AJA KONA LHi User Manual

Installation & Operation Guide

Version 10.5
Published: August 12, 2014

Table of Contents

Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Copyright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Contacting Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Chapter 1: Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

KONA Models Covered in this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

AJA Software & Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Disk Storage Methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Capture Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

KONA Card Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

KONA 4/3G Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

KONA LHe Plus Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

KONA LHi Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Cable Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

KONA 4/3G Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Using Breakout Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

KONA KL-Box for LHe Plus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

KONA KLHi-Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

K3G-Box for KONA 4 & 3G . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Detailed Connector Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

LHe Plus/LHi Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

KONA 4/3G to K3G-Box Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Chapter 2: Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Installation Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

System Test and Data Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Shipping Box Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Installing the KONA Card in a MacPro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Installing the KONA Card in a Windows PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Cabling the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

KONA 4/3G Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

LHe Plus Cable Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

LHi Cable Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Installing KONA Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Mac Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Windows Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Re-Install & Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Updating KONA Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Chapter 3: Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Using KONA with Professional Video /Audio Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

AJA Control Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Single-user & Network Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Control Panel Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Control Panel Operation in Standard Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Control Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

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Format Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Input Select Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

SDI Output Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

HDMI Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Analog Out Screen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Video Setup Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Audio Setup Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Conversion Screen (Mac OS only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

DS Keyer Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Timecode Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Presets Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Firmware Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Info Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Using KONA 4 and 3G in 4K Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Format Screen in 4K Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

4K Capture Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

SDI Output Screen in 4K Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

HDMI Screen in 4K Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Analog Output Screen in 4K Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Video Setup Screen in 4K Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Downstream Keyer Screen in 4K Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Firmware Screen for Standard Firmware Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Who is Controlling KONA?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Using Multiple AJA Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Notes on using multiple AJA Products: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Using 8-bit Versus 10-bit Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Chapter 4: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

If You Run Into Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Updating Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Appendix A: Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

KONA 4/3G Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

LHe Plus Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

KONA LHi Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Warranty and Liability Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Limitation of Liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

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Notices

Trademarks

AJA®, lo®, Ki Pro®, KONA®, KUMO®,T-TAP®, Because it matters.® and ROI® are registered
trademarks of AJA Video Systems, Inc. in the United States. AJA and Ki Pro are trademarks
of AJA Video Systems, Inc. registered in other countries. AJA Control Room™, CION™,
Corvid Ultra™, FiDO™, Science of the Beautiful™, TruScale™, TruZoom™, V2Analog™ and
V2Digital™ are trademarks of AJA Video Systems, Inc.

AirPort, Apple, Apple logo, AppleShare, AppleTalk, FireWire, iPod, iPod touch, Mac and
Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Final
QuickTime

Avid, Avid DNxHD and Media Composer are registered trademarks of Avid Technology,
Inc.

HDMI, the HDMI logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are trademarks or
registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC.

DVI is a registered trademark of DDWG.

logo are trademarks of Apple Inc.

Cut Pro, QuickTime and

Copyright

Contacting Support

Telephone: [phone]

FAX : [phone]

TASCAM is a registered trademark of TEAC Corporation.

Dolby® and the double-D Dolby logo are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corporation.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

Copyright © 2014 AJA Video Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. All information in this
manual is subject to change without notice. No part of the document may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying or recording, without the express written permission of AJA
Video Systems, Inc.

When calling for support, have all information at hand prior to calling.

To contact AJA for sales or support, use any of the following methods:

Web: http://www.aja.com

Support Email: [e-mail]

Sales Email: [e-mail]

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Chapter 1: Introduction

Overview

The AJA KONA series brings the highest quality 4K/UHD, 2K, HD, and SD video and audio
to Mac and Windows computers. This manual discusses the installation of KONA cards
and the necessary software drivers and plug-ins for each platform.

KONA Models Covered in this Manual

AJA Software & Utilities

AJA Control Panel: The Control Panel provides:

This manual covers the installation and operation of these models:

•KONA LHe Plus

•KONA LHi

•KONA 3G

•KONA 4

The manual discusses using them with supported applications. Instructions for installing
the optional breakout boxes are shipped with the option.

NOTE: At this time, the KONA 4 is available for use on the Windows platform only.

AJA’s KONA software and hardware were developed for powerful integrated video/audio
capture, editing, and production with a variety of 3rd-party software. With a KONA card
and qualified computer, you have the ultimate system for standard and high definition
production, post-production, broadcast, and streaming work. Additionally, KONA offers
support for UHD and 4K formats in KONA 3G (up to 30 fps) and KONA 4(up to 60 fps).

AJA software (available for download at the AJA website) includes:

Drivers: AJA device drivers for tightly integrated hardware/software operation.

• Source selection and control of KONA within either Mac or Windows environment

• A block diagram to show visually what is happening inside your KONA card

AJA Control Room: Control Room is a cross-platform software application for ingest, playback and output

with AJA products.

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3rd-Party Plugins: AJA-provided plugins for popular 3rd-party Professional Video Applications from Adobe,

Avid, Apple, Telestream, and others.

NOTE: For a complete software compatibility list, see the AJA website link:

System Requirements

AJA Video recommends that your system meet minimum hardware and software
requirements to achieve a satisfactory level of performance. System requirements are
subject to change as new versions of operating systems,

NOTE: See Software Vendor system requirements for GPU recommendations and additional

hardware requirements and recommendations.

AJA recommends:

• OS 10.8.4 or later

• Windows 7/8 With all updates

•2.5GHz dual core i5 or better

• 2.0 GHz quad core i7 or better

• 4GB RAM Minimum, 8GB Recommended

http://www.aja.com/en/category/edit/compatibility

Disk Storage Methods

Capture Formats

NOTE: Other file types can be captured using third-party capture applications such as Sienna,

To ensure performance and quality, the disk storage system used with the workstation
must be able to meet the demands of storing realtime uncompressed media. At the very
minimum, the disk storage system must be able to provide and maintain a consistent
transfer rate from the workstation to disk (read/write). There are a variety of system
configurations and peripherals that can provide this level of performance.

