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.
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 459×448 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.
Product Features
- 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 459×448 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 1×16, 2×8, 4×4, up to 16-channels per stream
- 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 64×64 audio channels
- Controllable through Dante software from Audinate
- PTPv2, AES67, RAVENNA, and ST 2110-30 compatible
HDR/WCG Real Time Processor
- HDR Conversions
- HDR to HDR
- HDR to SDR
- SDR to HDR
- Colorimetry
Video Processing Transforms
- Each processing channel can independently select from:
- Colorfront Engine
- NBCU 3D LUTs
- BBC HLG 3D LUTs
- User 3D LUTs
- Dynamic 3D LUTs
Colorfront Engine (CFE) Advanced HDR Conversions
- Processing Based on Human Perception Model
- Perceptually optimized color volume remapping
- Preserves the original creative intent
- Parametric controls including HDR functions and color corrector
- TV Mode for applications such as television broadcast
- Live Mode for applications such as broadcast, OTT, A/V
- Film Mode for applications such as on-set camera preview and look creation
- SDR to Dolby Vision Preview Mode for applications supporting Dolby Vision grading workflows
- Input Video Dynamic Range/Color Gamut
- SDR BT.709 100 Nits
- SDR Extended BT.709
- PQ BT.2020 1000 Nits
- PQ P3D65 1000 Nits
- P3D65 Gamma 2.6 (Live mode only)
- 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 4
- Panasonic V-log
- RED Log3G10 Wide Gamut
- Canon Log 2
- Canon Log 3
- BMDFilm Wide Gamut Gen5 (Live mode only)
- DJI D-Log D-Gamut (Live mode only)
- ACEScct (Film mode only)
- Output Video Dynamic Range/Color Gamut
- SDR BT.709 100 Nits
- SDR Extended BT.709
- PQ BT.2020 1000 Nits
- PQ P3D65 1000 Nits
- PQ BT.2020 6000 Nits (Live mode only)
- PQ BT.2020 6000 Nits ConstrainP3 (Live mode only)
- PQ BT.2020 8000 Nits (Live mode only)
- PQ BT.2020 8000 Nits ConstrainP3 (Live mode only)
- PQ BT.2020 10000 Nits (Live mode only)
- PQ BT.2020 10000 Nits ConstrainP3 (Live mode only)
- 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 4
- ACEScct (Film mode only)
- SDR Preview mode
- Ambient Light Compensation control
- PQ Output Nit level: 48-10000 Nits
- PQ Output P3 Colorspace Clamp
- Exposure, Color Temp, Tint controls
- TV Mode controls
- Highlight management: Brightness, Highlight, Super Highlight
- Color Correction: Lift, Gamma, Gain, Saturation
- Camera Correction: Exposure, Color Temp, Tint
- Live Mode controls
- Grading: Lift, Gamma, Gain,
- SDR Softness control
- ITU-R BT.2408 control
- Film Mode controls
- Grading space: LogC, ACEScct, or S-Log3
- ACES CDL: Offset, Power, Slope, Saturation
- A/B Look Selection
- A/B Look Mix
- MasterLook
- MasterBroadcast
- MasterLookBright
- MasterLookCool
- MasterLookLowCon
- MasterLookSoftColor
- MasterLookVivid
- MasterLookWarm
- MasterPastelD60
- MasterPastelD65
- Agfa
- ARRI K1S1
- Bleach
- ClassicFilm
- Ektachrome
- FilmBlended
