AJA FS-HDR Real Time HDR/WCG Conversion with the Colorfront Engine™ Video Processing

Overview
FS-HDR is a powerful universal converter/frame synchronizer designed specifically to meet the High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG) needs of broadcast, OTT, production, post, and live event AV environments, where real time, low latency processing and color fidelity is required for 4K/UltraHD and 2K/HD workflows. Developed in partnership with Colorfront, the FS-HDR’s HDR/WCG functionality is powered by the Colorfront Engine™ proprietary video processing algorithms. In Single Channel Mode, FS-HDR also serves as a full, 1-channel up, down, and cross-converter for up to 4K/UltraHD HDR/WCG transformations. In Four Channel Mode, FS-HDR offers four independent channels of 2K/HD HDR/WCG transformations, with both modes providing up, down, and cross conversions, and high quality frame syncing, all in a slim, 1RU rackmount form factor.

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 Feightner 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. TV Mode and Live Mode are also offered in AJA’s ColorBox.
• 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.
• Colorfront Engine Film Mode provides conversions and controls, including ASC CDL, for applications such as on-set camera preview and look creation.

FS-HDR Colorfront Engine TV Mode

• TV Mode is an operational mode that provides a simple to use transform selection interface with minimal controls required for a live television production. It addresses color correction and camera correction while introducing new controls essential for HDR/SDR transforms, including Sony S-Log3. These new controls for Brightness, Highlight, Super Highlight, and Colorfulness are designed to enable operators to produce high quality SDR and HDR video by processing within the guardrails of Colorfront’s perceptual processing algorithm, which will maintain perceived color, hue, and saturation without hard clipping artifacts and maintaining proper color relationships. These controls help manage highlights and roll-off in HDR to SDR conversions. They also improve the quality of the SDR output by using more of the information available in the HDR source.  Shouldn’t your SDR deliverable benefit from all the effort put into your HDR production?
• The Colorfront Engine uses conversion algorithms based on the human visual system that provide better SDR to HDR color transformation, as well as improving the overall look of SDR sources used in your HDR production. To protect and maintain color fidelity of SDR brand colors used in graphics or in-camera, the combination of SDR to HLG and HLG to SDR transforms using the Colorfront Engine TV Mode provides the necessary “round-tripping” capabilities.
• A perceptual transform integrates the various human perceptual phenomena into a model or perceptually linear transform space. Unique to the FS-HDR Colorfront Engine TV Mode, transforms are calculated in this perceptual space. Dynamic range, surround illumination, color volume, perceived saturation, and perceived hue are accounted for.

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.

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 we experience as viewers. FS-HDR has been created to get us all there faster with a low profile, stand-alone device uniquely designed to bridge SDR to HDR, HDR to SDR, and HDR to HDR, all in real time.
• HDR Conversions:
  • HDR to HDR 
  • SDR to HDR 
  • HDR to SDR
• WCG Conversions:
  • BT.709 and BT.2020 
• Up and Down Conversion examples:
  • 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

Configurable Frame Delay
As sports fans have come to expect a more dynamic, interactive experience, augmented reality (AR) is quickly becoming a common and valuable production asset, but one that requires additional video processing time. For seamless integration of AR into live productions, larger frame buffering capacities are required to delay other sources. FS-HDR offers the largest configurable frame delay in its class of up to 20 frames per channel, ensuring all sources stay in time.

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
  • Enhanced Single Channel Mode offers the ability to simultaneously output 4K/UltraHD and 2K/HD with their own independent HDR transform settings for convenient Single Master HDR workflows.
• Four Channel Mode for simultaneous independent 2K/HD/SD frame sync and conversion 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 TV Mode
  • Colorfront Engine Live Mode
  • Colorfront Engine Film Mode
  • BBC HLG LUT Mode
  • NBCU LUT Mode
  • User LUT Mode
  • Dynamic LUT Mode
• 33-point Tetrahedral 3D LUT Processor supporting:
  • Built-in BBC HLG 3D LUTs
  • Built-in NBCU 3D LUTs
  • User 3D LUTs
  • Dynamic 3D LUTs through third party applications
• Widely interoperable with 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD raster support, SQD and 2SI mapping conversion, P, PsF and Interlace support
• Configurable HDR settings for SDI output VPID
• 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
• Region of Interest scaling
• Motion Adaptive Deinterlacer control
• Channel to Channel HFR Sync guarantees all channels in one or many frame synchronizers output video on the same field or frame
• Audio I/O processing with a 277 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 FS 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 via a REST API
• A 1RU frame offering space, power, and cost efficiencies ideal for broadcast trucks, postproduction, or broadcast settings

