Io Xpand delivers the performance of AJA PCIe I/O cards for Thunderbolt 5 laptops creating a compact workstation with high throughput and capture/playback functionality.
AJA Video Systems showed Io Xpand, a high-performance Thunderbolt 5-enabled PCIe expansion chassis for AJA KONA and Corvid video and audio I/O cards, at InfoComm 2026, held 17 – 19 June. Because demand for higher bandwidth, higher resolution content is increasing in many industries, Io Xpand delivers the performance of AJA PCIe I/O cards for video professionals who are using Thunderbolt 5 laptops and mini-PCs on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Io Xpand is a useful choice for creative or live production environments where space is limited and portability matters, including on-set, remote production and live switching. Video professionals can match the new chassis to either a KONA 1, KONA 4 or KONA 5 I/O card and a Thunderbolt 5-equipped computer to create a compact workstation with high throughput and video capture/playback functionality. For AJA Developer Partners, most AJA Corvid I/O cards can 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 sold as a standalone unit, or in one of 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 gives Thunderbolt 5 laptop and mini-PC users 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 set-up.
"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," said AJA President Nick Rashby. "Io Xpand is convenient, cost-efficient hardware for employing our Desktop I/O capabilities with a smaller form factor workstation that travels easily."
Io Xpand is compatible with Thunderbolt 5, 4, 3 and USB4. It can be used with four full height, half length Gen 4 PCIe cards, and with double-width PCIe cards and PCIe cards with daughter cards. Up to 6000 MB/s of bi-directional PCIe bandwidth can be supplied to the installed card. With a second Thunderbolt port users can daisy-chain Thunderbolt devices.
Io Xpand will be available soon for purchase through AJA's network of resellers. 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. www.aja.com/io-xpand
