FS-HDR for Real Time HDR Workflows

Deliver more immersive content to audiences with the power and flexibility of AJA FS-HDR. See how FS-HDR and the Colorfront Engine can simplify real time HDR/WCG transformations, and make it easy to maintain the look you’ve worked to achieve across SDR to HDR, HDR to HDR and HDR to SDR for both 4K and HD needs.

Learn more about the device’s extensive capabilities, including extensive camera log translations and more.

Real Time HDR Converter

The pursuit of High Dynamic Range (HDR) is the dream of getting closer to the Human Visual System (HVS) in all that we experience as viewers. FS-HDR has been designed to get us all there faster with a low profile, stand-alone and real time device uniquely designed to bridge SDR to HDR, HDR to SDR and HDR to HDR, all in real time.

HDR Conversions:

• HDR to HDR
• HDR to SDR
• SDR to HDR

WCG Conversions:

• BT.709 and BT.2020

Up and Down Conversions:

• Converting HD SDR BT.709 sources to UltraHD HDR BT.2020
• Converting UltraHD HDR BT.2020 sources to HD SDR BT.709 or HD HDR BT.2020

Colorfront Engine™

Maintaining Perceptual Integrity

FS-HDR’s HDR/WCG capabilities leverage video and color space processing algorithms within the Colorfront Engine™,  specially licensed by AJA from Colorfront, and developed by Colorfront’s CTO Bill Feighter and Lead Engineer Tamas Perlaki.

Powered by the Colorfront Engine, FS-HDR’s extensive HDR and WCG processing support enables real time processing of a single channel of 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD including down-conversion to HD HDR  or up to four channels of 2K/HD simultaneously.  FS-HDR also enables the conversion of popular camera formats from multiple vendors into the HDR space, plus conversion to and from BT.2020/BT.709 as needed, critical for the widespread acceptance of HDR alongside SDR in broadcast and OTT workflows.

Inputs: Dynamic Range/Color Gamut

• SDR BT.709 100 Nits
• PQ BT.2020 1000 Nits
• PQ P3D65 1000 Nits
• Hybrid Log Gamma BT.2100
• Sony® S-Log3 S-Gamut3
• Sony S-Log3 S-Gamut3 Cine
• Sony S-Log3 BT.2020
• ARRI Log C Wide Gamut
• Panasonic® V-Log
• RED Log3G10 Wide Gamut
• Canon Log 2
• Canon Log 3
• Outputs: Dynamic Range/Color Gamut
• SDR BT.709 100 Nits
• PQ BT.2020 1000 Nits
• Hybrid Log Gamma BT.2100
• Sony S-Log3 S-Gamut3
• Sony S-Log3 BT.2020
• ARRI Log C Wide Gamut

Real Time Camera LOG Conversions

FS-HDR can take incoming imagery from some of the most popular professional cameras in the world today and convert their LOG output in real time to 4K/UltraHD or 2K/HD and output as either HDR or SDR. This greatly simplifies workflows in a mixed camera environment and provides for a unified input workflow to HDR or SDR capable switchers and more. Additionally, FS-HDR provides the ability to convert to Sony S-Log3 S-Gamut on output from any of these sources for workflows requiring this Log feed to compatible switchers and more.

• Sony S-Log3 S-Gamut3
• Sony S-Log3 S-Gamut3 Cine
• Sony S-Log3 BT.2020
• ARRI LogC Wide Gamut
• Panasonic Vlog
• RED Log3G10 Wide Gamut
• Canon Log2
• Canon Log 3

BBC HLG LUTs Mode

BBC HLG LUTs Mode offers additional functionality that adds HDR conversion options, particularly for television broadcasters who are looking for specific conversion criteria.

