We think we'll look back and see the introduction of Thunderbolt as a bit of a watershed. Today AJA Video Systems announced the io XT, a portable I/O video 7 audio capture box. We sat down with Tony Cacciarelli who took us through all the new products and updates for IBC 2011.
It doesn't look much sitting inbetween the MacBook Pro and the Promise RAID, but the new io XT is packed full of features and more importantly has two Thunderbolt ports. This allows the io XT to be anywhere in the Thunderbolt chain and not become the 'end device.' It's not just for Final Cut Pro either, the io XT will output from Sony Vegas, Premiere Pro and Media Composer.
“With Io XT, Thunderbolt-enabled storage and a new MacBook Pro you can achieve unparalleled performance, including HD uncompressed,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “Thunderbolt technology delivers huge bandwidth that enables truly no-compromise performance. AJA Io XT is a powerhouse I/O device for professional post production, and with its Thunderbolt daisy-chaining connectivity, it maximizes what Thunderbolt has to offer.”
Io XT features include:
- Two Thunderbolt ports, supports multiple Thunderbolt-enabled device daisy-chaining
- Two 3G/HD/SD-SDI inputs and outputs
- Single link SDI 4:2:2 support, single and dual-link SDI 4:4:4 support
- HDMI input and output (including support for 3D)
- Analog HD/SD component and composite output, 10-bit
- Video Up, Down, and Cross conversion (hardware-based, 10-bit)
- 8-channel embedded SDI audio I/O
- 8-channel balanced analog audio output (using an optional DB-25 type cable)
- Uncompressed I/O allows capture, monitoring and mastering to Apple ProRes, DVCProHD, CineForm, Avid DNxHD and more
- Front panel LED VU meters
- Headphone output w/level control
- Reference In/LTC In (selectable)
- LTC output
- RS-422
- 4-pin XLR Power (AC adapter included)
- AJA Control Room software
- AJA Technical Support and International Warranty included
We can see this unit becoming a a standard part of a MacBook Pro edit kit. Being able to upres on ingest is going to save a lot of time on the road when a client or another news crew gives you SD material. It has a packed rear connection panel too including a break-out connector for 5.1 monitoring. The unit will retail for $1495 and ships in 60 days.
AJA also announced Control Room which is a free app with a unified GUI across platforms that allows capture and playout. This is going to be of particular interest to FCPX users. We like the switch at the bottom that launches the Kona control panel. This will also be available in 60 days
Because the AJA Control Room interface is identical across all AJA solutions and platforms, users encounter the same initial splash page where they can choose from two main workspaces—Playback, and Capture—and launch the separate AJA Control Panel application. The software suite provides a range of options including:
- Input video selection, conversion selection, frame buffer format, or output video selection via the AJA Control Panel
- Load, view, and play files out of the hardware
- Bin, viewer (including batch capture), and view media information
- Record, remote, edit operation type, and more.
Within the AJA Control Room workspaces (Playback and Capture), users can choose to work through a ‘Basic’ or ‘Advanced’ interface, to facilitate fast single-button actions (Basic) or to access a wider array of features and functions from a graphically rich at-a-glance view (Advanced).
AJA also showed the new KONA LHe Plus at the show along with a UDC which can cross convert between formats.
UDC features include:
- Converts between SD, HD, and 3G HD formats
- Supports 1080p50/60
- Eight-channel embedded audio
- HDMI output with eight-channel audio
- Two-channel RCA analog audio output
- Reference input
- Configure via dipswitch or USB port with supplied MiniConfig software
- Uses 5-20V power (DWP or DWP-U power supply sold separately)
- AJA’s 5-year international warranty and support
If you are an Avid user then the new switchable mode into DNxHD on the Ki Pro mini is going to help get the footage into our edit system faster.
“Video producers and editors are always seeking to ease their workflows and improve the quality of their productions while reducing costs,” said Paul Foeckler, Vice President, Creative Professional Products and Solutions. “With the AJA KiPro Mini supporting Avid’s high quality low bandwidth DNxHD codec, editing can begin more quickly than ever, easing workflows in film, television and live productions. We’re thrilled to continue to work with AJA on innovative solutions for our editorial and post customers..”
“One of the most frequent requests we get from the field is for support of DNxHD in our Ki Pro family of products,” said Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems. “Avid’s commitment to professional editors has been unwavering for over twenty years, and we’re very excited to bring Ki Pro Mini with DNxHD support as a free upgrade for all Ki Pro Mini owners.”
Ki Pro Mini is available through AJA’s global network of resellers at a US MSRP of $1995.
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