For more on disk storage performanace see “System Test and Data Rate” on page 18.

When capturing, you can record data in the following file formats:

•DPX

•TGA

•BMP

•QuickTime

Softron, Tools on Air, Drastic, or Quadrus.

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KONA Card Features

These features are common to all four KONA cards—KONA 4, 3G, LHe Plus, and LHi.

• DVCPRO HD hardware acceleration

• HDV hardware scaling acceleration

• Dynamic RT Extreme hardware acceleration

NOTE: KONA offers DVCPROHD, HDV, and Apple RT Extreme hardware acceleration. This is how

KONA accelerates DVCPROHD, HDV, and Apple RT Effects. A precision hardware scalar does
what the Apple computer's processor would otherwise have to do—scaling of less than full­raster HD (DVCProHD and HDV) to full-raster size. This speeds up the system while scaling at
full 10-bit broadcast quality.

• RS-422 Machine Control via 9-pin

PCI Bus: KONA 4 employs an 8-lane PCI Express Bus interface while the other models use 4-lane

PCI-Express Bus.

KONA 4/3G Features

The KONA 4 and 3G cards offer many unique features for optimum quality, ease of use,
and support for a wide variety of post production workflows. 3G features include:

Video I/O: • SD-SDI, HD-SDI, Dual Link HD-SDI, HSDL, and 3G HD-SDI inputs

• HDMI 1.4a output

• KONA 3G I/O supports SD and HD over HDMI

• KONA 4 supports UHD and 4K over HDMI

NOTE: Even though KONA 4 uses the HDMI 1.4 chip, it provides up to 2.0 Level B resolutions. The

HDMI on the KONA 4 can also do 4K-to-2K and UHD-to-HD downconversion and UHD Frame
Rate removal for viewing high frame rate (hfr) video on non-hfr capable HDMI displays.

• 2K support that includes 2048x1556 and 2048x1080 formats

• 4K and Ultra HD capture and playout

• KONA 3G supports framerates up to 30 fps

• KONA 4 supports framerates up to 60 fps

• 12-bit HD component analog video and SD analog component or composite and
s-video output

• 10-bit HD/SD Video+Key Output

• HD/SD Hardware Downstream Keyer

KONA 4/3G supports Dual Link HD-SDI (4:4:4). KONA 4/3G supports the ingest and
output of SMPTE-372M compliant 4:4:4 RGB video and high-bandwidth 4:2:2 1080p 50,
1080p 59.94, and 1080p 60 at 10-bit.

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Conversion: • Broadcast quality hardware-based 10-bit down-conversion

• Broadcast quality hardware based 10-bit up-conversion

• Broadcast quality hardware based 10-bit cross-conversion (1080 to 720 and 720 to

1080)

• Broadcast quality hardware based 10-bit SD aspect ratio conversion (anamorphic to
letterbox, etc.)

KONA 4/3G features hardware-based full 10-bit broadcast quality motion adaptive SD to
HD up-conversion, HD to SD down-conversion and HD to HD cross-conversion. The
quality of the conversion features found in the KONA 4/3G is virtually identical to AJA's
award winning stand-alone converter products used throughout the post production
market. The KONA 4/3G built-in up-converter uses a a full 10-bit path, fully motion
adaptive de-interlacing, and large multi-point digital interpolators. Down-conversion
uses large multi-point digital interpolators, anti-alias filtering and interpolation.

Cross-conversion is high-quality hardware-based, providing capability to streamline
dailies and offers true broadcast picture quality in realtime. Because these functions are
in hardware on the card, they are available full time, all the time—with no CPU load. Such
conversions are useful for cost effective monitoring, making standard definition dubs of
an HD project, or upconverting from a standard definition project to an HD deliverable.

Audio I/O: • 8-channel 24-bit, 48kHz digital AES/EBU audio

• 16 channels of SDI embedded digital audio

Signal Timing: • Genlock input with optional looping capability via the K3G- Box (terminated on the

Cabling: • Standard 2-meter length connection cables including HDMI mini to HDMI output

UHD/4K Mode Capture and

Playout:

Internal HD/SD Hardware

Downstream Keyer:

KONA 4/3G supports 8-channel 24-bit 48kHz AES audio via BNC connections on the
supplied breakout cable—or with the optional K3G-Box,16-channels of AES audio.

KONA 4/3G’s high-quality input sample-rate conversion on AES inputs eliminates the
need for audio source synchronization. Sample rate converters auto-lock to any AES
input, 32-96kHz, and then convert it to 24-bit 48kHZ audio, locked to internal KONA 4/3G
video. Sample rate conversion is done at very high quality (over 120db THD).

supplied breakout cable)

• LTC (longitudinal timecode) input/output

In 4K Mode, KONA 4/3G offers 4K capture and playback in both YCbCr and RGB.

When using a capture application that supports 4K geometry, the KONA 4/3G maps
connectors SDI1 through SDI 4 as inputs for 4K video.

When 4K playout is selected, the four SDI connectors are remapped as outputs for driving
the four quadrants of a 4K display. A large number of 4K formats are supported for this
emerging workflow; see the specifications (“KONA 4/3G Specifications” on page 85) for
supported 4K formats.

KONA 4/3G provides a powerful hardware keyer that can place graphic files with an alpha
channel over video in a selectable matte or the contents of the card's framebuffer from a
software application (including AJA TV). Key a bug or text over picture and avoid what
might normally be a lengthy software render. Also, working with these software
applications, you can key video that has an alpha-channel over video input or a matte.

