Overview

AJA Io X3 is a portable video I/O device with 3G-SDI, HDMI, and audio connections, connected to your computer via Thunderbolt. It's perfect for high quality HDR or SDR SDI and HDMI workflows up to 2K 60p. The Io X3 also excels in file-based workflows with support for all major NLE applications as well as other streaming applications such as OBS Studio, vMix, and Telestream Wirecast. Connecting with a single Thunderbolt 3 (Thunderbolt 4/5 compatible) cable and providing a second Thunderbolt connector for flexibility, Io X3's new metal case, compact and quiet form factor is ideal for on-set, in studio, events, or in an edit suite.

Features

• 2K/HD/SD I/O up to 50/60p
• 4x bidirectional 3G-SDI BNC with 16-channel embedded audio
• HDMI I/O with 8-channel embedded audio
• Two Thunderbolt™ 3 (Thunderbolt 4/5 compatible) ports with loop through
• Multi-channel workflow support for OBS, Wirecast, vMix, and other applications
• YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit up to 60p
• RGB 4:4:4 12-bit up to 30p
• VPID signaling for SDR/HDR Transfer Characteristics, Colorimetry, and Luminance via SDI
• PQ, HLG, HDR10 and Dolby Vision Support
• HDR Metadata Capture and Auto Playback Detection
• Multiview output over HDMI, to view up to 4-channels on one screen
• Analog audio flexibility with a choice of 8-channel In or 8-channel Out or 4-channel In and 4-channel Out via a standard Tascam connection
• Front panel audio display
• Includes support for Apple silicon
• XLR 12V power for battery or AC use (AC adapter included)
• Headphone jack and level control for mobile and live environments
• RS-422 VTR control, Reference, LTC Input and LTC Output

Versatile and Practical Connectivity

The Io X3 rear panel offers a wealth of easy-to-access connectivity for almost any need in SD/HD/2K video pipelines. Power is supplied via an industry standard 4-pin XLR with either the included AC adapter or battery power. Dual Thunderbolt 3 (Thunderbolt 4/5 compatible) ports provide host connectivity to a laptop or desktop computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux, with the second port for loop through to other Thunderbolt devices. RS-422 is included for machine control of external devices such as our Ki Pro Ultra 12G digital recorder. Analog audio is offered via a DB-25 port, with all 8-channels configurable to be in or out. HDMI in and out ports allow for easy monitoring or video input sources to be accessed, including HDR and SDR video. Reference input connects the Io X3 to any master clock source alongside LTC input and output for timecode. Finally, 4x bidirectional 3G-SDI ports can be configured as multi-channel inputs or outputs to suit the video application of choice, offering immense flexibility in the field, editing suite or on-set.

Thunderbolt Connectivity

Simple to set up and use, Io X3’s Thunderbolt 3 ports (also compatible with Thunderbolt 4/5) easily connect to a wide range of Apple, Windows, and Linux laptops and desktops, providing instant professional video and audio I/O from your favorite creative application.

Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports allow convenient daisy-chaining of other devices on the same Thunderbolt connection.

Thunderbolt is ubiquitous across both Mac, Windows, and Linux computers and supports the massive bandwidth needed for professional video, audio, data, and more.

Specifications

Video Formats

• (2K) 2048 x 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 60
• (2K) 2048 x 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25
• (HD) 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
• (HD) 1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
• (HD) 1080i 50, 59.94, 60
• (HD) 720p 50, 59.94, 60
• (SD) 625i 50
• (SD) 525i 59.94

Note: High Frame Rate support is dependent on Thunderbolt speed and system performance. Not all host systems will support all frame rates.

Video Input Digital

• 3G-SDI, SMPTE 425
  • RGB 4:4:4 12-bit*, YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
• 1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M
  • Single Link HD-SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
• 270 Mbps SDI, SMPTE 259M-C
  • YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit, 8-bit
• HDMI v1.4b
  • 30/36-bits/pixel, RGB or YUV, 2.25 Gbps
  • 2K, HD, and SD

*Bit depth support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.

Video Output Digital

• 3G-SDI, SMPTE 425
  • RGB 4:4:4 12-bit*, YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
• 1.5G-SDI, SMPTE 292M 
  • Single Link HD-SDI YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
• 270 Mbps SDI, SMPTE 259M-C
  • YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit, 8-bit
• HDMI v1.4b
  • 30/36-bits/pixel, RGB or YUV, 2.25 Gbps
  • 2K, HD, and SD with HFR support up to 60p (4:2:2), 10-bit

*Bit depth support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility. 

HDR

• SDI: VPID signaling for SDR/HDR Transfer Characteristics
• HDMI: HDR10 Support - HDR Infoframe metadata, compatible with HDMI 2.0a/CTA-861.3
• HDMI: HLG Support - compatible with HDMI 2.0b/CTA-861-G

Note: HDR support is application dependent. Check with your software manufacturer for compatibility.

Audio Input Digital

• 16-channel, 16 and 24-bit SMPTE-259 SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
• 8-channel, 16 and 24-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous

Audio Output Digital

• 16-channel, 16 and 24-bit SMPTE-259 SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
• 8-channel, 16 and 24-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous

Audio Input Analog

• 8-channel, 24 and 16-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using industry standard 8x XLR on DB-25 breakout cable (cable not included)
• +24 dBu full scale digital (0 dBFS)
• +/- 0.2 dB 20 to 20 kHz frequency response
• Input supported across Ch 1-8, Ch 1-4, or Ch 5-8 depending on configuration chosen

Audio Output Analog

• 8-channel, 24-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using industry standard 8x XLR on DB-25 breakout cable (cable not included)
• +24 dBu full scale digital (0 dBFS)
• +/- 0.2 dB 20 to 20 kHz frequency response
• Output supported across Ch 1-8, Ch 1-4, or Ch 5-8 depending on configuration chosen
• 2-channel, 18-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, unbalanced, using standard 3.5mm jack
  • 1.2V RMS full scale digital output level (0 dBFS)

Downstream Keyer

• Supports graphics up to 2K/HD with alpha channel over video, matte or framebuffer, or framebuffer content over incoming video or matte

LTC

• 1x BNC LTC input (dedicated)
• 1x BNC LTC output (dedicated)

Reference

• 1x BNC (dedicated)
• Analog Color Black (1V) or Composite Sync (2 or 4V)
• Nonterminating

Electrical Interface

• Thunderbolt 3 (2x)

Machine Control

• RS-422, Sony 9-pin protocol
• 9-pin D-connector pinout is as follows:

Size (w x d x h)

• 8.25" x 6.28" x 1.66" (209.6 x 159.51 x 42.16 mm)
  (inclusive of the BNC connector protrusion and the ‘feet’)

Weight

• 1.6 lbs. (0.73 kg)

Power

• 10-20V, 23W typical, 28W max

Environment

• Safe Operating Temperature Range: 0 to 35 C (32 to 95 F)
• Safe Storage Temperature (Power OFF): -40 to 60 C (-40 to 140 F)
• Operating Relative Humidity: 10-90% noncondensing
• Operating Altitude: <3,000 meters (<10,000 feet)