AJA Ki Pro Rack Digital File Recorder

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.

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 provides greater dynamic range, giving a superior representation of the original scene and allowing for more flexibility in post production when adjusting color and balance.

By utilizing efficient ProRes and DNxHD codes, file sizes are kept in check so you won't need to blow your production budget on extra storage.

RS-422 Control
Ki Pro Rack features RS-422 control, enabling it to be easily integrated with editing systems, external controllers and even other tape decks, and fulfill all the functions of a traditional VTR. Systems can perform assemble edits direct to the Ki Pro Rack Storage Modules, often faster than rendering to ProRes or DNxHD files within an editing system.

Ki Pro Rack's RS-422 connection can also be used to directly capture tape-based media into Ki Pro as ProRes footage ready for editing or archiving.

Familiar controls and operation
Anyone familiar with the operation of a tape deck will feel immediately at home with Ki Pro Rack. Just like a traditional tape deck, Ki Pro Rack features straightforward dedicated Record, Play, Rewind and FastForward buttons making the transition easy to with minimal training time.

The current status of the Ki Pro Rack and all configuration information is clearly displayed on the built-in screen. The embedded OS uses a fast, flat menu structure that allows full configuration to be done directly on the device with no need to connect to a laptop to access operational parameters.

Professional connections
The video and audio connections on the back of the Ki Pro Rack are the same type as found on traditional tape decks, allowing Ki Pro Rack to fit right into your current cabling and routing. The packed rear connections include SDI, HDMI, component analog, balanced and unbalanced audio connectors, LTC input/output, and even LANC.

Dual media drives
The twin media drive bays on the Ki Pro Rack allow extremely fast media changes - you can switch drives and start recording straight away, without having to wait to eject the first one.

All Ki Pro models capture 10-bit footage direct to reliable storage media. Ki Pro and Ki Pro Rack use AJA Storage Modules, available in spinning disk or SSD variants that connect directly to your editing system via a built-in FireWire 800 connection. Backed by a 1-year warranty, AJA Storage Modules are engineered with reinforced connections and thoroughly tested, ready for intensive use. Record times are longer than standard tapes as well, minimizing the number of media changes needed.

Ethernet file transfer
Because of its network connectivity, media can be copied to and from the Ki Pro Rack over the Ethernet connection. This allows for fast file transfers without the need to physically remove the media from the Ki Pro Rack, which can be especially useful in larger facilities and cuts down dramatically on the number of people that have to enter the machine room, minimizing the risk of unintentional interference with equipment.

Like all other Ki Pro's, multiple Ki Pro Racks can be networked together for control via a single interface.

Integrated AJA hardware conversion
Ki Pro Rack has AJA's industry-leading conversion technology built in so you can perform high-quality up/down/cross conversion during recording or playback without having to use a second device.

Remote configuration and control
Ki Pro Rack can be connected to your data network and accessed via a web browser from any network computer. This remote access means you can control and configure Ki Pro Rack without having to be physically in front of the unit, perfect for managing large installations or multiple physical locations from a central point.

Specifications

Video Input Digital

1 Channel, selectable input SD and HD-SDI (2xBNC), SMPTE-259/292/296 HDMI

Video Input Analog

SD/HD Component (3xBNCS): SMPTE/EBU N10, Betacam 525 line, Betacam 525J, YPbPr 12-bit A/D, 2x oversampling

Video Output Digital

SD and HD-SDI, SMPTE-259/292/296 (1xBNC), HDMI

Video Output Analog

Composite (1xBNC): NTSC, NTSCJ, PAL 12-bit D/A, 8x oversampling; SD/HD Component (3xBNCs): SD: SMPTE/EBU N10, Betacam 525 line, Betacam 525J, RGB 12-bit D/A, 8x oversampling HD: YPbPr, RGB 12-bit D/A, 2x oversampling

Audio Input Digital

AES 24-bit, 8 channel, 48kHz (4xBNC) 24-bit SDI embedded audio, 8 channel, 48kHz HDMI embedded, 2 channel

Audio Input Analog

24-bit A/D, 2 channel balanced (2 XLR), 48kHz

Input level

Line

Audio Output Digital

AES 24-bit, 8 channel, 48kHz (4xBNC) 24-bit SDI embedded audio, 8 channel, 48kHz HDMI embedded, 2 channel

Audio Output Analog

24-bit D/A, 2 channel balanced XLR, 48kHz

Network

10/100/1000 Ethernet (RJ45), Embedded webserver for remote control

Panel User Interface

2 × 20 character display, with dedicated buttons

Timecode

LTC timecode input and output via BNC SDI embedded RP188 timecode On-screen timecode display on SDI 2 output

Serial Port

RS-422 (slave pinout), 9-pin (available beginning with version 2.0 firmware)? Connector pinout is as follows: 1 GND, 2 TX, 3 RX +, 4 GND, 5 No Connection, 6 GND, 7 TX +, 8 RX, 9 GND, Shell GND

Hardware up conversion - 10-bit

Anamorphic: full-screen, Pillar box 4:3: results in a 4:3 image in center of screen with black sidebars, Zoom 14:9: results in a 4:3 image zoomed slightly to fill a 14:9 image with black side bars, Zoom Letterbox: image zoomed to fill screen, Zoom Wide: combination of zoom and horizontal stretch to fill 16:9 screen; this setting can introduce a small aspect ratio change

Hardware down conversion - 10-bit

Anamorphic: full-screen, Letterbox: image is reduced with black top and bottom added to image area with the aspect ratio preserved, Crop: image is cropped to fit new screen size

Hardware cross conversion - 10-bit

1080i to 720P, 720P to 1080i

Storage Module drive bays

2 (each with eject button and select LED)

Physical

Height: 1.75 (4.45cm), Width: 19 (48.26cm), Depth: 12.5 front panel to the back of the deepest connector (37.75cm)

Temperature

Operating Temperature Range: 5C to 40C, Safe Storage Temperature Range (power OFF): -20C to 60C

Power

Voltage: 100-240 VAC

Typical operating power

40W