AJA Video Systems unveiled new 12G-SDI openGear cards that pack the functionality of its 12G-SDI audio and HDMI conversion solutions into an openGear rack frame-compatible form factor. Designed to meet the demands of high resolution, high frame rate (HFR) workflows, AJA OG-12G-AM and OG-12G-AMA enable sixteen channels (eight two-channel pairs) of AES and analog audio embedding/disembedding respectively, and support 12G-SDI input and output up to 4K/UltraHD. The new AJA OG-Hi5-12G and OG-HA5-12G cards facilitate 12G-SDI conversion to/from HDMI, and are also available in LC and ST Fiber models. Each hot-swappable card is built for use in high-density openGear 2RU frames, including AJA OG-X-FR, offers intuitive remote control via support for Ross DashBoard software on Windows, macOS and Linux.

An openGear sixteen-channel (2-channels per BNC) AES audio embedder/disembedder, AJA OG-12G-AM includes eight AES/EBU configurable inputs/outputs for audio embedding and/or disembedding. AJA OG-12G-AMA is an eight-channel (four pairs) analog audio embedder/disembedder openGear card with eight configurable (four pairs) analog audio inputs/outputs. Both cards support 12G-SDI input and output up to 4K/UltraHD, and embedding/disembedding is user-selectable on a channel pair basis, so that users can pass 12G-SDI input audio or embed input audio from the BNC (OG-12G-AM) or 3-pin terminal block connectors (OG-12G-AMA). An integrated 1.5G-SDI internal signal generator allows the embedder path to function without connecting the source to an SDI input, and automatic input video detection and configuration on both cards streamline setup.

Enabling conversion between 12G-SDI to HDMI 2.0, OG-Hi5-12G provides pristine image fidelity and HFR support up to 60p for 4K/UltraHD, with single cable simplicity. It generates HDR metadata in accordance with HDMI 2.0 and CTA-861-G, and lets users deploy a monitoring connection from 4K 12G-SDI equipment to cost-efficient HDMI 2.0 displays. The new card also includes a 12G-SDI single link input with a reclocked 12G-SDI loop out for confidence monitoring or signal pass through, and provides a selectable pair of analog audio outputs that can be routed to the 3-pin terminal block connectors.

Fiber SFP-equipped OG-Hi5-12G models are also available, including the OG-Hi5-12G-R receiver, which receives 4K signals over long distances from a fiber-connected source; the OG-Hi5-12G-TR transceiver, which delivers a 4K/UltraHD SDI or fiber source signal to an HDMI destination with pass-through of the source through SDI or fiber to a secondary destination; and the OG-Hi5-12G-R-ST receiver, which offers a locking ST fiber connector.

AJA OG-HA5-12G supports the conversion of an HDMI 2.0 input to 12G-SDI for 4K/UltraHD single link outputs. It includes two 12G-SDI distribution amplifier outputs and can enable up to eight channels of embedded audio from an HDMI source or two-channels of embedded analog audio. Built-in support for Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) emulation ensures the connected source continuously supplies custom preferred video formats on output. Fiber SFP-equipped models include the OG-HA5-12G-T transmitter with LC fiber connections and OG-HA5-12G-T-ST transmitter with ST fiber connections. All AJA openGear fiber products can extend HDMI 4K/UltraHD signals over long distances, up to 10km over a single fiber link.

AJA’s new 12G-SDI openGear solutions will be available in October 2023 through AJA’s worldwide reseller network. Pricing for AJA OG-Hi5-12G and OG-HA5-12G are $999 US MSRP each. AJA OG-12G-AM, OG-12G-AMA, OG-Hi5-12G-R, and OG-HA5-12G-T are $1245 US MSRP per card. AJA OG-HA5-12G-T-ST and OG-Hi5-12G-R-ST are available for $1375 each. AJA OG-Hi5-12G-TR is $1495 US MSRP.