Professional I/O
Choose between AJA Corvid 44, 44 BNC and 12G cards
Professional SDI · internal PCIe · four distinct model identities
AJA’s Corvid 44 family has two independent choice axes. First decide the SDI link class: the Corvid 44 and Corvid 44 BNC are 3G-SDI cards; Corvid 44 12G and Corvid 44 12G BNC are the 12G generation. Then choose the connector at the card bracket: DIN 1.0/2.3, HD-BNC or full-size BNC. A name ending in “BNC” describes a connector, not a bandwidth upgrade; the “12G” token is the generation difference.
Compare the four reviewed boards
| Exact model | Video connectors | Computer link | Material layout distinction | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corvid 44 | 4 bidirectional 3G-SDI, DIN 1.0/2.3 | 4-lane PCIe 3.0 | 4K/Ultra HD uses all four 3G links in one direction | Read the Corvid 44 assessment |
| Corvid 44 BNC | 4 bidirectional 3G-SDI, full-size BNC | 4-lane PCIe 3.0 | Same 3G class; four-link 4K/Ultra HD is input or output, not both | Read the Corvid 44 BNC assessment |
| Corvid 44 12G | 4 bidirectional 12G-SDI, HD-BNC | 8-lane PCIe 3.0 | One 12G link can carry the documented 4K/Ultra HD input and SDI monitor path | Read the Corvid 44 12G assessment |
| Corvid 44 12G BNC | 4 bidirectional 12G-SDI, full-size BNC | 8-lane PCIe 3.0 | 12G class with full-size BNC cabling | Read the Corvid 44 12G BNC assessment |
Each SDI connector is bidirectional under software control. That does not mean all ports carry four maximum-rate sources at once. For the 3G boards, the documented 4K/Ultra HD mode groups all four links for one direction at a time: an output/playout route is not a simultaneous input-to-monitor 4K passthrough route. For the 12G cards, AJA documents 4K/Ultra HD capture and SDI monitoring at the same time over 12G-SDI. That is a professional SDI monitor path, not HDMI gaming passthrough or VRR support, and it does not promise every OBS mode.
Choose the connector and check the chassis
DIN 1.0/2.3 is the compact choice on standard Corvid 44. HD-BNC is the compact high-rate connector on Corvid 44 12G. The two BNC models use full-size BNC, but only the model explicitly named “12G BNC” has the 12G input/output class. Check cables, adapters and bracket access against the card’s actual connector. All four boards need an internal PCIe workstation path; the 3G products list four lanes, while the 12G products list eight. A Thunderbolt host or USB-C port is not the same as an available PCIe slot.
Corvid pages describe alternate board heights and cooling configurations. The 12G pages add a passive-airflow requirement and a power note; the 3G model’s current page also describes configuration options. Since AJA’s public pages do not establish one SKU or what any particular retailer includes, confirm the exact board revision, active/passive cooler, bracket height, power lead and cable package before relying on a listing. These are developer-oriented I/O cards, so check the required AJA driver/SDK and specific capture application instead of assuming a consumer capture-card setup.
Answer the finder choices one at a time
When you exclude earlier models
The current-only reviewed set contains 86 configurations, including four active AJA Corvid 44 variants: Corvid 44 and Corvid 44 BNC carry 3G-SDI over DIN 1.0/2.3 and full-size BNC respectively, while Corvid 44 12G and Corvid 44 12G BNC provide the 12G link with HD-BNC and full-size BNC connectors.
Corvid 44 · Corvid 44 BNC · Corvid 44 12G · Corvid 44 12G BNC
When you include earlier models
Including earlier models raises the reviewed set to 107 configurations while retaining all 86 current references; the four Corvid 44 variants discussed here are current references, not newly admitted discontinued cards.
They remain useful current-reference comparisons for professional SDI/PCIe systems. Review each 3G DIN 1.0/2.3, 3G full-size-BNC, 12G HD-BNC and 12G full-size-BNC article separately.
When SDI input is essential
All four models are among the 43 reviewed SDI-input matches: 3G Corvid 44, 3G Corvid 44 BNC, 12G Corvid 44 and 12G Corvid 44 BNC; the source and computer must use SDI and PCIe.
Here, “input” refers to a bidirectional SDI port configured to ingest a source; a port set to output is not an additional capture channel. Compare the DIN 1.0/2.3 model, 3G full-size BNC, 12G HD-BNC and 12G full-size BNC pages.
When the capture target is 1080p60
The 81 reviewed capture-format matches include one-source AJA 1080p60 plans for all four Corvid 44 variants; the 3G pair and 12G pair differ in link generation and connector.
AJA’s format tables list 1080p through 60 for each, but channel count is not a guarantee that several streams can run at their separate maximums in every app. For a conservative Windows PCIe/OBS route, compare the 3G DIN 1.0/2.3, 3G BNC, 12G HD-BNC and 12G BNC assessments.
When the capture target is 4K60
The 35 reviewed 4K60 capture choices include these four Corvid 44 boards, but the 3G variants require all four 3G links while the 12G variants use 12G; only the latter document simultaneous 4K monitoring over 12G-SDI.
That is a material operating difference, not just a change in port size. A 3G unit needs the correct four-link 4K/Ultra HD routing; a 12G unit needs a compatible 12G signal and still needs host, firmware and application support. Corvid 44, Corvid 44 BNC, Corvid 44 12G and Corvid 44 12G BNC are separately assessed.
When 4K60 must continue to an SDI monitor
Guide answer: The two Corvid 44 12G models, standalone KONA 5 and IO-XPAND-02/KONA 5 bundle document 4K/Ultra HD capture with simultaneous 12G-SDI monitoring; the 3G Corvid 44 cards and KONA 4 are not assigned that same-route 4K60 mode.
KONA X also describes SDI monitoring, but is not included in the generic 4K60 passthrough result: this questionnaire cannot bind its separate monitoring output to the selected source connector, and the card's HDMI output is not documented as direct HDMI input-to-display passthrough.
Compare the HD-BNC Corvid 44 12G, full-size-BNC Corvid 44 12G BNC, standalone KONA 5 and IO-XPAND-02/KONA 5 bundle for the specific 12G-SDI monitoring route. The standalone card's four links are used for 8K as input or output, while the documented 4K mode supports separate SDI monitoring. The finder result covers every reviewed model with a 4K60 monitoring plan; check the SDI cables, monitor, application and host. This is not HDMI or gaming-display compatibility.
Combined SDI case: With SDI input, 4K60 capture, 4K60 monitoring, PCIe and Windows selected together, Corvid 44 12G, Corvid 44 12G BNC and standalone KONA 5 match; the 3G Corvid 44 models do not. The KONA 5 needs a separate ATX feed and a 12G SDI source/monitor path. Read the HD-BNC and full-size-BNC assessments too, then find every reviewed model for this same SDI/4K60/monitor/PCIe/Windows combination.
OBS boundary: Adding OBS Studio to that same 4K60 SDI capture-and-monitor request produces no reviewed-library match; AJA names OBS by model, but OBS says 4K SDI transport needs more testing. Check the 12G HD-BNC and 12G BNC notes and run the same conditions with OBS selected.
Combined Thunderbolt case: With earlier entries excluded, SDI input, 4K60 capture and monitoring, Windows, Thunderbolt and AJA Control Room selected, IO-XPAND-02/KONA 5 is the only matching AJA Io Xpand bundle; separately, the base KONA 5 PCIe card matches through a compatible powered Thunderbolt 3 enclosure. The bundle needs Thunderbolt 5 for 4K, while the standalone card's enclosure needs ATX connectivity.
Find models for this exact SDI/4K60/monitor/Windows/Thunderbolt/Control Room combination.
Thunderbolt plus OBS boundary: No reviewed model matches SDI 4K60 capture and 4K60 monitoring through a Windows Thunderbolt host when OBS is required; these AJA 4K monitor plans are not assigned to OBS.
Find the same SDI/4K60/monitor/Windows/Thunderbolt request with OBS.