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

8

For example, you can load a QuickTime clip that has an alpha-channel (a flying logo
generated in the Animation codec) into AJA TV and then place it over live video coming
into the card and then passing both on to a VTR for recording or broadcast.

KONA LHe Plus Features

The KONA LHe Plus card offers a large number of unique features for optimum quality,
ease of use, and support for a wide variety of workflows and environments. KONA LHe
Plus provides flexible standard definition and high definition capture and playback, a
hardware down-converter for working in mixed SD/HD environments—and it supports
both analog and digital audio/video I/O.

Video I/O: • 10-bit uncompressed SD/HD QuickTime capture card

• 12-bit HD Analog Component I/O

• 12-bit SD Analog Component/Composite/S-Video I/O

• One SDI or HD-SDI Input

• Two independent SDI/HD-SDI outputs

Conversion: • Broadcast quality hardware-based 10-bit down-conversion

Audio I/O: • 2-channel analog balanced XLR audio I/O

• 2-channel AES XLR audio I/O

• 8-channel SDI embedded audio I/O

Signal Timing: • HD/SD genlock on analog video inputs

Cabling: • Cables standard

• Optional KL-box Breakout Box—provides rack mounting and flexible
easy I/O (KL-box cabling is included with the KL-box). When ordering, specify a KL-box
for the KONA LHe Plus since it uses a unique cable.

KONA LHe Plus Audio: KONA LHe Plus supports two-channel 24-bit 48kHz AES audio via XLR connections, and

eight-channel embedded 24-bit 48kHz audio over the same single SDI connection as the
video. If you are using a digital deck—you’ll have the proper connections to the deck.

For analog audio, KONA LHe Plus provides two-channel balanced audio input and
output. If you purchase the optional KL-Box breakout box, you also get two-channel
unbalanced audio output (RCA jacks).

KONA LHe Plus also features AES input sample rate conversion; this feature eliminates the
requirement for audio source synchronization. Sample rate converters auto-lock to any
AES input, 32-96KHz, and then convert it to 24 bit 48KHz audio, perfectly locked to
internal KONA LHe Plus video. Sample rate conversion is done at very high quality (over
120db THD).

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9

KONA LHi Features

Video I/O: • 10-bit uncompressed QuickTime capture card

Conversion: • Broadcast quality hardware-based 10-bit down-conversion

Audio I/O: • 2-channel analog balanced XLR audio I/O

The KONA LHi card offers a large number of unique features for optimum quality, ease of
use, and support for a wide variety of workflows and environments. KONA LHi provides
flexible standard definition and high definition capture and playback, a hardware-based
converter for working in mixed SD/HD environments—and it supports both analog and
digital audio/video I/O—including HDMI.

• 3G/HD/SD SDI I/O

• HDMI v1.3a w/Deep Color at 30 bits per pixel input/output

• 12-bit SD and HD Analog Component/Composite/S-Video I/O

• Broadcast quality hardware based 10-bit up-conversion

• Broadcast quality hardware based 10-bit cross-conversion (1080 to 720 and 720 to

1080)

• Broadcast quality hardware based 10-bit SD aspect ratio conversion (anamorphic to
letterbox, etc.)

• 2-channel AES XLR audio I/O

• 8-channel SDI embedded audio I/O

Signal Timing: • HD/SD genlock on analog video inputs

• LTC Input (on Reference input)

Cabling: • Cables standard

• Optional KLHi-box Breakout Box—provides rack mounting and flexible
easy I/O (KLHi-box cabling is included with the KLHi-box).

KONA LHi Audio: KONA LHi supports 2-channel 24-bit 48kHz or 96kHz AES audio via XLR connections, and

8 channel embedded 24 bit 48kHz audio over HDMI or the same single SDI connection as
the video. If you are using a digital deck—you’ll have the proper connections to the deck.

For analog audio, KONA LHi provides two-channel balanced audio input and output. If
you purchase the optional KLHi-Box breakout box, you also get two-channel unbalanced
audio output (RCA jacks).

KONA LHi also features AES input sample rate conversion; this feature eliminates the
requirement for audio source synchronization. Sample rate converters auto-lock to any
AES or HDMI input, 32-96KHz, and then convert it to 24 bit 48KHz audio, perfectly locked
to internal KONA LHi video. Sample rate conversion is done at very high quality (over
120db THD). (HDMI audio can be 20 to 24 bit and will be saved as 24 bit samples.)

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Cable Connections

KONA offers unsurpassed cable connectivity for a video/audio capture card. Connections
are made via the breakout cable (included with the card) and connectors mounted on
the KONA Card endplate. These connectors, for all three KONA models, are illustrated on
the following pages.

KONA LHi and LHe Plus The Breakout cable used for both KONA LHi and LHe Plus models provides:

• Reference Input (BNC connector)

• Component/Composite/S Video Input (3x BNC)

• Component/Composite/S Video Output (3x BNC)

• AES In (2x XLR)

•AES Out (2x XLR)

• Balanced Audio In (2x XLR)

• Balanced Audio Out (2x XLR)

• RS-422 Machine Control (9-pin)

LHi Endplate: Connectors on the KONA LHi card endplate additionally provide:

• Standard-definition or High-definition SDI input (1 BNC) and output (1 BNC)

• HDMI input and output (2x HDMI mini-connectors)

LHe Plus Endplate: The KONA LHe Plus endplate provides one BNC for SDI/SDI HD input and two

independent SDI/SDI HD output BNC’s.

