AJA io XT Operating instructions

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www.aja.com
Installation and Operation
Guide
Because it matters.
Published: 1/16/12

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Trademarks
AJA
®
,KONA
®
,Ki Pro
®
and XENA
®
are registered trademarks of AJA Video,Inc.,Because it
Matters™,Io HD
™
,Io XT™,Io Express
™
,and Io
™
are trademarks of AJAVideo,Inc.
Apple,the Apple logo,AppleShare,AppleTalk,FireWire and Macintosh are registered
trademarks of Apple Computer,Inc.Final Cut Pro,QuickTime and the QuickTime Logo are
trademarks of Apple Computer,Inc.Thunderbolt and theThunderbolt logo are trademarks
of Intel Corporation in the U.S.and/or other countries.TASCAM is a registered trademark of
TEAC Corporation.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
Notice
Copyright©2012AJAVideo,Inc.Allrightsreserved.Allinformationinthismanualissubject
to change without notice.No part of the document may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form,or by any means,electronic or mechanical,including photocopying or recording,
without the express written permission of AJA Inc.
Contacting Support
To contact AJAVideo for sales or support,use any of the following methods:
180 Litton Drive,GrassValley,CA.95945 USA
Telephone:[phone] or 530.274.2048
Fax:[phone]
Web: http://www.aja.com
Support Email:suppor[email protected]
Sales Email:[email protected]
When calling for support,first read the Chapter on Troubleshooting at the back of this
manual.You can often save time and effort by looking there first for simple remedies and
information on how to get support from AJA and Apple Computer Inc.
LimitedWarranty
AJAVideo warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and
workmanshipforaperiodofthreeyearsfromthedateofpurchase.Ifaproductprovestobe
defective during this warranty period,AJA Video,at its option,will either repair the
defective product without charge for parts and labor,or will provide a replacement in
exchange for the defective product.
In order to obtain service under this warranty,you the Customer,must notify AJA Video of
thedefectbeforetheexpirationofthewarrantyperiodandmakesuitablearrangementsfor
the performance of service.The Customer shall be responsible for packaging and shipping
the defective product to a designated service center nominated by AJAVideo,with
shippingchargesprepaid.AJAVideoshall payforthereturnoftheproducttotheCustomer
if the shipment is to a location within the country in which the AJA Video service center is
located.Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges,insurance,duties,
taxes,and any other charges for products returned to any other locations.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect,failure or damage caused by improper use or
improper or inadequate maintenance and care.AJAVideo shall not be obligated to furnish
service underthis warrantya) torepairdamage resultingfromattemptsby personnelother
than AJAVideo representatives to install,repair or service the product,b) to repair damage
resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment,c) to repair any
damage or malfunction caused by the use of non-AJAVideo parts or supplies,or d) to
serviceaproductthathas beenmodifiedorintegratedwithotherproductswhentheeffect
of such a modification or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing the
product.
(continuednextpage)

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Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — Acknowledgment Regarding
THISWARRANTY IS GIVEN BY AJAVIDEO IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER WARRANTIES,EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED.AJAVIDEO AND ITSVENDORS DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.AJAVIDEO’S
RESPONSIBILITYTO REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS ISTHE WHOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REMEDY PROVIDED TOTHE CUSTOMER FOR ANY INDIRECT,SPECIAL,
INCIDENTALORCONSEQUENTIALDAMAGESIRRESPECTIVEOFWHETHERAJAVIDEOOR
THEVENDOR HAS ADVANCE NOTICE OFTHE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Acknowledgment Regarding Avid DNxHD Interoperability
Licensee understands that Avid Compliant Media Files include files in the two different
MXF file formats and the QuickTime format.Therefore,third party products that
process Avid Compliant Media Files may not be interoperable with the Licensee
Product if the Licensee Product uses a different file format than such third party
product.Licensee is encouraged to provide,in its marketing,advertisements and other
materials about Licensee Product,information about the file format used by the
Licensee Product.

