Good news for AJA mini owners

Jason Davenport

Jason Davenport

Well-known member
"AJA Ki Pro v3.1 is now available for download, for the original Ki Pro! Ki Pro 3.1 adds additional Camera Data parameter additions for more cameras including ARRI Alexa, Panasonic AG-AF100 series and Sony PMW-F3. Support for start/stop via ancillary SDI data when used with these cameras is enabled.

Also new, Timelapse recording feature has been added via new CONFIG menu parameters for Interval Record, Interval Frames and Interval Time."

Note: New Ki Pro Mini firmware with support of many of these features will be announced soon.
 
I really like my AJA mini easy to use, records avid/prores, built like a tank. Main reason and most important to me is, it mount nicely to the rear of camera on rails. Pix is a awesome unit, but it's just a gigantic brick that you have find a place for with a Noga or something. You have to go handheld at some point and you will end up fighting that big box. On top, makes your camera a foot and a half high, ready to hit any low doorway or just flop over. Mount it in the the rear and now it either is not facing you or it goes between the camera and battery extending the camera too much. Also you can't cover the fan so a flat mount to dumb side of camera is out.
If I need and monitor I just use my SmallHD. For handheld I use a Cineroid SDI with the output of the mini with TC superposed to confirm roll. It's just nice to mount it back there and forget about it, plus it adds the perfect rear balance with a battery.
Pix is a great unit but too many functions I don't need, but for someone else they my need all that versatility..
Never used the Samurai..
 
I guess it's probably a bandwidth issue with it. As for Samurai vs. Pix, I LOVE the Atomos--logical menus, lots of features, batteries run it a long time, works great. My online ***** is the mounting options...not great. (and the screen isn't great...but it offers tools that offset the screen quality). I'd buy it again.
 
As someone who doesn't own either one but has been shopping... The Samurai seems like a straight-forward one camera external recorder that is either HDMI (ninja) or SDI (samurai) but not both. The AJA adds features that most people might not need like remote configuration, control and network support. XLR mic inputs are only on the AJA. AJA is both HDMI and SDI.

The Samurai doesn't (yet) support DNxHD. The AJA will require your power source while the Samurai comes with batteries and a charger. I think the recording media is cheaper and more readily available on the AJA unless you go with spinning drives for the Samurai (which I wouldn't do).

So for me, who's looking for just a recorder and has 2 SDI cameras (EX-1 and F3), the AJA is more than I need but its features do justify the price difference to those who need it.
 
LeavingTheCandy said:
I guess it's probably a bandwidth issue with it. As for Samurai vs. Pix, I LOVE the Atomos--logical menus, lots of features, batteries run it a long time, works great. My online ***** is the mounting options...not great. (and the screen isn't great...but it offers tools that offset the screen quality). I'd buy it again.
Click to expand...

I find the Samurai very easy to mount. It has more than one 1/4-20 hole. I use a Cinevate rail mounting block, $40
http://www.cinevate.com/catalog/pro...id=68&osCsid=d6248c54c3369baa3c6ae6b04ce4ca51

a 1/4" screw, $0.20 and a ball head ($5-$20)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mini-Ball-H...572?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item19d1ad2454

Mounted on the rails behind the camera its cheap and fully adjustable to move out of the way to get to cables, batteries, etc.
 
Duke, thanks for the info. I like the cheese plate approach that the mini offers. It's very solid. Of course, with no monitor, moving it around isn't needed.
 
Heavens to murgatroyd - anyone see the new AJA Ki Pro QUAD 2k/4k recorder? $4000 and available in December 2012. Wonder how this compares to Gemini which is like $2000 more...

 
This was demoed and announced at NAB 2012. This and the Gemini have some overlap but the Gemini will handle the uncompressed signal from the F3 and record uncompressed and the AJA unit can handle RAW data (a la Canon C300) and record to RAW or compressed ProRes and ostensibly DNxHD. The AJA unit will take the F3 uncompressed signal and record to compressed signals like the other Ki Pro units.

It may work with the RAW signal FS700 but I haven't heard anything directly to that effect. I haven't heard any plans to support the F3's 10 bit uncompressed signal and record uncompressed or some super high bit rate codec that isn't already serviced by the Ki Pro Mini.
 
Just completed a documentary using an F3 and Ki Pro mini. Shot under the sun in 99º temps and high humidity. 495 clips and not a single problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top