Installation & Operation Guide Version 10.
Table of Contents Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Copyright. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Contacting Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Video Setup Screen in 4K. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Downstream Keyer Screen in 4K Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Chapter 4: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 If You Run Into Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 1: Introduction Overview AJA's Io XT and Io 4K provide professional-grade I/O for high-end computers. Io XT and 4K are the ideal companion for lightning-fast video capture, playback and up/down/ cross conversion. Designed for today’s workflows, Io XT/4K provides a new interface for video Pro's working with 10-bit uncompressed, Apple ProRes 422, Apple ProRes 422 (HQ), XDCAM HD, DVCPRO HD, stereoscopic 3D workflows, and more. Io 4K provides additional support for Ultra HD (UHD) and 4K.
Features: The following table provides a comparison of Io 4K and Io XT features. Table 1.
Video Formats For a complete list of supported video formats, see "Appendix A: Specifications on page 54". Io XT/4K Audio Io XT and Io 4K provide up to 16 channels of SDI embedded audio. The front panels have a mini TRS headphone output with a lockable level control knob. For analog audio output monitoring, Io XT and 4K provide a DB25 connector with eight channels of audio to be used with industry standard Tascam-style audio breakout cables.
What’s In The Box? As you unpack the shipping box(es), carefully examine the contents. Ensure you received everything and that nothing was damaged during shipment. If you find any damage, immediately notify the shipping service and supply them with a complete description of the damage. AJA will repair or replace damaged items. If you find shipping damage, contact your AJA dealer or distributor for details on how to have your Io XT/4K repaired or replaced. Save packing materials and the shipping box.
Chapter 2: Installation Installation Overview The installation and set up of an Io XT and Io 4K is very simple. A functional description of each connector is provided in this chapter. The steps of installation and configuration are outlined here and each of these steps are explained in greater detail on the remaining pages of this chapter: 1. If not previously installed on your Thunderbolt equipped computer, ensure that appropriate application software is installed as detailed in its user documentation. 2.
Connecting to your Computer 1. With your computer off, connect a Thunderbolt cable between the computer and the Io XT/4K. 2. Power the unit (AC supply or battery) and if it is Io XT, turn it on using the power button on the front. Io 4K does not have a power button. 3. Cable the system audio and video sources, VTR, audio monitor, and video monitor. 4. When you run the AJA Control Panel, you’ll notice that the Io XT/4K is autodiscovered as long as it is properly cabled and powered up. 5.
Connector Descriptions The following section describes the connectors offered on the Io XT and Io 4K chassis in the following order: • Connectors common to both models • Io XT connectors • Io 4K connectors Connectors Common to Both Models HDMI Input and Output: Two HDMI connectors on the Io XT/4K provide input and output of HDMI video and multi-channel embedded audio. • Io XT has HDMI v1.3a capability at 30 bits per pixel allows full support of the latest 10bit monitors. • Io 4K has HDMI 1.
output. If peripheral equipment has a variety of inputs/outputs, look to see if it has SDI I/ O, and use it where possible. Most high-end professional broadcast equipment supports SDI (VTRs, cameras, media storage servers, etc.). Component Video Output: A Note About YPbPr: Io XT features a group of 3 BNC connectors for output of component, composite and Y/C functions. The signals are labeled on the BNC connectors on the rear panel of Io XT. Component Video, or YPbPr, has been given several names over time.
Mountain Lion OS and Gatekeeper: With the addition of Gatekeeper functionality in Mac OS Mountain Lion, you should go to System Preferences>Security & Privacy and choose to allow “Mac App Store and identified developers.” Figure 4. Mac Security & Privacy Gatekeeper Setting 1. Locate the Io XT or Io 4K software downloaded from AJA. 2. Double-click the package to log on and begin software installation.
5. On the following pages, we show the series of screens you’ll see when installing the Io XT/4K driver software package. The Io 4K installation uses a different package but is the same process. 6. When you launch the installer, you’ll see a series of installer screens. Figure 6. Initial Installer Screen 7. Click Continue to begin installation. 8.
9. Read and agree to the Software License Agreement. Figure 8. Io XT/4K Software License Agreement Screen 10. At the next screen, select the “Io XT/4K Setups” checkbox. Check any Easy Setups that you want to use (or all of them) and then click the Continue button to place the software on the drive you previously selected. Some 3rd-party applications provide native setups so you can uncheck the “IoXT Setups” checkbox before clicking Continue. Figure 9.