Figure 1. Breakout Cables for LHe Plus and LHi Models

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11

4-mini BNCs

to 4 standard

BNCs

Reference Input BNC

HDMI Output (1)

RS422 Machine Control to VTR

(9-pin)

SDI Out1/Link A BNC

SDI Out2/Link B BNC

SDI In1/Link A BNC

SDI In2/Link B BNC

Digital AES

Audio Input BNCs

Channels 1-8

Digital AES

Audio Output BNCs

Channels 1-8

LTC Input BNC

LTC Output BNC

SDI

KONA 4/3G

end-plate

3 BNCs (Analog Connections):

Output SD:

Component, Composite, or S-Video

Output HD: Component or RGB

KONA 4/3G Connectors

KONA 4/3G provides complete I/O connectivity choices in two multi-signal breakout
cables and one HDMI-to-HDMI mini output cable. One multi-signal cable provides AES/
EBU digital BNC connections and analog video monitoring connections. The other has 4
mini-connectors on one end and 4 BNCs on the other providing SDI connections for both
Single Link and Dual Link SD/HD SDI connections. Cable connections are marked on both
the KONA card endplate and on the cable connectors for easy identification.

Figure 2. KONA 4/3G Breakout Cable

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12

Using Breakout Boxes

Reference

(loop)

Output

Channels 1 & 2

Component

Video Out

Digital

Out

RS422

Machine

Control

External

Reference

(loop)

Analog Audio

Output

Balanced Audio In

Channels 1 & 2

Balanced Audio Out

Channels 1 & 2

Composite/

Component

Video In

Composite/

Component

Video Out

AES/EBU Audio

In and Out

In

Serial

Digital

Serial

Digital

Out

RS422

Machine

Control

External

Ref. or LTC

(loop)

Analog

Audio

Output

Balanced Audio In

Channels 1 & 2

Balanced Audio Out

Channels 1 & 2

Composite/

Component

Video In

Composite/

Component

Video Out

AES/EBU Audio

In and Out

SDI

In

SDI
Out

HDMI v1.3a

Out

HDMI v1.3a

In

The KONA product line offers two optional 19” 1RU rack-mountable breakout boxes that
attach to the KONA card via cables that connect to the back of the Box. These cables are
supplied with the Box. The breakout boxes offer the same inputs and outputs as the
standard breakout cables and more. Breakout boxes can be easily rackmounted or placed
on top of a broadcast monitor or editing desk.

KONA KL-Box for LHe Plus

The KONA KL-Box is connected via one 60-pin to 60-pin, and one 3-BNC to 3-BNC cable.
When you purchase the KL-Box, you get two-channel unbalanced audio output (2 RCA
Jacks) not available with the standard cable. When ordering a KL-Box, specify the KONA
card model you’ll be using the KL box with to ensure you get the proper cable set.

Figure 3. KL-Box Model Breakout Box

KONA KLHi-Box The KONA KLHi-Box offers the same connections as the KL-Box except a single connector

is provided for the following: SDI input, SDI output, HDMI v1.3a input, and HDMI v1.3a
output.

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

NOTE: The HDMI connectors on the breakout box are full-size, not mini as on the LHi endplate

Figure 4. KLHi-Box Model Breakout Box.

13

RS422

Machine

Control

Longitudinal

Time Code

(LTC)

External

Reference

(loop)

Video Monitor Out

Component/

Composite

Video Output

Analog Audio

Output

AES/EBU Audio In

Channels 1 through 16

All AES/EBU audio connectors have two channels

per connector

SDI Ports 1 through 4AES/EBU Audio Out

Channels 1 through 16

HDMI

Out

HDMI Output

from KONA 3G

mini-HDMI connector

KONA 3G

Host

Connector

SDI Ports 1 through 4

K3G-Box for KONA 4 & 3G

The K3G-Box for KONA 4 and 3G offers convenient connector access and additional
functionality including simultaneous BNC AES output, 2-channel RCA analog audio
monitoring, and looping BNC connection for Genlock reference and LTC timecode. If
you’re using a digital Betacam deck, HDCAM, DVCPRO HD, D5, D9 or even an HDCAM SR,
you’ll have the proper connections.

Figure 5. K3G-Box Model Breakout Box (front & rear view)

Detailed Connector Descriptions

LHe Plus/LHi Connectors

SDI Input and Outputs: BNC connectors are provided on the KONA LHe and LHi card endplates for one SD-SDI or

HDMI Input and Output: Two HDMI mini-connectors on the LHi endplate (full-size HDMI connectors on the KLHi

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

Connectors on the standard cable set are labelled by their function for easy installation
and maintenance. Connectors on the optional KL-Box are similarly labelled.

HD-SDI input. The LHe Plus has two, and LHi has one SDI output (format independent of
the input). The SDI input and outputs support video and embedded 24-bit digital audio.
Use SDI wherever possible for the best quality 10-bit uncompressed video input, capture
and output. If peripheral equipment has a variety of inputs/outputs, look to see if it has
SDI I/O, and use it where possible. Most high-end professional broadcast equipment
supports SDI (VTRs, cameras, media storage servers, etc.).

Box) provide for input and output of HDMI compatible video (version 1.1) and multi­channel embedded audio (8 channels). HDCP is not supported on either input or output.
The LHi’s HDMI output does not have HDCP, and input sources having HDCP are not

14

supported. The HDMI input is designed to support long cable runs—up to 100 ft. when
using 22 or 24AWG HDMI cable, or up to 50 ft. using 28 or 30AWG HDMI cable. The HDMI
output supports standard HDMI cables only.

2-Channel Digital AES/EBU

Audio Inputs And Outputs:

NOTE: AES XLR connections are digital and cannot be used with analog equipment having XLR

Analog 2-Channel Balanced

Audio:

Unbalanced Audio on KL-Box: On the KL-Box are two analog output connectors, one for each channel. These

RS-422 Machine Control : A female DE-9 connector on the LHi/LHe Plus breakout cable provides connection for

KONA 4/3G to K3G­Box Connectors

One female XLR connector is provided for the channel 1 and 2 inputs, while a male XLR
connector carries channel 1 and 2 outputs. AES/EBU signals are handled internally as 24­bit digital.The optional KL-Box also provides XLR audio connections on the front panel.

connectors.