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Io XT Installation and Operation Manual —
Front
Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
FCC Emission Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Contacting Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 1: Introduction
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Features: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3D Stereoscopic Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Broadcast-Quality Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Software for Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
What’s In The Box? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
System and Software Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Cable Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Connector Descriptions—Io XT & Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
In This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration
Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Connecting to your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Cabling the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Typical System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Macintosh Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Genlock and Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Chapter 3: Operation
Using Io XT with Professional Video /Audio Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
AJA Control Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
If You Run Into Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Updating Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Formats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Video Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Video Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Audio Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Up-Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Down-Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Cross-Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
SD to SD Aspect Ratio Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Reference Input or LTC Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Machine Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Appendix A: Troubleshooting
Appendix B: Specifications
Appendix C: Safety and Compliance

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Chapter 1:Introduction
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Overview
AJA's Io XT provides professional-grade I/O for high-end computers using a
Thunderbolt interface with 10Gbps available bandwidth.Io XT is the ideal portable
companion for lightning-fast video capture,playback and up/down/cross
conversion.Designed for today’s workflows,Io XT provides a new interface for video
Pro's working with 10-bit uncompressed,Apple ProRes 422,Apple ProRes 422 (HQ),
XDCAM HD,DVCPRO HD,stereoscopic 3D workflows,and more.
Io XT connects with a singleThunderbolt cable and provides a secondThunderbolt
connector for storage,making it perfect for on set,or in the edit suite.
Based on the KONA 3G hardware,Io XT provides 3G/Dual-link/HD/SD-SDI,
Component Analog,and HDMI connectivity.The AJA Mac driver delivers extensive
codec and media support within all professional 3rd-party video applications.
IoXT's10-bit hardwareconversioncapabilitypairedwithaThunderboltRAID System
creates a super-fast editing system,portable enough to fit in a backpack—with
desktop level power.

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Features:
• Two Thunderbolt ports (supports pass-through/”daisy-chaining”)
• Two SD-SDI, HD-SDI, HSDL, and 3G HD-SDI inputs and outputs
• Single link SDI 4:2:2 or 4:4:4; Dual-link SDI 4:4:4/HSDL support
• HDMI Input and Output (including output for stereoscopic monitoring to
consumer 3D displays)
• Analog component/composite output, 10-bit
• Broadcast quality hardware based 10-bit upconversion
• Broadcast quality hardware based 10-bit downconversion
• Broadcast quality hardware based 10-bit crossconversion (1080 to 720 and
720 to1080)
• DVCProHD hardware scaling acceleration
• HDV hardware scaling acceleration
• Final Cut Pro 7 Dynamic RT Extreme hardware acceleration
• Broadcast quality hardware based 10-bit SD aspect ratio conversion
(anamorphic to letterbox, etc.)
• 8-Channel Embedded SDI audio
• Eight channels analog audio output (using Tascam-style DB25-type cable)
• Front panel LED VU meters and Headphone output w/level control
• Reference In/LTC In (selectable)
• LTC Output
• RS-422 control via 9-pin
• Rugged Chassis, Small Size
• 12V DC, 4-pin XLR Power (AC adapter included)
3D Stereoscopic
Workflow
Io XT offers you the simplest path through 3D stereoscopic workflows.
ThroughSDI,youcanoutput DiscreteLeft and RightEyefeedswithasimpleStereo
button choice in the AJA Control Panel.Additionally,muxed stereo output is
possible using a single SDI output.AJA hardware and software works in close
collaboration with CineForm's Neo3D software tools and CineForm codec to allow
stereoscopic editorial and viewing when working with Apple's Final Cut Pro 7 or
Adobe's CS5.5.
Through it's HDMI 1.4a output,Io XT makes it possible to connect to affordable 3D-
capable monitors for stereoscopic monitoring.
Broadcast-Quality
Conversion
Io XT features hardware-based full 10-bit broadcast quality motion adaptive SD to
HD upconversion,HD to SD downconversion and HD to HD crossconversion.
The quality of the conversion features found in the Io XT is virtually identical to
AJA's award winning stand-alone converter products used throughout the post
production market.The Io XT built-in upconverter uses a a full 10-bit path,fully
motion adaptive de-interlacing,and large multi-point digital interpolators.
Downconversionuses large multi-pointdigital interpolators,anti-aliasfiltering and
interpolation.