Parametric Controls for HDR Transforms and Color Correction

• FS-HDR provides parametric controls for Colorfront Engine’s HDR transforms and color correction in Live, TV, and Film Modes. 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.
• Colorfront Engine parametric controls offer the following and much more:
• TV Mode:
  • Highlight and roll-off management with Brightness, Highlight, and Super Highlight
  • Colorfulness control for managing the Hunt Effect
  • Round trip setting for ensuring a technical match during a round trip process
  • Adjusting RGB and Master color controls for:
  • Lift, Gamma, and Gain
  • Adjusting for camera correction with Exposure, Color Temp, and Tint
• Live Mode:
  • HDR Log Look, SDR Softness, HDR Amount, Ambient Light Compensation, P3 Clamp
  • Adjusting RGB, and Master color controls for:
  • Lift, Gamma, and Gain
  • Adjusting for camera correction with Exposure, Color Temp, and Tint
• Film Mode:
  • Grading Color Spaces and Looks, HDR Amount Ambient Light Compensation, P3 Clamp
  • Adjusting RGB, and Master color controls for:
  • Slope, Power, and Offset
  • Adjusting for camera correction with Exposure, Color Temp, and Tint
• 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
• Adjusting for camera correction with Exposure, Color Temp, and Tint
• PQ Output Nit Level adjustment from 48 to 4000 Nit
• DCI P3 Color Space Clamp for PQ output
• Support for ITU BT.2408, Operational Practices in HDR Television Production

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 Log C Wide Gamut
• ARRI LogC4 Wide Gamut
• Panasonic Vlog
• RED Log3G10 Wide Gamut 
• Canon Log2 
• Canon Log3

ACES Support
The Academy Color Encoding System (ACES) is an industry standard for managing color throughout a motion picture or television production life cycle. From capture through editing, VFX, mastering, public presentation, archiving, and future remastering, ACES ensures a consistent color experience that preserves the creative vision. FS-HDR offers an ACES Grading Color Space with ACEScct Input and Output Dynamic Ranges for real time integration with ACES workflows.

LOOKs
Colorfront Engine in Film Mode offers built-in LOOK selection including film stock emulation and popular aesthetic looks, valuable tools for on-set and episodic production and you can even mix between any two for unique specific aesthetic needs:

• LOOK
  • Look A or B Select
  • MasterLook
  • MasterBroadcast
  • MasterLookBright
  • MasterLookCool
  • MasterLookLowCon
  • MasterLookSoftColor
  • MasterLookVivid
  • MasterLookWarm
  • MasterPastelD60
  • MasterPastelD65
  • Agfa
  • ARRI K1S1
  • Bleach
  • ClassicFilm
  • Ektachrome
  • FilmBlended
  • FilmBlendedLoCon
  • FujiDI
  • FujiXD
  • GenericFilm
  • Kodachrome
  • ReversalClassic
• A/B Mix

Inputs: Dynamic Range/Color Gamut 

• SDR BT.709 100 Nits
• SDR Extended BT.709
• PQ BT.2020 1000 Nits
• PQ P3D65 1000 Nits
• Hybrid Log Gamma BT.2100
• HLG Extended BT.709
• HLG Extended BT.2100
• Sony® S-Log3 S-Gamut3
• Sony S-Log3 S-Gamut3 Cine
• Sony S-Log3 BT.2020
• ARRI Log C Wide Gamut
• ARRI LogC4 Wide Gamut
• Panasonic® V-Log
• RED Log3G10 Wide Gamut
• Canon Log 2
• Canon Log 3
• ACEScct
• *Not all settings available in all modes

Outputs: Dynamic Range/Color Gamut 

• SDR BT.709 100 Nits
• SDR Extended BT.709
• PQ BT.2020 1000 Nits
• PQ BT.2020 Constrained to P3
• PQ P3D65 1000 Nits
• Hybrid Log Gamma BT.2100
• HLG Extended BT.709
• HLG Extended BT.2100
• Sony S-Log3 S-Gamut3
• Sony S-Log3 BT.2020
• ARRI Log C Wide Gamut
• ARRI LogC4 Wide Gamut
• ACEScct
• *Not all settings available in all modes

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
• 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

BBC HLG LUT Conversions

• SDR Scene Referred (SR) to HLG
• SDR Scene Referred (SR) to HLG Strict
• SDR Scene Referred (SR) UpMap to HLG
• SDR Scene Referred (SR) UpMap to HLG Strict
• SDR Display Referred (DR) to HLG
• SDR Display Referred (DR) UpMap to HLG
• SDR BT.2020 Display Referred (DR) to HLG
• SDR BT.2020 Display Referred (SR) UpMap to HLG
• PQ 1000 Nits Display Referred (DR) to HLG
• PQ 4000 Nits Display Referred (DR) to HLG
• S-Log3 100% Scene Referred (SR) to HLG
• S-Log3 200% Scene Referred (SR Live) to HLG
• HLG to SDR Scene Referred (SR)
• HLG to SDR Scene Referred (SR) Strict
• HLG to SDR Display Referred (DR) Color Apperance Model (CAM)
• HLG to SDR Display Referred (DR) Super White
• HLG to PQ 1000 Nits Display Referred (DR)
• HLG to SDR BT.2020 Display Referred (DR) Super White
• SDR Scene Referred (SR) to HLG to SDR Display Referred (DR)

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 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.

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.

Single Channel Mode

• 4K/UltraHD 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 12G/6G over optional 12G-SDI HD-BNC and 12G-SDI LC Fiber SFP modules.
• In Single Channel Mode, FS-HDR will up-convert your HD or SD materials to 4K/UltraHD or down-convert your 4K/UltraHD to HD  and supports a huge array of audio channels over Embedded SDI, AES, and MADI for an incredible 272x208 matrix of audio processing capabilities.
• Enhanced Single Channel Mode offers simultaneous 4K/UltraHD and 2K/HD outputs for Single Master HDR workflows.  In this Mode, HDR processing can be performed on true 4K or UltraHD signals, and down-conversion with HDR processing is available for HD HDR or HD SDR needs via the SDI monitor output.
• The channel’s color transform can be configured for Colorfront Engine TV Mode, Colorfront Engine Live Mode, Colorfront Engine Film Mode, BBC HLG 3D LUTs, NBCU 3D LUTs, User 3D LUTs, or Dynamic LUT Mode to accomplish the desired HDR transform.

Four Channel Mode

• 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 TV Mode, Colorfront Engine Live Mode, Colorfront Engine Film Mode, BBC HLG 3D LUTs, NBCU 3D LUTs, User 3D LUTs, or Dynamic LUT Mode to accomplish the desired HDR transform.
• In Four Channel Mode, you can also bring in a single HD source and process four separate outputs from it, each with its own HDR/SDR transformations.
  Multi-channel density in a 1RU chassis conserves space, power, and weight.

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.

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.  Both Square Division (SQD) and Two Sample
• Interleave (2SI) pixel mapping 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.

12G/6G HD-BNC and Fiber SFP Options
FS-HDR's SFP options include both 12G/6G-SDI HD-BNC and Fiber LC I/O options including single or dual channel and Single Mode or 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. Also available are 3G-SDI Fiber LC and SC SFP options.

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.

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 warranty. Please see the individual Product’s Manual for additional specifics around warranty conditions for the product itself.