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AJA KONA 5 12G-SDI HFR 8K Capture & Playback Card

BH #AJKONA5R • MFR #KONA-5-R0
2 reviews
AJA KONA 5 12G-SDI HFR 8K Capture & Playback Card
Key Features
  • 8-Lane PCIe 3.0 I/O Card
  • Up to HFR 8K Support
  • 4 x Bidirectional 12G-SDI Connectors
  • HDMI 2.0 Monitoring Output
The AJA KONA 5 is an 8-lane PCIe 3.0 I/O card designed for demanding video and audio editing workflows. It features four bidirectional 12G-SDI HD-BNC connectors supporting up to HFR 8K video ingest and output. It also has an HDMI 2.0 output for monitoring and includes a breakout cable for AES audio input/output, LTC timecode input/output, and RS-422 control.
Back-Ordered
$4,069.00
$340/mo. suggested payments for 12 Mos.
with the credit card.§ 
or Save the Tax with the credit card.‡ 
Ask Our Experts
800.606.6969

AJA KONA 5 Overview

  • 1Description
  • 2Key Features
  • 3Breakout Cable
  • 4Compatibility
  • 5Editing
  • 6Color
  • 7Dailies / Archiving
  • 8Effects
  • 9Graphics
  • 10Audio
  • 11Ingest / Playout
  • 12Streaming / Live Production
  • 13VJ / Live Video Performance

The AJA KONA 5 is an 8-lane PCIe 3.0 I/O card designed for demanding video and audio editing workflows. It features four bidirectional 12G-SDI HD-BNC connectors supporting up to HFR 8K video ingest and output. It also has an HDMI 2.0 output for monitoring and includes a breakout cable for AES audio input/output, LTC timecode input/output, and RS-422 control.

The bidirectional SDI connectors allow for simultaneous capture and monitoring. 12G-capable, the connectors also provide less points of failure while offering 6G/3G/1.5G backwards-compatibility. The KONA 5 also has a built-in hardware downstream keyer that allows graphics and images to be easily overlaid on the input video in real time.

Key Features
  • Up to 8K, UHD 8K, DCI 4K, UHD 4K, 2K/HD/SD ingest and output at frame rates up to 50/60 fps
  • Supports RGB 4:4:4 and YCbCr 4:2:2 workflows
  • 10-bit DCI/UHD 4K and 2K/Dual Link/HD/SD input and output
  • 12-bit color support (application dependent)
  • HDMI 2.0 output (DCI/UHD 4K HFR 4:2:2 10-bit)
  • HDR10 support—HDR Infoframe metadata, in accordance with HDMI 2.0a/CTA-861.3HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) support
  • 8-channel AES/EBU, 8-channel embedded HDMI, and 16-channel embedded SDI digital audio I/O
  • Reference input on card (analog black burst or tri-level)
  • Extend external connectivity with included breakout cable
  • RS-422 support on 9-pin connector
  • macOS, Windows, and Linux support
  • AJA Control Room and AJA Control Panel software included as free downloads to get you up and running with up to 8K HFR workflows right out of the box
Breakout Cable
  • 8 channels of AES/EBU inputs on 4 x BNC
  • 8 channels of AES/EBU outputs on 4 x BNC
  • LTC input and output on 2 x BNC
  • RS-422 on 9-pin connector
Compatibility
Below are the applications KONA 5 is currently compatible with. Compatibility with other software is in the works.
Editing
  • Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Apple FCP X
  • Avid Media Composer
  • Avid Media Composer—NewsCutter option (Windows only)
  • Avid Media Composer—Symphony option
  • Grass Valley EDIUS
  • Mistika Ultima
Color
  • Adobe SpeedGrade (up to 2015.1)
  • Assimilate SCRATCH
  • Colorfront QC Player (Windows only)
  • Mistika Ultima (Linux only)
  • Transkoder (Windows only)
Dailies / Archiving
  • Assimilate SCRATCH
  • MTI Film Cortex (Windows only)
Effects
  • Adobe After Effects
Graphics
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Brainstorm eStudio (Windows only)
  • Brainstorm InfinitySet (Windows only)
  • Unreal Engine
  • Zero Density Reality Engine Virtual Studio (Windows only)
Audio
  • Adobe Audition CC
  • Avid Pro Tools
Ingest / Playout
  • Softron MovieRecorder (Windows only)
  • ToolsOnAir just:in (Windows/Linux only)
Streaming / Live Production
  • Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder
  • OBS (Ubuntu Linux Only)
  • Telestream Wirecast
  • Unreal Engine
VJ / Live Video Performance
  • Derivative TouchDesigner
UPC: 812321031676

