AJA Io Xpand (Kona 5 Bundle)
Thunderbolt 5 PCIe Expansion Chassis with Bundled AJA Kona 5
Designed for creative, broadcast, audio, and post-production workflows, the Io Xpand is a Thunderbolt 5 expansion solution that enables users to connect a full-height, half-length PCIe card to Mac, Windows, or Linux computers with Thunderbolt or USB4 ports. Modern laptops and small-form-factor systems deliver impressive processing power but often lack the PCIe expansion required for professional I/O, networking, storage, and media workflows. Io Xpand solves this by offering a x8 PCIe* 4.0 slot, support for single- or double-width cards, and up to 6000 MB/s bi-directional PCIe bandwidth.
This lightweight aluminium PCIe card enclosure protects the installed PCIe card in demanding production situations, while providing quiet operation under load in a temperature-controlled environment.
The Io Xpand is available with three optional KONA PCIe I/O card bundles offering cost-effective choices to match your needs. From single channel HD I/O with the KONA 1 to our flagship KONA 5, the Io Xpand bundles offer up to 4K HDR production proven solutions.
The Io Xpand brings professional PCIe connectivity to compact desktop, laptop, and workstations via Thunderbolt 5.
*x4 electrical support
Io Xpand Features
- Up to 6000 MB/s of bi-directional Thunderbolt 5 performance to the installed PCIe card
- Supports KONA and Corvid PCIe cards*
- Supports full height, ½ length, x4 Gen 4 PCIe cards
- Supports double-width PCIe cards and PCIe cards with daughter cards
- 6 pin auxiliary power connector and cable for cards requiring additional power
- Compatible with PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, and 1.1 cards
- Nearly silent operation via temperature-controlled fan
- Thunderbolt 5, 4, 3 and USB4 compatible
- Includes Thunderbolt 5 cable and securing bracket
- Thunderbolt daisy-chain via second Thunderbolt port
- Lightweight and rugged aluminium enclosure
- Windows, macOS, and Linux compatible
- Two-year warranty
*Corvid products are designed for developers, so some Desktop software features may not be available. Please contact AJA support for more information
Kona 5
Take command of the most challenging projects using the immense power of the newest member of the KONA product line. KONA 5 is AJA’s blazingly fast, 8-lane PCIe 3.0 I/O card, designed for today’s most demanding video and audio workflows.
Whether you are working with HFR 4K/UltraHD, 2K/HD, SD, Deep Colour and/or HDR, experience the quality and peace of mind that KONA 5 brings to your world. Supporting 10-bit 4:2:2 and 4:4:4, or even 12-bit* colour spaces for pristine imagery, KONA 5 allows the flexibility to ingest and output with 12G/6G/3G-SDI and monitor with a full size HDMI 2.0 port. The bi-directional 12G-SDI ports provide immense flexibility for capture and simultaneous pass through, and with the appropriate software, multi-channel capture and streaming.
For HDR workflows, KONA 5 supports HDR 10 and HLG* for rich colour delivery over HDMI 2.0. KONA 5 has the power for the work you do today and into the future.
Kona 5 Features
- Supports 4K and UltraHD ingest and output at frame rates up to 50/60 fps
- Supports 4:4:4 and 4:2:2 workflows
- 10-bit 4K/UltraHD and 2K/Dual Link/HD/SD input and output
- 12-bit color support (application dependent)
- HDMI 2.0 output (4K/UltraHD HFR 4:2:2 10-bit)
- HDR 10 support – HDR Infoframe metadata, in accordance with
- HDMI 2.0a/CTA-861.3
- HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) support
- 8-Ch. AES/EBU, 8-Ch. embedded HDMI, and 16-Ch. embedded SDI digital audio I/O
- Reference Input on card (Analogue black burst or Tri-level)
- Extend external connectivity with included break-out-cable
- RS-422 support on 9-pin connector
- macOS, Windows and Linux support
Professional Connectivity: 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0
KONA 5 boasts 4x bi-directional 12G-SDI spigots with a Reference Input and 4K/UltraHD I/O can be achieved with either a single 12G-SDI or 6G-SDI cable, or quad 3G-SDI cables. 2K/HD I/O can be achieved with a single 3G-SDI cable, or dual link 1.5G-SDI, while allowing capture and monitoring via SDI to take place simultaneously.
A full-sized HDMI 2.0 connection offers monitoring and output, with HDR , Deep Colour and HFR support. Across the board, KONA 5 is the professionals choice for post, broadcast, graphics, virtual sets, pre-viz, live compositing and more.
Extended Connectivity
KONA 5 ships with an included breakout cable that offers extensive connectivity for AES, RS-422 control support and Reference:
- 8-Channels of AES/EBU (BNC) In
- 8-Channels of AES/EBU (BNC) Out
- RS-422 9-pin connector for control
- LTC In and Out
Thunderbolt Connectivity
Simple to set up and use, the Io Xpand’s Thunderbolt 5 ports (also compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and 4) easily connect to a wide range of Apple, Windows, and Linux laptops and desktops, providing professional video and audio output from your favorite creative application.
Dual Thunderbolt 5 ports allow convenient daisy-chaining for workflow expansion.
Thunderbolt is widely available across both Mac, Windows, and Linux computers and supports the massive bandwidth needed for professional video, audio, data, and more.
Io Xpand KONA Bundles
In addition to the standalone Io Xpand, we have created bundles with our award-winning KONA PCIe I/O cards. From single channel HD to multi-channel 4K HDR, we have a bundle to match your needs and budget.
Io Xpand Bundle 1 – includes KONA 1, Io Xpand Bundle 2 – includes KONA 4, Io Xpand Bundle 3 – includes KONA 5
Workflow
The Io Xpand / KONA 5 bundle delivers high-performance Thunderbolt 5 connectivity for professional video and audio workflows. By placing KONA 5 inside Io Xpand, users can connect a Thunderbolt 5 computer to power 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 I/O for capture, playback, monitoring, and output across 4K, UHD, 2K, HD, and SD formats.
In this example workflow, 12G-SDI sources with embedded audio can be captured or routed through KONA 5, with outputs available for SDI monitoring, HDMI display, and recording to AJA Ki Pro Ultra 12G. AES/EBU digital audio connectivity supports integration with digital audio mixers, speakers, headphones, and microphone workflows for voice-over or punch-in recording.
Combined with Thunderbolt 5 storage, Io Xpand and KONA 5 create a compact, high-bandwidth desktop workflow for editors, colorists, audio professionals, and production teams working in demanding creative environments.
Industry Leading Support
AJA’s technical support is recognized as among the best in the industry and is available to all AJA customers. If you need assistance with any aspect of your Io Xpand installation, configuration, operation or encounter any technical issues, AJA Support will work with you to get up and running.
The Io Xpand is covered by a generous two-year warranty. Please see the product manual for additional specifics around warranty conditions for the product itself.
