AJA KiPro
Portable Digital File Recorder

Everyone from broadcasters to indie filmmakers can probably agree on one thing: the possible choices for image acquisition are daunting. Different cameras, different formats, different recording media and different compression schemes. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a way to simplify acquisition so that virtually any camera could record the same format and resolution? Solution—the AJA Ki Pro Family, consisting of the Ki Pro and Ki Pro Mini.

The AJA Ki Pro is a tapeless video recording device that records high-quality Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files onto computer-friendly Storage Module media. Because it features SD/HD-SDI, HDMI, and analog inputs, you can interface with virtually any type of camera you might own or rent. Enjoy monitoring flexibility through Ki Pro's numerous simultaneous outputs, connecting to both professional and consumer monitors. Ki Pro is portable and rugged; designed for real production environments. With the optional exo-skeleton it can sit below your camera—out of the way of your battery adapters, wireless mics and other accessories. Offering up/down/cross-conversion and a multitude of connections, integration with your other production gear is seamless.

The AJA Ki Pro Mini is similar to the Ki Pro, but instead of Storage Modules, it uses high-speed CompactFlash cards, emphasizing portability for roles where size matters and conversion and I/O option diversity aren't needed.

All Ki Pros are intuitive to operate. Alongside the camera, the familiar VTR-like buttons provide immediate controls for basic operation.

From a distance, use a web browser via ethernet to control operations from a laptop. The standard Ki Pro can even be controlled via Wireless 802.11 with an iPhone or computer.

A revolution in production and post

Eliminate the cost and inconvenience of logging and capturing footage. Ki Pro produces Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files that are ready for immediate use within Final Cut Studio [(Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes (LT), Apple ProRes (Proxy) and Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) supported]. Simply connect the media to a host computer and begin editing. Unify cameras and formats with one superior 10-bit full-raster codec—Apple ProRes 422. The standard Ki Pro features cross-conversion so you can have a 720p camera produce a 1080i recording to match your other camera... or vice versa. And if you've got high-quality SD cameras, it can even help you extend their use since it also up-converts SD camera signals to HD recordings.

• No more digitizing
• No more worrying about which camera to use
• High-quality ready-to-edit video

Ki Pro in the field

All Ki Pros are portable and rugged; designed for production environments. Powered through an industry standard 4-pin XLR, you have flexible AC and battery options.

The Ki Pro Mini is ultra-compact, designed to fit battery accessory plates, hot- shoe adapters and other camera add-ons—especially when used with the optional mounting plate. The standard Ki Pro offers an optional exo-skeleton for use with your camera and tripod—complete with sliding baseplate and slots for 15mm rods.

Ki Pro connects

Capture the full quality of your camera by tapping the direct uncompressed camera output. Connect any digital camera via SDI or HDMI to Ki Pro recorders. Balanced audio connectors, LTC input/output, and even LANC, are provided. On the standard Ki Pro add component analog and unbalanced audio connections. By bypassing tape or media compression, Ki Pro can produce better picture quality than the camera does using it's own recording media.

Ki Pro and Final Cut Studio

From acquisition to delivery, use the codec at the core of Apple's Final Cut Studio suite of applications. All Ki Pros support an Apple file-based workflow by recording standard Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime files on industry standard media. On Ki Pro Mini, record to standard Compact Flash (CF) cards. On the standard Ki Pro, record to a removable HDD Storage Module containing a hard disk drive (standard) or an optional SSD Storage Module with a solid state disk. When removed, the Storage Module functions as a standard bus-powered FireWire 800 drive. If bus power is not available, the Storage Module has a standard DC power connector for a user-supplied AC power adapter.

Simultaneously record to host camera and Ki Pro

Bridge proprietary compression schemes by recording to Apple ProRes 422

Bridge media complexity by recording to portable file-based storage

Extend client review capabilities

Bridge production and post-production, effectively eliminating log and capture

Extend productive life of existing cameras

End format chaos and embrace future workflows via powerful hardware up/down/cross-conversion. Offers ultimate control flexibility with Wireless/Ethernet and can be used like a VTR. Flexible storage options.

SD and HD-SDI (1xBNC), SMPTE-259/292/296
HDMI

Analog:

SD/HD Component (3xBNCS):
SMPTE/EBU N10, Betacam 525 line, Betacam 525J, RGB, YPbPr 12-bit A/D, 2x oversampling

Video Output
(all simultaneously active)

Digital:

SD and HD-SDI, SMPTE-259/292/296 (1xBNC)
HDMI

Analog:

Composite (1xBNC):
NTSC, NTSCJ, PAL
12-bit D/A, 8x oversampling
SD/HD Component (3xBNCs):
SD: SMPTE/EBU N10, Betacam 525 line, Betacam 525J, RGB
12-bit D/A, 8x oversampling
HD: YPbPr, RGB
12-bit D/A, 2x oversampling

Audio Input
Digital:

24-bit SDI embedded audio, 8 channel, 48kHz
HDMI embedded, 2 channel

Analog:

24-bit A/D, 2 channel balanced (2 XLR), 48kHz
Input level: Line, Mic, Mic + phantom 48Vdc
2 channel unbalanced (2 RCA)

Audio Output
Digital:

24-bit SDI embedded audio, 8 channel, 48kHz
HDMI embedded, 8 channel

Analog:

24-bit D/A, 2 channel balanced XLR, 48kHz
2 channel unbalanced (2 RCA)

Network

10/100/1000 Ethernet (RJ45)
802.11g Wireless
Embedded webserver for remote control

Panel User Interface

2 x 20 character display, with dedicated buttons

Timecode

LTC timecode input and output via BNC

Control

LANC Loop (2 LANC connectors)
Lens Tap: connects to optional AJA Lens Tap intercept cable placed between camera body and lens for start/stop control
IEEE-1394a/FireWire 400 for control and timecode data

Machine Control

RS-422, 9-pin (future feature)

FireWire

IEEE-1394b, FireWire™ 800Mb/s connects to Mac Pro or MacBook Pro (future feature)

Hardware up-conversion - 10-bit

Anamorphic: full-screen
Pillar box 4:3: results in a 4:3 image in center of screen with black sidebars
Zoom 14:9: results in a 4:3 image zoomed slightly to fill a 14:9 image with black side bars
Zoom Letterbox: image zoomed to fill screen
Zoom Wide: combination of zoom and horizontal stretch to fill 16:9 screen; this setting can introduce a small aspect ratio change

Hardware down-conversion - 10-bit

Anamorphic: full-screen
Letterbox: image is reduced with black top and bottom added to image area with the aspect ratio preserved
Crop: image is cropped to fit new screen size

Hardware cross-conversion - 10-bit

1080i to 720P
720P to 1080i
720P to 1080PsF

SD to SD aspect ratio conversion

Letterbox: transforms SD anamorphic to a letterboxed image.
H Crop: produces a horiztonally stretched effect on the image; transforms anamorphic SD to full frame.
SD Pillarbox: produces image in screen center with black borders on left and right sides and an anamorphized image in the center.
V Crop; transforms SD letterbox material to an anamorphic image.

Power

100-240 VAC (to supplied AC Adapter);
12Vdc to power connector input on side of chassis