Figure 10. Installer Screen, Space Reminder 12. Next, the system will display a reminder that you’ll have to Restart the Mac after installation concludes. Click Continue Installation. Figure 11. Installer Screen, Reminder about Restarting 13. The installer runs and puts all the necessary Io XT/4K drivers and software on the desired hard drive. When it has completed installation, a final screen will be displayed announcing that “software was successfully installed.” Io XT/4K v10.5 16 www.aja.
Figure 12. Installation Success and Restart Message 14. Click the Restart button to complete the installation procedure. The system will perform software restart. 15. After installing the Io XT or Io 4K system driver package, you will find the AJA Control Panel software installed in your applications. 16. Finally, install any AJA plug-ins required for 3rd-party software. You can download these from the AJA website: http://www.aja.com/en/products/io-xt/#support 17.
Figure 13. Install Wizard Welcome When you see the Welcome page, click “Next” to view the AJA Windows Software license agreement. Figure 14. License Agreement Read the Windows Software license agreement and click “Yes” to accept. You will be asked to choose the type of installation you would like to perform. Click on the Custom button to see the installation options. The default selections include AJA Drivers for KONA cards, Io Express/XT/4K, and T-TAP. Software not installed is marked with a red X.
You may choose to perform a Custom installation to select the specific software necessary for your applications. If you use the entire collection, use the “Complete” installation. NOTE: By default, AJA ASIO drivers are not installed. (If you will be using the Voice-over feature in Adobe Premiere Pro, you will need to click on the pulldown menu and include them in the installation. For more information on using ASIO drivers, refer to the AJA Adobe Plugins Installation and Operation Guide. Figure 15.
You may deselect any Item for installation by using the pulldown to make it unavailable. Before clicking Next to install, you can verify your disk space availability by clicking the Disk Usage button. Figure 17. Workstation Disk Usage Display To return to the installation click OK. Then click Next to begin the installation. Figure 18. Installation Progress Screen Io XT/4K v10.5 20 www.aja.
When the installer has completed copying the AJA Windows Software to disk, you will see a standard Windows Logo test warning. Click on the “Continue Anyway” button to finish the installation. When the installation is completed, a final screen will be displayed announcing that “Setup has finished installing AJA Windows Software on your computer.” Click on the Finish button after the installation is complete. Restart the computer after installation to activate the Io XT/4K.
AJA Control Panel Overview The AJA Control Panel is a software application that provides a simple visual window showing how the Io XT/4K interface is currently configured, and that allows you to make changes. Settings—both those you changed and those you didn’t—can be named and saved as a snapshot for recall at anytime.
On Mac: • /Users/Shared/Library/Preferences/com.aja.devicesettings On Windows 8: • C:\Users\All Users\Aja\com.aja.devicesettings Block Diagram Screen The AJA Control Panel represents a visual block diagram of the unit’s configuration. The current status, input and output settings, and many other details are depicted in the color-coded block diagram.
Figure 21. Io 4K, Block Diagram set for UHD Format Ultra HD format selected 4 SDI Outputs configured for UHD/4K 4 SDI Inputs configured for UHD/4K shown inactive HDMI Quadrant selection icon Framebuffer: The framebuffer is the “memory” in Io XT/4K where your third-party applications interface with the hardware. The framebuffer has a format (called the “Primary Format” and color space that it follows, as defined in the linked menu screens or via external application software.
Color Meanings: All items in the AJA Control Panel block diagram are color-coded to show what is happening in realtime. This applies to both icons and text.
NOTE: Format Conversion: In some cases the application you use with the Io XT/4K will automatically set the Primary Format, overriding the user’s selected primary format in the AJA Control Panel. Conversion allows selection of a format conversion between High-definition and Standard-definition. The choices offered depend on the AJA device present in your system and the Primary and Secondary format selected. Io XT supports up-, down-, and cross- conversion plus SD-to-SD aspect ratio conversions.
options such as whether paused video appears as a full frame or a single field (jitter shown or not shown) and 24 to 30 fps padding patterns, RGB range, and Stereo 3D signal configuration (if applicable). DS Keyer: setup and control the insertion of keyed video from the frame buffer or graphics files with alpha channel.
Control Screen Settings Default Output—this is where you select what Io XT/4K will output as a default when no application has control of the board, such as when the Finder is active. Since Io XT/4K can be controlled by software applications as well as its own control panel, the output can change dynamically. When you select many video applications, they will grab control of the Io XT/4K inputs/outputs.
