Watch this short video to get a high-level introduction of the FS8 with AJA Senior Product Manager Tim Walker. Discover how FS8’s powerful hybrid SDI/ST 2110 workflows, video and audio processing, and routing capabilities simplify today’s multi-camera, multi-format, multi-color space production workflows.

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, 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*.

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. 

*Optional license required. Free 15-day trial available. 

FS8 features an embedded web server and an easy-to-use web UI, making sophisticated signal processing intuitive to configure, control, and deploy simplifying complex SDI and IP workflows while allowing engineering to maintain visibility and control. The interactive node-based processing pipeline and video preview provides the visibility, and control operators need to work with confidence. 

FS8 offers an advanced preset experience with System, Vid Proc, Audio Proc, IP Config, and 3D LUT presets available to the end user.  Each preset type offers granular control over each part of the preset you want to recall.  This greatly simplifies large scale deployments where defined processing pipelines can be shared across multiple units.

NMOS IS-04 and IS-05 supports automated device discovery, registration, and stream connection management within SMPTE ST 2110 environments. 

The OpenAPI Specification (OAS) for the REST API is easily available for 3rd party or customized control, with integrations available from CyanView, Skaarhoj, and Pomfort. 

Ember+ support enables seamless integration with broadcast control and automation systems for remote monitoring and operational control. 

FS8 offers a robust and wide range of video processing options with an easy-to-use, intuitive, node-based web UI. Eight independent video processors provide an extensive toolset for normalizing and shaping incoming signals including frame synchronization, up, down, and cross-conversion, layering, and color management for 4K, UHD, 2K, and HD sources. SDI and ST 2110 connectivity makes FS8 equally at home bridging existing baseband infrastructure with IP workflows, operating entirely within either environment, or integrating existing SDI infrastructure within IP environments. 

Up/Down/Cross-Conversion 

AJA’s advanced video processing delivers high-quality up/down/cross-conversion while preserving image fidelity throughout a ST 2110/SDI hybrid production pipeline. Dedicated 10-bit hardware processing delivers consistent image quality with reliable and repeatable performance. Key conversion features include: 

• 4K/UHD/2K/HD up/down conversion 
• HD/HD cross-conversion (720p/1080p/1080i)

Frame Synchronization 

Configurable video delay up to 60 frames in HD and 30 frames in UHD, plus an ultra-low-latency mode of less than half a video frame, gives engineers the flexibility to precisely align complex production workflows or simply process video as fast as possible. AR (Augmented Reality) imagery is fast becoming a de-facto standard for high-end sport production requiring massive delays of other signals, and FS8 has the tools to keep your diverse production elements in sync.

Region of Interest Scaling 

The FS8 gives you powerful image shaping tools with adjustments for crop, scale, horizontal and vertical positioning - functioning as multiple high-powered 4K ROI’s embedded in this versatile media processing device. 

• Adjust size - shrink or zoom, maintain aspect ratio  
• Select Region of Interest and scale  
• Crop 
• Horizontal and vertical positioning 

Multi-Layer Video Processing 

The FS8 has a built-in layering engine where you can layer one video processor behind or next to another and fill in the background with a matte color in this flexible layout tool, with an output preview in the UI. 

• Matte generator used to fill background, sidebars, letterbox areas, or masked regions after scaling 
• Clean masking of non-image areas 

The FS8 has two pairs of 10/25GigE SFP28 cages for optional ST 2110 I/O with 2022-7 redundancy and PTP supporting IP workflows. In SDI workflows, FS8 utilizes standard BNC as well as optional SFP with optical or HD-BNC inputs and outputs to integrate easily into 12G-SDI infrastructures. The SDI fiber I/O option allows fiber cable runs up to 10 kilometers to be directly connected to the FS8 without the need for separate fiber converters. An analog reference input allows the FS8 SDI outputs to be locked to your house reference signal. Using timing derived from PTP, FS8 provides a configurable analog reference output which can be used to genlock other devices. The Control Port is for accessing the web UI and out-of-band controls. Dante audio I/O is over the Primary and Secondary GigE ports for Dante network redundancy and control via Dante software. MADI I/O is via the two pairs of HD-BNCs. Dual redundant power supplies are included supporting continuous operation in mission-critical applications.

• Video  
  • 16x16 SDI (up to 12G-SDI) 
    • 8x8 BNC 
    • 8x8 SFP (optional) 
  • 4x4 UHD or 8x8 HD ST 2110-20 
    • 4x SFP28 for 10 or 25GbE (ST 2110-20 with ST 2022-7, optional 3rd party) 
• Audio 
  • 256x256 SDI embedded (SDI Only Mode, 128x128 in Hybrid Modes) 
    • 8x8 SDI BNC (16 channels per video) 
    • 8x8 SDI SFP (16 channels each per video, optional) 
  • 128x128 MADI  
    • 2x2 HD-BNC (64 channels per MADI) 
  • 128x128 ST 2110-30 
    • 4x SFP28 for 10 or 25GbE
    • 8x8 UHD or 4x4 HD (16 channels per video, optional 3rd party) 
  • 64x64 Dante 
    • 2x RJ-45, Primary and Secondary (64 channels) 

FS8 bridges existing SDI infrastructure with modern SMPTE ST 2110 production networks, providing high-density frame synchronization, format conversion, HDR/3D LUT processing, ANC handling, and integrated audio management in a single 1RU platform. With support for SDI copper and/or optional fiber I/O, ST 2110 over 4x25GbE, embedded audio, Dante, and MADI, FS8 helps facilities simplify signal flow, reduce equipment count, and transition confidently between baseband and IP production environments.

