AJA KONA 5 8K/4K PCIe Video I/O Card – PCIe Power

AJA KONA 5 8K/4K PCIe Video I/O Card – PCIe Power

The AJA KONA 5 is a high-performance, 8-lane PCIe 3.0 video and audio I/O card designed for demanding broadcast, post-production, and live video workflows. Supporting formats from SD and HD through 4K, UltraHD, 8K, and UltraHD2, KONA 5 delivers professional capture, output, and monitoring with four bidirectional 12G-SDI connections and HDMI 2.0 output.

This PCIe-powered version is designed for specific compatible host systems. It offers high-frame-rate video support, deep color, advanced HDR capabilities, and flexible connectivity for professional production environments.

Key Features

• 8-lane PCIe 3.0 video and audio I/O card
• Supports 8K, UltraHD2, 4K, UltraHD, 2K, HD, and SD formats up to 50/60p
• Four bidirectional 12G-SDI connections with 16-channel embedded audio
• HDMI 2.0 output with 4K/UltraHD high-frame-rate support and 8K-to-4K downsampling
• Supports 10-bit YCbCr 4:2:2 and 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 workflows
• HDR support for HDR10, HLG, PQ, and Dolby Vision, depending on the application
• Up to 12-bit LUT support (.cube)
• Dynamic FPGA firmware reconfiguration for faster switching between supported workflows
• Compatible with Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, OBS Studio, vMix, Telestream Wirecast, and other supported applications
• Supports macOS, Windows, and Linux, including software support for Apple silicon
• Reference input and included breakout cable for AES/EBU audio, RS-422 machine control, and LTC
• Three-year warranty

Professional 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 Connectivity

KONA 5 features four bidirectional 12G-SDI connections that can be configured for supported capture, output, and pass-through workflows. It supports a wide range of professional video formats, including 8K/UltraHD2 and 4K/UltraHD, depending on the signal configuration and software.

The full-size HDMI 2.0 output supports monitoring with HDR, deep color, and high-frame-rate capabilities. These connections make KONA 5 suitable for broadcast, video post-production, live compositing, graphics, and virtual production.

Advanced HDR and Deep Color Workflows

KONA 5 supports HDR workflows using HDR10, HLG, PQ, and Dolby Vision, depending on the application and configuration. Its support for 10-bit YCbCr 4:2:2 and 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 helps professionals maintain image quality throughout capture, monitoring, and output.

AJA Control Room and AJA Control Panel provide additional tools for supported HDR workflows, including metadata capture, output signaling, and HDR playback detection.

8K Capture, Playback, and Production

Designed for high-resolution production, KONA 5 enables 8K capture and playback on compatible computer systems. It supports 8K workflows in applications such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer, subject to current software and system compatibility.

Dynamic FPGA firmware reconfiguration enables fast switching between supported 8K and 4K-and-below operating modes, helping streamline workflows that move between different video formats.

Software and Operating System Compatibility

KONA 5 works with AJA Desktop Software, including AJA Control Room and AJA Control Panel, and supports a broad range of professional video applications for editing, capture, playback, streaming, and live production.

It supports macOS, Windows, and Linux. Check AJA's current software release notes and compatibility resources to confirm support for your operating system, application version, and intended workflow.

PCIe Power Configuration

This version of the AJA KONA 5 is identified as the PCIe power model. It differs from the ATX-powered KONA 5 versions, so confirm host-system compatibility before purchasing. AJA identifies the PCIe-powered OEM model as KONA-5-R0-S01 when cables are included, and KONA-5-R0-S02 when cables are not included.

Included Connectivity

The KONA 5 configuration with cables includes a breakout cable for supported auxiliary connections:

• 8-channel AES/EBU audio input and output
• RS-422 machine control
• LTC input and output

The card also includes a reference input for external synchronization using analog black burst or tri-level sync.

Choose the AJA KONA 5 PCIe power card for professional 8K, 4K, HDR, and high-frame-rate video workflows requiring flexible SDI and HDMI connectivity.

• Video Formats
  • (8K) 8192 x 4320p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
  • (UltraHD2) 7680 x 4320p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
  • (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 and 8K/UltraHD2 capabilities are dependent on host system attributes. Not all systems and configurations will support all frame rates and raster sizes.
• Video Inputs 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 
  • *Bit depth support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.
  • Note: KONA 5 SDI connectors are HD BNC
• Video Outputs 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
  • *Bit depth support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.
  • Note: KONA 5 SDI connectors are HD BNC
• 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
• SDI I/O
  • SDI connections are bidirectional
  • 2K/HD, capture and monitoring is simultaneous
  • 4K/UltraHD with 12G-SDI, capture and monitoring is simultaneous.  
  • 4K/UltraHD with 3G-SDI, all four connections must be used for either Input or Output. 
  • 8K/UltraHD2 with 12G-SDI, connections must be used for either Input or Output. 
  • Note: When connections are configured for 12G-SDI or 6G-SDI, only UltraHD/4K/UltraHD2/8K formats are supported.
• Audio Inputs Digital
  • 16-channel, 24 and 16-bit SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
  • 8-channel, 16 and 24-bit AES/EBU audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous or nonsynchronous, internal sample rate conversion (via 4x BNC on breakout cable)
• 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
  • 8-channel, 16 and 24-bit AES/EBU audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous or nonsynchronous, internal sample rate conversion (via 4x BNC on breakout cable)
• Downstream Keyer: Supports graphics up to 2K/HD with alpha channel over video, matte or framebuffer, or framebuffer content over incoming video or matte
• Reference
  • Analog Color Black (1V) or Composite Sync (2 or 4V) or HD Tri-Level Sync (1V) (via 1x HD-BNC at PCIe bracket)
  • Reference input is terminated into 75 ohms when Genlock is set to Ref In
• Timecode
  • LTC timecode input and output (via 2x BNC on breakout cable)
  • LTC timecode input (via 2-pin header on PCIe card)
  • LTC timecode input (via HD-BNC at PCIe bracket)
• Electrical Interface: 8-lane PCIe 3.0
• Machine Control
  • RS-422, Sony 9-pin protocol (via breakout cable)
  • 9-pin D-connector pinout is as follows:
  • 1: GND
  • 2: RX-
  • 3: TX+
  • 4: GND
  • 5: No Connection
  • 6: GND
  • 7: RX+
  • 8: TX-
  • 9: GND
  • Shell: GND
• Noise: <50dBA (A-weighted at 1m in free air)
• Size (w x d x h): 0.75" x 6.9" x 5.0" (19.05 x 175.26 x 127.00 mm)
• Weight
  • PCIe Card:  0.6 lbs (0.3 kg)
  • Cables (all combined): 1.3 lbs (0.6 kg)
• Power
  • 28W typical, 35W maximum via ATX power.
  • PC Internal ATX Power Connector (Molex p/n 45559-0002)
  • Note: Unlike other KONA cards, KONA 5 uses PCIe power from a 6 pin ATX connector, rather than the PCIe slot.
• Safe Operating Temperature: 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)

• AJA KONA 5 8K/4K PCIe Video I/O Card – PCIe Power
• Warranty: Limited 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty