AJA v10.2 “X Beta” drivers for FCPX 10.0.3 available now

[Ned Soltz]

Now, a dumb question– Is this only for FCP X? Will I lose functionality with FCP 7, CS5.5 and MC6?

[Jeremy Garchow]

Hey, Ned.

I’d read the PDF, but AJA recommends a separate install for FCPX drivers.

—

I can’t believe that I am really going to download and install Lion today (on a separate drive, of course).

See what you make me do AJA???? 😀

Just kidding, thanks guys.

Jeremy

[Ned Soltz]

Yes, and that’s what AJA just told me on the phone. However, FCP X is already running on the same drive as FCP 7, CS 5.5 and MC 6.

They really weren’t certain whether the 10.2 driver would kill FCP 7 and CS5.5 but it probably would break MC6.

I’m tempted to test it anyway since the worst thing that could happen would be having to reinstall the last version.

[Justin Schultz]

How would one install it side by side with say the 9.1 driver for LHi? possible on the same system disc?

[Greg Jones]

I went ahead and took the leap and installed the 10.2.x drivers. So far I’ve been able to open and play video in Final Cut Pro X, Avid Media Composer 6, and Final Cut Pro 7. I did have to download the 10.1 Avid Open IO Drivers to get the Avid to work. I guess I’ll try Premiere Pro next.

Greg Jones
D7,Inc.
Orlando,FL.
https://www.d7-inc.com

[Aja Sales department]

The version 10.2 X Beta driver is a combined driver release: it supports our existing integration methods with applications via QuickTime components, it also interacts with apps like Avid via the latest Open IO Plug In version (posted yesterday) and it offers new CMIO (Core Media IO) support which enables the beta video monitoring feature when used with the Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3 release.

Hopefully this clarifies the potential use of this new driver release.

—
AJA Video Systems
+1 (530) 274-2048 Intl.
(800) 251-4224 US
sales@aja.com

[Verne Mattson]

The version 10.1 driver release specifically includes the ability to force progressive output out of Avid for those (like me) who monitor with a Dreamcolor via HDMI.

Is that capability included in the 10.2 driver release?

Verne

[Aja Sales department]

Yes, the force progressive option introduced in the version 10.1 driver is also included in the version 10.2 X Beta driver.

—
AJA Video Systems
+1 (530) 274-2048 Intl.
(800) 251-4224 US
sales@aja.com

[Ned Soltz]

I did install the 10.2 beta and do have output from FCP X.

It isn’t the prettiest of all solutions at this point, however.

FCP X does not control the card as does FCP 7, meaning that you need to go into the AJA Control Panel if viewing a project in a different size/frame rate. That was definitely covered in the AJA ReadMe.

It will not play back unrendered footage without dropping frames.

I normally edit with 2 24″ displays plus my FSI monitor coming SDI from the Kona 3G. In FCP X, I had been displaying the viewer full screen on the second monitor. With unrendered material, it would playback. With output going to the Kona, both the computer monitor and the Kona drop frames. This is the same whether utilizing 2 computer displays or 1. If I turn off the AV output from FCP X in the Window menu, then I can play back unrendered material on the computer display.

Definitely am noticing some latency between selecting clip and display.

In my FCP X prefs under AV device, all that is available is Kona 1080 23.98. None of the other frame sizes/rates are available in FCP prefs. Of course, everything is available in the AJA Control Panel.

Magic Bullet Looks has a display option and recognizes the Kona. But the Kona output does not update while making adjustments within Looks. It only updates when back in the timeline AND moving playhead to force a re-draw via the Kona.

Ned Soltz

[Aja Sales department]

This is not the behavior seen on some of the test systems at AJA. In one scenario, we have an AJA Io XT connected to a 17″ MacBook Pro with Promise R6 storage array daisy chained from the Io XT and broadcast video output connected to a monitor via SDI. Even on this laptop configuration, with a Final Cut Pro X supplied effect applied and unrendered, the footage plays back in realtime.

In another scenario, an AJA KONA 3G card is being used in a MacPro (12 core) with a single Apple Cinema Display connected and the video output connected to a monitor via SDI. Again, with a Final Cut Pro X effect applied and unrendered, the footage plays back in realtime.

Please consider that both Apple and AJA are referring to the new broadcast video monitoring feature as beta. Different configurations may perform differently. The use of third party effects compared to Apple supplied effects, or different computer/graphics cards/displays may produce different results.

Also be aware that the format and frame rate for the video output, as you noted, needs to be selected via the AJA Control Panel application prior to launching and using Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3. The documentation regarding interactions between AJA hardware/driver and Final Cut Pro X 10.0.3, referred to in this thread, may be found here:
https://www.aja.com/pdf/FCP_X_and_AJA.pdf

—
AJA Video Systems
+1 (530) 274-2048 Intl.
(800) 251-4224 US
sales@aja.com