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AJA IO or Kona LS
I am in the process of putting together a system based around Final Cut Pro using a PowerMac G5. We will be editing entirely standard def PAL material. Our sources will be mostly Digital Betacam and Beta SP (laying off to same), but with an occasional need to input from 1 inch ‘C’ format, U-Matic, DVCAM, DV(25) and maybe SVHS/VHS.
From what I have read here and elsewhere, the two AJA products in question would seem to fit the bill. I am looking for advice on whether a Kona LS with optional KL breakout box would be as adaptable an option (in terms of inputs/outputs) as an IO. Is there a difference in image quality between the two? I have read there are some issues with audio sync sometimes with the IO – would this be a good enough reason to opt for the (cheaper) Kona LS + KL option?
In short, I am somewhat puzzled as to what exactly is the difference between the two products, other than that the IO is an external capture device.
Apologies if these are terribly newbie questions – any advice or thoughts you can offer would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
Alan
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5 Replies
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This is my current opinion, and this will change as new products are developed.
The AJA I/O is the best choice right now. The AJA I/O does not tie up a slot in the computer. Modern G5’s are delivered with wide AGP graphics cards from NVidia and ATI, and you now only get 2 slots left. You can certainly buy a replacement graphics card, but some have issues with motion, some still have ADC ports which have issues with KVM extenders, and no matter what – they cost you more money.
The AJA I/O offers composite AND component at the same time, on different BNC jacks. The LS shares these jacks, so if you want to lay off to your Beta VTR AND your 1″ VTR at the same time (or VHS), you can’t do it. There is nothing wrong with the LS – it’s a great board, and you don’t get the “delay issue” (which is resolved with the Playback delay setting), and you won’t regret either. Another disadvantage of the I/O is that it ties up the Firewire port, making it necessary to use a PCI slot for a FW800 PCI card, so you can use Firewire 80 drives. If you use the LS, you can plug a FW800 drive right into the G5, with no conflicts or issues.
All in all, I have found the AJA I/O to be a better idea, but like I said they both have their advantages and disadvantages. One day soon, there will be a dual DVI AGP card that does not block one of the PCI slots.
Everything changes. And if you think for too long, all of these products will be outdated, and you will want to know about the next new thing –
SO JUMP IN.
Bob Zelin
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Thanks for the very helpful insight Bob, much appreciated.
Can I ask what is the preferred method of capturing DV/DVCAM footage via Firewire when using the IO? We only have a DSR-11 for DV/DVCAM at the moment and so will not be able to bring in such material via SDI.
Is it best to install a separate Firewire card in the G5 for this very purpose, and if so, can you recommend a brand?
Best regards,
Alan
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Based on my experience and I’m sure Bob will back me on this, you can’t have the AJA IO and DSR-11 DVCAM deck on at the same time. This get a little annoying ,but I bought a Firewire A/B switch that lets me push a button to choose either the AJA IO or DSR-11 deck so I don’t have to keep switching cables. A company called Sign Video makes the box. Once you get used to it, it’s not that bad.
Greg Jones
D7,Inc.
Orlando,Fl. -
a cheating way to get around this is to stick the DSR-11 or any firewire VTR into the front of your G5, and for capture only , you can get away with it. Once your capture is done, unplug the VTR, and go to work, and you should be fine.
Bob Zelin
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Thanks guys for all the help.
I’ve pretty much decided on the AJA IO now, and your advice has reinforced this view.
Cheers,
Alan
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