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New 12G-SDI Mini-Converters from AJA now shipping!

Tags : 12G-SDI 4K AJA Fiber Mini-Converters

At InfoComm 2018 AJA announced 2 new 12G-SDI mini-converters, the Hi5-12G and HA5-12G. These products simplify conversion between 4K/UltraHD HDMI 2.0 and 12G-SDI, with included options for extending signals up to 10km over a single fiber link! The Hi5-12G is now is stock and shipping, with HA5-12G coming soon.

Hi5-12G

The next generation of Hi5-4K-Plus, Hi5-12G converts a 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD 12G-SDI single-link input with eight channels of embedded digital audio to an HDMI 2.0 output at rates up to 4:4:4 4K/UltraHD 60p with two or eight channels of audio. Hi5-12G can also generate HDR metadata in accordance with HDMI v2.0b/CTA-861-G. The compact device features a 12G-SDI single-link input with a re-clocked SDI loop out for simpler confidence monitoring or pass on for SDI pipelines.

Fiber SFP-equipped Hi5-12G models include the Hi5-12G-R receiver, which extends HDMI 4K signals over long distances from either an SDI or a Fiber connected source, and the Hi5-12G-TR transceiver, which delivers a 4K/UltraHD SDI or Fiber source signal to an HDMI destination with pass on of the source through SDI or Fiber to a secondary destination. Hi5-12G models include a DWP-U power supply and USB port for firmware updates.

HA5-12G

HA5-12G, the next evolution of AJA’s HA5-4K Mini-Converter, allows users to convert an HDMI 2.0 input with up to eight channels of audio from the HDMI source or two-channel analog audio (RCA) to two 12G-SDI single-link outputs with eight or two channels of digital embedded audio. HA5-12G is also capable of analyzing HDR infoframe data coming in over HDMI in accordance with HDMI v2.0b/CTA-861-G. The portable converter includes two SDI DA outputs and transmits 12G-SDI on each SDI link, reducing cable runs when transporting 4K/UltraHD SDI.

Fiber SFP-equipped HA5-12G models include the HA5-12G-T single-channel transmitter, which extends HDMI 4K signals over long distances (10km Single-Mode), and the HA5-12G-2T dual-channel transmitter, offering two 12G-SDI coaxial outputs and two 12G-SDI over Fiber outputs to simultaneously enable HDMI 4K source extension to multiple locations without a distribution amplifier. HA5-12G models include a DWP-U power supply and USB port for firmware updates.

What is 12G-SDI and Why Does it Matter?

As camera and routing technology continues to advance, broadcast and digital cinema grade SDI standards for resolution, frame rate, and color depth have been implemented to handle the increasing bandwidth of uncompressed video signals through the production and post chains.

The majority of production environments utilize 3G-SDI for HD pipelines and a combination of 4x 3G-SDI cables to handle 4K/UltraHD workflows. 12G-SDI simplifies with workflow with a single high bandwidth signal. The good news is that 12G-SDI is fully backwards compatible, simplifies cabling and with the correct tools, you can move your current infrastructure forward smoothly and simply. AJA is here to help ease the transition.

12G-SDI Advantages

12G-SDI offers multiple advantages. As a family of video interfaces standardized by SMPTE, SDI and their related interfaces offer nominal data rates when used for transmission of uncompressed, unencrypted digital video signals within television facilities.

12G-SDI offers eight times the bandwidth of normal HD-SDI and offers the simplicity of single cable connectivity. 12G-SDI has the ability to handle high frame rate and deep color 4K/UltraHD signals over a single cable, including up to 100/120fps. This has major benefits for live events, broadcast studios, on set and live venues when it comes to cable complexity, weight, and troubleshooting with far less points of potential failure in the signal chain. 12G-SDI over optical fiber further increases the distance that 12G can travel, up to 10km.

AJA 12G Solutions

With broadcast technology constantly evolving, AJA is uniquely situated to provide future-proof technology for broadcast, production, post, ProAV, and developer partners in the video industry. AJA now supports 12G-SDI with solutions for editing, transmission over fiber, routing and Mini-Converters to Mux/Demux and distribute 12G-SDI where ever needed. AJA’s 12G-SDI solutions are all data agnostic, so they will continue to function as facilities migrate to HDR workflows and beyond.