AJA FS8 Hybrid SDI/IP Media Processor

About: AJA FS8 Hybrid SDI/IP Media Processor

The FS8 is the new powerhouse multi-channel frame synchronizer and converter engineered to prepare SDI and SMPTE ST 2110 signals for production. FS8 combines frame synchronization, up/down/cross-conversion, frame-rate conversion, HDR/WCG processing, 3D-LUT-based and live color management, audio processing, delay management, and metadata handling, along with SDI to/from IP gateway, in a single, 1RU device. It is designed for cine-live productions, broadcast, production trucks, flypacks, live venues, studio and remote production environments where every downstream device must receive a predictable, standards-compliant signal, ensuring interoperability in even the most complex workflows. 

• UHD Vid Proc Mode for up to 4 channels of 4K/UHD frame sync and conversion including HDR conversions 
• HD Vid Proc Mode for up to 8 channels of HD frame sync and conversion including HDR conversions 
• Mix and match Vid Proc Modes, 8 Vid Procs total (2 required for UHD processing) 
• Wide range of I/O options including SDI over coax, IP over SFP, optional fiber, and ST 2110, MADI, and Dante audio
  • “SDI Only” and “Hybrid” operating modes provide quick access to only the connectivity you need
• 4K/UHD/2K/HD video processing and up, down, cross-conversion 
• HDR and SDR color transforms for Dynamic Range and Wide Color Gamut conversion needs (included and licensable options) 
• Each Vid Proc can independently select from these transform modes: 
  • Colorfront Engine (Licensable option) 
  • BBC HLG LUTs (Licensable option) 
  • NBCU LUTs 
  • User LUT  
  • Dynamic LUT 
• 33-point 3D LUT Processors with Tetrahedral Interpolation supporting: 
  • User 3D LUTs 
  • Dynamic 3D LUTs through third party applications 
• Configurable HDR metadata for output SDI VPID and ST 2110 SDP 
• Test signal generator, includes SDR and HDR test patterns, moving box, configurable overlay with user text, and tone generators, per video processor 
• Region of Interest scaling and positioning, per video processor 
• Motion Adaptive Deinterlacer  
• Audio I/O processing with a 459x448 audio matrix for audio feeds from SDI embedded, MADI, Dante, ST 2110-30, downmixers and audio tone generators, with each audio input and output offering sample rate conversion, delay, level, and phase adjustment
• Color LCD screen with real time video preview, audio meters, and status monitoring 
• Feature rich browser-based UI control with video preview and audio meters 
• OpenAPI implementation of the REST API for 3rd party or custom control 
• 1RU frame offering space, power, and cost efficiencies  
• Genlock – PTP, Analog Blackburst, or Tri-level 
• Configurable analog reference output  
• Ancillary data grooming 
• Delay management 
  • Up to 60 frames of configurable video delay in HD, 30 frames in UHD
  • 2.5 seconds of configurable audio delay. 
  • Ultra-low latency video processing mode, less than half of a video frame 
  • Timing comparator to help align outputs without the need for a scope 
• Frame rate conversion 
• Vid Proc Layering 
• Intuitive input and output routing matrix controls 
• Any input to any output, video and audio 
• System and component level presets enable faster setups 
• IP features 
  • SMPTE ST 2110 (-10, -20, -21, -30, -40) standards compliant Video, Audio, ANC with ST 2022-7 redundancy 
  • 4x SFP28 cages support 10 GigE and 25 GigE SFPs (not included) 
  • NMOS (IS-04 and IS-05) compatible 
  • In-Band (via media SFPs): PTPv2/ST 2059-2, control via NMOS (IS-04 and IS-05), and Ember+ 
  • Out-of-Band (via 1 GigE RJ-45): control via NMOS (IS-04 and IS-05), AJA REST API, and Ember+ 
  • PTP: ST 2059-2 (IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol) (PTPv2) via media SFPs  
  • ST 2110-30 audio modes 1x16, 2x8, 4x4, up to 16-channels per stream 
    • 1ms and 125us timing 
  • ST 2110 Tools 
    • Network Validation – Ping per IP interface 
    • PCAP – Packet Capture File direct from device 
    • SDP - view and field ignore for troubleshooting 
    • NMOS Discovery Modes – Searches Control and Media network with support for DNS-SD + mDNS and static registry options 
    • Operational Statistics 
  • Dante Audio 
    • 1x Primary and 1x Secondary GigE ports for Dante audio network redundancy, supporting 64x64 audio channels  
    • Controllable through Dante software from Audinate 
    • PTPv2, AES67, RAVENNA, and ST 2110-30 compatible 