Two sets of analog XLR connectors, one for each channel, support balanced audio
connections. Male XLRs are provided for outputs and female XLRs are provided for
inputs. Balanced audio (differential) connections provide better analog audio quality
over longer cable runs. Most professional quality VTRs and audio equipment have XLR
style connectors for analog audio. Analog audio signals are converted internally to 24-bit
digital.

connectors are RCA-style phono jacks.

VTRs, camcorders, disk media servers, and other devices using RS-422 SMPTE (Sony)
protocol. This RS-422 connector is also present on the optional KL-Box (connector pinout
is

Sony 9-pin protocol).

Connectors on the standard cable set are labelled for their function for easy installation
and maintenance. Connectors on the optional K3G-Box (breakout box) are similarly
labelled.

8-Channel Digital AES/EBU

Audio I/O:

Unbalanced Audio on K3G-

RS-422 Machine Control: A female DE-9 connector provides connection for VTRs, camcorders, disk media servers,

SDI Inputs & Outputs: On the KONA 4/3G card, mini-connectors are provided for bi-directional SDI inputs and

When using the standard cables, BNC connections are provided for AES/EBU audio input/
output. Four BNC connectors are provided for audio input and four for audio output.
Each BNC carries two channels. The connectors are labeled for input/output and
channels.

The optional K3G-Box provides BNC audio connections on the front panel for 16­channels of audio input and output.

On the K3G breakout box are two analog output connectors, one for each channel. These

Box:

connectors are RCA-style phono jacks.

and other devices using RS-422 SMPTE (Sony) protocol. This connector is present on both
the general I/O cables and the optional K3G-Box (connector pinout is

outputs for Single Link, Dual Link or 4K/UHD I/O. A cable with four Mini-connectors on
one end and four BNCs on the other end is provided for connecting equipment to the SDI
inputs and outputs.

In Standard mode, KONA 4/3G offers four video outputs altogether:

• two SDI outputs that are used for both High- and Standard-definition (SD/HD-SDI)

• two monitor outputs (discussed later), one component analog and one HDMI 1.4a.

Sony 9-pin protocol.)

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15

Each of the four outputs is independently switchable between HD and SD. For example, if
you are working in HD, you can have simultaneous HD-SDI, SD-SDI, and HD-component
analog output.

SDI inputs and outputs support video and 8-channel embedded 24-bit digital audio. Use
SDI wherever possible for the best quality 10-bit uncompressed video input, capture, and
output. If peripheral equipment has a variety of inputs/outputs, look to see if it has SDI I/
O, and use it wherever possible. Most high-end professional broadcast equipment
supports SDI (VTRs, cameras, media storage servers, etc.).

HDMI Output: An HDMI mini-connector on the KONA4/3G endplate (full-size HDMI connectors on the

K3G-Box) provides HDMI 1.4 capability, supporting 4K up to 24fps and UHD at 25/30 fps.

NOTE: KONA 3G supports SD and HD over HDMI. KONA 4 supports UHD and 4K over HDMI.

HDMI also supports multi-channel embedded audio (8 channels). HDCP is not supported
on the output.

Analog Monitor Out puts: Both the standard I/O cable and the optional K3G-Box feature two groups of three BNC

connectors each, for input and output of component, composite and Y/C functions. The
signals are labelled on both the cable and K3G-Box connectors.

The analog component output can be switched between SD and HD. KONA 4/3G
features 12-bit component video output for both HD and SD. SD can be switched to
composite and Y/C. (The same three BNC connectors share component and Y/C
functions.) This allows use of an inexpensive analog monitor for both HD and SD work.
You can even use a composite video monitor. For Dual Link HD-SDI output, HD or SD can
be monitored through the component output. Dual Link HD can be output as 4:4:4 RGB.

Component video signals are generally higher quality than composite, but not as high­quality as serial digital (SDI).

Note: About RGB: Although RGB is used less in today’s video systems, KONA 4/3G

supports it for A/V Monitor output. However, because the KONA 4/3G (and SMPTE
SDI’s) native format is YPbPr, AJA recommends using YPbPr when the monitor
supports it. The YPbPr format provides “headroom” for “superwhite” and
superblack”—and these video levels will be clipped when transcoding to RGB. Also,
the RGB/YPbPr transcoding involves a level translation that results in mathematical
round-off error. RGB can be configured in the Playout setup panel of the specific
application you are using with KONA 4/3G.

Note: About YPbPr: KONA 4/3G supports three different types of YPbPr:

•SMPTE/EBU N10

• Betacam (NTSC)

• Betacam (NTSC-J [Japan]).

These three formats differ in level only and can be configured in the Playout setup panel
of the specific application you are using with KONA 4/3G.

Reference Video: A single BNC on the standard KONA cable—or two BNC connectors on the K3G-Box

(looping)—allow you to synchronize KONA outputs to your house analog reference
video signal (or black burst). If you have a sync generator or central piece of video
equipment to use for synchronizing other video equipment in your studio, connect its
analog composite output here. When KONA outputs video, it locks to this reference
signal. When connecting a reference video source, the locking signal should be the same
format as the Primary format selected in KONA software. It is possible in some
circumstances to use an alternate format video signal if the basic frame rate is
compatible.

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16

Chapter 2: Installation

Installation Overview

The installation and set up of a KONA card is very simple. All of the steps of installation
and configuration are documented in this chapter, summarized as follows:

1. Unpack and examine the contents of the shipping box

2. If not previously installed on your Mac or PC, ensure that the capture/editing

application you intend to use is installed as detailed in its user documentation. Your
application must be installed and run at least once for the KONA Easy Setups to be
installed properly. If other capture cards have been installed, the software for those
products should be removed before installing the KONA driver to avoid possible
conflicts.