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Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — Overview
Crossconversion is high-quality hardware-based,providing capability to
streamline dailies and offers true broadcast picture quality in realtime.Because
thesefunctions areinhardware,they areavailable fulltime,allthetime—with no
CPU load.Such conversions are useful for cost effective monitoring,making
standard definition dubs of an HD project,or upconverting from a standard
definition FCP project to an HD deliverable.
About Primary & Secondary Video Formats
In Io XT operation,the Primary Format is the media format written to disk and
used in your project.The Secondary format is that which may be input for
capture or output from Io XT toVTRs or other devices.Down-conversion may be
applied to an input or on output.
The Primary Format menu allows you to select the video format used in your
current project.
Conversion is performed based on the Primary or Secondary Format settings.
Io XT can down-convert the input format (when designated as a Secondary
Format input)totheselected PrimaryFormat.Oryoucan setaSecondaryFormat
output that will be a down-conversion of the Primary Format.
Convert Mode
Convert Mode allows selection of a mode for conversion between High-
definition and Standard-definition formats.Io XT supports up-,down-,and cross-
conversion plus SD-to-SD aspect ratio conversions.See the following tables for
conversion options.
All conversions use AJA 10-bit hardware inside the Io XT.
For example,to do a down-conversion on an HD input:
Set the Primary Format as an SD format
Select the correct HD format with an (I) input designation for the Secondary
Format,then
Choose a“– Secondary”Video Input type
Down-conversion display mode choices that may be available include:
• Anamorphic: full-screen
• Letterbox:image isreducedwithblacktopandbottomaddedtoimagearea
with the aspect ratio preserved
• Crop: image is cropped horizontally to fit new screen size

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The followingVideo Signal Formats are supported by Io XT.
Io XT Audio
IoXT providesan8-channel audio engineforSDI embeddedaudio.The front panel
has a miniTRS headphone output with a lockable level control knob.
For analog audio output monitoring,Io XT provides a DB25 connector with eight
channels of audio to be used with industry standardTascam-style audio breakout
cables.Thefrontpanelhasaneight-channelVUmeterdisplayformonitoringlevels.
Dual Link
Io XT supports Dual Link HD-SDI (4:4:4).Io XT supports the ingest and output of
SMPTE-372M compliant 4:4:4 RGB video and high-bandwidth 4:2:2 1080p 50,
1080p 59.94,and 1080p 60 at 10-bit.
Hardware-based Acceleration
Final Cut Pro 7 users will likely notice the DVCPROHD,HDV,and Apple RT Extreme
hardware acceleration provided by Io XT.This hardware acceleration was
developedin closecooperationwithApple.HowdoesIo XTaccelerateDVCPROHD,
HDV,and Apple RT Effects? A precision hardware scalar in Io XT does what the
Apple computer's processor would otherwise have to do,scale less than full-raster
HD (DVCProHD and HDV) to full-raster size,thus speeding up the system
considerably—and doing this scaling at full 10-bit broadcast quality.
Standard Def. HD 720 HD 1080 2K
525i @ 29.97 fps 720p @ 50 fps 1080i @ 25 fps 2K1080p23.98
625i @ 25 fps 720p @ 59.94 fps 1080i @ 29.97 fps 2K1080p24
720p @ 60 fps 1080i @ 30 fps 2K1080p25
720p @ 23.98 fps 1080PsF @ 23.98 fps 2K1080sf23.98
720p @ 25 fps 1080PsF @ 24 fps 2K1080sf24
1080PsF @ 25 fps 2K1080sf25
1080PsF @ 29.97 fps
1080PsF @ 30 fps
1080P @ 23.98 fps
1080P @ 24 fps
1080P @ 25 fps
1080P @ 29.97 fps
1080P @ 30 fps
1080P @ 50 fps A
1080P @ 50 fps B
1080P @ 59.94 fps A
1080P @ 59.94 fps B
1080P @ 60 fps A
1080P @ 60 fps B

