AJA FS3 Converter / Decoder / Encoder

AJA FS3

The new FS3 combines AJA’s industry-proven frame synchronization with high-quality 4K up-conversion technology to seamlessly integrate SD and HD signals into 4K workflows. AJA’s adaptive scaling algorithms, paired with our well-known conversion technology ensures your up-converted images will have the maximum quality possible. Input SD or HD resolution SDI via BNC or Fiber and send up-converted 4K to multiple BNC and Fiber outputs simultaneously. FS3 also includes the industry-proven features included in AJA frame synchronizers such as RGB color correction, region of interest scaling, extensive audio controls and routing, web UI control, GPI triggers and more.

Up-convert to 4K
Moving to 4K is never an instant change. Legacy signals and archival material need to be integrated into the 4K environment. Utilizing AJA's remarkable conversion algorithms, FS3 supports up-conversion from SD, HD, and 3G-SDI video to 4K or UHD video carried on quad 3G-SDI BNCs, dual 3G-SDI BNCs, or optional fiber LC SFP outputs. Both Quadrant (Square Division) and 2SI (Two Sample Interleave) output formats are supported.

Incredible Connectivity
FS3 has BNC and Fiber* inputs to accept SD or HD resolution SDI signals. The up-converted 4K signal is output to two sets of BNC and Fiber* connections, allowing the output to be routed to multiple locations simultaneously without the need for any external signal distribution.

A looping Reference input allows the FS3 to be locked to your house reference signal for rock-solid stability.

* Fiber inputs and outputs are optional.

AJA hardware conversion technology
We bring the same AJA conversion technology to FS3 as we have to all our other conversion products, ensuring your legacy material can move with you to 4K with the highest image quality for your productions.

Fiber I/O option
FS3's Fiber I/O option allows fiber cable runs of up to 10 kilometers to be connected directly to the FS3 without the need for separate fiber to SDI conversion.

Fiber connector supported:

Single-channel LC connector modules
Single-channel SC connector modules
Dual-channel LC connector modules

Remote configuration and control
FS3 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.

To integrate smoothly with the existing automation of a facility, FS3 can also receive external GPI commands to trigger a variety of functions.

Technical Data

Video Input Digital

Four 3G-SDI Inputs, 2 BNC and up to 2 Fiber (optional)
4x1 selector feeds Video Processor
SD/HD/3G-SDI, SMPTE-259/292/424, 8 or 10-bits
Single Link SD/HD/3G-SDI
Dual-Link HD-SDI (2x1.5G), SMPTE -372
3G-SDI Level A, Level B-DL, or Level B-DS
Fiber SDI, SMPTE-297, 8 or 10-bits (optional)
Single-channel LC connector modules
Single-channel SC connector modules
Dual-channel LC connector modules
Formats and frame rates
YCbCr, 4:2:2, 10-bit
2048x1080p 23.98/24/25/29.97/50/59.94
1920x1080p 23.98/24/25/29.97/50/59.94
1920x1080PsF 23.98/24/25/29.97/50/59.94
1920x1080i 50/59.94
1280x720p 50/59.94
525i 59.94
625i 50

Audio Input Digital

64 channels via four 16 channel audio dis-embedders (1 dis-embedder per SDI input)
SD/HD/3G-SDI, SMPTE-272/299
20-bit SD, 24-bit HD/3G, 48kHz sample rate
Drop/repeat sample rate conversion to match output reference

