KI Pro Overview
AJA Ki Pro models are file-based recording and playback devices that create high-quality files on computer-friendly media. You can encode to Apple ProRes, Avid DNxHD, DNxHR, or H.264. With extensive video and audio connectivity from analog component to 12G, 3G-SDI, HDMI 2.0 and optional Fiber SFP modules, you can interface with virtually any type of camera, router, switcher or display. Via industry standard codecs and connections, pass on your captured files for on-set, postproduction, OTT and more. All Ki Pros are intuitive to operate, with familiar VTR-like buttons and a clear, easy-to-understand user interface, and a powerful web-browser based UI available on all models.
With six models available, AJA offers a Ki Pro that best suits your workflow requirements.
Ki Protect
The majority of Ki Pros offer Ki Protect, a feature that helps ensure data integrity if a media drive is accidentally removed or loses power during recording. The Ki Protect feature automatically pre-allocates recording space on the media drive for video, audio and timecode when the record button is pressed.
While recording, the file header is then continuously updated every time new data is written. That way, the only loss that should be incurred is the last few frames that were in transit to the media drive when the operation was interrupted. Frames that are already recorded will be preserved, providing greater peace-of-mind on-set and in the studio.
Remote Configuration and Operation
Ki Pro products can be remotely controlled from anywhere using a web browser on any OS with their built in webserver. Multiple Ki Pro Ultra Plus, Ki Pro Ultra or Ki Pro GO units can even be controlled from a single web browser interface making them an ideal solution for multi-camera recordings. Most Ki Pros also offer a standard RS-422 port for direct connectivity to RS-422 controllers.
Reliable Storage Media
Capture directly to rugged and reliable AJA PAK SSD media with Ki Pro Ultra Plus and Ki Pro Ultra. Ki Stor SSD is the media for HDD for the Ki Pro Rack PAK and Ki Stor Media; as well as their corresponding Docks for computer transfer are available from AJA resellers in a variety of capacities to best suit the demands of your production. Widely available standard USB media is used for Ki Pro GO.
AJA DataCalc
AJA DataCalc is a mobile OS application for iOS, iPadOS and Android, offering two modes for storage and time calculations based upon raster, frame rate and codec choices.
DataCalc - Calculate your storage needs before capture.
TimeCalc – Calculate the run time of materials you can capture by storage size.
Share results with your team straight from the application.
Layouts - Powerful Multi-Input Video Processing
HELO Plus brings the exciting layouts feature, allowing multiple inputs to be combined into a single screen with a graphic element overlay. A layout enables the user to combine the SDI input and the HDMI input into a single output stream and then add a graphic (video + key) into that composite. The layout can have up to 3 layers, and their priority can be arbitrarily adjusted to suit the customer’s needs.
In addition to the layering engine, both the SDI and the HDMI layers can be arbitrarily downscaled and positioned anywhere in the frame. Effectively, each live video source can be used in its picture-in-picture (PiP) element.
The system also has an internal matte generator, which can be used as the background. In this way, the graphic can be keyed over the dual PiP images, which are “over” a flat matte background.
The system can accurately switch from one layout to another frame, allowing the user to “cut” between layouts during a streaming session. Layouts are stored in one of the 20 Presets, allowing users to recall all of the parameters needed for a specific purpose. There are 10 layouts stored in each preset, so the user recalls the show’s preset and can then switch between those 10 layouts at will.
The graphics system is equally impressive - The system stores 90+ images in its internal, non-volatile memory.
KI Pro Ultra 12G
12G 4K/UHD/HD Recorder and Player Multi-Channel HD Recorder
KI Pro GO
Multi-Channel H.264 Recorder
KI Pro Rack
File Based 1RU Recorder and Player
Overview
Ki Pro Ultra 12G is a multi-channel Apple ProRes® recorder offering up to 4-Channels of simultaneous HD recording, or in Single-Channel mode, a 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHR® recorder and player. Avid DNxHD® MXF is also supported up to HD formats in Single-Channel mode.
Ki Pro Ultra 12G offers 12G-SDI single cable simplicity for large rasters up to full 4K, (the 4x 3G-SDI inputs/outputs can be used for Quad Link operations as required) and HDMI 2.0 digital video connectivity with HDR support for both recording and playback.
A wealth of analog and digital audio connectivity answers any project’s demand for efficient, powerful and flexible workflows. For distance and remote needs, 12G and 3G Fiber SFP+ options are available. New v2.0 firmware adds the ability to record genlock free sources with frame sync support on inputs.
