Post-production and home studio outfit AJA has announced the new AJA Io X3 audio / video breakout box, designed to capture and playback high-quality signals for a variety of professional situations, including OBS streaming, editing and on-set monitoring.
One thing is being able to tap into a high-resource computer system for content editing / grading / delivery, another thing to get valuable footage on the machine (and beyond). Especially when a real-time solution is needed instead of a hard drive transfer.
Enter the stage: the new AJA Io X3. With this compact solution, AJA provides everything you need to set up a professional I / O interface in a variety of situations.
AJA Io X3 with Thunderbolt 3
First things first: To connect the AJA Io X3 to the host computer, only a Thunderbolt 3 cable is required (plus power, 12V via standard XLR-4 power adapter or battery). It became clear that the AJA Io X3 was designed with portability in mind.
On the back panel, we find a number of connectors, which can be extended by 8 more balanced analog audio inputs / outputs via the AJA common DB-25 breakout port. Towards video, we find 4-way 3G-SDI video connectors (can be configured as input or output) with 16-channel embedded audio as well as a reference input and LTC I / O. HDMI inputs and outputs are also included, as well as a standard RS-422 port for controlling external devices. And then there’s an extra Thunderbolt 3 port for daisy-chaining with other devices (like an extra AJA Io X3).
AJA Io X3 supports 2k (2048 x 1080p) / HD / SD video in various framerates and scan modes (i / p / PsF). In addition, the Io X3 supports both SDR and HDR formats (PQ, HLG, HDR10, HDR10 + and Dolby Vision). VPID signaling for SDR / HDR transfer features, colormetry and luminance via SDI is also supported.
HDMI Out supports multi-view output, up to 4-channel viewing on one screen, which can be quite effective if multiple video sources are connected.
On the front of the Io X3 you’ll find a 3.5mm headphone jack and level controls for mobile and live environments, as well as an audio meter for level checking.
Here is a list of the title video glasses:
- Video format:
- (2K) 2048 x 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
- (2K) 2048 x 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25
- (HD) 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
- (HD) 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
- (HD) 1080i 50, 59.94, 60
- Digital input:
- 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 v1.4b (30/36-bit / pixel, RGB or YUV, 2.25 Gbps, 2K, HD, and SD)
Audio is supported as follows:
- Digital in / out: Up to 16-channel, 16- and 24-bit SMPTE-259 SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
- Analog in / out: Up to 8-channel, 24 and 16-bit D / A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, DB-25 breakout cable using industry standard 8x XLR (Cables are not included)
The board also has a downstream key, which is AJA compliant “Supports graphics up to 2K / HD with alpha channel on video, mat or framebuffer, or incoming video or framebuffer content on mat”.
The entire unit measures 8.74 ″ x 7.09 ″ x 1.65 ″ (222.0 x 180.09 x 41.91 mm) and weighs 3.1 pounds. (1.5 kg). For all specs, please refer to AJA Official documentation.
New desktop software
To tap into the full potential of AJA Io X3, you need to download and install their latest desktop software v16.2, which is available Here. This software is used to interact with all KONA, Io and T-TAP Pro products.
The new version 16.2 includes the following new features and enhancements:
- macOS supports Monterey and Windows 11
- Multi-channel support for OBS studios up to 4K / UltraHD 30p and 2K / HD 60p for KONA 5, KONA 4, KONA HDMI, Io 4K Plus, Io X3, and T-TAP Pro (v2.27 onwards)
- RGB 4K / UltraHD firmware for 12-bit, 4: 4: 4, KONA 5 and Corvid 44 12G
- Increase 12-bit LUT support and .cube LUT compatibility for AJA control panel
- H.264 and H.265 capture and playback for AJA control room
- Deep memory buffer for durable playback for AJA control room
- HDMI output offers multiple views on a monitor via Multiview, SDK v16.2 and KONA 5
- Access to the original AJA SDK for the open source developer community
- 64/32 channel audio support for KONA 5, Corvid 44 12G, Corvid 88, and Corvid 44
Price and availability
The new AJA Io X3 is now available, and it sells for $ 1,599. It officially supports Apple’s latest M1 chips as well as their latest operating systems. Microsoft Windows must be supported. For a complete list of compatible applications, please contact the AJA official Adjustment chart.
If you need 4K, AJA Io 4K Plus There may be an alternative, but it sells for $ 2,999, so the Io X3 doubles in price.
Link: AJA website
Do you already use other AJA products for your digital workflow? Share your experience in the comments below!
