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Inside Mac Radio - Live From NAB Las Vegas

AJA Video Systems Introduces Kona 2

We'd like you to meet the next generation Kona board - the best product on the market just got better

AJA Video Systems Inc. announced Kona 2, the new dual rate HD/SD 133 MHz PCI-X capture card. Kona 2 supports uncompressed 10 bit SDI, HD-SDI, and dual link 4:4:4 HD at both 10 and 12 bits. Kona 2 also features 8 channel AES audio, HD/SD component analog video output, and Broadcast Quality HD/SD hardware up/down-conversion. Offering features and capabilities at unprecedented prices, Kona 2 is the highest quality and most flexible HD/SD video capture solution available for editing on the Power Mac G5.

Kona 2 is the next generation video capture card for post production with Final Cut Pro, said John Abt, president of AJA Video Systems. "AJA's strong reputation in the professional video industry is built upon our 11 year background in Broadcast Video hardware design and time-tested, reliable products that now span the broadcast and production industries worldwide. Kona 2 leverages all our design experience, along with the very latest in technology, to reach an unheard level of price/performance.

"Final Cut Pro and the Power Mac G5 are becoming the industry standard for professional editing and finishing in SD and HD formats," said Ron Okamoto, Apple's vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations. "AJA's Kona 2 offers a versatile, high quality and cost effective post production solution for professional film and video editors, who take advantage of the strong performance of the Power Mac G5 and Final Cut Pro.

,With Kona 2, AJA is enabling the Power Mac G5 and Final Cut Pro to work in places where only far-more expensive systems could play in the past. Major post production facilities, big budget motion pictures and network television shows are choosing AJA products as their ,go to solution for Desktop video at the highest broadcast quality levels. These customers will certainly benefit from the increased power and flexibility that Kona 2 brings, said Ted Schilowitz, Worldwide Product Manager for Desktop Video Engines at AJA. AJA gear is designed for video professionals who need reliable supported products that can be counted on in a crunch.

About Kona 2

Kona 2 supports 8 and 10 bit uncompressed video for both HD and SD formats. Additionally, various compressed formats offered in Apple Final Cut Pro are also supported. For audio, Kona 2 supports 8 channel AES via either XLR, BNC, or embedded SDI/HD-SDI. Kona 2 features 12 bit Broadcast quality component analog output for both HD and SD formats and a 10 bit Broadcast quality hardware HD/SD up/down-conversion. The down-converter features a separate SDI output that is always active.

Additionally, the analog output can be switched to the down-converter allowing mastering or monitoring in SD component or composite video. If purchased separately, Kona 2's HD/SD video D/A converter and HD/SD up/down conversion would alone cost much more than Kona 2. Kona 2 also features AJA's new Qrez hardware codec, which provides excellent quality at a 4:1 compression ratio. Kona 2's extensive hardware support means these functions are always active and they significantly reduce the host CPU load - allowing more RT Effects power.

Kona 2's I/O connections are supported with supplied breakout cables. Also available as an option is the K Box, a rack mountable 1RU enclosure, which supports all of Kona 2's I/O connectors. K Box has the added functions of both XLR and BNC AES connections and 2 channel RCA style analog audio monitoring. K Box easily fits in a studio facility rack or sits on top of a desktop editing setup.

Other exciting features found in Kona 2 include:

• RS-422 machine control - connect to any professional tape deck
• Kona desktop output for broadcast design and paint
• Automatic HD/SD genlock
• Input AES sample rate conversion - no audio source sync required
• Break out cables standard (including both BNC and XLR AES cables)
• Optional ,K Box0/00 1RU breakout box with additional features
• Kona 2 QuickTime drivers written and supported by AJA
• AJA award winning telephone support

Kona 2 and K Box Availability and Prices

Kona 2 is priced at US $2,490.00. K Box is priced at US $299.00. Both Kona 2 and K Box will be available in June 2004 and carry a three-year unconditional warranty.