Video Output Digital

Twelve 3G-SDI Outputs, 8 BNC and up to 4 Fiber (optional)Video Processor feeds all outputsSD/HD/3G-SDI, SMPTE-259/292/424, 8 or 10-bitsSingle Link SD/HD/3G-SDI (12 copies on Single SDI)Dual 3G-SDI for 4K/UHDp23.98/24/25/29.97 (6 copies on Dual SDI)Quad 3G-SDI for 4K/UHDp50/59.94 (3 copies on Quad SDI)3G-SDI Level A, Level B-DL, or Level B-DSQuadrant (Square Division) or 2SI (Two Sample Interleave) 4K/UHD pixel mapping Fiber SDI, SMPTE-297, 8 or 10-bits (optional) Single-channel LC connector modules Single-channel SC connector modules
Dual-channel LC connector modulesFormats and frame rates:
YCbCr, 4:2:2, 10-bit
4096x2160p 23.98/24/25/29.97/50/59.94
3840x2160p 23.98/24/25/29.97/50/59.94
2048x1080p 23.98/24/25/29.97/50/59.94
1920x1080p 23.98/24/25/29.97/50/59.94
1920x1080PsF 23.98/24/25/29.97/50/59.94
1920x1080i50/59.94
1280x720p50/59.94
525i59.94
625i50

Audio Output Digital

64 channels via four 16 channel audio embedders
SD/HD/3G-SDI, SMPTE-272/299
20-bit SD, 24-bit HD/3G, 48kHz sample rate
64x64 mono audio matrix

Video Processing

Proc Amp controls
Color Corrector
Legalizer
Frame-rate conversion (3:2, 1:2, 2:1)
Delay 0-6 frames with H and V controls
Closed Caption conversion (CEA-608/CEA-708)
AFD input detection, down convert control, and output pass–thru or overwrite
Freeze (manual or on input signal loss) to black or last good frame
Matte generator for background fill
Video test generator
Nominal Video Delay
4K/UHD, 3 frames (LFR), 6 frames (HFR)
HD/SD, 2 frames (LFR), 4 frames (HFR)

Format Conversion

Convert any supported input HD/SD format to any supported 4K/UHD/HD/SD output format, as long as the input and output frame rates are of the same frame rate family. These three families are:
59.94/29.97/23.98
50/25
24

Scaling

Zoom in and out
Reposition
Region of Interest

Up-Conversion

SD/HD/2K to UHD/4K
SD to HD/2K
Hardware 10-bit
Zoom 14:9: results in a 4:3 image zoomed slightly to fill a 14:9 image with black side bars
Zoom Letterbox: results in image zoomed to fill full screen
Zoom Wide: results in a combination of zoom and horizontal stretch to fill a 16:9 screen; this setting will introduce a small aspect ratio change

Down-Conversion

HD/2K to SD
Hardware 10-bit
Anamorphic: full-screen
Letterbox: image is reduced with black top and bottom added to image area with the aspect ratio preserved
Crop: image is cropped to fit new screen size

Aspect Ratio Conversion

Letterbox: This transforms SD anamorphic material to a letterboxed image
H Crop: Will produce a horizontally stretched effect on the image; transforms anamorphic SD to full frame
SD Pillarbox: Will produce an image in the center of the screen with black borders on the left and right sides and an anamorphized image in the center
V Crop: Will transform SD letterbox material to an anamorphic image

Audio Processing

64x64 mono audio matrix, route 1 to 1, 1 to many
Independent controls for each channel
Gain +18 to -18 dB in 0.5dB steps
Delay -16ms to 256 ms in 20.8us steps
Phase Invert
5.1 or 7.1 to stereo mixdown with gain adjust
Audio test generator

Timecode

SDI RP188 via SDI BNC

Reference Input

Black-Burst or Tri-Level Sync
Looping, non-terminating

Network Interface

10/100/1000 Ethernet (RJ-45)
Embedded web server for remote control

Physical

Width: 17.5” (44.45cm)
Depth: 16” (40.65cm)
Height: 1RU, 1.75” (4.44cm)
Weight: 7.85lb (3.56kg)
Power: 100-240 VAC 50/60Hz (Dual, redundant power supplies), 55W typical; 80W max. 15A max.
Operating temperature: 0 to 40 degrees C
Operating altitude: <3,000>Relative humidity: 0 to 90%, non-condensing