• Supports mathematical HLG HDR dynamic range mapping per ITU BT.2408-0
• SDR, PQ and S-Log3 to HLG
• HLG to SDR and PQ

BBC HLG LUT Conversions

• SDR Scene Referred (SR) to HLG
• SDR (SR) Upconversion to HLG
• SDR Display Referred (DR) to HLG
• SDR (DR) Upconversion to HLG
• PQ 1000 nit to HLG
• PQ 4000 nit to HLG
• S-Log3 100% to HLG
• S-Log3 200% (SR Live) to HLG
• HLG to SDR Scene Referred (SR)
• HLG to SDR Display Referred (DR)
• HLG to PQ 1000 nit

3D LUT Uploads and Dynamic LUT Support

3D LUTs place color and luma in a 3D space, a much more representative way of how color works in the real world and useful for capturing and relaying more complex color grades than 1D LUTs.

FS-HDR v2.6 supports uploads of user created 3D LUTs (33 point .cube format), with the ability to store and recall as needed through the FS-HDR's simple visual GUI. This is ideal for bringing a standard desired look to a production, applying a creative LUT previously designed for the sake of the project or potentially loading a film emulation LUT for a particular look.

Additionally FS-HDR now supports Dynamic LUT uploads from 3rd party software for live playout with the ability to see changes as you implement them. Support is available now for TV logic WonderLookPro and soon for Pomfort LiveGrade Pro.

• Upload using web GUI
• 33 point .cube format
• Store up to 10 LUTs

Parametric Controls for HDR Transforms and Color Correction

FS-HDR provides 21 parametric controls for Colorfront Engine FS-HDR HDR transforms and color correction. Each parametric control is accessible via FS-HDR’s front panel, the web GUI on any browser, or REST interface, and settings can be stored to a preset for recall later or copied to other FS-HDR units. 

Twenty one individual parametric controls enable the following:

• Adjusting R,G,B, and Master color controls for Lift, Gamma, and Gain
• Adjusting Saturation
• Guiding the algorithm’s color volume expansion from SDR to HDR
• Adjusting for the Ambient Light in the mastering or viewing environment
• Managing how SDR highlights and speculars are expanded into HDR
• Controlling the overall look of camera log inputs between cinematic and television
• Support for ITU BT.2408-0, Operational Practices in HDR Television Production.

SDR Preview Mode

The Colorfront Engine SDR Preview Mode allows a user to quickly see what an HDR output will look like if it were converted to SDR by an FS-HDR.  This is extremely useful in functions like camera shading, where the operator is making adjustments to an HDR camera while viewing the image on an HDR display.  A key question is "what will this picture look like when down converted to SDR?"  The FS-HDR's unique SDR Preview mode provides a fast way to answer this question without requiring an HDR to SDR equipment chain or reconfiguring the existing HDR monitor. 

When SDR Preview is enabled, the Colorfront Engine maps the video into the currently selected HDR space (PQ or HLG), but with values that will exactly represent the SDR image.  This eliminates the time normally required to change the output format to SDR and the wait for the display to reconfigure.  By simply controlling the on/off state of SDR Preview (from the front panel, Web GUI, or GPI), the operator can make quick, glitch free A/B comparisons of the HDR and SDR images.

HDR Workflows for UltraHD and HD with FS-HDR

FS-HDR opens a range of exciting possibilities for the integration of HDR within a range of workflows:

• Converting from a house HDR standard to a delivery HDR standard,
• Converting from a camera OETF to a house HDR standard,
• Converting from HDR standard to SDR for delivery or monitoring,
• Converting SDR camera output to a house HDR standard,
• Converting SDR sources to HDR for integrating into an HDR program,
• Converting HD SDR BT.709 sources to UltraHD HDR BT.2020,
• Converting UltraHD HDR BT.2020 sources to HD SDR BT.709,
• Converting source inputs to Sony S-Log3 S-Gamut3.
• FS-HDR Key Features
• HDR to HDR, SDR to HDR and HDR to SDR conversions for Dynamic Range and Wide Color Gamut needs.

