AJA KiPro Mini review + commentary

TechnoTur @PVC by Allan Tepper

Like a miniature version of the original KiPro from AJA (which I reviewed in October 2009), the KiPro Mini performs many of the same functions (although not all of them) in a fraction of the space —and at a fraction of the cost— and is designed to dock onto the back of many professional camcorders, while it makes a higher quality recording than that is possible internally with most of them. With a flood of other 4:2:2 dockable recorders reaching the market (and one that existed previously which recorded MPEG2 8-bit), this article will attempt to point out the KiPro Mini’s unique virtues, so you’ll have a better idea why it may —or may not— be the best one for you.

As always, the purpose of this review is to point out details which are not necessarily obvious when reading the information on the manufacturer’s website —not to replace that important resource— so by all means, do visit their site too! This review also offers some competitive info, camera compatibility info, and my firmware update wish list.

Is the KiPro Mini a “broadcast” recorder?

If you haven’t done so yet, please read my related article Do you work in the broadcast industry? What does broadcast mean? You’ll find that the US$1,995 KiPro Mini indeed qualifies as “broadcast” by complying with two of my definitions from that article: definitions 19 and 21. Of course, the KiPro Mini not only meets the technical requirements (as do many of the newcomers in this category of dockable 4:2:2 recorders), but it is also built like a brick house, and has HD-SDI and analog XLR audio inputs with high-quality preamps. (Some other 4:2:2 docking recorders lack HD-SDI inputs, and some skip the analog audio inputs altogether, counting exclusively on embedded digital audio from the camera. This may or may not compromise the final audio quality, depending upon the quality of the camera’s audio preamp… and whether or not dual system audio is employed in the production.) In addition to the “broadcast” connectivity, a/v quality, and build quality, AJA even offers an optional mounting plate that facilitates attaching an Anton Bauer or V-Mount battery plate! read more...