Card Placement: 3. For the KONA Mac installation, AJA recommends that the card be placed in Slot 3 and

the Apple Expansion Slot Utility be configured so that the slot is running at x4 lane
speed or higher. (The choice of x4, x4, x1 and x16 is ideal.) Refer to the AJA website at:

http://www.aja.com/en/support/kona-system-configuration/

NOTE: The new KONA 4 card, at this time, is available for installation in Windows systems only and

uses 8-lane PCIe bus.

For the most up-to-date Windows system requirements for KONA, consult the AJA
website:

http://www.aja.com/en/support/kona-pc-system-configuration/

AJA Software Downloads: 4. Install AJA KONA software on your computer. The latest KONA software and AJA

software for third-party plugins is available for download at the AJA website:

http://www.aja.com/en/support/downloads/

5. Cable the system audio and video sources, VTR, audio monitor, and video monitor. If

you purchased the optional Breakout Box, then install it into an equipment rack or
place it on a desk and connect its cables to the KONA card. If you're instead using the
standard cable set, then use those to connect directly to your equipment.

Each of these steps is discussed in greater detail in the pages of this chapter.

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17

System Test and Data Rate

To guarantee maximum system performance, use KONA System Test and the AJA
DataRate Calculator to evaluate your workstation capabilities. They are available on the
AJA website at the following support page:

http://www.aja.com/en/products/software/

KONA System Test KONA System Test is a utility for measuring system performance with AJA KONA Video

Capture cards. The application includes disk drive speed tests and 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.

We suggest the best test is to fill your storage disk to 80% and then test capture at the
highest data rate you will use.

DataRate Calculator This 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.

Unpacking

Shipping Box Contents

Your KONA shipment includes:

• KONA 4/8-lane PCI-Express card

•KONA I/O cables.

KONA 4/3G Cables If you purchased the KONA 4 or 3G, you will receive this complement of cables:

• Cable, HDMI mini-to-HDMI output

• Cable, KONA 4/3G SDI In/Out—mini-connectors on the card (technically called “1.0/2.3
connectors”) connect to full-size BNCs for ease of use and compatibility with
professional equipment.

• Cable, AES BNC digital audio connectors, RS422, and Reference Input.

If you purchased the optional K3G-Box breakout box, it ships with a multi-pin to multi­pin cable for connecting from the KONA 4 or 3G card to the breakout box. The x4 BNC
cable to 1.0/2.3 connectors cable that shipped with the card is also needed interconnect
the SDI connectors out of the card to the breakout box. Also, the HDMI cable connects
between the KONA 4/3G card and the box rear panel.

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18

Figure 6. Shipping Box Contents, (KONA 3G contents shown)

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19

Standard Cable

RS422 Machine Control to VTR

(9-pin)

Analog Audio Channel 1 Input

Analog Audio Channel 2 Input

Analog Audio Channel 1 Output

Analog Audio Channel 2 Output

Digital AES Input Channels 1 & 2

Digital AES Output Channels 1 & 2

Multiple-pin connector

To KONA LHi

Y/CVBS In BNC

Pb/Y In BNC

Pr/C In BNC

Y/G/CVBS Out BNC

Pb/B/Y Out BNC

Pr/R/C Out BNC

green

blue

red

green

blue

red

6 BNCs (Analog Connections): Can be
Congured for Component, Composite, or Y/C

Reference Input or LTC Input BNC

Balanced Audio

Analog Video

The KONA LHi and LHe Plus cards use the breakout cable shown below providing XLR
balanced audio connectors, an RS-422 9-pin connector, and BNCs for video I/O and
reference connection.

Figure 7. KONA LHe Plus/LHi Breakout Cable

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

As you unpack your shipment, carefully examine the contents. Ensure you received
everything and that nothing was damaged during shipping. If you find any damage,
immediately notify the shipping service and supply them with a complete description of
the damage. AJA will repair or replace damaged items. If you find shipping damage,
contact your AJA dealer or distributor for details on how to have your KONA card

NOTE: Save packing materials and the shipping box. If you ever require service or move your

repaired or replaced.

system—use the packaging materials and box for safe shipment.

20

Installing the KONA Card in a MacPro

1. Place the computer in a well-lit area, where you will have easy access when opening

the MacPro chassis.

2. Using your hand, touch the outside of the Mac to discharge any static electricity you

have. Remove the power cable from the back of the chassis.

3. Remove the side access door and described in your Apple User Manual. Lay the

machine on its side, motherboard facing up.

4. Remove the KONA card from its protective anti-static bag; place the card on top of

the bag.

5. Visually locate the PCI-Express slots inside the Mac chassis (Mac Pro photo shown on

the following page). The KONA card only requires a x4 lane PCI-Express slot, so any of
the available slots will work correctly—(slot 3 is the preferred slot on the MacPro).
You should configure the slots with the Apple Expansion Slot Utility application for
the MacPro so that the KONA is at x4 or better speed.

6. Remove the card-edge access cover from the desired slot where you will be inserting

the KONA card. The card edge cover is secured by a tie-down bar with two secured
screws on MacPro computers; remove and set them aside for securing the KONA card
after installation.

7. Holding the KONA card by the end plate and an outside edge, carefully insert the

card by rocking it slowly into the slot. Ensure the card edge aligns properly with the
computer's slot opening (where the card edge cover was just removed) and that it is
fully seated in the slot.

8. Secure the card in the slot using the screw removed earlier or with the tie-down bar

found on MacPro machines.

