AJA KONA LHe Plus HD/SD Video I/O Card

AJA KONA LHe Plus HD/SD Video I/O Card

The AJA KONA LHe Plus is a cost-effective, professional video and audio I/O card designed for broadcast, post-production, ProAV, and custom OEM workflows. Supporting HD-SDI and SD-SDI video up to 1080 30p and 720 60p, it combines digital SDI connections with analog video and audio I/O, AES/EBU audio, reference input, and RS-422 machine control.

With 10-bit video processing, hardware-based HD-to-SD down-conversion, and support for leading editing and production applications, KONA LHe Plus helps simplify capture, monitoring, playback, and delivery across modern and legacy video equipment.

Key Features

• HD-SDI and SD-SDI support up to 1080 30p and 720 60p
• Three 1.5G-SDI connections: one input and two outputs
• Eight-channel embedded SDI audio
• Supports 10-bit YCbCr 4:2:2 video workflows
• 10-bit LUT support (.cube)
• Real-time, motion-adaptive HD-to-SD down-conversion
• Analog HD/SD component, composite, and S-video connectivity
• Two-channel AES/EBU digital audio and balanced analog audio I/O
• Reference input for synchronization and RS-422 machine control
• Compatible with supported AJA, Adobe, Avid, Apple, and Telestream applications
• Apple silicon support through compatible AJA Desktop Software
• Includes breakout cable for additional audio, video, reference, and control connections
• Three-year warranty

Flexible HD/SD Video and Audio Connectivity

KONA LHe Plus combines digital SDI I/O with analog video and audio connections, allowing professionals to connect a variety of production and post-production equipment. Its three SDI connections provide one input and two outputs, which can be configured for supported HD or SD workflows.

The card also supports analog component HD/SD, composite video, S-video, two-channel AES/EBU digital audio, and balanced analog audio. This versatility makes it useful for facilities working with both current digital systems and legacy analog equipment.

High-Quality HD-to-SD Down-Conversion

The built-in hardware down-converter provides real-time, motion-adaptive HD-to-SD conversion with 10-bit processing. Users can monitor or output an SD version while continuing to work with HD footage in their application.

This capability is valuable for checking framing and color, creating SD deliverables, and connecting to compatible standard-definition equipment without interrupting the primary HD workflow.

Analog Video Workflows and Legacy Equipment

KONA LHe Plus supports analog HD component input and output, along with SD component, composite, and S-video connections. This enables workflows involving compatible analog video recorders, playback devices, and other equipment with analog outputs.

By combining analog and digital connections on one card, KONA LHe Plus helps simplify signal routing in broadcast, editing, and video conversion environments.

Audio, Reference, and Machine Control

The included breakout cable extends connectivity beyond the card's SDI ports. It supports reference input, RS-422 machine control, two-channel AES/EBU audio, analog video connections, and two-channel analog audio I/O.

RS-422 control enables frame-accurate capture and playback control with compatible external devices. Reference input supports synchronization with larger production systems.

For additional external connectivity, the optional AJA KL-Box-LH breakout box is also available.

Software Compatibility

KONA LHe Plus supports compatible professional video applications from AJA, Adobe, Avid, Apple, Telestream, and other developers. AJA Desktop Software includes tools such as AJA Control Room and AJA Control Panel, while application plug-ins support capture, monitoring, and playback workflows.

The card also supports the AJA SDK for developers building custom video applications. Check AJA's current software release notes and compatibility information to confirm support for your operating system, application version, and workflow.

Built for Professional Production

With HD/SD SDI, analog video and audio, hardware down-conversion, and machine control in one solution, the AJA KONA LHe Plus is a flexible choice for broadcast facilities, post-production systems, ProAV installations, and OEM developers seeking reliable professional video I/O.

• Video Formats
  • (HD) 1080i 50, 59.94, 60
  • (HD) 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
  • (HD) 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
  • (HD) 720p 50, 59.94, 60
  • (SD) 625i 50
  • (SD) 525i 59.94
• Video Input Digital
  • 1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M
  • Single Link HD-SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
  • 270 Mbps SDI, SMPTE 259M-C
  • YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit, 8-bit 
• Video Output Digital
  • 1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M
  • Single Link HD-SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
  • 270 Mbps SDI, SMPTE 259M-C
  • YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit, 8-bit 
• Video Input Analog
  • Composite/S-Video (Y/C) (1x BNC/2x BNC+Adapter)
  • NTSC, NTSCJ, PAL
  • Component (3x BNC)
  • HD: YPbPr, RGB
  • SD: YPbPr, RGB (component mode)
  • SMPTE/EBU N10, Betacam 525 line, Betacam 525J, RGB
  • 12-bit A/D, 8x oversampling
  • +/- .2 dB to 5.0 MHz Y Frequency Response
  • +/- .2 dB to 1 MHz C Frequency Response
  • .5% 2T pulse response
  • <1% Diff Phase
  • <1% Diff Gain
  • <1 ns Y/C delay inequity
• Video Output Analog
  • Composite/S-Video (Y/C) (1 x BNC/2x BNC+Adapter)
  • NTSC, NTSCJ, PAL
  • Component (3 x BNC)
  • HD: YPbPr, RGB
  • SD: YPbPr, RGB (component mode)
  • SMPTE/EBU N10, Betacam 525 line, Betacam 525J, RGB
  • 12-bit D/A, 8x oversampling
  • +/- .2 dB to 5.0 MHz Y Frequency Response
  • +/- .2 dB to 1 MHz C Frequency Response
  • .5% 2T pulse response
  • <1% Diff Phase
  • <1% Diff Gain
  • <1 ns Y/C delay inequity
• Audio Input Digital
  • 8-channel, 16 and 24-bit SMPTE-259 SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
  • 2-channel, 16 and 24-bit AES/EBU audio, 48 kHz or 96 kHz sample rate, synchronous or nonsynchronous, internal sample rate conversion (via 1x XLR on breakout cable or optional KL-Box)
• Audio Input Analog
  • 2-channel, 16 and 24-bit A/D analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced (via 2 x XLR on breakout cable or optional KL-Box)
  • +24 dBu full scale digital
  • +/- 0.2 dB 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
• Audio Output Digital
  • 8-channel, 16 and 24-bit SMPTE-259 SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
  • 2-channel, 16 and 24-bit AES/EBU audio, 48 kHz or 96 kHz sample rate, synchronous or nonsynchronous, internal sample rate conversion (via 1x XLR on breakout cable or optional KL-Box)
• Audio Output Analog
  • 2-channel, 16 and 24-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced (via 2x XLR on breakout cable or optional KL-Box)
  • +24 dBu full scale digital (0 dBFS)
  • +/- 0.2 dB 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response
  • 2-Channel unbalanced output (via 2x RCA jacks on optional KL-Box)
• Down-Conversion
  • Hardware 10-bit
  • Anamorphic: fullscreen
  • 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
• Reference Input
  • Analog Color Black (1V) or Composite Sync (2 or 4V)
  • Looping
  • 75 ohms on optional KL-Box, terminated on supplied breakout cable
• Electrical Interface: 4-lane PCIe 1.0
• Machine Control
  • RS-422, Sony 9-pin protocol (via breakout cable or optional KL-BOX)
  • 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
• Size (w x d x h): 0.75" x 8.25" x 5.0" (19.05 x 209.55 x 127.00 mm)
• Weight: 0.7 lb (0.4 kg)
• Power: 13W typical, 15W maximum
• 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 LHe Plus HD/SD PCIe Card
• Limited 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty