KONA 2 Support

The application allows users to capture, playback and record video/audio to any deck that can be interfaced with AJA’s KONA 3, KONA 2, LS/LSe, LH/LHe, and Io capture/playback products. The software provides RS-422 deck control via a user-supplied cable connecting the KONA or Io and VTR. New features for this release include Multi-channel discrete audio output via new Audio Routing feature, batch capture feature, and added support for the playback of 23.98fps movie files at 29.97fps or 59.94fps. This .tar archive includes the software application, release notes, and user manual.

(Release Date 3/9/2009, zip archive)

This release adds a new easier-to-use KONA software and easy setup installer (easy setups are now grouped and you can decide at installation exactly which ones you want installed), plus fixes and improvements.

AJA Driver Compatibility as of KONA Version 6.0.3 is as follows:
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 6.0.3 (Leopard and Tiger OS compatible version)
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 5.0 through 5.1 NDD (Leopard and Tiger OS-
compatible versions)
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 4.0 (Tiger OS compatible version)

(Release Date 3/9/2009, zip archive)
This 6.0.3 NDD version is recommended for OS X 10.5.2 or later users. Note: The AJA KONA driver version 6.0.3 NDD is the same as driver version 6.0.3, but removes the Macintosh Desktop Display feature.

(Release Date 12/11/2008, TAR archive)

This release adds 1080 VFR Support, plus many other general improvements and fixes. This new 1080 VFR feature is particularly useful for extracting 23.98 fps from a 1080i 29.97 fps HD-SDI signal such as the one provided by the Canon XH G1S.

AJA Driver Compatibility as of KONA Version 6.0.2 is as follows:
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 6.0.2 (Leopard and Tiger OS compatible version)
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 5.0 through 5.1 NDD (Leopard and Tiger OS-
compatible versions)
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 4.0 (Tiger OS compatible version)

(Release Date 12/11/2008, TAR archive)

This 6.0.2 NDD version is recommended for OS X 10.5.2 or later users. Note: The AJA KONA driver version 6.0.2 NDD is the same as driver version 6.0.2, but removes the Macintosh Desktop Display feature.

With the regular version of the 6.0.2 driver, some users may experience issues with Quartz Extreme, the behavior of their computer displays, and in some cases, boot up issues may occur with certain graphics cards installed. If any of the issues mentioned occur, the driver version 6.0.2 NDD should be used instead of version 6.0.2

The application allows users to capture, playback and record video/audio to any deck that can be interfaced with AJA’s KONA 3, KONA 2, LS/LSe, LH/LHe, and Io capture/playback products. The software provides RS-422 deck control via a user-supplied cable connecting the KONA or Io and VTR. New features for this release include Multi-channel discrete audio output via new Audio Routing feature, batch capture feature, and added support for the playback of 23.98fps movie files at 29.97fps or 59.94fps. This .tar archive includes the software application, release notes, and user manual.

These setups are not supplied on the currently shipping KONA installation CD. These Easy Setups provide support for 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, and 1080p30—in DVCProHD and 8-bit and 10-bit uncompressed formats.

If you do not have a KONA card in your Macintosh, but need to access AJA QuickTime media files, you can use this AJA QuickTime codec to work with the files.

AJA KONA System Test (included as part of the driver download)
A Macintosh utility for measuring system performance with AJA KONA Video Capture cards. The application includes disk drive speed tests and Macintosh video data copy (DMA) speeds. The disk speed tests differ from standard disk I/O performance applications in that they specifically test the system under conditions typically encountered with video capture, playback and editing. Note: most of the disk performance tests are generic and don't require an AJA KONA Video Capture card. The DMA performance tests do require a KONA card and AJA KONA Driver software to operate. The DMA tests are not compatible with AJA Io products.

AJA Data Rate Calculator Application Version (included as part of the driver download) This OS X software application calculates data rates and storage requirements for a given video size, format, and frame rate. It's great for both KONA and Io users as a resource for configuring systems and determining storage requirements.

AJA TV (included as part of the driver download) An application for playing KONA QuickTime movies directly to the KONA VideoOutput. It's a quickie way to put clips "on-air" without having to launch Final Cut Pro, make a sequence, etc.