FS8 features 8 independent channels of HD video processing with up to 4 channels of UHD video processing in an all new, easy-to-operate, visual node pipeline within a rich web interface. The video processors are fed from up to 16x 12G-SDI inputs (8x 12G-SDI BNCs plus 8x via optional SDI HD-BNC or Fiber SFPs) and 8x HD or 4x UHD ST 2110-20 (4x 25 GbE SFP) inputs for a total combination of up to 16 inputs. FS8 has full input and output signal routing, allowing any I/O port to be assigned to any processing channel. Audio connectivity has also been expanded from embedded SDI and MADI with the addition of Dante audio and ST 2110-30 audio connectivity building a massive 459x448 mono audio matrix! 

Designed to solve real production challenges, the FS8 has a robust suite of tools for configuration and troubleshooting signal paths including a built-in test signal generator with custom text overlay on each output for verifying processing and downstream routing without adding additional sources. FS8 presets reduce set up time with System, Vid Proc, Audio Proc, IP Config, and 3D LUT presets available. In addition to its web-browser based UI, the FS8 can be managed via the REST API by 3rd parties or customized control applications. ST 2110 discovery, registration, and control is available with NMOS IS-04, IS-05, and EMBER+. Redundant power supplies ensure reliable, mission-critical operation. 

The partner ecosystem offers integrations with external hardware controllers from CyanView and Skaarhoj, as well as compatibility with Pomfort software for real-time look management.

SMPTE ST 2110

AJA’s SMPTE ST 2110 product family provides the connectivity, control, and interoperability needed to build scalable, standards-based IP production workflows. With four SFP28 cages, the FS8 supports up to 4x UHD or up to 8x HD ST 2110 streams. The two pairs of SFP28s support ST 2022-7 redundancy for maximum uptime. FS8 supports hybrid IP gateway workflows in which SDI and SMPTE ST 2110 signals are synchronized, converted, processed, and exchanged within the same platform. The FS8 can input SDI, apply frame sync, and a wealth of processing options such as SDR/HDR conversions, ROI, scaling, and then output SDI and ST 2110 streams. It also supports conversion from ST 2110 to/from SDI or stay in a full SDI or 2110 pipeline providing ultimate flexibility in dynamic production settings. The capability doesn’t end with signal processing, the FS8 can use PTP and generate a wide range of analog sync reference outputs to genlock other devices. It also features in-band and out-of-band control via NMOS IS-04 and -05 and Ember +. 

HDR and Color Management

• HDR, SDR, and Wide Color Gamut Processing 
  • FS8 supports real-time HDR, SDR, and wide color gamut conversion for live production and distribution. Starting with the proven strengths of FS-HDR, the FS8 includes transform-based processing supporting 3D LUT workflows and single stream HDR productions with SDR and HDR deliverables, while expanding flexibility across more channels and hybrid SDI/IP paths. 
• Live Color Management and Creative Control 
  • For camera matching, live grading, and HDR look management, FS8 provides configurable 3D LUT processors and integration points for professional live color-management systems. A Pomfort Livegrade workflow allows color decisions made in a live production environment to be applied in real-time.  FS8 has a per channel Proc Amp and RGB color corrector in line to fine-tune your live looks or camera match. The FS8 features color management from Colorfront*, NBCU LUTs, and BBC HLG LUTs*.
    • *Optional license required. Free 15-day trial available. 
• Single Stream HDR and SDR production 
  • Productions often must generate multiple color-space and dynamic-range deliverables or convert SDR sources to HDR for mixing with other HDR sources. FS8 can apply different color transforms per video processor output while preserving timing and generating the correct signaling metadata. A single source can be routed to multiple Video Processors for coordinated HDR and SDR processing and route to SDI and/or ST 2110 outputs using the internal signal routing matrix. 
• Legalizer
  • Finally, a built-in YUV/RGB legalizer ensures the processed video remains within broadcast specifications, protecting live productions and deliveries from illegal luminance and chroma levels after color processing, HDR transforms, and format conversions.