This IS the Avid L2: Re: [Avid-L2] Re: Kona 4: Latency & Playback Issues ?

When you find the behavior that clicking "more" in the video output tools doesn't launch the AJA I/O panel, it is an indication that the AJA software wasn't installed properly. When AJA software is installed correctly, this works.

Absent in the OP's info is the version of AJA I/O being used, and the version of MC/Symphony.

AJA I/O is very sensitive to the sequence of software install...

Media Composer must be installed first, before ever installing AJA software and I/O plugin for AVID.

If MC is not installed first, the links don't fully work, and you get buggy behavior from AJA I/O. If the install sequence wasn't followed, the only way to fix it is by un-installing AJA software using their uninstaller, not the one built into Windows 7 in control panel (add/remove programs).

The latest version of AJA software installs the AJA drivers and AVID I/O plugin automatically. Older versions, you had to install them separately (after MC), first the drivers then the I/O plugin.

To reiterate, if you MC setup won't launch the AJA I/O panel from Media composer then it is installed wrong. Uninstall with AJA uninstaller then re-installing should fix this issue. This also appears to eliminate that nasty popping sound on the audio outs of AJA when moving between AVID MC and the desktop. Audio still does pop when changing project formats in the AVID, however.

Dave Hogan

Burbank, CA

On Wednesday, February 18, 2015 12:13 PM, "Mark Spano cutandcover@gmail.com [Avid-L2]" <Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Sure, my point is, why would you ever need to use this? The output settings by default are now controlled by whatever your project format is in MC. Other editor applications, yes, you need access to the AJA control panel. MC via Open I/O is pretty seamless and doesn't require it except to set certain parameters (like ref lock, which should ideally just be set once and never again touched).

On Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 2:46 PM, bigfish@pacbell.net [Avid-L2] <Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

With Avid and an AJA Kona 3 etc.... when you click on video output in settings doesn't it launch into the aja control panal? I think that is what I was remembering but most of my dealings with Kona cards was dealing with FCP legacy systems and it's been a while since I've been on one.

---In avid-l2@yahoogroups.com, <cutandcover@...> wrote :

While I don't have the equipment you're using here, I thought I could offer this: with my setup (Mac Pro 5,1 / AJA IO Express / MC 8.3) I *never* have to open or touch the AJA control panel settings. Once MC is open, it commandeers the hardware, and locks in step with its own format settings. I also do not experience any latency like you're experiencing.

I don't know if this is helpful or not, I just found it extremely odd that there was talk of making AJA adjustments once MC was open and had taken over.

On Wed, Feb 18, 2015 at 4:05 AM, bigfish@... [Avid-L2] <Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

I haven't worked with a Kona 4 but in their control panel there are various cross conversions options etc... I wonder if it's set up to output 10 bit on the Kona and when Avid sends it 8 bit it has an issue. The control panel lets different outputs do different things on a Kona 3 but I don't know if those features are still available when Avid has control of the card. I wonder if you could have Avid send 10 bit but then set the Kona for 8 bit. Maybe that would avoid the error? Just guessing out loud.

---In Avid-L2@yahoogroups.com, <blafarm@...> wrote :

I'm evaluating an AJA Io 4k Thunderbolt 2-based interface on an HP Z820 running Windows 7 Professional 64-bit in an effort to possibly replace a Mojo DX that has been working flawlessly. And I am experiencing a couple of surprising limitations.

More specifically, I am seeing 4-7 frames of latency when advancing frame-by-frame through 1080p MXF transcoded footage (not AMA). In other words, the when pressing the right or left arrow keys, the AJA interface updates the image delivered to my external monitor via HD-SDI or HDMI 4-7 frames after the Media Composer GUI screens display the frame advance. There was never any latency with my Mojo DX.

Also, the AJA box seems incapable of playing MXF transcoded video at Full Quality (Green) without a <SFPlayConsumer: Execute TIMEOUT> error. Interestingly, the box has no trouble playing the exact same clips at 10-bit Full Quality (Green +10) and at Draft Quality (Yellow/Green).

While I investigate these (non-starter) problems with AJA, I was wondering if users of the AJA Kona 4 with Media Composer have similar latency and playback problems. I may have to rethink this transition.