Kona 2 vs Decklink

[Jerry Hofmann]

I wouldn’t think that the speed of new driver releases should be considered a plus or minus actually… if a card doesn’t need them… it doesn’t need them.

I really don’t think that there is a side by side, blow by blow comparison anywhere… I’ve read a lot of posts out there over the years however, and rarely, if ever was the problem(s) discussed due to problems with an AJA product… They are here in the US, where Decklink is in Austraila if quick tech support is important to you, AJA would probably win on that front. (As long as you live in the US of course!) Running FCP, I’d offer that AJA’s relationship with Apple is the strongest out there…Io is the proof of that pudding..

Jerry

Apple Certified Trainer

Author: “Jerry Hofmann on Final Cut Pro 4” Click here

Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D

[Jerry Hofmann]

I’d suggest that you read the two forums here and see where “more problems lie” between the two too. That should be an honest evaluation method.

Jerry

Apple Certified Trainer

Author: “Jerry Hofmann on Final Cut Pro 4” Click here

Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D

[Walter Biscardi]

[paul nevison] “so far it seems blackmagic may have the edge on speed of driver releases and bug fixes”

Actually, AJA is releasing a new driver update every few months and they are adding more fuctionality with each release it seems. I tried a Decklink HD Pro and the Kona 2 and went with the Kona 2. In fact we now have two Kona 2 suites. Just can’t beat the quality of the product and the quality of tech support after the sale.

Coming from CineWave you may want to look at the LH as this supports both Analog and Digital I/O. What you give up vs. the Kona 2 is SD to HD Up-convert and 4:4:4 dual link HD. Or you could do what I did and add an Io LA to the system for analog I/O. I use the Up-convert feature all the time now so it’s pretty important to our workflow.

I used the CineWave for a little over two years and left that platform after seeing the writing on the wall at NAB 2004. The Kona series is just outstanding as a replacement and you get the added benefit of HD being right on board without the need for any BOB’s.

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

G5 Dual 2.0, AJA Kona 2, Medea FCR2X

[Gary Adcock]

[Jerry Hofmann] “I wouldn’t think that the speed of new driver releases should be considered a plus or minus actually… if a card doesn’t need them… it doesn’t need them.”

GEEZ I could not agree more,
How many times have you read on these forums about a new driver or software upgrade killing someone’s system?
Why you want to bring that onto yourself?

Stable, reliable and profitable are what these systems need to be more than anything else.

Gary Adcock
Studio37
HD and Film Consultation
Chicago, IL USA

[Paul Nevison]

hey guys

I appreciate the time you take to offer your learned opinions, it’s always great to hear from users as opposed to wading through the sales hype.

Walter i know you have already answered this once before – but my brain is swimming in all the advice and research ive been doing. As far as legacy Cinewave clips are concerned can the Kona handle them? I know the decklink HD Pro can handle the old cinewave codec.

analog is not really part of our workflow any longer so the LH and IO probably arent that much of a part of the solution for us heading into the future.

G5 DP 2.0
2.0G RAM
OS 10.3.8
QT 6.5.2
FCP HD 4.5
CineWave 4.7
Cinewave RT Pro
Pro Digital Plus & Pro Analogue BOB

[Walter Biscardi]

[paul nevison] ”
Walter i know you have already answered this once before – but my brain is swimming in all the advice and research ive been doing. As far as legacy Cinewave clips are concerned can the Kona handle them? I know the decklink HD Pro can handle the old cinewave codec.”

Setting up a Sequence with the Kona 2Vuy codec will allow you to play CineWave files in the timeline. I’ve not ever done this as I have zero CineWave legacy files around here and haven’t had the need for it. But that’s what the codec is pretty much there for.

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

G5 Dual 2.0, AJA Kona 2, Medea FCR2X

[Ron Thompson]

[Paul] “As far as legacy Cinewave clips are concerned can the Kona handle them? I know the decklink HD Pro can handle the old cinewave codec.””

Hey Paul,

I just made the switch to the Kona LH… Walter and many other people on this forum answered a lot of questions for me. After looking at AJA, Blackmagic, and Aurora, I settled on AJA for the reasons you read about now. I’ve had the system up for 3 or 4 days now and I can tell you it was definitely the right move. I need to maintain HD readiness, but an analog workflow for broadcast. The KonaLH with iO LA was the right move. The Kona2 is great as well if you need the extra HD features.

Cinewave files playback smoothly on KonaLH. I had a few files left over from Cinewave that I was able to playback with no issues…including HD and SD files. Combustion and other third-party apps work a LOT better with the Aja too.

Enjoy.
Ron

[Ramona Howard]

An OEM insight……

I would like to add that the AJA products continue to be at the front of the pack when it comes to a solid foundation for digital images!

We have never had to settle with these products and they have always proven to be a well engineered product. We look forward to every new board release because we know they won’t give up quality to get the new features we need.

Cheers,
Ramona