View Full Version : wishful thinking?


Ian Planchon
May 12th, 2011, 09:44 PM
Is it possible to use the KiPro mini as a playback deck? so if I edited a video, rendered in ProRes 422, and dumped that file to a CF card, would the mini see the file and be able to play out to, lets say, an HD projector via the SDI port? sorry if this is a stupid question!

Jon Thorn
May 13th, 2011, 11:12 AM
Ian P - Yes, this is possible. It is actually done quite often with the Ki Pro products when they are used as a video source for digital signage or theatrical projection. Here are the criteria that you will need to know before transferring a file to the Ki Pro or the Ki Pro Mini:

1) The video transferred to the Ki Pro or Ki Pro Mini needs to be a full-raster Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy), Apple ProRes 422 (LT), Apple ProRes 422 or Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) QuickTime Movie file with a format and frame rate supported by the device. (You can refer to the Ki Pro Mini Operation Manual v2.5 for details on supported formats in the Appendix)

2) You will need to export a QuickTime Movie from a computer with Final Cut Pro installed. If you have Final Cut Pro installed, using Final Cut Pro to export the file will likely be the easiest solution, but you could also elect to export a QuickTime Movie from applications like Compressor or QuickTime Player Pro, etc. as long as Final Cut Pro is installed and the appropriate settings in the application can be made.

3) If you are working in Final Cut Pro with an Apple ProRes sequence already, you should take note to review the Final Cut Pro Sequence Settings, and within the General tab, the Audio Settings should be configured for:
Rate: 48 kHz
Depth: 24-bit
Config: Channel Grouped
(Apple-provided Apple ProRes Sequence Settings may default to 16-bit audio and the Ki Pro and Ki Pro Mini only accept 48kHz 24-bit audio, not 16-bit)

4) If you are working from an Apple ProRes sequence and the settings noted above, select the Sequence in Final Cut Pro with the in to out points, and then select File>Export>QuickTime Movie. The Save prompt will appear and it should be noted that the default is for the Setting selection to be Current Settings, Include Audio and Video and Make Movie Self-Contained with the checkbox selected. If you were not already working with an Apple ProRes sequence, you will need to adjust the settings accordingly as noted above. Select OK to save the file.

5) To be visible to the AJA Ki Pro, an Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime file needs to be placed within the Ki Pro folder named "AJA." If the file is placed outside of this folder, it can live on the media, but the Ki Pro or Ki Pro Mini will not list it for playback when you place the media back in the device.

You might find this alternate method valuable for sequences that were not created using an Apple ProRes Sequence Setting:

1) Select the appropriate Sequence with in to out points, and then select File>Export>Using QuickTime Conversion.

2) When the prompt appears, the QuickTime Movie should be selected for Format. Click on the Options… button to configure. For the Video portion, select Settings…

3) Choose the appropriate Compression Type - Apple ProRes 422 (Proxy), Apple ProRes 422 (LT), Apple ProRes 422 or Apple ProRes 422 (HQ).

4) In the Motion area, set the frame rate to what is appropriate for your movie, such as 29.97 fps.

5) In the Compressor, if the material is interlaced (such as 1080i or SD), select the Interlaced checkbox. If you are in a 60Hz region, HD interlaced material will be Top field first for the pulldown selection and SD interlaced material will be Bottom field first. (In a 50Hz region, SD will also be Top field first) You can select OK for this section and move on to Size… from the Video settings.

6) Size is determined by your Sequence material and the Size selections provide pre-determined selections for NTSC, PAL and HD raster sizes within the list. Select the one that is appropriate for your material. You can select OK and move on to Sound settings.

7) Sound Settings should be as follows:
Format: Linear PCM
Channels: Stereo (L R) or 2 Discrete Channels (either is acceptable)
Rate: 48.000 kHz
Render Settings: Best
Linear PCM Settings, Sample size: 24 bits, Little Endian checkbox selected.
Once these selections are made, hit OK.

8) Hit OK once again in the Movie Settings prompt. You should be returned to the Save window. Save to the desired location. Again, remember that to be visible to the AJA Ki Pro, an Apple ProRes 422 QuickTime file needs to be placed in the Ki Pro folder named "AJA."

If you need help with any of this, you can feel free to contact AJA Technical Support.

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

Ian Planchon
May 13th, 2011, 12:44 PM
Wow jon. way more then helpful!

thanks a ton. just ordered my Kipro mini. We have a shoot coming up that will end up being displayed on an HD projector, the client wanted to play it off of a laptop, through DVI. I was hoping the Kipro mini could handle this so we can avoid making our nice clean HD video look terrible.

cheers.