AJA Previews Thunderbolt Technology-Enabled and Multi-Format 5K I/O Products at NAB 2011
April 10, 2011
Las Vegas, NV, NAB Conference, Booth SL4420 (April 11, 2011)-- AJA Video Systems is previewing products-in-development featuring the breakthrough Thunderbolt(TM) technology for new high-framerate 2K 3D, 4K and 5K workflows, and portable HD connectivity at its NAB exhibit booth SL4420.
“Video formats and connectivity options are always improving, and at AJA we consistently strive to implement next-gen technology, delivering the tools our customers need today and anticipating those they’ll need in the future,” said AJA President Nick Rashby. “We’re very excited to preview our high-end 4K and 5K workflows, and demonstrate our support for the new Thunderbolt technology as we work to integrate them into our product line.”
Codenamed “Riker,” AJA’s multi-format I/O technology for everything from SD to 5K workflows, is designed to address rapidly changing I/O and processing requirements via its unique modular architecture. “Riker” offers a revolutionary arbitrary hardware scalar that enables users to scale up or down any sized-raster (up to 5K) in realtime at full quality. “Riker” connects to its host via high-speed 8-lane PCIe 2.0, over a 3-meter tether cable. AJA’s new technology provides immense bandwidth, easily handling high-framerate 2K stereo 3D at up to 60Hz per eye, and even 4K stereo 3D at 24/30Hz per eye. “Riker” delivers superior I/O, processing and scaling on the Mac and PC for complex multi-format 5K/4K/2K and HD/Dual-link/SD workflows.
AJA is also demonstrating support for the all-new Thunderbolt technology based HD/SD I/O with the recently introduced MacBook Pro line. Developed by Intel and brought to market with technical collaboration from Apple, Thunderbolt technology is designed to provide simple, yet powerful one-cable plug-in connectivity for 3G, HD/SD-SDI and HDMI workflows. Codenamed “Phaser”, AJA’s upcoming product supports HDMI 1.3a input and HDMI 1.4 output for stereo playback, provides 10-bit up/down/cross-conversions, with RS422 device control and professional reference/LTC I/O, in a highly portable design.
“Riker” and “Phaser” are technology previews only. Products supporting this technology are currently in development and will be announced soon.
About AJA Video Systems, Inc.
Since 1993, AJA Video has been a leading manufacturer of high-quality and cost-effective digital video interface, conversion, acquisition 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 visit www.aja.com.
On top of the peek at AJA's new Thunderbolt enabled interfaces, they also announced they are the first recommended ProRes Solution for the high end RED EPIC cameras. RED announced that after being pushed to the limits, the AJA KiPROmini passed numerous tests, holding up to the 5K EPIC REDCODE RAW files with it's small compact, lightweight form factor and uncanny performance.
Here is a rip from AJA on the announcement form a few days ago.
AJA Ki Pro Mini is First Recommended ProRes Solution for RED EPIC
April 11, 2011
Las Vegas, NV, NAB Conference, Booth SL4420 (April 11, 2011)-- AJA Video Systems today announced AJA’s Ki Pro Mini as the first recommended Apple ProRes solution for the newly released RED EPIC camera.
“AJA’s Ki Pro Mini is the first ProRes recorder that we’ve battle tested and are recommending for use with the RED EPIC,” said Ted Schilowitz of RED. “I flew with it as the broadcast quality, 1080p offline video recorder while shooting 5K EPIC REDCODE RAW files in the Pictorvision nose mount of a copter this week and it worked like a charm. I know first hand of the high level of industry adoption of AJA gear based on its proven performance and their reputation for high quality professional gear, and the KiPro Mini is no exception. It worked solidly under the pressure of real high-end cinema shooting environments, where it really counts. We tested it, and loved it.”
“AJA was first to market in 2009 with a professional ProRes camera recording device with the Ki Pro, and we now also have thousands of Ki Pro Minis in the field,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “The RED EPIC packs a lot of power into a very small package; Ki Pro Mini is the perfect ProRes recording complement, connecting to the camera rig unobtrusively and without adding any significant weight.”
Ki Pro Mini snaps right onto the back of the RED EPIC camera using the AJA Mini Mounting Plate with a standard V-Lock adapter. “While the EPIC shoots well beyond 1080p resolution, there are many production scenarios where recording a simultaneous 1080p feed is essential. Ki Pro Mini is perfect for these scenarios, it’s small, light, and provides top quality ProRes which many have come to rely on for their TV quality deliverables,” concluded Schilowitz.
About RED EPIC
The RED EPIC camera comes in a package one third the size of a RED ONE, includes a 5K Mysterium-X(TM) sensor and a 27 layer ASIC, enabling EPIC to capture up to 120 frames per second, each frame at full 14MP resolution. EPIC is engineered to be a DSMC(TM) (Digital Still & Motion Camera), providing native dynamic range of over 13 stops and a resolution that exceeds 35 mm motion picture film. The RED EPIC is currently being used on several major studio motion pictures including: The Hobbit, Jack the Giant Killer and Ridley Scott’s upcoming feature.
About AJA Ki Pro Mini
AJA Ki Pro Mini is a miniature field recorder for creating ready-to-edit professional digital video. It supports an Apple file-based workflow by recording standard Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files on industry standard Compact Flash (CF) media. Within its portable and rugged form factor, Ki Pro Mini offers broadcast quality SD/HD digital I/O including SDI, HD-SDI and HDMI, two channels of balanced analog audio input (2 XLRs) with switch selectable line/mic levels, and LTC timecode input. Ki Pro Mini is available now via AJA’s network of resellers worldwide.
About AJA Video Systems, Inc.
Since 1993, AJA Video has been a leading manufacturer of high-quality and cost-effective digital video interface, conversion, acquisition 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 visit www.aja.com.
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., April 7, 2011 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today introduced two advanced-design PL-mount lenses that address the emerging 4K production standards. Designated as the Canon FK14.5-60 wide-angle cine zoom and the Canon FK30-300 telephoto cine zoom, these precision-matched lenses incorporate breakthrough Canon optical designs that simultaneously optimize and enhance multiple imaging attributes while minimizing optical aberrations and distortions. Both lenses are also more compact and lightweight than contemporary PL-mount lenses and both feature a totally new Canon optical design that virtually eliminates focus breathing. As digital cinematography continues to accelerate for theatrical motion pictures, TV movies, episodic dramas, commercials, and other forms of digital high-resolution production, professionals will require the very best in performance and image quality. By already performing in accordance with emerging 4K production image format standards, both of the new Canon PL-mount cine zoom lenses inherently ensure the very highest performance in contemporary 2K and HD digital motion imaging.
