AJA Corvid 88 8-Lane Short PCIe 2.0 Card, 8-in/8-out

AJA Corvid 88 High-Density 8-Channel 3G-SDI PCIe Video I/O Card

Maximize video and audio I/O in a single PCIe card with the AJA Corvid 88. Designed for high-density ingest, playout, and channel-in-a-box systems, Corvid 88 provides eight bidirectional 3G-SDI connections that can each be configured as an input or output. This flexible architecture supports up to eight simultaneous HD or SD channels, while linked SDI connections enable multiple 4K/UltraHD channels.

Corvid 88 supports 4K, UltraHD, 2K, HD, and SD video, including 4K and UltraHD frame rates up to 50p and 60p. With 12-bit RGB 4:4:4, 10-bit YCbCr 4:2:2, HDR, embedded audio, mixer/keyer processing, LTC, Reference, and RS-422 control, Corvid 88 provides high-density I/O for demanding professional video workflows.

Key Features

• 8x Bidirectional 3G-SDI Connections
• Up to 8 Simultaneous SDI Input/Output Streams
• 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD/SD Support
• Dual 4K 50/60p Support
• 12-Bit RGB 4:4:4 and 10-Bit YCbCr 4:2:2
• 4x Independent Mixer/Keyer Widgets
• Up to 64 Channels of Discrete Embedded Audio
• HDR, PQ, HLG, and Dolby Vision Support
• LTC, Reference, and RS-422 Connectivity
• Full-Height and Half-Height Models
• Apple Silicon Support

High-Density Multi-Stream SDI I/O

Corvid 88 gives AJA Developer Partner applications access to up to eight simultaneous SDI input and output streams on a single PCIe card. This high-density design is well suited for ingest and playout servers, broadcast systems, and channel-in-a-box applications where maximizing I/O from a single card is important.

Each of the eight BNC connections can be configured programmatically as either an input or output. Individual connections can also use different video formats when they share the same clock timing, providing flexibility for mixed-format production environments.

4K, UltraHD, HD, and SD Video Support

Corvid 88 supports a wide range of professional video formats, including 4K, UltraHD, 2K, HD, and SD. SDI connections can be linked for dual-link and 4K/UltraHD workflows, allowing the card to scale from high-density HD and SD applications to higher-resolution production systems.

The card supports 4K and UltraHD up to 50p and 60p, as well as multiple 720p and 1080p HD inputs and outputs at frame rates up to 50p and 60p.

High Frame Rate 4K and UltraHD

For demanding high-frame-rate workflows, Corvid 88 supports both 4096 x 2160 4K and 3840 x 2160 UltraHD at 48p, 50p, and 60p. These higher frame rates provide smooth motion for live production, broadcast, and other professional video applications.

12-Bit Color and HDR Support

Corvid 88 supports advanced color workflows with RGB 4:4:4 up to 12-bit and YCbCr 4:2:2 up to 10-bit. VPID signaling provides information for SDR and HDR transfer characteristics, colorimetry, and luminance over SDI.

HDR support includes:

• PQ
• HLG
• Dolby Vision
• HDR metadata capture
• Automatic playback detection

Mixer, Keyer, and Processing

Built-in processing provides additional flexibility for professional video workflows. Corvid 88 includes:

• 8 Frame Stores for input or output
• 8 Color Space Converters
• 4 independent Mixer/Keyer widgets
• 8 1D LUTs
• 8 Dual-Link inputs
• 8 Dual-Link outputs
• 8 independent 16-channel embedded audio engines

The four independent Mixer/Keyer widgets provide hardware-based processing capabilities for applications that require keying and compositing.

64-Channel Embedded Audio

Corvid 88 provides high-density embedded audio I/O with eight independent 16-channel, 48 kHz SDI audio engines. Across multiple SDI connections, the card supports up to 64 discrete audio channels, providing extensive audio capacity for multi-channel ingest and playout systems.

AJA Control Room Metadata Toolset

The AJA Control Room Metadata Toolset supports advanced metadata workflows for SDI signals containing information such as SCTE-104 and Dolby Vision metadata. Metadata can be captured and exported to a sidecar file, while AJA Control Room can synchronize metadata with media on a per-frame basis.

Metadata Toolset support is available on macOS and Windows.

LTC and Reference Input

Corvid 88 includes an external, switchable LTC/Reference input on the back of the card. The reference input supports analog black burst and tri-level sync for professional synchronization workflows.

A second LTC input is available through an internal header, providing additional flexibility for system design.

RS-422 Device Control

A built-in RS-422 connection provides control of external devices for frame-accurate ingest and layoff workflows. On the full-height model, RS-422 is available through an external connection, while the low-profile model provides the connection internally.

Full-Height and Half-Height Configurations

Corvid 88 is available in full-height and half-height configurations, making it adaptable to different server and workstation chassis designs. The card's high-density I/O architecture helps maximize connectivity while minimizing PCIe slot requirements.

Apple Silicon Support

Corvid 88 includes support for systems based on Apple M1 silicon, providing compatibility for supported professional video workflows on Apple platforms.

Professional Support and Warranty

AJA provides technical support for Corvid products to assist with installation, configuration, operation, and troubleshooting. Corvid 88 is covered by a three-year warranty, subject to AJA's warranty terms and conditions.

• Video Formats
  • (4K) 4096 x 2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95 A/B, 48 A/B, 50 A/B, 59.94 A/B, 60 A/B
  • (UltraHD) 3840 x 2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 48 A/B, 50 A/B, 59.94 A/B, 60 A/B
  • (2K) 2048 x 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95 A/B, 48 A/B, 50 A/B, 59.94 A/B, 60 A/B
  • (2K) 2048 x 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95 A/B, 48 A/B, 50 A/B, 59.94 A/B, 60 A/B
  • (HD) 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50 A/B, 59.94 A/B, 60 A/B
  • (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
• Video Input Digital
  • 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 
  • *Bit depth support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.
• Video Output Digital
  • 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 
  • *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 
• Audio Input Digital: 16-Channel 24-bit SDI embedded, 48 kHz synchronous
• Audio Output Digital: 16-Channel 24-bit SDI embedded, 48 kHz synchronous
• Reference: Analog Color Black or HD Tri-level sync
• BNC: 8x 3G-SDI, Din 1.0/2.3
• Electrical Interface: 4-lane PCIe 3.0
• Size (w x d x h): 0.88" x 7.25" x 4.88" (22.36 × 184.15 × 123.96 mm)
• Weight: 0.4 lb (0.2 kg)
• Power: 17W typical, 20W maximum
• Safe Operating Temperature: 0 to 40 C (32 to 104 F)
• Safe Storage Temperature (Power OFF): -40 to 70 C (-40 to 158 F)
• Operating Relative Humidity: 10-90% noncondensing
• Operating Altitude: <3,000 meters (<10,000 feet)
• Airflow across the board if the fan is removed:
• 100LFM @25deg C or lower, computer chassis must have vented opening to exterior, immediately adjacent to PCIe shield (heatsink side), to permit 100LFM across heatsink

• Corvid 88 Card
• Warranty: Limited 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty