AJA Video Systems (http://www.aja.com) is introducing Io XT, the company’s first Thunderbolt-enabled professional video I/O device.

The XT connects to a Thunderbolt enabled Apple computer via a single cable. An additional Thunderbolt port is provided, allowing daisy-chaining to other Thunderbolt peripherals like high bandwidth storage and high-resolution displays through a single interface. In addition to the range of supported capture and playback formats, the Io XT can unify disparate formats via its 10-bit hardware Up/Down/Cross conversion capability.

The Io XT provides compatibility with popular NLE programs, the newest codecs, video formats, stereoscopic 3D workflows and more. It will be available in the fourth quarter of the year at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$1,495.

Designed for today’s workflows, Io XT provides compatibility with the most popular NLE programs, the newest codecs, video formats, stereoscopic 3D workflows,

AJA is also debuting the next-generation KONA LHe Plus, offering video capture and playback capabilities at a new reduced price -- almost 25% lower -- and with greater performance than its predecessor, the KONA LHe.

KONA LHe Plus offers a host of professional features including 10-bit or 8-bit uncompressed video I/O, two-channel AES digital audio and eight-channel SDI embedded digital audio I/O, analog composite or s-video or SD/HD component video I/O, two-channel balanced analog audio I/O and 10-bit quality hardware down-conversion from HD to SD.

Additionally, it offers improved performance with RGB graphics applications, such as Adobe After Effects. AJA’s Mac OS X and Windows software and application integration is included. KONA LHe Plus is also fully extensible via an optional 1RU breakout box.

KONA LHe Plus will be available in October through AJA’s global network of resellers at a MSRP of $995.