Instruction manual

Analog Monitor Out (Component HD or SD or SD Composite + Y/C)

KONA 3 features 12-bit component video output for both HD and SD. The analog

component output can be conﬁgured in a variety of ways; as a component,

composite or Y/C signal. This ﬂexibility allows, for example, the use of an

inexpensive analog input-only monitor for both HD or SD viewing. Since the three

BNC connectors share component, composite and Y/C functions, output of

component is exclusive while composite and Y/C can be output simultaneously. For

Y/C monitoring an adapter cable from dual BNC for Y/C to S-Video mini-DIN

style connector is required. For analog monitoring, a component video signal is

generally regarded as higher quality for monitoring than a composite signal.

A Note About YPbPr—Component Video, or YPbPr, has been given several names

over time. YUV, Y/R-Y/B-Y, and YCbCr, are just some examples. Although

these various formats have some differences in levels, they are all basically the

same. KONA 3 uses the modern YPbPr terminology exclusively. KONA 3

supports three different types of YPbPr: SMPTE/EBU N10, Betacam (NTSC),

and Betacam (NTSC Japan). These three formats differ in level only and are

configured in the KONA 3 Control Panel.

A Note About RGB—Although RGB is used less in today’s video systems, KONA 3

supports it for A/V Monitor output. However, because KONA 3’s (and

SMPTE SDI’s) native format is YPbPr, AJA recommends the use of YPbPr

whenever possible for analog monitoring. Although component video monitors

often have RGB inputs, it’s better to use YPbPr when the monitor supports it.

The YPbPr format provides “headroom” for “superwhite” and “superblack”—

and these video levels will be clipped when transcoding to RGB. Also, the RGB/

YPbPr transcoding involves a level translation that results in mathematical

round-off error. RGB can be configured in the KONA 3 Control Panel.

Reference Video

A single BNC connector is standard on the KONA 3 cable (self terminating). Two

BNC connectors are standard on the breakout box (these provide loop through: if

ref is not looped out, a 75 ohm terminator should be used for the loop out

connector). Reference allows you to synchronize KONA 3 outputs to your house

analog reference video signal (or black burst). If you have a sync generator or central

piece of video equipment to use for synchronizing other video equipment in your

studio, then connect its analog composite output to the KONA 3 reference input.

When KONA 3 outputs video it uses this reference signal to lock to. When

connecting a reference video source, the locking signal should be the same format in

Hz (1080i29.97, 625i25, etc.) as the Primary format selected in the KONA 3

Control Panel. It is possible in some circumstances to use an alternate format video

signal as long as the basic frame rate is compatible (for example, using a 525i29.97

genlock signal to lock a system running 1080i29.97)—if the Hz coincide.