9. Replace the outer access door on the MacPro.

Figure 8. KONA Card (model 3G shown)

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

21

Figure 9. Mac Pro Cardcage Access

Figure 10. Card Slots, PCIe Mac Pro shown here

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

22

Installing the KONA Card in a Windows PC

1. Place the PC in a well-lit convenient area, where you will have easy access to the

chassis access door.

2. Touch the outside of the PC to discharge any static electricity in your body. Remove

the power cable from the back of the PC.

3. Open the PC to gain access to the card slots as described in your Workstation User

Manual.

4. Remove the KONA card from its protective anti-static bag; place the card on top of

the bag.

5. To install the KONA card and RAID controller card (SCSI or Fibre Channel), refer to the

AJA website for the latest installation updates.

Because of hardware and software changes, AJA engineers are constantly testing
and grading workstation performance. The AJA website is your best source of up-to­date approved workstation configurations (see “Installation Overview” on page 17 for
links).

NOTE: Always put the RAID controller and KONA on separate PCI busses. This improves performance

by reducing bus contention.

Figure 11. KONA Card placement in an HP Z800 Motherboard

6. Open the card retainer bar on the left side of the chassis cardcage. Remove the card

edge access cover from the desired slot where you will be inserting the KONA card.

7. Holding the KONA card by the card edge plate and an outside edge, carefully insert

the KONA card by rocking it slowly into the slot. Ensure the card edge aligns properly
with the PC’s opening (where the card edge cover was just removed) and that it is
fully seated in the slot.

8. Secure the card in the slot replacing the card retainer bar.

9. Replace the PC’s panel/door removed in step 3.

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23

Cabling the System

Standard Cable Set

Showing “BNC/DE9-cable” Use

KONA 4/ 3G
Installs in
PCI-Express Slot

SDI cable

HDMI Output cable

4-mini BNCs
to 4 standard
BNCs

RS422

Machine Control

(9-pin)

3 BNCs (Analog Out Connections):

In SD Can be Congured for

Component,

Composite,

or S-Video

In HD Can Only Be Component

Reference Input BNC

LTC Output BNC

LTC Input BNC

Audio Input BNCs

Channels 1-8

(2 channels/connector)

Audio Output BNCs

Channels 1-8

(2 channels/connector)

SDI Out1/Link A BNC

SDI Out2/Link B BNC

SDI In1/Link A BNC

SDI In2/Link B BNC

KONA 4/3G Connections

When installing your system, you’ll make video and audio input/output connections.
These connectors are described individually in Chapter 1. The following diagrams
illustrate and describe system interconnection for the three KONA models.

Figure 12. KONA 4/3G System Using Breakout Cable

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24

Typical System Figure 13 on page 26 shows typical system interconnections for a system with digital A/V

sources. Your system may differ depending on VTRs, audio monitoring, and video
monitoring.

1. If desired, connect your house reference sync to the KONA 4/3G Ref Loop connector

(BNC). On the breakout cable this is a terminated reference input. The second
KONA 4/3G Ref Loop connector on the optional Breakout Box can be connected to
your VTR. If you do not loop through the reference, the second connector should be
terminated with a 75-ohm terminator.

2. Connect a Video Monitor to the KONA 4/3G Component Analog Video Out BNC

connectors (preferred), or instead connect to a composite monitor. (If you have an
SDI or HD-SDI enabled monitor, you may also connect one of the KONASDI outputs
to a monitor as well.)

3. Connect the 9-pin DE9 machine control cable on the supplied breakout cable to your

VTR's RS422 control port or connect a 9-pin DE9 cable between the breakout box and
the VTR's RS422 serial port.

4. Connect two SDI cables between KONA 4/3G and your digital VTR (Digital Betacam

etc.): one from KONA 4/3G SDI In to the VTR SDI Out, and one from KONA 4/3G SDI
Out (1 or 2) to the VTR SDI In. The KONA 4/3G SDI connections have embedded audio
(16-channels) so the VTR must be configured accordingly. These connections will be
made via the mini-connectors-to-BNC cable or via the optional K3G-Box.

5. If you have an AES/EBU-ready audio monitoring system, then connect the eight

channels of AES/EBU output from KONA 4/3G's BNC connectors: 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/
8, to the monitoring system AES/EBU inputs. If you have an analog audio monitoring
system, you can use the two RCA-style unbalanced stereo output jacks on the
optional K3G-Box for output.

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

25

Digital VTR with SDI Inputs

SDI Video

with Embedded

Audio In/Out

AES/EBU Audio Out

to Monitor System

External Storage

Computer Monitor

t

S

t

e

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Optional

Genlock

Reference

HBA for connection

of external storage

Video Monitor

Component Video

Workstation computer

AJA KONA 4/3G Card

Installed

inside computer

SDI cable

4-mini BNCs
to 4 standard
BNCs

SDI Out1/Link A BNC

SDI Out2/Link B BNC

SDI In1/Link A BNC

SDI In2/Link B BNC

In 4K Mode all four
mini BNCs are Inputs or Outputs,
one for each Quandrant of the image

SDI Out1=Left top

SDI Out2=Right top

SDI Out 3=Left bottom

SDI Out 4=Right bottom

3 BNCs (Analog Connections):

Component,

Composite,

or S-Video

In HD Can Only Be Component

Reference Input BNC

LTC Output BNC

LTC Input BNC

RS422

Machine Control

(9-pin)

Audio Input BNCs

Channels 1-8

(2 channels/connector)

Audio Output BNCs

Channels 1-8

(2 channels/connector)

HDMI Output cable

Figure 13. Typical KONA 4/3G System Connections

enal

o

ag

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

26

LHe Plus Cable

6 BNCs (Analog Connections):

Can be Congured for

Component,

Composite,

or Y/C

Standard Breakout Cable

KONA LHe Plus

Installs in

PCI-Express Slot

in Computer

Reference Input BNC

or LTC input

(switchable via AJA

Control Panel)

