AJA jump starts NAB with Ki Pro

Matt Gottshalk

Matt Gottshalk

Resident Preditor
From Off Hollywood.


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"But the REALLY BIG NEWS is the Ki PRO. At just under $4000 this is a tapeless video recording device that records high quality Apple ProRes 422 Quicktime files direct to disc. SD/HD-SDI, HDMI, and analog inputs. An olptional "exo-skeleton" puts the unit in a chassis that can both on a tripod with the camera.

Many cameras have outputs that bypass on-camera compression - so, for example - if you take the 10-bit HD-SDI feed from a Varicam into the device - you would record higher quality files that the actual camera is capable of.

Another obvious benefit is that some shows use a variety of different cameras and recording formats. Using Ki Pro's would allow all media shot to be in 1920x1080 Prores - ready to edit.

I'm most excited about using this as a dailies solution, and an an on-set playback system."
 
Interesting. Like a AG-HPG20, but skips AVC-I's need for conversion to ProRes (if you're working in Final Cut, at least). I wonder if it records to a hard drive or some kind of cards. Are those 2 slots for Sony solid state cards in the upper right corner of the machine?
 
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There is a PCIe connection option for this but it's really geared towards laptops and mobile editors. Although it doesn't mention the exact connection used for the laptop, FW? EC?

Looks like a cool little box if your workflow calls for it. If anyone sees it next to a laptop please post a pic. Price is decent.
 
Parallel thinking...

Ki Pro with remote control from i-Phone or PDA's... that was an idea that I was developing and it will be seeing in few months... but in a 4:4:4 2K uncompressed...

Ouch that hearts...
 
Now if I've done some research right, this is how I see it, correct me if I'm wrong.

AJA sees this as a "platform," meaning there will be firmware updates and such. Which makes it great in the ever-changing world of resolutions. Or will it never go beyond 10-bit 4:2:2 HD/SD ProRes files? (not that that's bad at all)

I can basically kiss whatever special "storage" accessories for RED or P2 cards for HVX goodbye. Whatever camera I buy or rent, I would be able to interface with using the AJA Ki (and get better resolution using it!).


Anyways, more thoughts later.. just awed..



"Ki Pro is a portable, stand-alone tapeless video device that records files to the Apple ProRes codec directly from virtually any camera. Ki Pro provides a new way of connecting production and post; any video and audio source can be fed into Ki Pro to record pristine 10-bit 4:2:2 HD/SD ProRes files. Removable Ki Pro Storage media is then immediately available to edit within Apple’s Final Cut Studio. Extensive analog and digital connectivity, and AJA’s unparalleled 10-bit Up/Down/Cross-conversion, ensure your client will be able to interface to whatever camera they are using."
 
The KiPro records to an internal 250GB hard drive to Pro Res HQ and Express cards to Pro Res. Future faster memory will HQ on the cards. It basically turns ANY camera with an HDMI or SDI output into a 10 bit 4:2:2 full raster imaging device! A solid state drive is in the works for bumpy shooting.

DSLR's would be great but the 5D MkII doesn't send a full HD image out the HDMI port while recording - BUMMER! They would be an insane duo! I'm anxious to see if the Lumix GH1 sends full HD out the HDMI - you could then bypass the 17Mbps AVCHD and record Pro RES HQ!
 
Well, Prores, in my experience, isn't the best for full post production (ex. Edit--> Effects--> Color Correct--> Finish --> DVD Export)

More often than not, the footage falls apart if you do too much with it and that's not much. Granted, if all you're doing is simple stuff with little need for fancy color correction or effects then you should be okay.

Granted, I don't know what the difference would be to capturing Prores natively as my experience stems from converting my Canon HV20 footage using the Prores method for true 23.98 footage. Maybe my shooting conditions are different than many of yours but simply doing a side-by-side test with my raw HV20 footage and the Prores output, I could push the raw footage a lot further.

Still, the Ki Pro sounds like a really cool product and I too wish the Nikon D90 and Canon 5D Mark II could work on it but, alas, they simply won't. I feel that this is just another step in a growing trend for high quality recording boxes like this. We have the Convergent Designs boxes, some box from Edirol, and this.
 
Jack_Felis said:
Maybe my shooting conditions are different than many of yours but simply doing a side-by-side test with my raw HV20 footage and the Prores output, I could push the raw footage a lot further.
Click to expand...

that's the issue. you are starting with hdv. prores derived from a higher quality source, RED for example, holds up just fine during grading.

i think this device will breathe new life into older varicams, f900's etc. i see these cams being sold so cheap nowadays because the new, tapeless versions are emerging. a used varicam or f900 plus this aja box would be a bad mammajamma.

would be nice to see the same box but smaller. maybe it would have a AB or v-mount on it so it could go between battery and camera. true portability. that would be awesome.
 
I absolutely love ProRes. I mastered our film "The Blackout" totally in ProRes. We did capture 85% of it directly into ProRes. However, my XLH1 only outputs 8-bit data. So we really didn't take full advantage of Apple's codec.

I'm really looking forward to feeding ProRes a true 10-bit full raster source. Which is why I'm eyeballing both the EX3 and HPX300 right now. I'm leaning toward the EX3/Ki-Pro combo mainly because of the larger imager and less skew.

But I really do think AJA hit one out of the park with the Ki-Pro. The iPhone control is what really sent it over the top for me.
 
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