Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Some very initial and preliminary reports-- My test unit shipped with 2 side plates. I know that Anton Bauer is working on a mount to a gold mount battery. What I did just for initial testing was attach a Noga arm to plate and then into hot shoe of EX-1.

The web config feature is great. Set the Mini to DHCP and plug into the network (no wireless feature as on the Ki Pro). Look in the config menu for the IP address assigned and just type that into browser. Full GUI set up.

Just testing for read/writes rather than for image, the supplied SanDisk Extreme Pro (90 Mbps) card kept up with ProRes HQ without dropping frames.

I find it a big bulky and heavy. Construction feels rock solid.

What I would like to see (and pardon me Jon and other AJA folks if the feature is there and I'm just missing it) is a way to lock the buttons. I always have a fear of hitting a button accidentally. Just a small point.

I like the 2 XLR inputs. There definitely might be times when one would want external audio. Headphone monitor jack on front is good positioning for it.

As I noted above, I made a custom power cable to connect the Tekkeon MP3450. Cable worked (and yes, Jon, I tested my homemade cable before applying power to AJA's KiPro Mini!) and the Tekkeon with its 50 watt capacity can power the KiPro Mini for a tad over 3 hours.

4-pin XLR power connector is very stable and I applaud he use of this locking connector.

One recommendation from Jay Ignszewski, our NE regional AJA rep, is to use the rod adapters from the KiPro exoskeleton to mount on rods (mock up that Jay showed was on Zacuto baseplate with the Zacuto gold mount battery plate and tap).

Next set of tests will be image quality tests.

Impression so far-- very sturdy and worthy product for those who want ProRes up to 422HQ.

I'm not one to do head-to-head comparisons and generally my editors really don't want to publish those types of comparisons. Decision of which unit to use is largely going to be based upon the codec that works for you in your project.

I strongly believe in taking manufacturers' card ratings seriously. Particularly with writing such relatively high data rates as ProRes HQ, the card needs a controller capable of sustaining that rate. Since manufacturers sometimes change card controllers and other on-board chips, AJA will continue to test and post qualified and non-qualified cards. Follow the AJA website.

Ned

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

I need to know when this thing is going ship???

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Shaggy F. - The Ki Pro Mini began shipments the week of January 31st. AJA fulfills its orders by our resellers on a "first come, first serve" basis. Therefore, not all resellers may yet have units depending upon when they initially placed their order with AJA. There is also a sizable backorder of units at this time and it is being fulfilled as quickly as possible.

Regards,
Jon Thorn
Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Good Afternoon,

I am debating between the two, nano and the MINI. The mini will do what I desire and that is capture via hdmi from my sony.

However, I am not an apple user. I use Vegas as my primary editor and Edius 5.0 for my rough cut editor.

I am slightly worried about the pro res quick time codec.

I would very much like a bit of pro res footage available to put through the hoops on my computer systems.

Is that posssible or out there to be had?!!!

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Just got our Ki pro mini's this week. Shooting our thesis film this weekend with a PMW-350 and one of these, should be interesting!

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Dale G. - The simplest way to obtain a sample Apple ProRes QuickTime file might be to contact your local AJA reseller for the Ki Pro and Ki Pro Mini. I believe your closest AJA reseller is Matrix Video Communications since you are located in Saskatchewan:
Matrix Video Communications Corp.

I know that Apple ProRes QuickTime files can be used in Sony's Vegas non-linear editor as I've seen ProRes files used in Vegas at NAB, IBC and other tradeshows, but I don't have any experience with Edius, sorry. However, the majority of applications that support QuickTime files can support the import and use of Apple ProRes files. Note: the Apple ProRes Decoder must be present for the footage to be viewed (it's included with the later versions of QuickTime and can be obtained for earlier versions of QuickTime from Apple directly as a download if needed.) Also, it's worth noting that the majority of Window's based systems (such as those you listed) are not able to export to the Apple ProRes codec; you could edit in Apple ProRes, but you might export to another codec for your final file. I think it would be sensible for you to visit your local AJA reseller, obtain some sample files and see if the Apple ProRes QuickTimes work for your workflow.

I hope this information is helpful,
Jon Thorn
Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Tim K. - Please let AJA know if you need any assistance or have any questions about the Ki Pro Mini; AJA Technical Support is free of charge and they are happy to help. If you aren't already aware, we are not recommending the Lexar CF cards since an issue came to our attention when using those cards. (I mention this since the qualified CF card list that shipped with your product in the box might be out of date.) For the latest qualified CF card list, please visit:
http://www.aja.com/pdf/KiProMini_qualifiedCF_cards.pdf

I hope this information is helpful,
Jon Thorn
Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Thanks Jon! Got the number already in my phone just in case. Not expecting any problems with the cards, we're using the Sandisk Extreme (IV?) Pro's.

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

On the AJA site is a short demo movie about the Ki Pro Mini and an Anton Bauer battery parked behind a Sony PMW EX1. Is there anyone from AJA that can list the part number and manufacturer for the rod adapter and plate that attaches to the Ki Pro Mini side plate? I've figured out that the base plate and 15mm rods (and I'm guessing 3.5 - 4.5 in. rod extensions) are from Zakuto but I'm unsure of the other pieces.

