AJA KONA 1: Easily Capture/Playback Audio and Video Over 3G-SDI

Overview

Designed for broadcast, post and ProAV, as well as OEM developers, KONA 1 is a robust, cost efficient single-channel 3G-SDI 2K/HD 60p I/O card with serial control, reference/LTC and even HDR over SDI. KONA 1 features standard application plug-ins and supports capture, monitoring and/or playback with software applications from AJA, Adobe®, Avid®, Apple®, OBS Project, Telestream and more, as well as AJA SDK support. KONA 1 enables simultaneous monitoring during capture (pass-through) and includes: full size SDI ports supporting 3G-SDI formats, embedded 16-channel SDI audio in/out, Genlock with reference/ LTC input and RS-422.

Features

Single Channel 3G-SDI Capture or Playback 2K/HD/SD up to 50/60p
2x 3G-SDI connections (In, Out) with 16-channel embedded audio
RGB 4:4:4 12-bit, and YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit HFR workflows supported
10-bit LUT support (.cube)
VPID signaling for SDR/HDR Transfer Characteristics, Colorimetry and Luminance via SDI
PQ, HLG and Dolby Vision Support
HDR Metadata Capture and Auto Playback Detection
RS-422 support on 9-pin external connector
Low profile form factor also available with internal RS-422 header
Reference/LTC Input on card (Analog black burst or Tri-level)
Compatible with apps from Adobe, Avid, Apple, OBS Project, and Telestream
Includes support for the Apple M1 chip
Three year warranty

Apple M1 Chip Support

Desktop Software v16.1 and above is optimized for the Apple M1 chip with native support for AJA macOS drivers, application plug-ins, AJA Control Room, AJA Control Panel, AJA System Test and AJA NMOS software.

Powerful and Simple 3G-SDI Capture and Playback for 2K/HD up to 60p

KONA 1 provides cost-effective and powerful professional 3G-SDI support for robust compatibility with Ingest, Editing and Visual Effects applications.

Capture, Monitor and Output frame accurately up to 2K 60p over 3G-SDI with Adobe, Avid, AJA Control Room and many more applications.

Reference and LTC spigots provide the professional frame stability and time code based reliability you need for broadcast, production, ProAV and creative finishing projects.

HDR

HDR or High Dynamic Range, provides the ability to display a wider and richer range of colors, much brighter whites, and much deeper, darker blacks than standard signals allow. This gives your imagery a more ‘dynamic’ look and allows for natural true to life colors to be communicated to your audience.

HDR workflows can also benefit from AJA's Control Room application and it's companion, AJA Control Panel, which comes complete with built-in HDR test patterns.

AJA Control Room also provides VPID signaling for SDR/HDR Transfer Characteristics, Colorimetry and Luminance transfer characteristics over SDI, bringing flexible output options to your AJA device.

AJA Control Room software also provides HDR Auto Playback Detection. Embedded HDR metadata in a recorded .mov file, is read and used to automatically set the HDR format on the monitor connected to the SDI output.

Support for file-based .mov HDR outputs with metadata from Adobe Premiere Pro/Adobe Media Encoder HDR files is also available. Screening those rendered outputs is a simple and hi-quality experience with AJA Control Room. Every frame is presented in its full-quality, at the timing intended, and with the proper HDR format set correctly and automatically.

Apple Mac Pro Compatible

AJA offers full compatibility for the new Apple Mac Pro, including support for AJA Control Room with Metal compatibility as well as extensive support for a range of applications. For productions handling high resolution workflows, KONA 1 is a perfect companion with the new desktop offering single-channel 3G-SDI capture and playback.

Operating Systems Compatibilities

macOS support for 12.x (Monterey), 11.x (Big Sur), 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14 (Mojave).
Linux Ubuntu support for 20.04 LTS, 18.04 LTS.
Linux Redhat/CentOS (8) and (7) support.
Windows 11, Windows 10 and updates.

Workflow

Supporting macOS, Windows and Linux, KONA 1 offers cost effective simple connectivity for a range of 2K/HD/SD workflows across 3G-SDI with video pass through on SDI out while capturing.

View Workflow

Powerful platforms for development partners

AJA's Developer Program allows partner companies to incorporate AJA products into their systems. By utilizing existing, proven video I/O devices, Developer Partners leverage AJA's expertise to develop and support these technologies, saving money and getting their integrated products to market more quickly.

Developer Sign Up

Host Systems Compatibilities

Desktop Software v16.1 comes with a wide range of tested configurations to help you make an informed choice based on requirements.

AJA DataCalc

AJA DataCalc is a mobile OS application for iOS, iPadOS and Android, offering two modes for storage and time calculations based upon raster, frame rate and codec choices.

DataCalc - Calculate your storage needs before capture.

TimeCalc – Calculate the run time of materials you can capture by storage size.

Share results with your team straight from the application.

Download from the App Store

Download from Google Play

Industry Leading Support

AJA’s technical support is recognized as among the best in the industry and is available to all AJA customers. If you need assistance with any aspect of your KONA installation, configuration, operation or encounter any technical issue, AJA Support will work with you to get up and running.

KONA products are covered by a generous three year warranty. Please see the individual Product’s Manual for additional specifics around warranty conditions for the product itself.

Tech Specs

Print Tech Specs

Video Formats

(2K) 2048 x 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
(2K) 2048 x 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25
(HD) 1080i 50, 59.94, 60
(HD) 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
(HD) 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
(HD) 720p 50, 59.94, 60
(SD) 625i 50
(SD) 525i 59.94

Video Input Digital

3G-SDI, SMPTE 425
- RGB 4:4:4 12-bit*, YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M
- Single Link HD-SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
270 Mbps SDI, SMPTE 259M-C
- YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit, 8-bit

*Bit depth support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.

Video Output Digital

3G-SDI, SMPTE 425
- RGB 4:4:4 12-bit*, YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M
- Single Link HD-SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
270 Mbps SDI, SMPTE 259M-C
- YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit, 8-bit

*Bit depth support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.

HDR

SDI: VPID signaling for SDR/HDR Transfer Characteristics, Colorimetry and Luminance.

Audio Input Digital

16-channel 24-bit SDI embedded, 48 kHz synchronous

Audio Output Digital

16-channel 24-bit SDI embedded, 48 kHz synchronous

Reference / LTC Input

Analog Color Black or HD Tri-level sync
LTC

Electrical Interface

2-lane PCIe 2.0

Machine control

RS-422, Sony 9-pin protocol
9-pin D-connector pinout is as follows:

1	GND
2	RX-
3	TX+
4	GND
5	No Connection
6	GND
7	RX+
8	TX-
9	GND
Shell	GND

Size (w x d x h)

T = 0.88" x 7.38" x 4.75" (22.36 x 187.46 x 120.65 mm)
S = 0.75" x 7.25" x 3.125" (19.05 x 184.15 x 79.36 mm)

Weight

0.3 lb (0.2 kg)

Environment

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)

Contact Support

180 Litton Drive, Grass Valley, CA 95945 USA
Phone: +1-530-271-3190, Fax: +1-530-271-3140
Email: support@aja.com

Ask us a question

KONA 1

Streamlined Capture and Playback over 3G-SDI