- FilmBlendedLoCon
- FujiDI
- FujiXD
- GenericFilm
- Kodachrome
- ReversalClassic
- SDR to Dolby Vision Preview controls
- Highlights: Low, Mid, High
- Contrast: Low, Mid, High
BBC HLG 3D LUT HDR Conversions
- Mathematical dynamic range mapping per ITU-R BT.2408
- SDR/BT.709 Scene Referred to HLG/BT.2100 v1.7
- SDR/BT.709 Scene Referred to HLG/BT.2100 Strict v1.7
- SDR/BT.709 Scene Referred UpMap to HLG/BT.2100 v1.7
- SDR/BT.709 Scene Referred UpMap to HLG/BT.2100 Strict v1.7
- SDR/BT.709 Display Referred to HLG/BT.2100 v.1.7
- SDR/BT.709 Display Referred UpMap to HLG/BT.2100 v1.7
- SDR/BT.2020 Display Referred to HLG/BT.2100 v1.7
- SDR/BT.2020 Display Referred UpMap to HLG/BT.2100 v1.7
- PQ 1000 Nits Display Referred to HLG/BT.2100 v1.7
- PQ 4000 Nits Display Referred to HLG/BT.2100 v1.7
- S-Log3/BT.2020 100% Scene Referred to HLG/BT.2100 v1.7
- S-Log3/BT.2020 200% Scene Referred(SR-Live) to HLG/BT.2100 v1.7
- HLG/BT.2100 to SDR/BT.709 Scene Referred v1.7
- HLG/BT.2100 to SDR/BT.709 Scene Referred Strict v1.7
- HLG/BT.2100 to SDR/BT.709 Display Referred Color Appearance Model v1.7
- HLG/BT.2100 to SDR/BT.709 Display Referred Super White v1.7
- HLG/BT.2100 to PQ 1000 Nits Display Referred v1.7
- HLG/BT.2100 to SDR/BT.2020 Display Referred Super White v1.7
- SDR/BT.709 Scene Referred UpMap to HLG/BT.2100 to SDR/BT.709 Display Referred v1.7
NBCU 3D LUT Processing
- NBCU LUTs developed by NBCUniversal Media, LLC
- 1-NBCU_SDR2HLG_DL_v1.1, SDR UpMap to HLG using Display Light v1.1
- 2-NBCU_SDR2HLG_SL_v1, SDR to HLG using Scene Light v1.0
- 3-NBCU_HLG2SDR_DL_v1.1, HLG to SDR using Display Light v1.1
- 4-NBCU_SDR2PQ_DL_v1, SDR UpMap to PQ using Display Light v1.0
- 5-NBCU_PQ2SDR_DL_v1, PQ to SDR using Display Light v1.0
- 7-NBCU_HLG10002PQ_v1, HLG 1000 Nits to PQ v1.0
User 3D LUT Processing
- Supports custom 33 point .cube format 3D LUTs
- Tetrahedral LUT interpolation
- Configurable Colorimetry, Transfer Characteristic, Signal Range
- Nonvolatile storage of 16 fixed LUTs
Dynamic 3D LUT Processing
- Supports third party apps for automatic loading and processing of 3D LUTs
- Reflects dynamic changes in real time from source software
- Supported by Pomfort Livegrade Pro
Video Formats
- (4K) 4096x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
- (UltraHD) 3840x2160p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
- (2K) 2048x1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
- (HD) 1920x1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
- (HD) 1920x1080PsF 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30
- (HD) 1920x1080i 50, 59.94, 60
- (HD) 1280x720p 50, 59.94, 60
Video Inputs
- 8x 12G-SDI inputs, 8x BNC
- 12G/6G/3G/HD, SMPTE 292/424/2081/2082
- YCbCr, 4:2:2, 10-bit
- Single Link 12G/6G-SDI
- Single Link 3G-SDI Level A, SMPTE 425
- Single Link 1.5G-SDI
- 8x Fiber or HD-BNC (optional SFP modules)
- SFP coax module, 12G/6G-SDI, dual HD-BNC
- SFP fiber module, 12G/6G-SDI, Single Mode, dual LC or single LC, SMPTE 297
- SFP fiber module, 3G-SDI, Single Mode, dual LC, single LC, or single SC, SMPTE 297
