AJA Video Systems – ColorBox

ColorBox from AJA is a compact, high-performance converter for color managed workflows designed to specifically meet the conversion needs of broadcast, live events, and on-set applications.  Supporting Standard Dynamic Range (SDR), High Dynamic Range (HDR), and Wide Color Gamut (WCG) signals, it utilizes 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 for single wire 4K/UltraHD HDR up to 4:2:2 10-bit 60p or 4:4:4 12-bit 30p with a unique color processing pipeline. 

Built around the 33-point 3D LUT processor with tetrahedral interpolation, AJA Color Pipeline provides additional 4x 1D LUTs and 2x 3x3 matrices that are each individually configurable even as Proc Amps or RGB Color Correctors. Easily manage color processing options via the web user interface which can be accessed directly from a wired Ethernet connection or through a wireless connection via a third party WiFi USB adapter.

ColorBox includes processing pipeline modes from Colorfront and NBCU LUTs, as well as a powerful AJA Color Pipeline. ColorBox also expands its capabilities by offering licensable upgrade options for advanced color managed workflows, including BBC HLG LUTs and the all new ORION-CONVERT engine.  ORION-CONVERT’s unique real-time floating point math approach to color transforms produces higher precision results to get “access to the colors between the colors.”  This enables pixel perfect color transforms and round tripping where maintaining colors is paramount.  

ColorBox also offers a sophisticated test pattern generator and frame store, bringing useful tools to your workflow, including the ability to capture up to a 4K image as a 16-bit .tiff file for the highest quality reference stills. ColorBox can even overlay information onto the image, including helpful user definable text fields. These images can be saved locally on ColorBox or onto a third party connected PC running an application like Pomfort’s Livegrade Pro/Studio and Assimilate Live Looks.

More info on AJA.com

Features

  • 12-bit 4:4:4 12G-SDI I/O for up to 4K/UltraHD HDR/WCG 30p
  • 10-bit 4:2:2 12G-SDI I/O for up to 4K/UltraHD HDR/WCG 60p
  • 12-bit 4:4:4 HDMI 2.0 output for up to 4K/UltraHD HDR/WCG 30p
  • 10-bit 4:2:2 HDMI 2.0 output for up to 4K/UltraHD HDR/WCG 60p
  • Ultra low latency, less than ½ a video line
  • Extensive AJA Color Pipeline built around the 33pt. 3D LUT processor with tetrahedral interpolation
    • 7x nodes plus Overlay
      • 1x 3D LUT processor, user configurable as 3D LUT or Dynamic
      • 4x 1D LUT processors, user configurable as 1D LUT, Dynamic, or Color Corrector
      • 2x 3x3 Matrix processors, user configurable as 3x3 Matrix, Dynamic, or ProcAmp
    • Supports industry standard file types, no conversion to proprietary format required
    • Configurable Colorspace, Range, and Transfer Characteristic
    • Full frame LUT processing
  • Five Color Processing Pipelines
    • AJA Color
    • Colorfront Mode
    • ORION-CONVERT Mode (Licensable option)
    • BBC HLG LUT Mode (Licensable option)
    • NBCU LUTs
  • Video Preview in web user interface for confidence monitoring
  • Built in Frame Store
    • Up to 4K/UltraHD frame capture and recall 
    • Capture pre or post processed images
  • Test Pattern up to 4K/UltraHD, 9x test patterns built-in
  • Overlay information on output
    • User Text
    • Input and Output signal information
    • Pipeline Configuration
    • Overlay can be captured with image for future reference
  • Onboard library for file management
    • 16x 1D LUTs
    • 16x 3D LUTs
    • 16x 3x3 Matrices
    • 16x Images
  • Preset Management, 10 per Pipeline plus Startup Preset
  • ANC metadata pass-through
  • Embedded audio pass-through, SDI 16-ch. and HDMI 8-ch.
  • Compact; 4 units can fit in just 1RU 
  • Ultra quiet fan operation
  • Lightweight
  • Robust locking 4-pin mini-XLR power connector, DC power
  • On/Off button so you can save power when not in use
  • Select button used to bypass video processing
  • Extensive API for 3rd party control integrations
  • Embedded web server for remote control
  • Configure IP Address via USB port and supplied AJA eMini-Setup software for PC/Mac
  • Three year warranty

AJA ColorBox hardware