AJA KONA X 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 Ultra-Low-Latency PCIe Card – Fanless

AJA KONA X Fanless 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 Ultra-Low-Latency PCIe Card

The AJA KONA X fanless PCIe video I/O card is designed for demanding live production, virtual production, augmented reality (AR), sports broadcasting, and real-time video processing workflows. With ultra-low-latency GPUDirect RDMA support, dual bidirectional 12G-SDI connections, and HDMI 2.0 input and output, KONA X enables high-quality 4K video capture and playback for professional production systems.

This fanless version is designed for system configurations that use passive cooling. It supports a wide range of video formats, advanced HDR workflows, and professional editing applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer.

Key Features

• Fanless design for compatible system configurations
• Ultra-low-latency video I/O with GPUDirect RDMA support
• Two bidirectional 12G-SDI BNC connections with up to 16 channels of embedded audio
• Full-size HDMI 2.0 input and output with up to 8 channels of embedded audio
• Supports 4K, UltraHD, 2K, HD, and SD video up to 50/60p, depending on format
• 12-bit RGB 4:4:4 and 10-bit YCbCr 4:2:2 workflows
• HDR support for HDR10, HLG, PQ, and Dolby Vision
• Built-in hardware downstream keyer for real-time graphics overlays up to 4K/UltraHD
• 4K closed-captioning support and SDI VPID signaling
• Compatible with Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, and other professional applications
• AJA Developer SDK support for custom OEM applications
• Compatible with macOS, Windows, and supported Linux distributions
• Three-year manufacturer warranty

Ultra-Low-Latency Video with GPUDirect RDMA

KONA X supports NVIDIA GPUDirect RDMA technology, enabling direct data transfers between video I/O and compatible system memory or accelerators in supported applications. By bypassing the card's onboard memory for these transfers, developers can build responsive video workflows with minimal delay.

This capability is valuable for applications where timing and synchronization are critical, including live sports production, eSports, virtual production, and real-time AR graphics.

Dual Bidirectional 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 Connectivity

KONA X features two full-size bidirectional 12G-SDI BNC connections, allowing each connection to be configured for input or output as supported by the workflow. This flexibility supports video capture, pass-through, and compatible multi-channel capture and streaming applications.

Full-size HDMI 2.0 input and output connections provide additional options for working with HDMI video sources and displays. KONA X supports a wide range of SD, HD, 2K, UltraHD, and 4K formats, along with high-quality 10-bit and 12-bit color workflows.

Fanless Design for System Integration

This KONA X version has no integrated fan and is intended for compatible system designs that use passive cooling. Ensure the host system provides the cooling and airflow required by AJA's specifications before installation.

Virtual Production and Augmented Reality

KONA X's high-bandwidth connectivity and low-latency architecture support virtual production workflows that combine live camera feeds with computer-generated environments. Developers can capture camera video, composite it with virtual scenes created in Unreal Engine, and output the combined result in real time.

For sports and eSports, KONA X can help synchronize live video with AR graphics, overlays, and interactive elements when used with compatible software.

Real-Time Hardware Keying

The built-in hardware downstream keyer allows graphics and images to be overlaid on incoming video in real time, with support for resolutions up to 4K/UltraHD. This capability is useful for broadcast graphics, live production overlays, and other workflows that require compositing with minimal delay.

HDR Workflows and Metadata Support

KONA X supports HDR10, HLG, PQ, and Dolby Vision workflows over supported SDI and HDMI connections. AJA Control Room and AJA Control Panel provide tools for managing HDR output, signaling, and compatible metadata workflows.

Supported features include SDI VPID signaling for transfer characteristics, colorimetry, and luminance; HDR metadata capture; and automatic HDR playback detection for compatible media and applications.

Professional Editing and Developer Support

KONA X works with leading professional video applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Apple Final Cut Pro, and Avid Media Composer. AJA Desktop Software provides video I/O and workflow support, including support for the latest Apple silicon.

For custom applications, the AJA Developer SDK is available for macOS, Windows, and supported Linux platforms. The card also features an in-firmware microcontroller that allows limited firmware customization for supported OEM use cases.