- SFP fiber module, 3G-SDI, Multi-Mode, dual LC or single LC, SMPTE 297
- 4x UHD or 8x HD, SMPTE ST 2110-20 Video
- YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
- RX support for Class-A, B, C, D SMPTE ST 2022-7 redundancy
- Rx support for Narrow and Wide Senders
Video Outputs
- 8x 12G-SDI outputs
- 12G/6G/3G/HD, SMPTE 292/424/2081/2082
- YCbCr, 4:2:2, 10-bit
- Single Link 12G/6G-SDI
- Single Link 3G-SDI Level A, SMPTE 425
- Single Link 1.5G-SDI
- 8x Fiber or HD-BNC (optional SFP modules)
- SFP coax module, 12G/6G-SDI, dual HD-BNC
- SFP fiber module, 12G/6G-SDI, Single Mode, dual LC or single LC, SMPTE 297
- SFP fiber module, 3G-SDI, Single Mode, dual LC, single LC, or single SC, SMPTE 297
- SFP fiber module, 3G-SDI, Single Mode, dual LC, SMPTE 297
- SFP fiber module, 3G-SDI, Multi-Mode, dual LC or single LC, SMPTE 297
- 4x UHD or 8x HD, SMPTE ST 2110-20 Video
- YCbCr 4:2:2 10-bit
- Tx support for SMPTE ST 2022-7
- Tx senders are Narrow Gapped
Media Interfaces (In-Band)
- 4x SFP28 Cages
- Supports 10 GigE and 25 GigE SFPs (SFPs not included)
- Uncompressed media (SMPTE ST 2110-20, 30, 40)
- PTP
- NMOS Discovery, Registration, and Control
- NMOS Tx/Rx support according to standards IS-04 v1.3 and IS-05 v1.1
- LLDP
- In-Band and Out-of-Band
- L2, L3 with SSM
- IGMP v2, v3
Operating Modes
- SDI Only Mode: Supports up to 16×16 12G-SDI (8×8 SDI BNC and 8×8 SDI SFPs, optical and HD-BNC)
- Hybrid Mode 1: Supports mix of 8×8 12G-SDI BNC and ST 2110
- Hybrid Mode 2: Supports mix of 8×8 12G-SDI SFPs (optical and HD-BNC) and ST 2110
IP Gateway
- 8x HD (where “x” is a gateway in or out)
- 4x UHD
Examples:
- 4+0, 2+2, 0+4 UHD (where 4+0 is 4 IP inputs to 4 UHD Vid Procs to 4 SDI and or IP outputs and 0 SDI to IP gateways)
- 8+0, 4+4, 0+8 HD (where 8+0 is 8 IP inputs to 8 HD Vid Procs to 8 SDI and or IP outputs and 0 SDI to IP gateways)
Video Processing
- Frame synchronization
- Up, Down, Cross conversion
- Frame rate conversion
- Motion adaptive deinterlacer
- Proc amp controls
- Color corrector
- Color transforms
- Legalizer
- Freeze (manual or on input signal loss)
- Matte generator for background fill
- Test signal generator, SDR and HDR patterns, moving box, text overlay
- Nominal video delay 2 frames
- Adjustable delay (0-30 frames UHD, 0-60 frames HD) with H and V timing controls in pixels and lines
Ancillary Data
- All embedded ANC packets pass-through when output format equals input format
- Ancillary Timecode (LTC, VITC1, VITC2) pass-through for wide range of conversions
- SCTE-104 and Closed Captioning pass-through for wide range of conversions
- Configurable output VPID / SDP for Colorimetry, Transfer Characteristic, and Signal Range
- SMPTE ST 2110-40 Ancillary
Scaling
- Supported in 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD formats
- Zoom in and out
- Reposition
- Region of Interest (ROI)
- Video processor layering, max 2
Audio Inputs
- 48 kHz sample rate
- 16x SDI embedded inputs (16-channels each)
- 128-channels, 24-bit, 48 kHz synchronous, SMPTE 299
- 4x UHD or 8x HD SMPTE ST 2110-30 Audio input streams