Timing (Horiz and Vert)—these two pull-downs allow output timing adjustment with reference to the Ref Video source selected. The Horizontal reference can be adjusted by selecting a number of pixels (clocks) to offset. Vertical can be adjusted by specifying a number of lines to offset. Format Screen The Formats screen shows the video format currently in use by the Io XT/4K framebuffer (called the Primary Format) and allows you to change it.
Video Format” pull-down menu lists all compatible formats for selection (incompatible formats are not shown). This allows you to see what you've chosen, and also see those formats that are compatible with the selected Primary format. For a complete list of Io XT/4K Formats see "Appendix A: Specifications on page 54". NOTE: Pixel Format: RGB Range: The AJA Control Panel software uses the abbreviation “sf” instead of “psf” when referring to “progressive segmented frame” formats.
Pillarbox: will produce an image in the center of the screen with black borders on the left and right sides and an anamorphized image in the center V Crop: will transform SD letterbox material to an anamorphic image 4K to HD Down-conversion: The Io 4K provides a dedicated SDI Monitor BNC that outputs a quarter-size image of a selected UHD/4K signal format. For details, see “Using Io 4K for UHD/4K” on page 47. Figure 28. AJA Control Panel, Formats Screen, Example shows Io XT cross-conversion Io XT/4K v10.
Input Select Screen On the Inputs screen you can view the currently selected video and audio input sources and map audio sources to the channels supported by your editing application. Two information panes in the screen are provided: Video Input and Audio Input. Figure 29. AJA Control Panel, Inputs Screen Input Select Settings Video Input: The pulldown menu allows you to see and change what's currently selected and shows the video format that Io XT has detected (if any).
Audio Input: SDI Out Screen This pulldown menu allows you to pick where the audio comes from. Io XT/4K supports up to 16 channels of embedded audio. Here you can also select which two channels from the 16 embedded would be mapped to your editing application if only two channels were selected in that application. The SDI Out screen shows the current settings for the SDI outputs.
SDI Output Options Primary: When selected, this indicates that the SDI output is set to the same format as the framebuffer. That value will be listed in blue. Secondary: When selected, this indicates that the SDI output is set to a format different from the framebuffer (Primary Format). That secondary format value will be listed in green. This shows that active processing of the video is taking place (format change and possibly even up/down-conversion).
HDMI Screen The Io XT/ 4K HDMI input and output are configured at this screen. For Io 4K UHD and 4K format setup, see “HDMI Screen in 4K Mode” on page 50. Figure 32. AJA Io XT HDMI, HDMI Screen HDMI Output Settings The Source pulldown menu allows you to select either the primary video format (framebuffer) or (if conversion is supported) a secondary one (up/down/crossconversion).
Analog Out Screen (Io XT Only) Io XT provides a high-quality analog component or composite + Y/C output, generally used for monitoring. This screen shows the current settings for that analog output, and allows you to re-configure it when desired. Figure 33. AJA Control Panel, Analog Out Screen Analog Out Screen Settings Analog Output: Select Primary or Secondary (any conversion applied) for the analog output; if a conversion is applied, you’ll see the conversion icon appear on the block diagram.
Video Setup Screen Io XT provides standard setup adjustments for analog component or composite output. This screen shows the current settings for that analog video output, and allows you to reconfigure it when desired. Figure 34. AJA Control Panel, Video Setup Screen Setup Screen Settings Analog Black Level (in Io XT only): Choices available for Black Level are the two Composite analog formats. Choices presented are for US or Japan: • 7.
Audio Setup Screen (Io XT Only) This screen shows the current settings for the analog audio output, allowing you to reconfigure it when desired. Figure 35. AJA Control Panel, Audio Setup Screen Audio Setup Screen Settings Lock Audio Gain To Unity: When set, the Io XT will ignore the third-party application’s gain setting and set the audio gain at unity. When not set, this checkbox tells the Io XT to get the audio gain setting from the editing application (if supported).
Conversion Screen (Mac OS only) NOTE: This screen offers controls that determine how the card behaves with 3rd-party applications. This screen is present in the Mac version of AJA Control Panel only and not all applications support these functions. Figure 36. AJA Control Panel, Conversion Screen Pause On: These two choices determine what happens when the editing application is paused in stop mode: Full Frame: both fields are displayed resulting in some jitter while paused.