RS422
Machine Control
to VTR
(9-pin)

SDI Input BNC

SDI 1 Output BNC

SDI 2 Output BNC

Y/CVBS In BNC

Pb/Y In BNC

Pr/C In BNC

Y/G/CVBS Out BNC

Pb/B/Y Out BNC

Pr/R/C Out BNC

green

blue

red

green

blue

red

Analog Audio

Channel 1 Input

Analog Audio

Channel 2 Input

Analog Audio

Channel 1 Output

Analog Audio

Channel 2 Output

AES Input

Channels 1 & 2

AES Output

Channels 1 & 2

60-pin connector
To KONA LHe Plus

Balanced Audio

Analog Video

SD/HD SDI
Video/Audio
Connections

Connections

Figure 14. KONA LHe Plus System Using The Breakout Cable

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

Typical System Figure 15 on page 28 shows typical system interconnections for KONA LHe Plus with

digital A/V sources. Your system may differ depending on VTRs, audio monitoring, and
video monitoring.

1. If desired, connect your house reference sync to the KONA LHe Plus Ref Loop
connector (BNC). The second KONA Ref Loop connector on the KL-box (if used) can
be connected to the VTR or terminated with a 75-ohm terminator.

2. Connect a Video Monitor to the KONA LHe Plus Component Analog Video Out BNC
connectors (preferred), or instead connect to a composite monitor.

27

Digital VTR with SDI Inputs

RS422

Machine

Control

SDI Video
with Embedded
Audio In/Out

External Reference

Audio Monitor

AES/EBU Audio In/Out
to Monitor System

Reference Monitors

Analog Audio

Inputs/Outputs

(Balanced)

Audio Monitor

POWER

CMPTR

RAID storage

Computer Monitor

R

e

t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
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t
t
t
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t
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t
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t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t
t

Optional

Genlock

Reference

Video Monitor

Component

Video

Workstation

AJA KONA LHe Plus Card

Connect to
KL-Box Using
Cables and Instructions
supplied with it

Installed
inside the
computer

HBA for connection

of external storage

3. Connect a 9-pin DE9 machine control cable between your VTR’s RS422 control port
and the breakout cable’s RS-422 machine control connector.

4. Connect two SDI cables between the KONA card (BNCs are on the card endplate) and
your digital VTR (Digital Betacam etc.): one from KONA card’s SDI In to the VTR SDI
Out, and one from card’s SDI Out (1 or 2) to the VTR SDI In. The KONA LHe Plus SDI
connections have embedded audio so the VTR must be configured accordingly.

5. If you have an AES/EBU-ready audio monitoring system, connect the two channels of
AES/EBU output from KONA’s XLR connectors (channels 1 and 2) to the monitoring
system AES/EBU inputs. If, instead, you have an analog audio monitoring system, you
can use either the XLR balanced audio connectors or the two RCA-style unbalanced
stereo output jacks on the Optional KL-box for output.

Figure 15. Typical LHe Plus System Connections—Shown with Optional KL-Box

AES/EBU Audio In/Out

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

28

AID storag

LHi Cable

6 BNCs (Analog Connections):

Can be Congured for

Component,

Composite,

or Y/C

Standard Breakout Cable

KONA LHi
Installs in
PCI-Express Slot
in computer

Reference Input BNC

or LTC input

(switchable via KONA

Control Panel)

RS422
Machine Control
to VTR
(9-pin)

HDMI Input

HDMI Output

SDI Input BNC

SDI Output BNC

Y/CVBS In BNC

Pb/Y In BNC

Pr/C In BNC

Y/G/CVBS Out BNC

Pb/B/Y Out BNC

Pr/R/C Out BNC

green

blue

red

green

blue

red

Analog Audio

Channel 1 Input

Analog Audio

Channel 2 Input

Analog Audio

Channel 1 Output

Analog Audio

Channel 2 Output

AES Input

Channels 1 & 2

AES Output

Channels 1 & 2

60-pin connector
To KONA LHi

Balanced Audio

Analog Video

SD/HD/3G-SDI

and HDMI
Video/Audio
Connections

Connections

Figure 16. KONA LHi System Using The Breakout Cable

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

Typical System A figure on the following page shows typical system interconnections for a system with

digital A/V sources. Your system may differ depending on VTRs, audio monitoring, and
video monitoring.

1. If desired, connect your house reference sync to the KONA LHi Ref Loop connector
(BNC). The second KONA LHi Ref Loop connector on the KLHi-box (if used) can be
connected to the VTR or terminated with a 75-ohm terminator. If instead using LTC
timecode input, connect to the Ref Loop input.

2. Connect an HDMI Video Monitor to the KONA LHi HDMI Out connector. Or instead,
use the Component Analog Video Out BNC connectors to go to an analog monitor.

29

3. Connect a 9-pin DE9 machine control cable between your VTR’s RS422 control port
and the breakout cable’s RS-422 machine control connector.

4. Connect two SDI cables between KONA LHi (BNCs are on the card endplate) and your
digital VTR (Digital Betacam etc.): one from KONA LHi SDI In to the VTR SDI Out, and
one from KONA LHi SDI Out to the VTR SDI In. The KONA LHi SDI connections have
embedded audio so the VTR must be configured accordingly.

5. If you have an AES/EBU-ready audio monitoring system, then connect the two
channels of AES/EBU output from KONA LHi’s XLR connectors (channels 1 and 2) to
the monitoring system AES/EBU inputs. If you instead have an analog audio
monitoring system, you can use either the XLR balanced audio connectors or the two
RCA-style unbalanced stereo output jacks on the Optional KLHi-Box for output.

Figure 17. Typical KONA LHi System Connections—Shown with Optional KLHi-Box

KONA v10.5 www.aja.com

30