Designed to be either portable or rackmountable with half rack wide, 2RU high dimensions, Ki Pro Ultra 12G is well suited for use in any environment.
ProRes® 422 and 444 Recording
Ki Pro Ultra 12G records 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD to six quality levels of Apple ProRes® including Apple ProRes 4444 XQ. This lets you choose the balance of image fidelity and file size that’s right for each individual production as well as having the flexibility to record directly to native file formats that are understood by most major editing systems.
Genlock-Free Multi-Channel HD Recording
Record 1, 2, 3 or 4-Channels of beautiful HD up to 1080p 50/60 in Apple ProRes simultaneously with Ki Pro Ultra 12G – without the need to genlock the sources.
Simplify your multi-camera productions by running up to four cameras per Ki Pro Ultra 12G and save power, space, time and effort on set, in the studio and when setting up OB trucks. Ki Pro Ultra 12G even allows independent profile support per channel in Multi-Channel mode; for example, select high resolution Apple ProRes HQ for high quality finishing and use a second input to record Apple ProRes (Proxy) for an efficient editing pipeline.
Starting with input 1, add channels as needed in order when utilizing like raster size and frame rate, and record your HD Apple ProRes files on the same AJA PAK media*. Ki Pro Ultra 12G even allows rollover to a second PAK for hours of uninterrupted multi-channel recording. Internal frame synchronizers eliminate the need for sources to be genlocked, which can be especially useful when setting up live events.
4K, 12-bit Full Raster Workflows for Professionals
Next generation 4K/UltraHD 50/60p recording and playback are attainable all the way up to Apple ProRes XQ when using AJA PAK Media with Ki Pro Ultra 12G.
4K/UltraHD is supported through 12G-SDI, 4x 3G-SDI, HDMI 2.0 or optional fiber inputs and outputs. Ki Pro Ultra 12G not only supports true 4K at 4096 x 2160p for digital cinema and high quality UltraHD for broadcast production, it also offers the color depth to match including HDR support.
Any shoot or project benefits from the fabulously rich colors and smooth gradations across the luminance and chroma range that 12-bit makes possible with full 4:4:4 support including Apple ProRes 4444 XQ up to 2K 50/60p.
VFX work benefits from Ki Pro Ultra 12G’s 12-bit support to captured Apple ProRes 444 files, resulting in clean green screen plates for easy and detailed post-production manipulation. With full HDMI 2.0, you can monitor it all from 4:2:2 YCbCr to full 4:4:4 RGB in 12-bit.
Edit Ready, Synched Files for Edit
Multi-Channel recording with Ki Pro Ultra 12G provides individual, discrete recordings for each input that are timecode accurate and ready to be imported directly into a multi-channel editing sequence. No additional conversion or software is required, just drag and drop the files directly from the PAK Media into your edit. The clip naming convention is yours to customize to suit your needs, but each multi-channel file is always appended with _1, _2, _3 or _4 matching the input, making it very easy to track assets in post.
Multi-Channel independent file naming support also allows an independent additional name to be added to each recorded file for further identifying specific information for the project's needs.
Overview
Ki Pro GO is a portable multi-channel H.264 recorder offering up to 4-channels of simultaneous HD and SD recording to off the shelf USB drives and/or network storage with redundant recording capabilities.
4x 3G-SDI and 4x HDMI digital video inputs with flexible channel assignments provides connections to the latest video sources, including cameras and DSLRs. Incoming video sources do not have to be genlocked due to Ki Pro GO's input frame syncs. Ki Pro GO also features AJA's high quality de-interlacers on each input so progressive recordings can be made from interlaced inputs. High quality 2-channel embedded audio or balanced XLR analog audio can be assigned to any recording channel. Multi-Channel Matrix Monitoring enables multiple video channels to be viewed on any single HDMI or SDI display, and Enhanced Super Out offers timecode, media status and audio meter overlays over the SDI and HDMI monitor outputs.
Designed to be either portable or rackmountable with half rack wide, 2RU high dimensions, Ki Pro GO is well suited for use in any environment.
