Guangdong Radio and Television (GRT) is one of the largest Cantonese television networks in the world and one of China’s oldest media organizations. Owned by the Guangdong provincial government and headquartered in Guangzhou, the network provides a variety of content including news, sports, public affairs, children’s programming and more. This year, GRT began a network-wide upgrade to deliver broadcasts in 4K HDR 50p, adopting two AJA FS-HDR frame sync and HDR/WCG converters for a smooth transition.

“Prior to upgrading we compared different HDR converter options, and quickly realized that AJA’s HDR conversion technology is the most advanced on the market. Not only is AJA the industry leader in HDR conversion, but the price-to-performance ratio of the FS-HDR is also impressive,” said Zhai, Production Department Technical Maintenance Division Manager, Guangdong Radio and Television.

FS-HDR is a 1RU, rack-mount universal converter/frame synchronizer for real time HDR transforms and 4K/HD up/down/cross conversions. Its versatility allows GRT to use FS-HDR in a variety of workflows, from live production in the studio or the OB van, to post-production. Working with a range of inputs from recorders, switchers, files and multiple camera signals, GRT has found that FS-HDR can readily handle any workflow need. Using FS-HDR’s single-channel mode enables up, down and cross-conversion, including real time down conversion of 4K/UltraHD HDR to HD HDR or SDR; while its four-channel mode allows users to simultaneously apply up to four HDR and SDR transforms to an incoming 2K/HD signal for output, or apply transforms to four separate 2K/HD incoming signals for simultaneous output.

 “We appreciate that FS-HDR is easy to configure; set up and software updates are simple,” said Zhai. “In addition, the front control panel is user friendly. We don’t have to connect to an additional laptop for setup or adjust the menu, which is a nice benefit when we’re on the go. We’ve also been impressed with AJA’s level of customer support; they give us a lot of feedback, try to understand our needs and respond accordingly rather than provide a blanket approach.”

About FS-HDR
FS-HDR is a versatile 1RU, rack-mount universal converter/frame synchronizer for real time HDR transforms as well as 4K/HD up/down/cross conversions. Fusing AJA’s production-proven FS frame synchronization and conversion technology with video and color space processing algorithms from the award-winning Colorfront™ Engine, FS-HDR matches the real time, low-latency processing and color fidelity demands that broadcast, OTT, post production and ProAV environments require. FS-HDR offers comprehensive signal conversion, and allows users to also convert a range of camera Log formats to HDR broadcast standards as well as to/from BT.2020/BT.709.

About AJA Video Systems, Inc.
Since 1993, AJA Video has been a leading manufacturer of video interface technologies, converters, digital video recording solutions and professional cameras, bringing high quality, cost effective products to the professional broadcast, video and postproduction markets. AJA products are designed and manufactured at our facilities in Grass Valley, California, and sold through an extensive sales channel of resellers and systems integrators around the world. For further information, please see our website at www.aja.com.