Support for two Operational Modes:

• Single Channel Mode for 4K/UltraHD or 2K/HD frame sync and conversion including HDR conversions
• 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD/SD video processing and up, down, cross-conversion
• A full range of I/O options for 4K/UltraHD including Quad 1.5G; Dual 3G; and Quad 3G, 6G and 12G over a range of Coax and optional Fiber choices
• SMPTE 2SI I/O support for broad compatibility with 4K/UltraHD devices
• Enhanced Single Channel Mode offers the ability to simultaneously output 4K/UltraHD and 2K/HD with their own HDR transform settings for convenient Single Master HDR workflows.
• Four Channel Mode for simultaneous independent 2K/HD/SD channels including HDR conversions
• 2K/HD/SD up, down, cross-conversion
• SD/SD aspect ratio conversion
• HD/HD cross-conversion (720p/1080i)

Each processing channel can independently select from:

• Colorfront Engine
• BBC HLG 3-D LUTs
• User 3-D LUTs
• Dynamic 3-D LUTs (Single Channel Mode only)
• Colorfront Engine support for ITU BT.2408-0, Operational Practices in HDR Television Production
• Parametric controls including HDR functions and Color Corrector
• SDR Preview Mode
• HDR Color Bar Test Patterns
• HDMI HDR Infoframe generation to support HDR displays per HDMI v2.0b/CTA-861-G for any 2K/HD HDMI output format and 2K/HD output down-scaled from 4K/UltraHD
• Widely interoperable with 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD raster support,
• Quadrants and 2SI conversion, P, PsF and Interlace support
• A 1RU frame offering space, power and cost efficiencies ideal for broadcast trucks, postproduction or broadcast settings
• Audio I/O processing with a 272 x 208 matrix of audio possibilities; support for a flexible range of audio feeds from discrete AES to MADI and embedded SDI audio, with each audio input offering sample rate conversion
• Simple operation, a redesigned menu structure and quick access to features via front panel buttons, as well as a web-based UI offering control over a LAN or across the web

Single Channel Mode

Bulletproof Reliability. Incredible 4K/HD Conversion Power with simultaneous 2K/HD outputs.

4K/UltraHD delivery, processing and synchronization is fast becoming the next standard, and FS-HDR gets you there with a wealth of digital video connectivity including Quad 1.5G, Dual 3G, Quad 3G with built in BNC connectors and 12Gb/6Gb over optional 12G-SDI and 12G-SDI LC Fiber SFP modules.

In single channel mode, FS-HDR will scale up your HD or SD materials to 4K/UltraHD and back, with a huge array of audio channels over Fiber, 3G-SDI, AES, and MADI for an incredible 272 x 208 matrix of audio possibilities.

In Single Channel Mode, HDR processing can be performed on true 4K or UltraHD signals and up, down, cross-conversion is available for HD HDR or HDR SDR needs from an UltraHD source.

Enhanced Single Channel Mode offers simultaneous 4K/UltraHD and 2K/HD outputs for Single Master HDR workflows.

Four Channel Mode

Welcome to Multi-Channel HD HDR Processing.

In Four Channel Mode FS-HDR provides incredibly powerful multi-channel conversion with up to four channels of simultaneous HDR processing for 2K/HD and SD signals. Powerful conversion processing also allows Region of Interest (ROI) scaling, color correction, proc amp controls, motion adaptive deinterlacing and much more.

Each channel can be independently configured for Colorfront Engine, BBC HLG 3-D LUT or User 3-D LUT transform.

In Four Channel Mode you can also bring in a single HD source and process four separate outputs from it, each with their own HDR/SDR transformations.

Multi-channel density in a 1RU Chassis. Space, energy and power

possibilities preserved.

Incredible Digital Connectivity

Video and Audio deserve the connectivity and bandwidth required to meet the demands of your projects.

FS-HDR utilizes standard BNC as well as optional SFP inputs and outputs to integrate easily into a variety of workflows and facilities with support for SDI workflows all the way up to 12G. 

