Info Screen This screen shows the KONA software files that have been installed on your system. This information may be needed if you talk to an AJA Customer Service representative to determine if files are missing or need updating.

  • Page 56: Aja Control Room

    Control Room Overview AJA Control Room™ enables professional quality video and audio capture, conversion, playback, and output for 8K, 4K, HD and SD. With AJA Control Room you can: • Playback professional file-based sources with or without AJA Video hardware attache.
  • Page 57 AJA hardware. Edit To Tape - This is a workspace where you can perform an insert or assemble Edit to Tape to record your clips to a VTR/DDR. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 58: Chapter 4 - Kona Xpand Card

    Chapter 4 – KONA Xpand Card Introduction In addition to the KONA X card, an optional KONA Xpand breakout I/O board is available which is specifically designed to work with it. It contains circuitry for analog audio, reference, GPIO*, balanced AES/EBU audio, balanced analog audio and LTC in/out.

  • Page 59: Kona Xpand Card Features

    • Up to four channel pairs of AES audio on full size BNC connectors, configurable as two pairs in and two pairs out, or all four pairs in, or all four pairs out KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 60 • Reference - Receives bi-level or tri-level reference on the "Ref" labeled BNC input on the KONA Xpand card. • LTC - Receive or sends timecode using the LTC BNC cables on the digital breakout cable harness, including with KONA Xpand card. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 61: Cables Between Kona Xpand And Kona X Cards

    LTC Out Cable Below we show a top view of the two cards and the five cables after they have been correctly installed. Figure 48. KONA Xpand to KONA X card cables, all connected (top view) Referenc LTC In LTC Out...

  • Page 62: Kona Xpand Installation

    Connector Connector 3. Connect an LTC cable to the LTC In Connector on the KONA X. The "orientation keys" on the cable connectors make them easy to align. 4. Connect an LTC cable to the LTC Out Connector on the KONA X.
  • Page 63 1. Touch the chassis to discharge any body static. 2. Remove the KONA Xpand card from its anti-static bag (if still in it). 3. Connect the LTC cable from the Kona X LTC In to the LTC In Connector on the KONA Xpand card.

  • Page 64: Xpand Operation

    Xpand Operation There is no direct user control or operation of the KONA Xpand card itself. It exclusively operates under the KONA X card and the KONA X's associated software applications (including AJA Control Panel and AJA Control Room. In the AJA Control Panel application, controls and parameters exclusive to the KONA Xpand card analog and digital cable harness connections only appear in the Audio Mixer screen menus when a KONA Xpand card is installed.

  • Page 65: Kona Xpand Example System Connections

    LTC Output BNC Balanced Audio In LTC Input BNC NOTE: Internal cable connections between the KONA X and KONA Xpand cards are not shown. See "Cables between KONA Xpand and KONA X Cards" on page 61. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0...

  • Page 66: Appendix A - Specifications

    • (VESA DMT) 1024 x 768p 60 • (VESA DMT) 800 x 600p 60 • (SD) 625i 50 • (SD) 525i 59.94 • (VESA DMT) 640 x 480p 60 NOTE: Additional VESA (DMT) formats supported for certain applications KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 67 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 KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 68 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 KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 69 • 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 KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 70 • 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 KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 71: Appendix B - Safety & Compliance

    This equipment may be operated in the countries that comprise the member countries of the European Union, European Free Trade Association and the United Kingdom. These countries, listed in the following paragraph, are referred to as The European Community throughout this document: KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 72 For more information about where you can drop off your waste for recycling, please contact your local authority, or where you purchased your product. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 73 Translated Warning and Caution Messages The following caution statements, warning conventions, and warning messages apply to this product and manual. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 74 (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 KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 75 è stato rovesciato del liquido è stato rovesciato o qualche oggetto è caduto nel dispositivo, il dispositivo è stato esposto a pioggia o umidità, non funziona correttamente o è caduto KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 76 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. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...
  • Page 77 CA tipo brick. Advertência! Remova os cabos CA de alimentação brick da rede elétrica ao mover a unidade. Avvertenza! Scollegare il cavo dell’alimentatore quando si sposta l’unità. KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

  • Page 78: 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 79: Software License Agreement

    1. License Grant. AJA hereby grants you a nonexclusive, personal, non-sublicenseable and limited license to install and use AJA Software on a computer or AJA device. The foregoing license also includes the right to make copies of the AJA Software in...
  • Page 80 REGARDING NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS.  SUBJECT ONLY TO THE LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH IN SECTION 7, YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT USE OF THE AJA SOFTWARE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. AJA DOES NOT WARRANT AGAINST INTERFERENCE WITH YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THE AJA SOFTWARE,...
  • Page 81 No amendment to or modification of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed by AJA. Any translation of this Agreement is intended for convenience and to meet local requirements and in the event of a dispute between the English and any non-English versions, the English version of this Agreement will govern.

  • Page 82: Index

    Index Symbols Colorimetry 36 Color Space 32, 33, 35, 39 2SI Alignment 28 Gain and Offset Connect Cables to KONA X Card 62 3G Transport 33 Reset 50 Connect Cables to KONA Xpand 3rd-Party Plugins 9 Gamma 39 Card 63...
  • Page 83 Video In 29 QuickTime Format 7 Video Input 31 Video Setup 39 Video Setup Screen 38 Ref In 29 Reset Gain and Offset 50 Warranty and Liability Information Restart Services Control Panel 24 KONA X and KONA Xpand Manual v1.0 www.aja.com...

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