AJA Video Systems has introduced the Io Xpand, a new Thunderbolt 5-enabled PCIe expansion chassis designed for AJA KONA and Corvid video I/O cards. Built for media, live production, and Pro AV professionals, the compact enclosure allows users to connect high-performance PCIe video and audio I/O cards to Thunderbolt 5 laptops and mini-PCs running Windows, macOS, or Linux. The solution is ideal for on-set production, remote workflows, and live switching environments where portability and space-saving designs are important.
The Io Xpand delivers up to 6000 MB/s of bi-directional PCIe bandwidth and supports Thunderbolt 5, 4, 3, and USB4 connectivity. Available as a standalone chassis or bundled with AJA’s KONA 1, KONA 4, or KONA 5 cards, it provides video professionals with a flexible and cost-effective way to access advanced capture and playback capabilities in a portable workstation. AJA will showcase the new solution at InfoComm 2026 in Las Vegas.
AJA Video Systems unveiled Io Xpand, a high-performance Thunderbolt™ 5-enabled PCIe expansion chassis for AJA KONA and Corvid video and audio I/O cards. As demand for higher bandwidth, higher resolution content intensifies across industries, Io Xpand unlocks the performance of AJA PCIe I/O cards for video professionals leveraging Thunderbolt 5 laptops and mini-PCs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The new enclosure will be on display at InfoComm in Las Vegas, NV, June 17-19 at AJA’s booth, #N7744.
Io Xpand is ideal for creative or live production environments where space is limited and portability matters, including on-set, remote production, and live switching. Video professionals can pair the new chassis with either a KONA 1, KONA 4, or KONA 5 I/O card and a Thunderbolt 5-equipped computer to create a powerful, compact workstation with advanced throughput and video capture/playback functionality. For AJA Developer Partners, most AJA Corvid I/O cards can easily be used with the Io Xpand enclosure to develop smaller-footprint solutions.
AJA’s new Io Xpand chassis includes a 0.8-meter Thunderbolt 5 cable, Thunderbolt cable lock, power cable, and universal power adapter. It will be offered as a standalone unit, or in three bundles that include the Io Xpand and either a single KONA 1, KONA 4, or KONA 5 card. The KONA 5/Io Xpand bundle provides Thunderbolt 5 laptop and mini-PC users with access to the PCIe card’s high-performance 12G-SDI I/O, additional frame stores, and full I/O stack – including AES/EBU audio and machine control – in a portable, plug-and-play solution.
“Across media and entertainment and proAV, we’re seeing a move toward more compact and highly configurable workstations. With this shift, creative and video professionals are asking for high quality I/O solutions, like our KONA and Corvid cards, that can deliver breakthrough performance on the newest laptops and mini-PCs equipped with Thunderbolt 5,” explained AJA President Nick Rashby. “Io Xpand delivers a convenient, cost-efficient solution for harnessing our Desktop I/O capabilities with a smaller form factor workstation that travels easily.”
Io Xpand feature highlights include:
- Thunderbolt 5, 4, 3, and USB4 compatibility
- Windows, macOS, and Linux support
- Support for full height, half length, x4 Gen 4 PCIe cards
- Compatibility with double-width PCIe cards and PCIe cards with daughter cards
- Up to 6000 MB/s of bi-directional PCIe bandwidth to the installed card
- Support for PCIe 4.0, 3.0, 2.0, and 1.1 cards
- Nearly silent operation via a temperature-controlled fan
- Thunderbolt daisy-chaining support via a second Thunderbolt port
- A portable, lightweight, and rugged aluminum internal enclosure
- A two-year warranty
Pricing and Availability
Io Xpand will be available soon for purchase through AJA’s network of resellers for $499 US MSRP. Bundle packages that include an Io Xpand chassis and either a KONA 1, a KONA 4, or a KONA 5 I/O card are also coming soon, with prices ranging from $1249 US MSRP to $4455 US MSRP, depending on the KONA model.
- AVNation Staff
- AVNation Staff
- AVNation Staff
- AVNation Staff