FS-HDR has Coax and Fiber* inputs and outputs to accept 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD/SD resolution SDI signals in Single Channel Mode. In Four Channel Mode 2K/HD/SD inputs can be routed to multiple locations simultaneously without the need for any external signal distribution.

A looping Reference Input allows the FS-HDR to be locked to your house reference signal for rock solid stability.

Digital Audio can be disembedded and embedded between SDI, MADI and AES for an incredible array of routing possibilities.

* SFP  inputs and outputs are optional.

12G/6G HD-BNC and

Fiber SFP Options

FS-HDR's SFP options include both 12G/6G-SDI HD-BNC and Fiber I/O options including single and dual channel Single-Mode options and Multi-Mode options, allowing great SDI flexibility and fiber cable runs of up to 10 kilometers to be connected directly to the FS-HDR without the need for separate fiber to SDI conversion.

Optional 12G/6G-SDI SFPs:

• HDBNC-2TX-12G:  12G/6G-SDI Dual Coax HD-BNC Transmitter
• HDBNC-2RX-12G:  12G/6G-SDI Dual Coax HD-BNC Receiver
• FIBERLC-1TX-12G:  12G-SDI Single Fiber LC Transmitter Single Mode
• FIBERLC-1RX-12G:  12G-SDI Single Fiber LC Receiver Single Mode
• FIBERLC-2TX-12G: 12G/6G-SDI Dual Fiber LC Transmitter Single Mode
• FIBERLC-2RX-12G: 12G/6G-SDI Dual Fiber LC Receiver Single Mode

Optional 3G-SDI Multi-Mode SFPs:

• FIBERLC-1TX-MM:  Single Fiber LC Transmitter Multi-Mode 850nm
• FIBERLC-1RX-MM:  Single Fiber LC Receiver Multi-Mode 850nm
• FIBERLC-2TX-MM:  Dual Fiber LC Transmitter Multi-Mode 850nm
• FIBERLC-2RX-MM:  Dual Fiber LC Receiver Multi-Mode 850nm

Single and Dual Channel Fiber connectors supported:

• Single Channel LC connector modules
• Single Channel SC connector modules
• Dual Channel LC connector modules

Possible CWDM options:

Choose from multiple wavelength CWDM SFPs, allowing advanced multiplexing of signals over a single fiber connection.

• Dual TX 1271/1291
• Dual TX 1311/1331
• Dual TX 1351/1371
• Dual TX 1391/1411
• Dual TX 1431/1451
• Dual TX 1471/1491
• Dual TX 1511/1531
• Dual TX 1551/1571
• Dual TX 1591/1611

Up, Down, Cross-Conversion

Moving to 4K is never an instant change. Legacy signals and archival material need to be integrated into the 4K environment while 4K/UltraHD sources need to be down-converted for current 2K/HD pipelines.

Utilizing AJA's remarkable conversion algorithms, FS-HDR supports up, down, cross-conversion from 2K/HD/SD to 4K or UltraHD video and back over 12G/6G/3G-SDI video.  Both Square Division (SQD) and Two Sample Interleave (2SI) output formats are supported.

AJA's powerful hardware conversion technology ensures the highest image quality for your productions. Key conversion features include:

4K/UltraHD/2K/HD/SD up, down-conversion

SD/SD aspect ratio conversion

HD/HD cross-conversion (720p/1080i)

All done in beautiful 10-bit with dedicated hardware.

Tangent Element Kb Panel Support with Free Control Link Software

The Tangent Element Kb twelve knob panel provides remote real time adjustment control of the FS-HDR’s Colorfront Engine parameters for HDR. This enables quick access and tactile control for key FS-HDR parameters in live production.

A new standalone app, FS-HDR Control Link, can be run on a local PC or Mac to provide communications between the Tangent panel’s USB interface and an Ethernet LAN, and ultimately connect to the FS-HDR. With v2.6 firmware and FS-HDR Control Link software, you can control parameters across multiple FS-HDRs and utilize 4x FS-HDRs simultaneously for 8K needs.