AJA KONA 5 Specs

Video Formats 8K:
8192 x 4320 at 60/59.94/50/48/47.95/30/29.97/25/24/23.98

UHD 8K:
7680 x 4320 at 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25/24/23.98

DCI 4K:
4096 x 2160 at 60/59.94/50/48/47.95/30/29.97/25/24/23.98

UHD 4K:
3840 x 2160 at 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25/24/23.98

2048 x 1080p at 60/59.94/50/48/47.95/30/29.97/25/24/23.98

2048 x 1080PsF at 25/24/23.98

1080p at 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25/24/23.98

1080PsF at 30/29.97/25/24/23.98

1080i at 60/59.94/50

720p at 60/59.94/50

625i/50

525i/59.94
SDI Input & Output4 x Bidirectional 12G-SDI on HD-BNC Connectors

2K/HD Simultaneous Capture and Monitoring

DCI/UHD 4K with 12G-SDI Simultaneous Capture and Monitoring

DCI/UHD 4K with 3G-SDI: All 4 Connections Used for Either Input or Output

8K/UHD 8K with 12G-SDI: Connections Used for Either Input or Output

*When Connections Are Configured for 12G-SDI or 6G-SDI, Only 8K/UHD 8K, DCI 4K, and UHD 4K Formats are Supported

Input:
12G-SDI, SMPTE-2082, 12-Bit, 10-Bit, 8-Bit

6G-SDI, SMPTE-2081, 10-Bit, 8-Bit

3G-SDI, SMPTE-259/292/296/424/425, 12-Bit, 10-Bit, 8-Bit

DCI/UHD 4K 4:4:4 (4 x BNC)

1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 372M, Dual Link HD 4:4:4 (2 x BNC), 12-Bit, 10-Bit, 8-Bit

1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M, Single Link 4:2:2 (1 x BNC), 10-Bit, 8-Bit

Output:
12G-SDI, SMPTE-2082, 12-Bit, 10-Bit, 8-Bit

6G-SDI, SMPTE-2081, 10-Bit, 8-Bit

3G-SDI, SMPTE-259/292/296/424, 12-Bit, 10-Bit, 8-Bit

DCI/UHD 4K 4:4:4 (4 x BNC)

1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 372M, Dual Link HD 4:4:4 (2 x BNC), 12-Bit, 10-Bit, 8-Bit

1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M, Single Link 4:2:2 (1 x BNC), 10-Bit, 8-Bit
HDMI OutputHDMI v2.0

30/36-Bits/Pixel, RGB or YUV, 6 Gb/s per Color Component

DCI/UHD 4K, 2K, HD, and SD with HFR Support up to 60p (4:2:2), 10-Bit, 8-Bit

HDR10 Support: HDR Infoframe Metadata, Compatible with HDMI 2.0a/CTA-861.3

HLG Support: Compatible with HDMI 2.0b/CTA-861-G
Audio Input & OutputInput:
16-Channel, 24-Bit and 16-Bit SDI Embedded Audio, 48 kHz Sample Rate, Synchronous

8-Channel, 16-Bit and 24-Bit AES/EBU Audio, 48 kHz Sample Rate, Synchronous or Nonsynchronous, Internal Sample Rate Conversion (via 4 x BNC on Breakout Cable)

Output:
16-Channel, 24-Bit SDI Embedded Audio, 48 kHz Sample Rate, Synchronous

8-Channel, 24-Bit HDMI Embedded Audio, 48 kHz Sample Rate, Synchronous

8-Channel, 16-Bit and 24-Bit AES/EBU Audio, 48 kHz Sample Rate, Synchronous or Nonsynchronous, Internal Sample Rate Conversion (via 4 x BNC on Breakout Cable)
Downstream KeyerSupports Graphics up to 2K/HD with Alpha Channel over Video, Matte or Framebuffer, or Framebuffer Content over Incoming Video or Matte
ReferenceAnalog Color Black (1V) or Composite Sync (2 or 4 V) or HD Tri-Level Sync (1 V) (via 1 x HD-BNC at PCIe Bracket)

Reference Input Is Terminated into 75 Ohms when Genlock Is Set to Ref In
TimecodeLTC Timecode Input and Output (via 2 x BNC on Breakout Cable)

LTC Timecode Input (via 2-Pin Header on PCIe Card)

LTC Timecode Input (via HD-BNC at PCIe Bracket)
Breakout Cable Connector4 x BNC for 8 Channels, 16-/24-Bit AES/EBU Audio Input, 48 kHz Sample Rate, Synchronous or Nonsynchronous, Internal Sample Rate Conversion

4 x BNC for 8 Channels, 16-/24-Bit AES/EBU Audio Output, 48 kHz Sample Rate, Synchronous or Nonsynchronous, Internal Sample Rate Conversion