• SDI Video Formats
  • (4K) 4096x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
  • (UltraHD) 3840x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
  • (2K) 2048x1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
  • (2K) 2048x1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
  • (HD) 1920x1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
  • (HD) 1920x1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
  • (HD) 1920x1080i 50, 59.94, 60
  • (HD) 1280x720p 50, 59.94, 60
  • (SD) 625i 50
  • (SD) 525i 59.94
• HDMI Video Formats
  • (4K CEA) 4096x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
  • (UltraHD) 3840x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
  • (2K CEA) 2048x1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
  • (HD) 1920x1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
  • (HD) 1920x1080i 50, 59.94, 60
  • (VESA DMT) 1600x1200p 60
  • (VESA DMT) 1280x1024p 60
  • (HD) 1280x720p 50, 59.94, 60
  • (VESA DMT) 1024x768p 60
  • (VESA DMT) 800x600p 60
  • (SD) 625i 50
  • (SD) 525i 59.94
  • (VESA DMT) 640 x 480p 60
  • Note: Additional VESA (DMT) formats supported for certain applications
• Video Inputs Digital
  • 12G-SDI, SMPTE-2082, 12-bit, 10-bit
  • YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit up to 60p, RGB 4:4:4 12-bit up to 30p
  • 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  
  • 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
  • YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit up to 60p, RGB 4:4:4 12-bit up to 30p
  • Connectors are full size BNC / full size HDMI
  • HDMI Inputs and Outputs support VESA (DMT) rasters at limited rates
• Video Outputs Digital
  • 12G-SDI, SMPTE-2082*, 12-bit, 10-bit
  • YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit up to 60p, RGB 4:4:4 12-bit up to 30p
  • 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
  • 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
  • YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit up to 60p, RGB 4:4:4 12-bit up to 30p
  • Connectors are full-size BNC / full-size HDMI
  • HDMI Input and Output support VESA rasters
  • *Compliant with subsets of specification for supported formats
• 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
• SDI I/O (via PCIe Bracket)
  • 2x full-size 12G-SDI connections
  • SDI connections are bidirectional
  • Single channel SDI capture (plus simultaneous SDI pass-through monitoring)
  • Single channel SDI output
• HDMI I/O (via PCIe Bracket)
  • 2x full-size (Type A) HDMI 2.0 connections
  • HDMI connections are unidirectional (1x Input, 1x Output)
  • Single channel HDMI input
  • Single channel HDMI output
• HDMI Monitoring for SDI Inputs
  • HDMI output connector supports
  • Single channel SDI source monitoring
• Video I/O Performance: Capable of two channel 4K p60 capture or playback
• Audio Inputs 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 )
  • Note: Audio I/O is available via optional KONA Xpand card, or via customer supplied breakout connection to internal card connector  
• Audio Input Analog
  • 2-channel, 24 and 16-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using industry standard 2x XLR on DB-25 breakout cable (cable not included)
  • +24 dBu full scale digital (0 dBFS)
  • +/- 0.2 dB 20 to 20 kHz frequency response
  • Note: Requires the optional KONA Xpand card
• 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)
  • Note: AES audio requires the optional KONA Xpand card.  SDI and HDMI audio do not require the Xpand card.
• Audio Output Analog
  • 2-channel, 24-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using  2x XLR
  • +24 dBu full scale digital (0 dBFS)
  • +/- 0.2 dB 20 to 20 kHz frequency response
  • Note: Requires the optional KONA Xpand card
• Downstream Keyer: Supports graphics up to 4K/UltraHD 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)
  • Reference input is terminated into 75 ohms when Genlock is set to Ref In
  • Note: Available via optional KONA Xpand card, or via customer supplied breakout connection to internal card
• Timecode
  • LTC timecode input
  • LTC timecode output
  • Note: Available via optional KONA Xpand card, or via customer supplied breakout connection to internal card
• Electrical Interface: PCIe Gen 3x4
• Machine Control
  • RS-422, Sony 9-pin protocol
  • 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) <40-45dBA preferred (Phase 01 )>
  • Fan is rated at 33.1dBA
• Regulatory Compliance
  • RoHS 3
  • IEC 62368-1: 2014 2nd Edition safety standard
• Size (w x d x h)
  • Passive Configuration (no fan): 190.5 x 15.9 x 98.6 mm (7.5" x 0.63" x 3.88")  Bracket Height: 127 mm (5.0")
  • Active Configuration (with fan): 247.7 x 15.9 x 98.6 mm (9.75" x 0.63" x 3.88")  Bracket Height: 127 mm (5.0")
  • Xpand Card: 108.0 x 15.9 x 98.6 mm (4.25" x 0.63" x 3.88")  Bracket Height: 127 mm (5.0")
• Weight
  • PCIe Card: Active (with fan): 290.3g (10.2oz), Passive (no fan): 217.7g (7.7oz)
  • Xpand Card: 90.7g (3.2oz)
• Power
  • 20W typical with 16W on +12V and 4W on +3.3V
  • PC Internal or PCi Aux Power Connector: Molex part number 45558-0003
  • Note: Card can utilize PCIe power from a 6 pin PCi 2x3 Aux Power connector or the PCIe slot
• Environment
  • 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 X 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 Ultralow-Latency PCIe Card (Fanless)
• Warranty: Limited 3-Year Manufacturer Warranty