- Don

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Don G. - What follows is a list of parts used with the Sony PMW-EX1 configuration in the video you refer to:
1x Zacuto Universal Base Plate v3 with 15mm rods and extensions
1x Ki Pro Rod End Plate which now has AJA SKU#*KIMINIRDNPLT-R0 (it's one part from what was originally the Ki Pro Rod End Plates kit for the original Ki Pro Exoskeleton)
2x Ki Pro Mini Mounting Plates
1x Ikan M-A Universal AB Mounting Plate
1x Anton Bauer Dionic 90 Battery
1x 2-pin P-Tap to 4-pin XLR adapter cable

I hope this is helpful,
Jon Thorn
Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

It is very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to list everything off.

- Don

Jon, I just want to double check the part number for the Ki Pro rod end plate, partly because I've never seen a part number that contains a pound sign (#) and an asterisk sign (*) before. When ordering the part I use this part number: AJA SKU#*KIMINIRDNPLT-R0 and they'll know what it is?

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Don G. - Regarding the rod end plate, the number I provided you with is what your reseller can use to order the part. I have no idea why the asterisk got added to the description as that's not what I typed... just some form of text formatting issue with the posting to the forum I suppose. Sorry if there was any confusion because of that.

Hope that helps clarify things,
Jon Thorn
Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Thanks again, Jon.

- Don

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Shot all weekend with the Ki Pro mini and our PMW-350 and Ex-3, worked great! Actually balanced out the 350 better than without it too!

Sorry we didn't get a closer one, busy shooting schedule and I forgot to ask my photogrpaher to get some tight shots on the setup.
http://www.konundrummedia.com/School...33_pjDBb-L.jpg

We flew the Ex-3 with an older Glidecam and the Ki Pro actually worked perfectly as a counter-weight! Not the most ideal setup, but it works in a pinch.
http://www.konundrummedia.com/School...99_Ky3af-L.jpg

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

So you used the standard Ki Pro for your SteadiCam shot? Kewl
How long, if possible, can you power your Camera and the KiPro with a Anton Bauer Batterie?

Jon this should work http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/69224-REG/Anton_Bauer_POWERTAP28_PowerTap_28_28_PowerTap_to.html right?

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Shaggy F. - Tim used the Ki Pro Minis on his project; you can see them in his images that he posted.

Regarding the cable you pointed out: the one you noted uses a right angle 4-pin XLR which I would not tend to recommend. The right angle 4-pin XLR connectors sometimes can be a bit tricky to fit when used with the Exoskeleton and the regular Ki Pro. I would recommend the use of a straight, not angled, 4-pin XLR connector. P-Tap to 4-pin XLR adapter cables with a straight connector are also readily available.

Hope this is helpful,
Jon Thorn
Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Jon, besides the Ki Pro Rod End Plate (which seems to be a bit hard to come by at the moment) are there any rod clamps that will work with the aja mounting plate? I tried a redrock clamp but unfortunately the two 10-32's towards the bottom of the plate are just placed a hair to close to each other to fit that clamp.

The guy at Filmtools and I spent about an hour trying to figure out a solution. No luck. :/

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Philipp

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Philip E. - The rod endplates are available from AJA, but our resellers may simply need to order them so that they have them in stock.

If you want another option to mount to 15mm rods, you can use an option from Element Technica:

E L E M E N T _ T E C H N I C A - Viewing Product: V-DOCK 15mm

and

E L E M E N T _ T E C H N I C A - Viewing Product: AJA V-Lock Plate

You can see this in our document about mounting Ki Pro Mini available on the AJA website.

Additionally, Zacuto makes a number of accessories that could be used for mounting. There are four tap holes in the AJA mounting plate that can be used with their Double Mount as well as others.

Hope this is helpful,
Jon Thorn
Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Not sure if my eyes are playing a trick on me but in the seconded image I see the standard KiPro, no?

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Shaggy F. - To the best of my knowledge, it's a Ki Pro Mini. That is what Tim said he used on the project. Though it's a little hard to see in the photo, the button layout seems to be a Ki Pro Mini.

Regards,
Jon Thorn
Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

It's the mini, we have a double v-mount system on it so we can mount it to our 350, so it looks a bit bigger because there's a Sony battery attached to the mini powering it.

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

I fell in love with this unit until I found out the recording card does not switch automatically, like my JVC GY-hm790. The KiPro Mini would work great on my Canon XLH1s, but the recording media is not adequate. Spending $400.00 - $600.00 for the 64gb card is cost prohibitive. Then being limited to capability of the CF card, made me look for a different option. Sound Device has a new unit that records to SSD Drive.

Re: Aja Mini KiPro
 

Kevin Y. - Just for the sake of clarity; the original Ki Pro can record to either spinning disk or SSD. The Ki Pro Mini only records to CF cards and, as you noted, does not yet feature rollover recording. While this is not a promised feature of the product, it is something we would like to provide in the future.

Regards,
Jon Thorn
Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.
California