Supports Playback of Externally Encoded Video
Ki Pro GO is capable of playing back .mp4 and .mov files created by common 3rd party applications. This capability has been tested against the latest versions of the following applications:
DaVinci Resolve
Apple Final Cut Pro
Avid Media Composer
Adobe Premiere Pro
Genlock Free Recording
with Easy Input Mapping
Record 1, 2, 3 or 4-channels of HD or SD up to 1080p 50/60 in H.264 simultaneously with Ki Pro GO. Simplify your setup by connecting up to four HDMI and four 3G-SDI source cables into Ki Pro GO and assign any combination of four inputs at a time for four channels of H.264 recording to any four of the 5 USB ports on the Ki Pro GO.
Time is always tight, especially for live events. Ki Pro GO's Genlock free inputs make it is easy to switch your sources including SDI cameras, DSLRs, or HDMI cameras to the appropriate recording channel, all conveniently mapped within Ki Pro GO's elegant UI.
Network Recording
Extend your recording capabilities through the use of external (NAS) storage. Simply connect your storage to the Ki Pro GO over a standard Gigabit Ethernet network and take advantage of all the features of networked storage. Use your NAS as your primary storage location or as secondary (backup) media – you can even record to NAS and local, USB-based storage simultaneously, giving you the perfect combination of shared storage and portability.
Ki Pro GOs elegant and intuitive UI makes NAS set up easy. Simply enter the IP address of the storage, any required user credentials, and the SMB dialect you wish to use, and you’re ready to record. Ki Pro GO simplifies set up even further by auto-detecting the SMB dialect of your NAS system and self-configuring to match. SMB credentials can also be stored in system presets and recalled at the push of a button for “on-the-fly” system reconfiguration.
Local and NAS Recording
In this workflow we can see the Ki Pro GO is receiving video from camera sources 1 through 4. The Ki Pro GO is recording locally to USB drives connected to the front USB3 inputs. The Ki Pro GO is also connected via Gigabit ethernet to a Gigabit ethernet switch and a NAS for simultaneous recording. Editorial, Graphics and Digital Asset Management (DAM) workstations are also connected to the same network as the Ki Pro GO, with both having access to the NAS.
Overview
The power of Ki Pro in a 1RU format, the perfect fit for your file based workflow.
With a wealth of professional connections including SDI and HDMI, Ki Pro Rack will fit right into your existing cabling and routing system. Ki Pro Rack also features AJA’s industry leading conversion technology, enabling you to perform broadcast quality up, down, cross-conversion during recording or playback without the need for additional conversion hardware.
Transition to File Based Workflows
For video facilities transitioning from tape to file based workflows for recording and playback, Ki Pro Rack offers high quality, 'ready-to-edit' file capture, designed to get material from source to editorial as quickly as possible.
With a wealth of professional connections, Ki Pro Rack will fit right into your existing cabling and routing system and record 10-bit Apple ProRes and Avid DNxHD files direct to removable hard disk or SSD Storage Modules, eliminating the need for time-consuming logging and capturing. The files can be used in most editing systems without the need for additional transcoding or importing processes.
Unify Formats -
Speed Workflows
AJA's high quality up, down, cross-conversion makes it easy to unify SD, 720p, and 1080i and create a single desired format for your project. The multitude of video and audio connections such as SDI, HDMI and analog make integrating Ki Pro Rack with other production equipment easy.
10-bit, Full Raster Recording
Big on quality - but not on file size. Recording 10-bit, full raster files, Ki Pro Rack gives you high quality images that easily stand up to post processing requirements - and client scrutiny.
Compared to 8-bit recording devices, 10-bit 4:2:2 recording (when supported by the codec) provides better quantization, giving a superior representation of the original scene and allowing for more flexibility in postproduction when adjusting color and balance.
By utilizing efficient ProRes and DNxHD codecs, file sizes are kept in check so you won't need to blow your production budget on extra storage.
Familiar Controls
and Operation
Anyone familiar with the operation of a tape deck will feel immediately comfortable when working with Ki Pro Rack.
Just like a traditional tape deck, Ki Pro Rack features straightforward and dedicated transport buttons - record, play, stop, rewind, fast forward - making the device easy to operate with minimal training time. The current status of the system and key configuration information is clearly displayed on the built-in screen. Additional operational information can be found in the STATUS menu which can be accessed even when recording or playing back.
The Ki Pro Rack operating system offers users a flat menu structure that is easy to navigate with menu parameters presented in clear and understandable language.
Industry Leading Support
AJA’s technical support is recognized as among the best in the industry and is available to all AJA customers. If you need assistance with any aspect of your KI PRO installation, configuration, operation, or encounter any technical issue, AJA Support will work with you to get up and running.
HELO products are covered by a generous three year warranty.