Figure 37. Conversion Screen Frame-padding Pattern Choices YUV-RGB Conversion Colorspace: These pulldowns select industry standard color space and gamma transfer functions for the YUV-RGB conversion, or allow you to direct Io XT to automatically determine it for you. Choose from: • Rec 601 • Rec 709 • Auto Gamma: Choose from the following: • Linear (1.8) • Rec 601 (2.20) • Rec 709 (2.22) • Auto RGB Range: Enable Custom LUTs: Io XT/4K v10.
DS Keyer Screen The Io XT and Io 4K have a hardware-based downstream keyer that is ideal for putting logos, “bugs” or other video material with an alpha channel on top of video being played out or printed to tape. NOTE: The Io 4K does not support Downstream Keying in UHD and 4K formats. A typical application would be putting a television station's call letters or channel over program video content. Keyed video can be from the Io XT internal Frame Buffer (from storage, video In, etc.
Matte Color Foreground pre-multiplied (checkbox) Only available when the pulldown “Frame Buffer over Matte” or “Graphic over Matte” are selected-pressing this button brings up a color selection dialog. The dialog provides a variety of ways to select a matte color including a color wheel, color picker (choose from a location anywhere on the computer screen), numeric sliders, swatches, “crayons”, and spectrums. The matte chosen will be used as a video background under the keyed video.
Timecode Input Settings RP-188 Timecode : In RP-188 timecode (SMPTE 12M-2) there can be multiple timecode types in the data stream. Use this pull-down to select the one you wish to monitor: • RP188 LTC (Linear timecode) • RP188 VITC 1 (Vertical Interval timecode) • RP188 VITC 2 • LTC Port input The selection will be displayed in the timecode value displayed to the right of the pulldown.
the interface is identified by the coding of a distributed binary bit. Equipment manufacturers can use the meta data for different purposes. Presets Screen After configuring the AJA Control Panel screens, you can then save all your settings as a snapshot for later recall—called a preset. In this way, you can organize presets for all your typical tasks, eliminating time-robbing manual reconfiguration each time. To save a preset, simply go to the Presets screen and click “Save Preset”.
Firmware Screen Use the Firmware screen to access the firmware install screen. Click install to erase current firmware and load the firmware version contained in your current driver installation. Note the Installation message shown below. Figure 42. Firmware Update You will be required to power-cycle your computer and Io XT/4K to finish the update. Figure 43. Update Completed Io XT/4K v10.5 46 www.aja.
Info Screen This screen shows the Io XT/4K software files that have been installed on your system. This information may be needed if you talk to an AJA Customer Service representative to determine if files are missing or need updating. Figure 44. Information Screen in Standard Mode Using Io 4K for UHD/4K In 4K Mode, you can input or output four channels of video representing individual quadrants of Ultra-HD (3840x2160) and 4K (4096x2160) formats.
Configuring Quad SDI I/O Output Configuration: This section describes the AJA Control Panel operations specific to UHD/4K Format selection. When you use the Control Panel Format screen to select a UHD or 4K format for the Io 4K output, you must also make sure the default output mode (Control screen setting) is set to “Test Pattern.” Then the SDI connectors 1–4 will automatically configure as outputs (see Figure 46). Figure 45.
Input Configuration: To configure bi-directional SDI connectors for input, select Pass-through in the Default Output>Video Output menu (see Figure 47 on page 49). Figure 47. Io 4K SDI Input Configuration Input Select Screen in 4K Mode In 4K mode, on the Input Select Menu, the Source selection menu is not applicable. You can, however, still set input video format options (YUV, RGB, etc.) and set the LTC input usage and Audio Input settings. (Refer to “Input Select Screen” on page 33). Figure 48.
SDI Output Screen in 4K Mode The SDI Output Screen allows you to select the Primary format or RGB for 4K output. Video+Key and Stereo 3D are available selections for SD, HD, or 2K formats only. HDMI Screen in 4K Mode The HDMI screen allows you to make the same selections previously described Io XT when an SD, HD, or 2K format is selected (refer to “HDMI Screen” on page 36).
Video Setup Screen in 4K 4K Mode adds the 4K Geometry selection (check box). Like other raster sizes, the Geometries checkbox for 4K needs to be enabled for the format to be presented and selectable in applications like AJA VTR Xchange and AJA TV. Figure 51. QuickTime Video Output Filter 4K Geometry Checkbox Downstream Keyer Screen in 4K Mode The Downstream Keyer is not available for use in 4K Mode.
