Re: What is the system of choice, Aja io or something else?

I agree with the others:

I have a Decklink, AJA Io and a Media 100 system, but the Io is all I really use anymore. On a G5 it's awesome.

There are some instances where a Cinewave system could be a better solution, but for most of us the cost to benefit ratio does not equate. The Decklinks main advantage is for previewing from other applications like combustion, etc. However, it doesn't have all the i/o that the Io does, nor is it fully 10 bit like the Io. The Io with Echo Fire can preview from After Effects also.

Checkout the Cinewave forum and see if you need it's extra capabilities and don't mind it's possible flaws (like only being a 33mhz card which appears to be slowing down all the G5's PCI buses). If Cinewave is not for you then the Io is a quality piece of equipment that I couldn't recommend more.

Tony!