2 x BNC for LTC Timecode Input and Output

1 x 9-Pin D-Connector for RS-422
TimecodeLTC Timecode I/O via 2 x BNC on Breakout Cable

LTC Timecode Input via 2-Pin Header on PCIe Card

LTC Timecode Input via HD-BNC at PCIe Bracket
PCIe Interface8-Lane PCIe 3.0
Noise< 50 dBA (A-Weighted at 3.2' / 1 m in Free Air)
Machine ControlRS-422, Sony 9-Pin Protocol (via Breakout Cable)
Power28 W Typical, 35 W Maximum via ATX Power

PC Internal ATX Power Connector (Molex)

*KONA 5 Uses PCIe Power from a 6-Pin ATX Connector Rather than the PCIe Slot
Operating Temperature32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
Storage Temperature-40 to 140°F / -40 to 60°C
Relative Humidity10-90% Non-Condensing
Operating Altitude< 10,000' / 3050 m
Dimensions0.75 x 6.9 x 5.0" / 1.9 x 17.5 x 12.7 cm
WeightCard: 0.6 lb / 0.3 kg
Cables: 1.3 lb / 0.6 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight2.4 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)10.25 x 6.4 x 5.1"

AJA KONA 5 Reviews

top 8k card

By Mauricio
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2022-07-22

I am submitting this review to provide an alternate review to the other reviewer that left only 3 stars, as it gave me pause when I bought mine. To be honest I don't understand what that person was thinking. This card is not a 3-star card. I tried to find reviews before buying the card. I am assuming businesses just buy the card as they are available since it is hard to find. But for smaller businesses, I just wanted to check that there was nothing fishy, like first generation product issues or gotchas. So rest assured, the card works as advertised. It comes with SDI 12G connectivity, HDMI port, and can do down-conversion on the fly from 4k to HD on two output signals with no overhead. I use it in an editing machine, mainly to ingest 4k material and edit it. Sometimes I also use it for streaming. Regardless, the card has never given any issues. Control panel always indicates the status of signals coming in and going out. Sound is not a problem capturing it in stereo, or 8 channel or all the way to 16 channels. The card works on windows and Linux, which is great. All functionality is there, except for mixing sound from the OS in windows, which is missing in Linux, so you can output sound from the OS itself and output it via the card on the windows side. This may come in handy if you want to mix extra sound and do DS keying as well, all in hardware and no extra software needed. So, I do have nitpicks with the card. Would love to see a proper channel mixer in the control panel, some times I get 7.1 surround signal and I can't mix the center channel to both, left and right stereo output, it only comes through the left -- again just for convenience really. Would love also to see 4 independent signals go in (to stream with four 4k sources for example) but I did not buy it for that and it is not advertised for that. And to be honest, I am guessing it is possible with correct software and 8k firmware, I just tried with OBS and vmix and both could not do it. I have had AJA capture equipment both internal and external as well as BlackMagic equipment for decades and only BlackMagic has failed on me, not a single AJA one (Konas, IOs, etc). Rest assured this card does what it is supposed to do. Furthermore, going back to the other 3 star review, yes, the fan is noisy, but so is any other capture board at 4k or higher as well as any external capture gadget that does 4k60, so would love to hear of an alternative that isn't noisy or warm for that matter. If noise is of concern, there are many real-time noise suppressor plug-ins in VST3 for your app of choice, even in real-time if you need it, I have one and removes all background noise. If you are spending this much on a capture card, why not also get a plug-in if needed? I guess it is easier to complain. Card rocks and would love to see any other card that does the same at a lower price or lower noise or lower temp for sure, but there aren't any. BlackMagic has one card that is cheaper but is equally noisy, doesn't do downconversion, DS keyeing and forget about LUTs, so...

captures and does it well

By michael
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2021-03-05

This is a great card if you are looking for 12g 4k recording or 8k recording. I bought this specifically to capture 4k cameras into prores on windows. I would give it 5 stars how ever the fan noise from this even at idle is crazy loud, don't plan on having this in a live recording space because of it. you cant replace the fans and AJA offers no fan control. Pros: Easy to install Software if free Windows compatible Cons: Fan Noise a lot of the workflows and setup is not document for this hardware so you have to play around and guess in the software.

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How long is the breakout cable?

How long is the breakout cable?
Asked by: PETER
The breakout cable is 12&quot;.
Answered by: Bruno
Date published: 2021-11-12

does this include cables?

does this include cables?
Asked by: Sohrab
It includes breakout cable that provides multiple SDI inputs but it does not include any HDMI or SDI cables.
Answered by: jabarih
Date published: 2021-12-09
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