Instruction manual

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in close cooperation with Apple. How does KONA 3G accelerate DVCPROHD, HDV, and
Apple RT Effects? A precision hardware scalar in KONA 3G does what the Apple computer's
processor would otherwise have to do, scale less than full-raster HD (DVCProHD and HDV)
to full-raster size, thus speeding up the system considerably—and doing this scaling at full
10-bit broadcast quality.
When using the Final Cut Pro 7 HDV codec, the KONA 3G advanced scaling engine takes the
native frame (long GOP 1440 HD) and outputs it via hardware-in real tim e. Precision AJA
circuitry re-sizes the video to full-raster 1920 x 1080, providing instantaneous playback of
HDV captured by Final Cut Pro 7 for both monitoring and recording.
Unlike the DV25 format, which can preview in realtime natively via Final Cut Pro 7, the MPEG
structure of HDV is much more complex. Fortunately, KONA 3G can provide real time
monitoring and playback to both HD and SD monitors and decks via the realtime hardware
scaler and down-converter on board.
In addition to speeding up Final Cut Pro 7 Dynamic RT by using the KONA scalar, multiple
frame size RT (1/4 size or full size)—a Final Cut Pro 7 feature—also benefits from KONA 3G.
The frame count and image size are dynamically changed during file playback, so you don't
get the “un-rendered” message in Final Cut Pro 7.
Internal HD/SD Hardware Downstream Keyer
KONA 3G provides a powerful hardware keyer that can place graphic files with an alpha
channel over video in a selectable matte or the contents of the card's framebuffer from a
software application (AJA TV / Apple's Final Cut Pro 7 / AJA's VTR Xchange). Key a bug or
text over picture and avoid what might normally be a lengthy software render. Also,
working with these software applications, you can key video that has an alpha-channel over
video input or a matte. For example, you can load a QuickTime clip that has an alpha-
channel (a flying logo generated in the Animation codec) into AJA TV and then place it over
live video coming into the card and then passing both on to a VTR for recording or
broadcast.
Supported
Software
• AJA Control Panel for audio/video source selection, conversion and control of KONA
3G within the overall MacOS or Windows environment (Input Pass-through)
• AJA QuickTime™ Drivers for tightly integrated hardware/software operation
• AJA Utilities: AJA TV, VTR Xchange, AJA System Test, AJA DataCalc, AJA
QTtoDPXtranslator, and AJA DPXtoQTtranslator.
Understanding Typical Workflows
KONA 3G allows more post production workflow flexibility than ever before . A variety of
formats, frame rates, and codecs for capture and editorial manipulation are available. KONA
3G hardware has a full array of connectors for interfacing with VTRs, DDRs and other
devices—with all outputs active simultaneously. Capture can range from compressed DV to
uncompressed dual-link, 3G HD or 2K. Media can be stored on disk as:
• offline quality at low bit-rates
• on-line quality at moderate bit-rates
• or with the highest quality 8- or 10-bit uncompressed quality.
As quality and codecs improve, the lines between offline and online are blurring. For
example, with the development of the DVCPRO HD codec, native HD editing in the codec
became possible, providing very high-quality (true HD) editing at very low data rates—in
some cases lower than 6 MB/sec. The benefits are clear when compared to 100MB/sec and
higher for uncompressed HD formats.