- 1×16, 2×8, 4×4 modes, up to 16-channels audio per stream, 24-bit, 48 kHz synchronous
- 1ms and 125us timing
- DANTE input, 2x RJ-45 (Primary and Secondary)
- 64-channels, 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz (Sample Rate Converted to 48 kHz)
- PCM 16, PCM 24, PCM 32
- 2x MADI inputs, (56 or 64-channels each), 2x HD-BNC
- 128-channels, 24-bit, AES-10
Audio Outputs
- 48 kHz sample rate
- 1x embedded output per Video Processor (16-channels each)
- 128-channels, 24-bit, 48 kHz synchronous, SMPTE 299
- 4x UHD or 8x HD ST 2110-30 Audio output streams
- 1×16, 2×8, 4×4 modes, up to 16-channels audio per stream, 24-bit, 48 kHz synchronous
- 1ms and 125us timing
- DANTE output, 2x RJ-45 (Primary and Secondary)
- 64-channels, 48kHz synchronous
- PCM 16, PCM 24, PCM 32
- 2x MADI outputs, 2x HD-BNC
- 128-channels, 24-bit, AES-10
Audio Processing
- 459 x 448 mono audio matrix, route 1 to 1, 1 to many
- Inputs: 256 SDI embedded, 128 SMPTE 2110-30, 64 DANTE, 128 MADI, 4 stereo mixdowns (8-channels), 3 tone generators
- Outputs: 128 from Vid Procs (to SDI embedded and ST 2110-30 streams), 64 DANTE, 128 MADI
- Input adjustment controls for each channel
- Gain +18 to -18 dB in 0.5 dB steps
- Phase invert
- Input adjustment controls for each channel
- Delay 0sec to +0.25sec in 20.8 us steps
- Audio delay can automatically follow video timing delay adjustments
- Four independent 5.1 or 7.1 to stereo mixdown processors with gain adjust
- High quality Sample Rate Conversion supported on all audio inputs
- SRC bypass for non-PCM audio (e.g. Dolby E, AC-3, etc)
- Output adjustment controls for each channel
- Gain +18 to -18 dB in 0.5 dB steps
- Phase invert
- Output adjustment controls for each channel
- Delay 0sec to +2.5sec in 20.8 us steps
- Test signal generator (Silence, 400 Hz, 1 kHz)
- Audio group control
Analog Reference Input
- External, 1x BNC
- Blackburst or tri-level sync
Analog Reference Output
- External, 1x BNC
- Blackburst or tri-level sync
- Configurable
Genlock
- Analog Reference Input
- PTPv2 SMPTE ST 2059-2 / IEEE 1588-2008
- Free run
Control Network Interfaces
- 1x RJ-45, 10/100/1000 Ethernet
- Embedded web server for remote control
- REST Interface
- 2x RJ-45, 10/100/1000 Ethernet
- 4x SFP28 Media Interfaces
- NMOS Discovery, Registration, and Control
User Interfaces
- AJA webUI
- DANTE Controller, Dante Domain Manager & Network Management Applications
- Color LCD Display with backlit button keypad
- Two rotary/push knobs
- LED alarm indicators
Presets
- System, Video Processor, Audio Processor, User 3D LUT, IP Config, and component levels within
Size (w x d x h)
- 17.5” x 16.0” x 1.75” (1RU) (444.5 x 406.4 x 44.45 mm)
Weight
Power
- 100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz (Dual, redundant power supplies), 70W typical; 90W max.
Environment
- Safe Operating Temperature: 0 to 40 C (32 to 104 F)
- Safe Storage Temperature (Power OFF): -40 to 60 C (-40 to 140 F)
- Operating Relative Humidity: 10-90% noncondensing
- Operating Altitude: <3,000 meters (<10,000 feet)
