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.

Thunderbolt Solutions

HDR
HDR or High Dynamic Range, provides the ability to display a wider and richer range of colors, much brighter whites, and much deeper, darker blacks than standard or SDR signals allow. This gives your imagery a more ‘dynamic’ look and allows for natural, true to life colors to be communicated to your audience.

Io X3 provides this support for your 2K and HD HDR pipelines to HDMI and SDI compatible displays with HLG and HDR10 support with HDR Infoframe metadata, in accordance with HDMI 2.0a/CTA-861.3 and HD.

The free AJA Control Room software and Io X3 add support for HDR metadata capture from an incoming SDI or HDMI signal. The captured .mov video file will have embedded HDR metadata, allowing the file to be played back at its intended dynamic range.

AJA Control Room software and the Io X3 also provide HDR Auto Playback Detection. Embedded HDR metadata in a recorded .mov file is read and used to automatically set the HDR format on the monitor(s) connected to the HDMI and/or SDI outputs.

Support for file-based .mov HDR outputs with metadata from Adobe Premiere Pro / Adobe Media Encoder HDR files is also available. Screening those rendered outputs is a simple and high-quality experience with AJA Control Room. Every frame is presented in its full quality, at the timing intended, and with the proper HDR format set correctly and automatically.

Explore more of our HDR Solutions here:

HDR Solutions

NLE Workflows for Io X3
Io X3 offers broad support for all major NLE applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Avid Media Composer, and Apple Final Cut Pro, with a host of practical and easy to use features shown in this NLE workflow diagram. The Io X3 sits at the heart of the NLE workflow, connected directly to the host laptop via Thunderbolt 3 (Thunderbolt 4/5 compatible). The NLE software is running on the host laptop, with the output of the timeline being shown simultaneously via the HDMI and the 3G-SDI ports, with support for HDR and SDR monitoring. The analog audio jack on the front of the unit provides easy headphone monitoring, while simultaneously a standard Tascam DB-25 loom connects an analog mixer and microphone to the workflow, with the front panel VU meters responding to the independent channel levels. An AJA Ki Pro Ultra 12G is connected for real time recording of the NLE output to Apple ProRes or Avid DNxHD codecs for hand-off or archiving. Whether editing promos, news footage, sports, long form content, or any other demanding video environment content, Io X3 is your perfect partner.

Download Workflow

OBS Workflow for Io X3
Io X3 is directly compatible with OBS Studio, offering a comprehensive toolkit for mixing live video and taking the program content out to streaming destinations. Io X3 again sits at the center of the workflow pictured opposite, providing the necessary video I/O for a four camera source program. Via Io X3's multi-channel support, the 4x HD cameras are connected directly to the 3G-SDI ports of the Io X3 which is connected via Thunderbolt 3 (Thunderbolt 4/5 compatible) to the host workstation or laptop. Audio can be monitored via the built-in analog headphone port. The final PGM stream is output from our switched sources via the host computer.

Download Workflow

Streaming Timeline Workflows for Io X3
A popular way to stream NLE, 3D modeling, and other creative applications is to utilize the timeline output and offer commentary in real time as edits or models are created. Following the same base setup as the NLE workflow and by utilizing AJA’s HD reliable streaming device, the HELO Plus, we can combine two high quality AJA devices to create an extremely robust solution. It is easy to connect a 3G-SDI output from the Io X3 to the 3G-SDI input of the HELO Plus and take the content directly from the timeline playhead to a live stream, with voiceover provided by a USB microphone. A very simple but powerful set up that can be utilized for streaming entertainment, remote collaboration and educational purposes, allowing viewers to better contextualize the content.

Download Workflow

Video and Key Workflow for Io X3
Io X3 fully supports video and key workflows up to HD 60p as shown in the adjacent diagram. The first instance shows Io X3 connected to a laptop or desktop computer running Ross XPression software. The XPression software is receiving live statistics and weather data as metadata via the internet. It is also receiving two live IP video inputs. The IP video is assigned as video 1 and video 2 out with the incoming statistics and weather metadata assigned as key 1 and key 2 out. Io X3 provides an HDMI out for multiview of all four sources on one monitor. The Io X3 can then pass the groups of video and key 1 and video and key 2 via 3G-SDI onto a router or other SDI destination.

Download Workflow

Integrated Digital Audio, Analog Audio Flexibility
Embedded 16-channel SDI and 8-channel HDMI audio are supported, as well as analog audio inputs, outputs, or both via a standard Tascam DB-25 connection.

Stereo monitoring is also possible with a front panel 3.5mm mini-TRS headphone jack.

The flexible analog audio I/O can be configured to record voiceovers and more with the ability to choose how the DB-25 connection on Io X3 is configured: • 8-channel, 24 and 16-bit D/A analog audio, 48 kHz sample rate, balanced, using industry standard 8x XLR or TRS on DB-25 breakout cable (cable not included)

• Balanced Analog Audio I/O: • Input across Ch. 1-8, Ch. 1-4, or Ch. 5-8
• Output across Ch. 1-8, Ch. 1-4, or Ch. 5-8

High Density, Rackmountable
Io X3's compact design offers easy rackmounting, allowing for two Io X3 devices to sit comfortably in just 1RU. This allows for high channel density for up to 8-channels of fully configurable video I/O for applications such as OBS Studio.

Multiview Output
Io X3 offers multi-channel I/O, and the HDMI output port can display all of these sources to one display. Io X3 is fully compatible with OBS Studio software with multiview output offered for clear monitoring of incoming or outgoing video via the convenient HDMI output. OBS Studio can be configured with Io X3 to make monitoring easy, all from a single I/O device.

Sync Up
Io X3 can be locked to an external reference for integration into larger productions, or feed LTC in and out to ensure footage captured with Io X3 has the proper timecode. The REF in port ensures reference sync with other synched devices in a facility.

Machine Control
An RS-422 port allows control of digital recorders and tape decks for frame accurate captures and layoffs.

Apple silicon Support
AJA Desktop Software is optimized for the latest Apple silicon with native support for AJA macOS drivers, application plug-ins, AJA Control Room, AJA Control Panel, and AJA System Test.

Io X3 Operating Systems Compatibilities
Supports macOS, Windows, and Linux Ubuntu. Please see Release Notes for details and version information which can be found in the Downloads, Software tab.

For more information, please visit: https://www.aja.com/products/support/io-x3

Extensive Software Support
AJA hardware is supported by an extensive list of professional software for editing, visual effects, graphics, and more allowing the same AJA device to be used by many different applications on the same system. In addition, AJA provides several free applications that enable you to utilize the power of your AJA hardware even without having to run a particular software package. This allows you to create unique workflows without tying up valuable resources unnecessarily.

For more compatibility information, please visit: https://www.aja.com/compatibility/io

Compatibility

AJA SDK Support
Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, AJA’s industry-leading Developer ecosystem is designed to help partners and developers incorporate AJA Io, KONA, T-TAP, and Corvid I/O products into their systems and solutions. By utilizing existing, proven, robust professional video hardware technology, partners and developers are able to leverage AJA's legendary quality and expertise to save money, achieve exceptional results and rapidly bring new integrated products and technologies to market.

More information at: https://www.aja.com/family/developer

Tech Specs:
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
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
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
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
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)