Video & projection
AJA ColorBox troubleshooting
The AJA ColorBox problems live-event techs bring to Ask Roadie most (also called Color Box). Pick your symptom, or describe your own in plain words, and get the likeliest fix first, with the manual page when there is one.
Common ColorBox errors & problems
What techs run into most, and what's usually behind it. The step-by-step fix for your exact unit is in Ask Roadie.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
A watermark/overlay is burned into the output image
Likely cause: AJA intentionally overlays a watermark on optional/licensable pipelines as a try-before-you-buy; it is not a fault.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Can't reach the ColorBox web UI / don't know its IP address
Likely cause: eMini-Setup over USB is the out-of-band path to set networking when you cannot otherwise reach the unit.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
ColorBox won't power on / intermittent power in the field
Likely cause: Under-voltage or a marginal supply below the 12G power draw causes no-boot or dropouts; the 4-pin mini-XLR must latch to stay connected under cable strain.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Embedded audio missing or wrong channel count downstream
Likely cause: The HDMI 2.0 spec carries fewer embedded audio channels than 12G-SDI, so the channel loss is inherent to choosing HDMI, not a routing fault.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
Need to load a studio/vendor LUT but the file format is rejected
Likely cause: Earlier firmware lacked CLF/CTF parsing and the flexible AMF override; v3.0 added both, so a rejected .clf/.ctf usually just means the box is on older firmware.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
No output or unstable output at 4K 60p in RGB/4:4:4
Likely cause: 4:4:4 12-bit at 60p exceeds 12G, so the box only offers 4:4:4 at ≤30p.
- Step-by-step fixGet the fix →
No picture on the HDMI monitor even though SDI input is present
Likely cause: HDMI sinks negotiate a limited set of formats; an output configured beyond the monitor's EDID capability shows black.
Not on the list? Describe it your way, or paste the error code off the display. Ask Roadie works the problem with you until it's fixed or you have a clear next move.
How Ask Roadie helps with the ColorBox
- 1. Pick the AJA ColorBox. It's already in the list.
- 2. Describe what you're seeing. In your own words, or the error code off the screen.
- 3. Get the likeliest fix first. Steps in order, the manual page when there is one, and a note when other techs have confirmed it.
- 4. Still broken? Tap 👎 and it keeps going from where you left off.