AJA Io 4K Plus 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 Video/Audio I/O over Thunderbolt 3

The AJA Io 4K Plus 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 Video/Audio I/O over Thunderbolt 3 is a state-of-the-art capture and output device that utilizes Thunderbolt 3 technology to provide a comprehensive range of professional video and audio connectivity options. It is designed to support the latest 4K/UltraHD devices, High Frame Rate (HFR), High Dynamic Range (HDR), and deep color workflows. With Thunderbolt 3 capabilities, Io 4K Plus can handle various formats from SD to HD, UltraHD, and full 4K, offering frame rates up to 60p over both 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 with a single cable setup. Additionally, it provides HDR support over both HDMI and SDI interfaces to cater to emerging HDR workflows.

AJA's Thunderbolt 3 solutions bring enhanced power, speed, and simplicity to your workflows, ensuring efficient and effective operations. The AJA Desktop Software is optimized for the latest Apple silicon, providing native support for AJA macOS drivers, application plug-ins, AJA Control Room, AJA Control Panel, and AJA System Test. Moreover, AJA offers full compatibility for the new Apple Mac Pro, including support for AJA Control Room with Metal compatibility and extensive application support. Io 4K Plus is an ideal companion for high-resolution workflows up to 4K, offering Thunderbolt 3-based 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 capture and playback capabilities.

In today's fast-paced workflows, speed, bandwidth, and simplicity are crucial. Io 4K Plus delivers professional connectivity with support for 4K, UltraHD, 12G/6G/3G/1.5G-SDI, Dual Link, HD-SDI, and SD-SDI, as well as UltraHD and HD over HDMI 2.0 for both capture and output. The HDMI output is capable of accurately displaying HDR 10 and HLG, ensuring compatibility with emerging HDR workflows. With Io 4K Plus, users can experience seamless connectivity and high-quality performance for their video and audio production needs.

The combination of 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 brings a perfect blend of power and simplicity to your projects. With the convenience of using a single cable for both input and output, even the most demanding workflows become a breeze. The backward compatibility of 12G-SDI with SDI sources ensures that all your bases are covered through a single port. On the other hand, HDMI 2.0 enables high raster and frame rate capture, allowing you to display your work on affordable and stunning HDMI 2.0 displays.

Enjoy the benefits of universal compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 via USB-C. The Io 4K Plus offers two Thunderbolt 3 ports, providing you with unparalleled flexibility when it comes to Thunderbolt connectivity. Thunderbolt 3 takes the speed to a whole new level, doubling the throughput of its predecessor, Thunderbolt 2, with up to 40 Gps. With the convenience of the universal USB-C connection standard, you can enjoy true simplicity by using a single cable and port, making it the perfect choice for today's leading Mac and PC workstations and laptops. This makes it an ideal solution for Video and Audio I/O, as offered by the Io 4K Plus.

When working with 4K resolutions, the Io 4K Plus ensures that you can monitor your work in stunning detail. It provides a high-quality HD-SDI down-converted signal on a dedicated BNC connector, allowing you to output your 4K projects directly to HD recorders for broadcast purposes. Additionally, this HD signal can be used to easily view your 4K images on HD monitors during post-production. This feature enhances your workflow by providing a seamless transition between different resolutions, ensuring that you can accurately monitor and evaluate your work at every stage of the process.

HDR, also known as High Dynamic Range, offers a more vibrant and realistic display of colors, with brighter whites and darker blacks compared to standard signals. This technology enhances the visual experience and ensures that true-to-life colors are accurately conveyed to the audience.

The Io 4K Plus is designed to support HDR pipelines for 4K/UltraHD/2K and HD content. It is compatible with HDMI and SDI displays, providing HLG and HDR 10 support with HDR Infoframe metadata. This ensures that the HDR content is delivered in accordance with industry standards such as HDMI 2.0a/CTA-861.3 and HD.

With the AJA Control Room software and Io 4K Plus, users can capture HDR metadata from incoming SDI or HDMI signals. The captured video file (.mov) will contain embedded HDR metadata, allowing it to be played back with the intended dynamic range. Additionally, the software enables HDR Auto Playback Detection, automatically setting the HDR format on connected monitors based on the embedded HDR metadata in recorded .mov files. This seamless integration ensures a high-quality and accurate HDR viewing experience.

Key Features

• 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD/SD 10-bit I/O up to 50/60p
  
• 4K/UltraHD HDMI 2.0 I/O with 8-channel embedded audio
  
• 4x SDI BNC ports and configuration options
  
• Four HD/SD 3G/1.5G bidirectional
  
• One 4K/UltraHD single-link 12G/6G input (SDI 1) and one 4K/UltraHD single-link 12G/6G output (SDI 3)
  
• Two 4K/UltraHD dual-link 3G/1.5G (one input channel & one output channel, two input channels, or two output channels)
  
• One 4K/UltraHD four-link 3G/1.5G input or output, Quadrant or 2SI
  
• Dedicated SDI HD/SD Monitor Output
  
• 4K video is down-converted to 2K and UltraHD is down-converted to HD
  
• Two Thunderbolt 3 ports with loop through
  
• RGB 4:4:4 12-bit, YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit and HFR workflows supported
  
• 12-bit and 10-bit LUT support (.cube)
  
• 4K Closed Caption support
  
• VPID signaling for SDR/HDR Transfer Characteristics, Colorimetry and Luminance via SDI
  
