IBC 2024: AJA Unveils Groundbreaking Innovations to Transform the Future of Filmmaking
AJA announced many of its latest solutions at IBC 2024, which is being held in Amsterdam from September 13 to 16, 2024. In addition to solutions that improve the efficiency of data management, IP-compatible video capture, and new color management functions, AJA will also unveil functional updates to existing products, exhibiting a range of products that meet the needs of a wide range of industries, including media, enterprise, broadcasting, and video production.
“Virtual KONA” product jointly developed with AWS
AJA has announced Virtual KONA, a software-based virtual video capture/playback solution developed jointly with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Virtual KONA is a solution that integrates AJA’s video I/O technology AJA NTV2 with AWS’ cloud network technology AWS Cloud Digital Interface (CDI).
AWS CDI is a technology that enables the transmission of high-quality uncompressed video with low latency in the cloud, which enables Virtual KONA to eliminate the boundaries between on-premise and the cloud, providing a flexible solution that can be used for a wide range of workflows, including remote production, live streaming and post-production.
Virtual KONA provides a plug-in that connects directly to AWS CDI, providing the same functionality as existing AJA audio and video I/O cards in virtual environments, enabling third-party applications and hardware to seamlessly transfer uncompressed high-definition video and HDR content between the cloud and local workstations.
New I/O card “KONA IP25”
The IP video and audio I/O card “KONA IP25” is a next-generation I/O solution that supports both SMPTE ST 2110 systems and conventional technologies. It is equipped with powerful functions such as 10/25GbE SFP connections and multi-channel UltraHD support. KONA IP25 supports bidirectional uncompressed SMPTE 2110 video and audio, making it a product that can be used in a wide range of situations such as broadcasting, live streaming, and post-production.
KONA IP25 supports 8-lane PCIe Gen 4.0 and is designed for easy integration with the AJA SDK for developers, making it easy to adopt SMPTE ST 2110 workflows. In addition, it supports SDI and HDMI conversion, supporting the latest IP technology while maintaining compatibility with existing baseband systems. It also supports a wide range of video formats and HDR, and seamlessly integrates with major editing software such as Adobe Premiere and Avid Media Composer.
New openGear card “OG-C10DA” distribution amplifier
The newly announced distribution amplifier, the OG-C10DA, is a high-density 1×9 analog distribution amplifier based on the openGear standard, with eight BNC outputs and one BNC output that can be looped out or for further processing. It supports TSC/PAL analog video, Video Reference, AES3-id digital audio, and LTC signals, simplifying signal distribution for broadcast and live event production.
The Ross DashBoard software allows intuitive remote operation, making it easy to adjust gain and manage signal distribution. When no power is detected, the amp operates as a passive loop-through, and when power is applied, it outputs as a standard distribution amplifier. In addition, the amp is compatible with AJA rackframe products, making it ideal for AES3 and LTC distribution.
openGear card new product “OG-ColorBox” “ColorBox v3.0” update
The openGear card product “OG-ColorBox” and “ColorBox firmware v3.0” were announced at the same time. Equipped with color management and conversion functions, the OG-ColorBox provides high-density, ultra-low latency color processing in an openGear standard form factor.
OG-ColorBox includes features that improve color management workflows for live production, such as ultra-low latency, 4K/UHD HDR and WCG video processing, HDR/WCG conversion options, and custom LUT processing. It achieves up to 60p 4:2:2 10-bit video processing via 12G-SDI connection, and also supports complex color conversion and down-conversion. It is a card-type product that is ideal for real-time SDR/HDR conversion, camera Log processing, and multi-camera color correction.
The ColorBox v3.0 update adds an SDR to Dolby Vision Preview mode, enabling real-time Dolby Vision HDR preview, ARRI Alexa 35 LogC4 Wide Gamut 4 WVO support from a Colorfront license, adds an ACES AMF pipeline, supports .CLF and .CTF files, and adds color space and bit depth settings for SDI and HDMI outputs for more versatile color management.
Diskover Media Edition New Plugin/v2.3 Update
Diskover Media Edition now includes two new plugins: the PixitMedia Ngenea plugin automates data orchestration and streamlines global data transfers, and the Spectra Logic RioBroker plugin enhances media archive management and allows for quick review and analysis of data in the archive.
Through this collaboration, Diskover Media Edition provides even more efficient data management, making it a solution that optimizes storage costs.
Additionally, Diskover Media Edition software update v2.3 was also announced, which improves the user interface for more efficient installation and management, and adds a PDF viewer to allow users to review content without accessing the files, helping to extend storage life and make data-driven decisions even easier.