AJA KONA QTToDPXTranslator (included as part of the driver download) takes a 10-bit RGB QuickTime movie (e.g. one that was captured via KONA 3 DualLink) and turns it into a series of DPX files (the DPX file format is a common interchange format for high-end film and graphics workstations).

AJA KONA DPXToQTTranslator (included as part of the driver download) does the opposite of the above: it turns a folder full of DPX files into a KONA 10-bit RGB QuickTime movie.

http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/xserveraiddriver10.html

Note: For users of AJA desktop products on Apple OSX 10.3.9 or OSX 10.4.x Tiger, whose storage is Apple Xserve RAID, we strongly recommend installing the following driver update from Apple:

If you do not have a KONA card in your Macintosh, but need to access AJA QuickTime media files, you can use this AJA QuickTime codec to work with the files.

AJA KONA System Test (included as part of the driver download)
A Macintosh utility for measuring system performance with AJA KONA Video Capture cards. The application includes disk drive speed tests and Macintosh video data copy (DMA) speeds. The disk speed tests differ from standard disk I/O performance applications in that they specifically test the system under conditions typically encountered with video capture, playback and editing. Note: most of the disk performance tests are generic and don't require an AJA KONA Video Capture card. The DMA performance tests do require a KONA card and AJA KONA Driver software to operate. The DMA tests are not compatible with AJA Io products.

AJA Data Rate Calculator Application Version (included as part of the driver download)
This OS X software application calculates data rates and storage requirements for a given video size, format, and frame rate. It's great for both KONA and Io users as a resource for configuring systems and determining storage requirements.

AJA TV (included as part of the driver download)
An application for playing KONA QuickTime movies directly to the KONA VideoOutput. It's a quickie way to put clips "on-air" without having to launch Final Cut Pro, make a sequence, etc.

AJA KONA QTToDPXTranslator (included as part of the driver download)
takes a 10-bit RGB QuickTime movie (e.g. one that was captured via KONA 3 DualLink) and turns it into a series of DPX files (the DPX file format is a common interchange format for high-end film and graphics workstations).

AJA KONA DPXToQTTranslator (included as part of the driver download)
does the opposite of the above: it turns a folder full of DPX files into a KONA 10-bit RGB QuickTime movie.

This release offers general improvements and fixes, including: better responsiveness of synchronized playback, improved tagging of framerates on variable frame rate (VFR) captures, improved A/V sync with DVCPRO HD formatted material, Easy Setup improvements, better setting of field dominance in Apple ProRes captures, and other items (read the included release notes for details).

AJA Driver Compatibility as of KONA Version 6.0.1 is as follows:
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 6.0.1 (Leopard and Tiger OS compatible version)
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 5.0 through 5.1 NDD (Leopard and Tiger OS.

This release updates the KONA 2 with an Active Video Output Filter plus other general improvements and fixes.

AJA Driver Compatibility as of KONA Version 6.0 is as follows:
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 6.0 (Leopard and Tiger OS compatible version)
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 5.0 through 5.1 NDD (Leopard and Tiger OS compatible versions)
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 4.0 (Tiger OS compatible version)

This 5.1 NDD version is recommended for OS X 10.5.2 users. Note: The AJA KONA driver version 5.1 NDD is the same as driver version 5.1, but removes the Macintosh Desktop Display feature.

With the regular version of the 5.1 driver, some users may experience issues with Quartz Extreme, the behavior of their computer displays, and in some cases, kernel panics may occur with certain graphics cards installed. If any of the issues mentioned occur, the driver version 5.1 NDD should be used instead of version 5.1. Driver version 5.1 NDD is also the recommended version for use with the latest Intel Xserve with Xeon.

This release updates the KONA 2 with improved Edit to tape frame accuracy in all interlaced formats, plus includes other improvements and fixes.

AJA Driver Compatibility as of KONA Version 5.1 is as follows:
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 5.1 (Leopard and Tiger OS compatible version)
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 4.0 (Tiger OS compatible version)
FCP 5.1.x - Kona Driver versions 3.1 through 3.4 (Tiger OS compatible versions)
FCP 5.0.x - Kona Driver version 3 (first Universal Binary version).