Chapter 4: Troubleshooting If You Run Into Problems One useful way to find the source of problems is to isolate your system to the smallest size where the problem still occurs and then note all the symptoms. This serves to eliminate areas not involved in the problem and makes finding the problem easier. Once you’ve noted problem symptoms, look through the following table and see if any of the symptoms are listed. If so, check the items listed.
Updating Software Check on the AJA Video website for software updates. For Io XT, visit: http://www.aja.com/en/products/io-xt/#support For Io 4K, visit: www.aja.com/en/products/io-4k#support If any are available, download the file and read any associated instructions prior to installing the software. Support When calling for support, first check over your system configuration and ensure everything is connected properly.
Appendix A: Specifications Io XT Specifications Video Formats • 525i 29.97 • 525i23.98* • 625i 25 • 720P 23.98*, 24 *, 25 *, 29.97*, 30 *, 50, 59.94, 60 • 1080i 25, 29.97, 30 • 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 • 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 • 2Kx1080p 23.98, 24, 25 • 2Kx1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25 Software-dependent Formats: * These formats are dependent on specific software functionality and are not normal 'over-the-wire' formats. 720P 23.98, 24, 25, 29.
Audio Input Digital • 16-channel, 24-bit SMPTE-259 SDI embedded audio, 48kHz sample rate, Synchronous • 8-channel, 24-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48kHz sample rate, Synchronous Audio Output Digital • 16-channel, 24-bit SMPTE-259 SDI embedded audio, 48kHz sample rate, Synchronous Audio Output Analog • 8-channel, 24-bit D/A analog audio, 48kHz sample rate, balanced (via 8 x XLR on DB-25 breakout cable) • 8-channel, 24-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48kHz sample rate, Synchronous • +24dbu Full Scale Digital (0db
Reference Input or LTC Input • 1 BNC assignable to Reference video or LTC input • Reference: • Analog Color Black (1V) or Composite Sync (2 or 4V) • Non terminating Io 4K Specifications Video Formats SD • 480p • 525i 29.97 • 625i 25 HD • 720P 50, 59.94, 60 • 1080i 50, 59.94, 60 • 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 • 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 2K • 2048 x 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60 • 2048 x 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 4K • 3840 x 2160P 23.98, 24, 25, 29.
Audio Inputs Digital • 16-channel, 24-bit SDI embedded audio, 48kHz sample rate, Synchronous • 8-channel, 24-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48kHz sample rate, Synchronous Audio Output Digital • • 16-channel, 24-bit SDI embedded audio, 48kHz sample rate, Synchronous Audio Output Analog • 8-channel, 24-bit D/A analog audio, 48kHz sample rate, balanced (via 8x XLR on DB-25 breakout cable) • • 8-channel, 24-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48kHz sample rate, Synchronous • +24 dBu Full Scale Digital (0 dBFS) • +/- 0.
Index Numerics Control Screen 42 Control Screen Settings 29 Conversion 6 Conversion Icons, Control Panel 27 conversion, YUV-RGB 41 Crop 31 crossconversion 6, 31 Custom LUTs 41 customer service 52 24 frames-per-second to 30 conversion 40 3D output 36 A alpha channel 42 alpha channel, Video + Key 35 analog audio 39 analog audio output 37 analog component 38 analog component output 37 analog composite 38 Analog Format 37, 38, 40 Analog Out Screen 37 Analog Out Screen Settings 37, 38 Anamorphic 31 anamorphic
HDMI output 36 Hold Last Application 29 Horizontal reference 30 horizontally stretched 31 house reference 11 house sync 33 problems, what to do if you encounter 52 progressive frame 31 progressive segmented frame 31 psf 31 R Rec 601 41 Rec 709 41 Red 26 Ref In 29 Reference Video 11 Requirements, System 7 RP 188 definition 44 RP-188 Timecode 44 RS422 11 I Icons 27 Icons, Control Panel 27 Info Screen 47 Input Pass through 29 Input Screen 33 Input Screen Settings 33 Input/Output 27 Installation Overview 9 I
upconversion 31 upconverter 6 Updating Software 53 Use 46 user and password 13 User Bits, RP-188 44 V V Crop 32 Vertical reference 30 Video Format 30 Video Input 33 video input source 29 video path 27 Video+Key 35 VTR RS-422 Control Port 11 VTRs, 11 Y Y/C output 37 Y/R-Y/B-Y 12 Yellow 26 YPbPr 12 YUV 12 YUV-RGB Conversion 41 Z Zoom 31 Zoom Letterbox 31 Zoom Wide 31 Io XT/4K v10.5 73 www.aja.
