AJA KONA 4 PCI-E Video I/O Card (HDMI Output, Cable Included) - Manual (Page 30)

KONA Capture, Display, Convert v15.5 30 www.aja.com
Any format other than the currently selected Device Format is a Converted
Format. As described previously, this means that either the Inputs or Outputs are
somehow different from the framebuffer’s assigned format—the Device Format.
A conversion is readily apparent because of the color change from blue.
In some cases the application you use with the KONA will automatically set the
Device Format, overriding the user’s selected Device Format in the AJA Control
Panel.
Conversion Icons
When an input or output format is different from the framebuffer,'s the KONA
card may be up- down- or cross-converting the signal to the selected standard.
This may be automatic, because it has detected an input signal that differs from
the standard currently selected, or because you’ve explicitly told it to convert.
In either case, the block diagram will show the conversion by displaying a
conversion icon in between the input/output and the framebuffer.
Figure 23. Up, Down, and Cross-convert Icons
Controlling Application
It is important to understand that your computer may contain many applications
that can use the AJA device (as you switch from window to window) and it may
not always be obvious which currently controls it. In the top right corner, the
Control Panel displays the name of the application controlling the unit.
Figure 24. Control Panel In Use Message (in red)
KONA is very flexible and most controlling applications perform the necessary
housekeeping so they work correctly when they’re active and when they’re not.
This means that the application that is “active” (in front) will be granted control
of the KONA video output. Generally, when you switch to a different application,
the previous application lets go of the video output and the new application gets
control.
In some cases, however, applications may not always properly “let go” of the I/O
interface as another takes over. If this occurs you’ll be able to tell by looking at the
Control Panel's in use application name.
Controlling Application Format Selection
If a running controlling application uses KONA for capture or output, it controls
the Device Format via its own menus and settings. For example, when the Third-
party editing application is active (it’s the front-most application) and has KONA
as its “A/V Device”, the KONA’s Device Format is determined by the application’s
“Video Playback” settings. These format selections are reported in the AJA
Control Panel block diagram.