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Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — Overview
WhenusingtheFinalCutPro7HDVcodec,theIoXTadvancedscaling enginetakesthe
native frame (long GOP 1440 HD) and outputs it via hardware-in real time.Precision
AJA circuitry re-sizes the video to full-raster 1920 x 1080,providing instantaneous
playback of HDV captured by Final Cut Pro 7 for both monitoring and recording.
Unlike the DV25 format,which can preview in realtime natively via Final Cut Pro 7,the
MPEGstructureof HDV ismuch morecomplex.Fortunately,Io XT can providereal time
monitoring and playback to both HD and SD monitors and decks via the realtime
hardware scaler and down-converter on board.
In addition to speeding up Final Cut Pro 7 Dynamic RT by using the KONA scalar,
multiple frame size RT (1/4 size or full size)—a Final Cut Pro 7 feature—also benefits
from Io XT.The frame count and image size are dynamically changed during file
playback,so you don't get the“un-rendered”message in Final Cut Pro 7.
Software for Mac
AJA’s Io XT software and hardware were developed for powerful integrated video/
audio capture,editing,and production with a variety of 3rd-party software.With an
Io XT and qualifiedThunderbolt-enabled Mac,you have the ultimate system for
standard and high definition video editing,production and DI work.AJA software is
supplied on CD.
• AJA QuickTime™ drivers for tightly integrated hardware/software operation.
• AJA Control Panel for source selection and controlling Io XT within the overall
MacOS environment, Input Pass through, and more. AJA Control Panel uses a
block diagram to show visually what is happening inside Io XT.
• Supports popular 3rd-party Professional Video Applications like Apple Final Cut
Pro™ 7,AvidMediaComposer,Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects,Photoshop,and
more.

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What’s InThe Box?
As you unpack the shipping box(es),carefully examine the contents.Ensure you
receivedeverything and that nothingwas damagedduring shipment.If youfind any
damage,immediately notify the shipping service and supply them with a complete
description of the damage.AJA will repair or replace damaged items.If you find
shipping damage,contact your AJA dealer or distributor for details on how to have
your Io XT repaired or replaced.
Savepackingmaterialsandtheshippingbox.Ifyoueverrequireserviceormoveyour
system—use the packaging materials and box for safe shipment.
IoXTShipping BoxContents
When you unpack your AJA Io XT,you’ll find the following components:
• AJAIoXTSoftwareandDocumentationCD-ROM—thisCDcontainsthesoftware
installer to place Io XT drivers and related software on an Apple computer
featuring Thunderbolt connectivity. Install the software as discussed in this
manual in Chapter2:InstallationandConfiguration. The CD also contains a wide
variety of useful information, including this manual you’re reading (PDF format).
• Io XT
• 12V power adapter and AC power cord
• Read Me First Notice—Contains late-breaking news and/or errata related to Io
XT and the documentation.
• Registration Sheet—allows you to register your Io XT by mail or online (details
provided).

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Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — System Requirements
System Requirements
AJA recommends machines with dedicated GPUs as opposed to "built into the
motherboard" GPUs. Built in GPU models such as the MacBook Air are still in testing
and have not yet been approved for use with Io XT. Below are the current tested and
approved Apple models along with representative system configurations for use
alongside Io XT.
System and
Software
Requirements
Note: Always consult the release notes for the AJA software version you are running
(included with installer) For the latest appropriate match for your software and
hardware,visit:
http://www.aja.com/support/io/io-xt.php
Platform System Requirements
Mac Mini (with Thunderbolt port)
MacBook Pro
(withThunderbolt port)
iMac
(withThunderbolt port)
2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
4GB memory
500GB hard drive1
AMD Radeon HD 6630M
OS X Lion
2.0GHz quad-core
Intel Core i7
4GB 1333MHz
500GB 5400-rpm1
Intel HD Graphics 3000
AMD Radeon HD 6490M with 256MB GDDR5
2.5GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5
1920 x 1080 resolution
4GB (two 2GB) memory
500GB hard drive1
AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB

