Is Kona LH too new?

[Erik Lindahl]

Not speaking on the behalf of AJA, but the Kona LH is based on a “combo” of the Kona 2 and Kona LS which are highly regarded products. I saw card in action at IBC and it looked very nice.

I do have a great deal of faith when it comes to AJA. We’ve been using an Io for more than 2 years now and it’s never let us down.

The only thing you will lose compared to the Cinewave-card is a mix and match timeline (different codecs in the same timeline).

[Walter Biscardi]

[Chad Cooper] “Does anyone foresee any issues with an untested product, or since it’s from a trusted company should the Kona LH be reliable? We’ll also be upgrading to Tiger and FCP5.”

The LH is built around a very mature Kona product line. The LH simply combines some features of both the Kona LS and the Kona 2. I have absolutely no problem highly recommending any of the Kona or Io products to anyone. AJA simply has got everything right with their products and their tech support is simply second to none.

I used CineWave for almost three years and the Kona series is a great product to transition to from there.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Creative Genius, Biscardi Creative Media
https://www.biscardicreative.com

Now in Production, “The Rough Cut,” https://www.theroughcutmovie.com

Now editing “Good Eats” in HD for the Food Network

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Tony]

Chad,

The last I checked AJA had a thirty day period in which to return a product if you were not satisfied with the unit. I had this option when I purchased my original Kona SD card and never had to use it because the unit worked from day one and is still working.

Keep in mind AJA tech support always stands behind their products. Something I can’t say other companies care to do.

Tony Salgado

[Chad Cooper]

Thanks for all the helpful info guys. It looks like we’ll be ordering the card today.

I do have one more question though… Once I install the Kona card, any footage that was captured with
the Targa codec and still resides on my drives will be unusable, correct? I’ll be doing a fresh install of the
OS so the Targa codec won’t be installed. Is there any way at all to alleviate this or just massive rendering?

By the way, this is such a great community. I just recently moved to LA from the midwest and I don’t know
many people here so it’s nice to know that the COW is always there when you need it. Thanks again!

Chad

[Ron Thompson]

I plan on making the same move very soon! As I indicated in a post below, I was about to buy the Kona2 when the LH announcement came out. I will also be replacing a Cinewave…and moving it back to my old G4.
As far as Targa clips, what I plan on doing while I have the card in my G5, is transcode it all to the Apple 10bit codec.

LH seems to be the right move if you do more SD than HD. I need to maintain HD readiness, but 90% of my work is SD, so this should be a good move.

[Gary Adcock]

[Ron] “As far as Targa clips, what I plan on doing while I have the card in my G5, is transcode it all to the Apple 10bit codec.”

IF your talking from Cinewave use the AJA 2vuy codec and you will be able to use the older CInewave files – but it will reduce some RT functionality due to the transcode.

From IBC

Gary Adcock
Studio37
HD and Film Consultation
Chicago, IL