• PQ, HLG, HDR10, HDR 10+ and Dolby Vision support
  
• HDR Metadata Capture and Auto Playback Detection
  
• Analog Audio flexibility with a choice of 8-channel In or 8-channel Out or 4-channel In and 4-channel out
  
• Includes support for the Apple Silicon chips
  
• Compatible with OBS Studio, vMix, Telestream Wirecast, Adobe Creative Suite, Apple Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, and much more
  
• XLR 12V power for battery or AC use
  
• Headphone jack and level control for mobile and live environments
  
• RS-422 VTR control, Reference, LTC Input

Technical Specifications

Video Formats
(4K) 4096 x 2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
(UltraHD) 3840 x 2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
(2K) 2048 x 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
(2K) 2048 x 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25
(HD) 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
(HD) 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
(HD) 1080i 50, 59.94, 60
(HD) 720p 50, 59.94, 60
(SD) 625i 50
(SD) 525i 59.94
Note: High Frame Rate capabilities are dependent on host system attributes. Not all systems and configurations will support all frame rates.
Video Input Digital
12G-SDI, SMPTE-2082, 12-bit*, 10-bit
6G-SDI, SMPTE-2081, 10-bit
3G-SDI, SMPTE 425
RGB 4:4:4 12-bit*, YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M
Single Link HD-SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
Dual Link RGB 4:4:4 12-bit*, Dual Link YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
270 Mbps SDI, SMPTE 259M-C
YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit, 8-bit
HDMI v2.0
30/36-bits/pixel, RGB or YUV, 6 Gbps per color component
4K, UltraHD, 2K, HD, and SD with HFR support up to 60p (4:2:2), 10-bit
4x SDI BNC ports and configuration options:
4x HD/SD 3G/1.5G bidirectional
1x 4K/UltraHD single-link 12G/6G input (SDI 1) and one 4K/UltraHD single-link 12G/6G output (SDI 3)
2x 4K/UltraHD dual-link 3G/1.5G (one input channel & one output channel, two input channels, or two output channels)
1x 4K/UltraHD four-link 3G/1.5G input or output, Quadrant or 2SI
*Bit depth support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.
Video Output Digital
12G-SDI, SMPTE-2082, 12-bit*, 10-bit
6G-SDI, SMPTE-2081, 10-bit
3G-SDI, SMPTE 425
RGB 4:4:4 12-bit*, YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M
Single Link HD-SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
Dual Link RGB 4:4:4 12-bit*, Dual Link YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
270 Mbps SDI, SMPTE 259M-C
YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit, 8-bit
HDMI v2.0
30/36-bits/pixel, RGB or YUV, 6 Gbps per color component
4K, UltraHD, 2K, HD, and SD with HFR support up to 60p (4:2:2), 10-bit
4x SDI BNC ports and configuration options:
4x HD/SD 3G/1.5G bidirectional
1x 4K/UltraHD single-link 12G/6G output (SDI 3)
2x 4K/UltraHD dual-link 3G/1.5G (one input channel & one output channel, two input channels, or two output channels)
1x 4K/UltraHD four-link 3G/1.5G input or output, Quadrant or 2SI
*Bit depth support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.
HDR
SDI: VPID signaling for SDR/HDR Transfer Characteristics, Colorimetry and Luminance
HDMI: HDR10 Support - HDR Infoframe metadata, compatible with HDMI 2.0a/CTA-861.3
HDMI: HLG Support - compatible with HDMI 2.0b/CTA-861-G
Note: HDR support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.
Audio Inputs Digital
16-channel, 24 and 16-bit SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
8-channel, 24 and 16-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
Audio Inputs Analog
8-channel, 24 and 16-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using industry standard 8x XLR on DB-25 breakout cable (cable not included)
+24 dBu full scale digital (0 dBFS)
+/- 0.2 dB 20 to 20 kHz frequency response
Input supported across Ch 1-8, Ch 1-4, or Ch 5-8 depending on configuration chosen
Audio Outputs Digital
16-channel, 24-bit SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
8-channel, 24-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
Audio Outputs Analog
8-channel, 24-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using industry standard 8x XLR on DB-25 breakout cable (cable not included)
+24 dBu full scale digital (0 dBFS)
+/- 0.2 dB 20 to 20 kHz frequency response
Output supported across Ch 1-8, Ch 1-4, or Ch 5-8 depending on configuration chosen
Downstream Keyer
Supports graphics up to 2K/HD with alpha channel over video, matte or framebuffer, or framebuffer content over incoming video or matte
Down-Conversion 4K/UltraHD
Real time, dedicated 4K down-conversion output (1x BNC)
4K to 2K down-conversion
UltraHD to HD down-conversion
Reference and LTC I/O
1x BNC LTC output
1x BNC assignable to Reference video or LTC input
Reference
Analog Color Black (1V) or Composite Sync (2 or 4V) or HD Tri-Level Sync (1V)
Reference input is terminated into 75 ohms when Genlock is set to Ref In
Electrical Interface
Thunderbolt 3 (2x)
Machine Control
RS-422, Sony 9-pin protocol
Size (w x d x h)
8.74” x 8.11” x 1.65” (222.0 x 206.0 x 41.9 mm)
Weight
3.4 lbs (1.6 kg)
Power (device only)
10-20V, 30W typical, 36W max, 70W max with USB-C power delivery to external devices
Environment
Safe Operating Temperature Range
0 to 40 C (32 to 104 F)
Safe Storage Temperature (Power OFF)
-40 to 60 C (-40 to 140 F)
Operating Relative Humidity
10-90% noncondensing
Operating Altitude
<3,000 meters (<10,000 feet)