Click workflow to enlarge.

Download Workflow

FS8 helps simplify live REMI workflows by aligning SDI, ST 2110, and audio sources at the remote acquisition site before they move into production. Paired with BRIDGE LIVE IP, processed feeds can be transported as redundant SRT streams over the public internet, then received at the production control room where the actual production occurs. 

With integrated frame synchronization, video processing, and audio handling, FS8 provides a compact edge-processing point for live production teams working across SDI, ST 2110, Dante, MADI, and remote contribution workflows. 

Click workflow to enlarge.

Download Workflow

Maintaining Perceptual Integrity

FS8’s HDR/WCG capabilities leverage video and color space processing algorithms within the Colorfront Engine, specially licensed by AJA from Colorfront as a licensable option for FS8. 

Powered by the Colorfront Engine, FS8’s extensive HDR and WCG processing support enables real-time processing of up to 8 HD or 4 UHD signals. FS8 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 HDR/ SDR broadcast and OTT workflows. 

Colorfront Engine TV Mode provides specific conversions and simplified controls for highlight and roll-off management in live television broadcast productions. 

Colorfront Engine Live Mode provides conversions and controls that support live applications such as broadcast, OTT, A/V, and venue.  New transforms support PQ workflows targeting 10,000 NIT displays. 

Colorfront Engine SDR to Dolby Vision Preview Mode converts SDR sources to perceptually matched HDR using the same color transforms as Colorfront Transkoder’s SDR2DolbyVision node, with simplified controls for highlights and contrast. Designed for preview and downstream Dolby Vision workflows, it enables the same settings to be applied in Transkoder for final deliverables with Dolby Vision metadata. 

FS8 supports uploads of user-created 3D LUTs, with the ability to store and recall as needed through the FS8’s new and easy-to-use 3D LUT Preset UI. 3D LUTs are ideal for SDR/HDR transforms, bringing a standard desired look to a production, and for applying creative LUTs for imagine enhancements and special visual treatments. FS8 supports 33-point Tetrahedral 3D LUT interpolation.

FS8 also supports Dynamic LUT uploads from third-party software for live color grading, with the ability to see changes as you implement them. For example, Pomfort LiveGrade software drives FS8’s Dynamic LUTs for continuous real-time LUT updates. 

BBC HLG LUTs Mode offers additional functionality that adds HDR conversion options, particularly for television broadcasters who are looking for specific conversion criteria as a licensable option in FS8.

• Supports mathematical HLG HDR dynamic range mapping per ITU BT.2408 
• Scene-light and Display-light conversions 
• SDR, PQ, and S-Log3 to HLG 
• HLG to SDR and PQ 
• Utilizes 33-point Tetrahedral 3D LUT Interpolation 

Pomfort Livegrade 

Pomfort officially supports FS8 as a network-connected look management device. Livegrade connects to the FS8 by IP address, can address its individual video processors, and sends 3D LUT updates dynamically for real time processing by FS8. 

“For years, Livegrade has helped cinematographers and film production teams preserve their creative intent throughout complex multi-camera productions. As live productions continue to embrace cinematic image quality and modern IP infrastructures, the integration with the new AJA FS8 extends Livegrade's proven capabilities into SMPTE 2110 workflows for FullHD and UHD signals. We're excited to support this evolution by enabling live production teams to achieve cinematic-level creative control all the way through to the audience, while meeting the speed, scale, and no-second-chance demands of live environments.” - Lukas Wanderer, Product Manager at Pomfort

https://pomfort.com/

SKAARHOJ’s line of hardware-based control panels provides integrated control of AJA’s FS family of frame synchronizers. The Rack Control Duo, developed in partnership with broadcast services provider NEP, supports AJA’s FS8, FS-HDR, FS4, FS2, and FS1-X devices and is capable of ganging control of multiple FS products and processing channels together, making set-up and on-the-fly adjustments faster and easier for operators and engineers with a single tactile hardware control panel.

Ideal for any production environment involving multiple source signals, Rack Control Duo is an intuitive hardware control panel with tactile knobs and buttons to easily perform simultaneous adjustments across multiple AJA frame synchronizers.

Operators can also use the panel to recall and implement presets from previous setups across one or more FS devices. When used in conjunction with FS8’s real time HDR/WCG converters, RGB color corrections can be performed via Rack Control Duo prior to HDR to SDR or SDR to HDR transforms, harnessing the power of AJA’s FS8.

https://www.skaarhoj.com/