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Cable Connections
Io XT connections are made directly to the unit’s rear connector plate.Eight audio
output channels are available through theTascam-style DB25 connector.
IoXTConnectors
Connector
Descriptions—
Io XT & Cables
HD/SD SDI Input and Output
BNC connectors are provided on Io XT for two HD/SD-SDI inputs and two HD/SD-SDI
outputs.Theinputand output support video and embedded24-bitdigitalaudio.Use
SDI wherever possible for the best quality 10-bit uncompressed video input,capture
and output.If peripheral equipment has a variety of inputs/outputs,look to see if it
has SDI I/O,and use it where possible.Most high-end professional broadcast
equipment supports SDI (VTRs,cameras,media storage servers,etc.).
HDMI Input and Output
Two HDMI connectors on the Io XT provide input and output of HDMI compatible
video and multi-channel embedded audio (8 channels).Input is HDMI v1.3a while
output is HDMI 1.4.
HDCP is not supported on either input or output.Io XT HDMI output does not have
HDCP,and input sources having HDCP are not supported.The HDMI input is
designed to support long cable runs—up to 100 ft.when using 22 or 24AWG HDMI
cable,or up to 50 ft.using 28 or 30AWG HDMI cable.The HDMI output supports
standard HDMI cables only.
The AJA Io XT Control Panel allows selection and adjustment of some HDMI
parameters;please see Chapter 3 for more information on Control Panel operation.
Balanced Analog Audio Out
Io XT provides 8 channel Balanced Analog Audio Output on a DB-25 connector
(Tascam-standard pinout,see the Specifications Appendix for this pinout).Audio
D/A converters are 24 bit.

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Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — Cable Connections
RS422 Machine Control
A female DE-9 connector on Io XT provides connection for VTRs,camcorders,disk
media servers,and other devices using RS422 SMPTE (Sony) protocol.(Connector
pinout is listed in Appendix A:Specifications.)
ComponentVideo Output (with Composite andY/C functions)
Io XT features a group of 3 BNC connectors for output of component,composite and
Y/Cfunctions.Thesignals arelabelledonthe BNCconnectorson the rearpanelof Io XT.
A Note About YPbPr —Component Video, or YPbPr, has been given several names
over time. YUV, Y/R-Y/B-Y, and YCbCr, are just some examples. Although these
various formats have some differences in levels, they are all basically the same. Io
XT uses the modern YPbPr terminology exclusively. Io XT supports three different
types of YPbPr: SMPTE/EBU N10, Betacam (NTSC), and Betacam (NTSC Japan).
These three formats differ in level only and are configured in the Mac System via
the Io XT Control Panel.
Reference Video and LTC Input
TwoBNCconnectorsonIoXTprovidereferenceInputandOutput.TheReferenceVideo
inputcanalsobeusedforLTCinput.TheselectionofReference(sync)orLTCissetusing
the Io XT Control Panel.
InVideo Pass-through mode,these connectors are effectively loop-through.Supplying
referencesignaltotheReferenceinput allows youtosynchronizeIoXT outputstoyour
house analog reference video signal (or black burst).If you have a sync generator or
central piece of video equipment to use for synchronizing other video equipment in
yourstudio,then connectits analogcompositeoutput here.When Io XT outputsvideo,
it uses this reference signal for locking.When connecting a reference video source,the
locking signal should be the same format as the Primary format selected in the Io XT
Control Panel.It is possible in some circumstances to use an alternate format video
signal as long as the basic frame rate is compatible.
Power
A standard 4-pin male XLR connector provides for 12-Volt DC power to the unit.You
can use either the supplied AC Adapter or furnish your own battery source.Since the
connector is an industry standard pinout,choices are varied and flexible.Many 3rd
party vendors offer products using this standardized power connector.
Pin 1: -
Pin 4: +
Pins 2 and 3: not used
Thunderbolt
TwoThunderboltconnectors areprovidedforconnecting toa Macthat isThunderbolt-
enabled and for connecting to aThunderbolt peripheral such as a RAID array or
Thunderbolt display.Please see the System and Software requirements presented
earlier in this Chapter when deciding on the type of Mac to connect.
Caution!
A lthough the AJA Io XT supports“plug and play”functionality,many
applicationsdonot recognizeoroperateproperlyif an input/outputdevice
is removed while they are in use.AJA recommends that if the AJA Io XT is
everremovedwhile an application is in use,thatthe application be quit and
then relaunched after the AJA Io XT is reconnected.