Find every reviewed model with a 4K60 monitor/passthrough plan
When the required host is PCIe
Guide answer: Sixty-four current-reference assessments use PCIe. Standalone AJA KONA 1 is an internal PCIe 2.0 card; its dedicated product page, specification sheet and OBS guide report two lanes, but the current NTV2 SDK says Gen 2 x1, so verify the exact slot and board. KONA X is a PCIe Gen 3 x4 SDI/HDMI card; its manual/spec power descriptions differ, so confirm the offered board and host power. The distinct KONA XM is PCIe 3.0 x4, with active and passive SKU variants, while KONA LHe Plus is PCIe 1.0 x4; identify the offered card and cooling/configuration. Standalone KONA 4 is PCIe 2.0 x8 and bus-powered, with 22 W typical/24 W maximum card power; KONA HDMI is also PCIe 2.0 x8, with 22 W typical/25 W maximum card power and no display output. Standalone KONA 5 is PCIe Gen 3 x8 and needs separate 6-pin ATX power, while KONA IP25 is PCIe Gen 4 x8. These are distinct from the four Corvid 44 variants (PCIe 3.0 x4 on the 3G cards and x8 on the 12G cards). The current Corvid 88 page/spec sheet say PCIe 3.0 x4; its comparison/NTV2 device reference say PCIe 2.0 x8. Verify the exact Corvid 88 board revision rather than treating every PCIe card as the same lane requirement.
The KONA 1 assessment covers the one-channel SDI board and preserves the two-lane versus one-lane documentation conflict; this standalone PCIe card is distinct from the separate IO-XPAND-04 Thunderbolt bundle. The KONA 4 assessment documents its PCIe 2.0 x8 slot and bus-power limit; it is not a Thunderbolt device. The KONA 5 assessment documents Windows/macOS SDI workflows and a Thunderbolt 3 option only through a compatible PCIe enclosure with ATX connectivity and adequate power. The KONA IP25 assessment documents one ST 2110 receive route through AJA Control Room; its optional Thunderbolt route also uses a compatible, separately powered PCIe expansion chassis, not a direct cable. The exact motherboard slot, chassis and card clearance still matter. Read the Corvid 88, Corvid 44, Corvid 44 BNC, Corvid 44 12G and Corvid 44 12G BNC assessments before choosing a card height, cooling option or connector.
When Windows is the required host
Windows is a documented host route for all four current Corvid 44 variants; both the 3G and 12G families use PCIe, but Corvid support remains developer-oriented and application-specific.
AJA lists Windows software paths, and its compatibility table names OBS for each of the four models. Confirm the exact driver, SDK, OBS plugin and requested format rather than extending a Windows listing into a promise of every capture mode. See each 3G compact-connector, 3G BNC, 12G compact-connector and 12G BNC review.
When a Mac is the required host
The 72 Mac-route matches include these four Corvid boards; AJA lists Apple-silicon support, while its v18 macOS installer requires Apple silicon and macOS 14 or newer, so Intel hosts need a separately verified older-software route.
Processor generation is not an available finder choice. Confirm the exact Mac, AJA driver/SDK, OBS or other application, and any current-system requirements before treating this broad Mac answer as a fit. Compare the Corvid 44, Corvid 44 BNC, Corvid 44 12G and Corvid 44 12G BNC host notes.
When OBS Studio is essential
The 77 OBS matches include all four Corvid 44 models in conservative 1080p60 AJA-plugin plans; OBS’s own AJA notes call for more testing of 4K/SDI-4K transport, so this does not extend the OBS claim to 4K capture.
The AJA compatibility list is model-level evidence, but the chosen driver, plugin build and format remain important. Read the separate 3G DIN 1.0/2.3, 3G full-size BNC, 12G HD-BNC and 12G full-size BNC assessments for the per-model plan and limitations.
Start with the source and host together
Use the finder to combine the actual SDI input, capture target, PCIe host, operating system and software. The single-choice links above answer one option at a time and return the full matching library, not only the AJA examples on this page. A match indicates documented conditions, not authenticated compatibility, stock, a retailer bundle or hands-on performance.