This release updates the KONA 2 to have OSX "Leopard" compatibility. The release also adds support for 720p50 and provides other improvements and fixes.

AJA Driver Compatibility as of KONA Version 5.0 is as follows:
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 5.0 (Leopard and Tiger OS compatible version)
FCP 6.0.x - Kona Driver version 4.0 (Tiger OS compatible version)
FCP 5.1.x - Kona Driver versions 3.1 through 3.4 (Tiger OS compatible versions)
FCP 5.0.x - Kona Driver version 3 (first Universal Binary version).

This release is specifically designed to support Apple's Final Cut Studio 2. Users of previous versions of Final Cut Pro should refer to the Release Notes PDF file (included in this download) for the appropriate driver version. The Release Notes PDF also contains other information on improvements, fixes and special notes. Check the AJA website for an updated version 4.0 manual to be released soon.

AJA Driver Compatibility as of KONA Version 4.0 is as follows:
FCP 6.0.x (Final Cut Studio 2)- Kona Driver version 4.0
FCP 5.1.x - Kona Driver versions 3.1 through 3.4
FCP 5.0.x - Kona Driver version 3

This version adds support for 1080p23.98, 24, 25, 29.97 and 30—plus other improvements and bug fixes. Note: this release requires Final Cut Pro 5.1 (minimum)

This version adds Automator plug-ins for OS X 10.4 for batch DPX-to-QT AND QT-to-DPX translation, —plus other improvements and bug fixes. Note: this release requires Final Cut Pro 5.1 (minimum).

This version adds SD-SD aspect ration conversions, 720p25 Varicam support, little-endian captures in Log RGB and RGB codecs, capture to IMX50Mbps compression in NTSC and PAL, new Easy Setups—plus other improvements and bug fixes. Note: this release requires Final Cut Pro 5.1 (minimum).

This version adds new Limiter functionality to the KONA Control Panel, and installs Universal Binary versions of the DPX to QT and QT to DPX translator utilities—plus it adds other improvements and bug fixes. Note: this release requires Final Cut Pro 5.1 (minimum).

This version includes expanded format support, new upconversion/downconversion choices, support for custom LUT choices, plus other improvements and bug fixes.

Please Note: The Release Notes state that the DPXToQT Translator and QTToDPX Translator applications are part of the KONA installer. They are not included in the installer at this time, but can still be downloaded separately from the following URL for software ajashare:
http://www.aja.com/en/support/kona/kona-2/

This version has many new features including contextual menus in the Control Panel, Custom LUT support, DPX file support, new utility applications, plus other improvements and bug fixes.

This version has support added for Final Cut Pro 5.1 and improved Easy Setups.

This version has audio level adjustment for input and output, KONA uncompressed codec added back into the installer, plus other improvements.

This software adds 720p50 capture/playback, Line 21 captioning decoding, playback support for IMX 525/60 50 Mbps and 625/50 50 Mbps compressed clips, RGBA playback in FCP, timecode burn-in, RP-188 timecode capture, and 640x480 playback, plus bug fixes and improvements. See release notes (supplied) for details.

This software adds Video+Key support, Control Panel enhancements, support for DVCPROHD 1080i 50, 1080i 30 video format support, Motion JPEG-A and Animation codec support, plus bug fixes and improvements.

These older setups are not supplied on the currently shipping KONA installation CD.
Click here for information on installing them.

New features for this release include frame grabbing and user-selectable support for RP-188. This .tar archive includes the software application, release notes, and user manual.

Version 2 supports DPX and TIFF file formats and supports 2K workflows.

For information on using Apple ProRes on Windows and Apple ProRes on Macs without Final Cut Studio 2 installed, click here.

This document shows how KONA 2 connects to outside equipment (diagrams excerpted from the KONA 2 User Manual).

This document describes Mac/Storage/Software configurations for Io and Kona systems.

This document shows how KONA 2 connects to outside equipment (diagrams excerpted from the KONA 2 User Manual).

This document describes Installation and Operation of the KONA 2 Capture/Playback card.

This document discusses a number of aspects of setting up and using the Sony HDCAM HDW-F500 with KONA.

This document discusses using house reference with a KONA 2 or KONA LS.