Control Link software can be found alongside the FS-HDR firmware under the Software panel on FS-HDR's Support page and instructions for use are included in the FS-HDR manual.

Note: The Tangent Elelment Kb hardware is not sold through AJA and must be sourced through normal third party channels.

HDMI HDR Output

2K/HD HDMI output included, or use the Hi5-12G or

Hi5-4K-Plus for 4K/UltraHD HDMI output

FS-HDR  includes an HDMI 1.4 output mode for 2K/HD monitoring of your HDR conversions.

FS-HDR provides HDR infoframe generation to support HDR displays per HDMI v2.0b/CTA-861-G. The Monitor outputs (SDI and HMDI) support 2K/HD/SD formats, so when monitoring a 4K or UltraHD output, the monitor outputs (both SDI and HDMI) will be automatically down-converted to 2K or HD with HDR transforms respectively.

For beautiful full HDMI 2.0 to 4K/UltraHD displays, pair your FS-HDR with either an AJA Hi5-12G for single cable simplicity for 4K/UltraHD or a Hi5-4K-Plus Mini-Converter.

AJA’s Hi5-12G preserves your vision with pristine image fidelity and HFR support up to 60p for 4K/UltraHD SDI to HDMI 2.0 conversion needs with the ability to connect to FS-HDR over a single 12G-SDI cable. Both the Hi5-12G and Hi5-4K-Plus can generate HDR metadata in accordance with HDMI v2.0b/CTA-861-G.

Hi5-4K-Plus provides a simple monitoring connection from professional 4K devices like the FS-HDR, using Quad 3G-SDI, Quad 1.5G-SDI, or Dual 3G-SDI outputs to new displays with 4K/UltraHD HDMI 2.0 inputs, for cost effective monitoring for 4:2:2/4:4:4 60p professional workflows.

Remote Configuration and Control

FS-HDR is network ready and supports SNMP monitoring and web-based remote control. Units can be connected to any Ethernet network via the built-in 10/100/1000MB Ethernet port, allowing control and configuration of multiple FS units from any web browser on a connected computer. Configurations can be saved and applied to multiple units, ensuring consistency and quick configuration in large installs.

FS-HDR features unique over the network control of HDR settings from within its elegant interface available from any browser, anywhere.

Massive Audio Flexibility

The growth of 5.1 and 7.1 audio has increased the number of audio channels that must be managed in a production,  The MADI standard provides a convenient way to transport huge numbers of audio channels along a single cable, simplifying the cabling demands for broadcasters, mobile trucks and production. FS-HDR supports both fiber and coax MADI input and output.  An internal 277 x 208 mono audio matrix allows you to route 1 to 1 or 1 to many with full routing of MADI, mixdowns and all audio coming from SDI, fiber and AES sources for an incredible amount of audio processing capability in a single box.

Closed Captioning Conversion

FS-HDR supports closed captioning and the conversion of closed captioning between 2K/HD/SD and 4K/UltraHD formats - including full conversion of CEA-608 and CEA-708 standards. FS-HDR can preserve closed captioning even when converting between formats, removing the need to reinsert closed captions after conversion.

Active Format Description

Automatically sets Active Format Description information to match the converted signal. This means AFD information does not have to be inserted after conversion and provides accurate information for devices that understand AFD.

AJA Quick Start: FS-HDR

Watch this video to learn how to configure FS-HDR utilizing the FS-HDR’s built in web interface for both 4K/UltraHD, and multi-channel HD HDR to HDR, SDR to HDR and

HDR to SDR needs.

Industry-Leading Support

AJA’s technical support is recognized as among the best in the industry and is available to all AJA customers. If you need assistance with any aspect of your FS installation, configuration, operation or encounter any technical issue,  AJA Support will work with you to get up and running.

FS products are covered by a generous five year international warranty.