Active video converter AJA FS-HDR

The AJA FS-HDR is an active video converter and 1RU rackmount frame synchronizer engineered for real-time, low-latency HDR and Wide Color Gamut (WCG) processing in broadcast, OTT, production, post and live event AV environments. It supports up to 4096 x 2160 resolution and multiple video modes including 525i, 625i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p and 2160p. The device offers BNC SDI interfaces for input and output, optional fiber and 12G/6G/3G SDI SFP modules, an integrated Colorfront Engine for HDR/WCG transforms, and a compact 1RU chassis suitable for rack systems. FS-HDR performs single-channel 4K/UltraHD HDR processing or multi-channel 2K/HD conversion, with flexible audio routing and monitoring options.

Advantages

FS-HDR combines real-time HDR/WCG conversion powered by the Colorfront Engine with hardware up, down and cross-conversion in a single compact unit. The converter supports camera LOG to HDR/SDR conversions, BBC HLG LUT mode, 3D LUT uploads, parametric control over color transforms and an SDR preview mode for quick verification of SDR appearance. It includes extensive I/O options, support for MADI and AES audio workflows, closed captioning conversion, remote web-based control and the ability to store and recall presets for consistent multi-unit deployments.

Suitable for (tasks / use cases)

• Real-time HDR and WCG conversion in broadcast and OTT playout chains
• Live production and event workflows requiring low-latency frame sync and color fidelity
• Multi-camera productions needing real-time camera LOG to HDR/SDR conversion
• Post and mastering environments that require up/down/cross-conversion between HD and UltraHD
• Facilities requiring flexible audio routing (MADI, AES, SDI) and closed caption preservation

Key specifications

• Maximum resolution: 4096 x 2160 (4K/UltraHD)
• Supported formats: 525i, 625i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 2160p
• HDR/WCG processing: Colorfront Engine-powered transforms; PQ, HLG and multiple LOG formats supported
• Inputs/outputs: BNC SDI coaxial I/O, optional SFP fiber/12G/6G/3G modules, loop reference input
• Modes: Single-channel 4K HDR processing; four-channel 2K/HD simultaneous processing
• LUT support: 3D .cube uploads (33-point), store up to 10 LUTs, dynamic LUT support
• Parametric controls: 21 color and HDR transform parameters accessible via front panel, web GUI or REST
• Audio: SDI embedded audio, MADI (coax/fiber), AES routing with internal audio matrix
• Monitoring: 2K/HD HDMI monitoring output; SDI monitor outputs auto-downconvert
• Power: 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz
• Dimensions: 444.5 mm (W) x 406.4 mm (D) x 44.5 mm (H) — 1RU

How to use

Install the FS-HDR in a standard 19" rack using the 1RU form factor and connect video sources to the BNC SDI inputs or optional SFP fiber modules. Lock the unit to house reference via the looping reference input. Configure HDR, WCG and conversion parameters using the front panel, the web-based GUI over the built-in Ethernet port, or via REST API; save presets for repeated use. Upload any required 3D LUTs in 33-point .cube format through the web GUI and assign LUTs or Colorfront transforms per channel. Route and map audio between SDI, AES and MADI as needed, and use the built-in HDMI/SDI monitoring outputs to verify the processed signal. For multi-camera LOG conversions, select the incoming camera LOG profile and target output gamut/dynamic range, then fine-tune with the parametric controls.

Usage recommendations

For consistent HDR delivery, calibrate and verify target monitoring devices and use the SDR Preview mode when adjusting HDR camera shading. When deploying multiple FS-HDR units, use the web GUI and preset export/import to ensure uniform transforms. Use appropriate SFP modules for required fiber distances and enable BBC HLG LUTs mode when following ITU BT.2408-0 workflows for HLG mapping.