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Caution!
T
heIoXTcanhost otherdevicesfromits secondThunderboltconnection;
however,cautionshouldbeusedbeforeunpluggingtheIoXTwhenother
items,such as storage arrays,are attached to the Io XT.Unplugging Io XT
willcausethesedevicestogoofflinesincetheywillbedisconnectedfrom
the computer.
InThis Manual
Chapter 1 is the introduction you’re reading,listing features,box contents,and
system requirements.
Chapter2providescompleteinstructionsforinstallingandconfiguringtheAJAIoXT.
The user is guided through unpacking,cabling the Io XT,installing Io XT Mac
Software From CD,then getting it up and running.Important configuration
information is also provided on video settings and use of genlock/external reference.
Chapter 3 discusses operational aspects of Io XT and how to work with 3rd-party
software.
Appendix A discusses troubleshooting problems with your system and what to do
when there’s a problem you can’t solve.
Appendix B presents a list of technical specifications for the product.
Appendix C details the product safety notes and regulations related to Io XT.

1
1
Chapter 2:Installation & Configuration
2
Installation Overview
The installation and set up of an Io XT is very simple.The steps of installation and
configuration are discussed here and summarized as follows:
1. Unpack the shipping box (see What’sintheBox later in this chapter
.
)
2. If not previously installed on yourThunderbolt equipped Macintosh,ensure
that appropriate application software such as Final Cut Pro 7,Avid Media
Composer,or Adobe Premiere 5.5 is installed as detailed in its user
documentation.
3. For latest System Compatibility and SoftwareVersion information for Io XT:
Visit:http://www.aja.com/support/io/io-xt.php
4. Install AJA Io XT software on your Mac from the latest AJA download
(preferred) or from the supplied AJA CD-ROM.
Start by installing the Io XT driver package first,then install any AJA plug-ins
for 3rd-party software.
Installers for the Io XT driver software (with AJA Control Panel) are found both
on the CD in your shipping box and on the AJA website—we strongly
recommend going to AJA website to ensure you get the latest software and
documentation.
5. Connect aThunderbolt cable between the Mac and the Io XT.
6. Cable the system audio and video sources,VTR,audio monitor,
and video monitor.
7. When you run the AJA Control Panel,you’ll notice that the Io XT is auto-
discovered as long as it is properly cabled and powered up.
Each of these steps are explained in greater detail on the remaining
pages of this chapter.

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Connecting to your Computer
1. With your computer off,connect aThunderbolt cable to one of the two
Thunderbolt ports
2. Connect the otherThunderbolt port to storage or other desired peripherals.
3. Assemble the Power Adapter and cable and connect to the Io XT 12V Power
connector.
4. Connect your desiredVideo I/O,Audio monitoring,reference,and machine
control cables.(Refer to CablingtheSystem following.)
5. Connect the Power Supply to AC power and turn on Io XT using the front
power switch.
Note: Ensure that the Apple,Adobe,or other software you are going to use has
beeninstalledandusedatleastoncebeforeproceedingtotheinstallationofIo
XT software.It is always a good idea to verify you have the most up-to-date
release of your AJA software by checking the AJA support site:
http://www.aja.com/support/io/io-xt.php
IoXTConnections

1
13
Io XT Installation and Operation Manual — Cabling the System
Cabling the System
Typical System Your system may differ depending onVTRs,audio monitoring,and video
monitoring.
1. If desired,connect your house reference sync to the Io XT Ref/LTC
connector (BNC).The second Io XT Ref Loop connector (if used in Pass
through mode) can be connected to theVTR or terminated with a 75-ohm
terminator.If instead using LTC timecode input,connect to the Ref/LTC
input.
2. Connect an HDMI Video Monitor to the Io XT HDMI Out connector.Or
instead,usetheComponentAnalogVideoOut BNC connectors to go to an
analog monitor.
3. Connect a 9-pin DE-9 machine control cable between your VTR’s RS422
control port and the Io XT RS-422 machine control connector.
4. Connect two SDI cables between Io XT and your digital VTR (Digital
Betacam etc.):one from Io XT SDIIn to theVTR SDI Out,and one from Io XT
SDIOut totheVTR SDI In.The IoXT SDIconnections haveembedded audio
so theVTR must be configured accordingly.
5. Use aTascam-style audio breakout cable to connect stereo output for
audio monitoring.

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TypicalThunderboltCompatibleLaptopSystemConnections