The Briefing Room

130+ AJA FS1 HD Frame Syncs Boost Transmissions for 36-Station Broadcaster

AJA Video Systems, a leading manufacturer of professional video interface and conversion solutions, announced today that its multi-format FS1 frame synchronizers are in use at the 36 network member stations owned by broadcast company Gray Television. The FS1 is a universal HD and SD, audio and video frame synchronizer and converter supporting virtually any input or output format, all in a slim 1RU form factor.

Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Gray Television, Inc. (www.gray.tv) owns 36 television stations serving 30 separate markets, including eight ABC affiliates, 17 CBS affiliates, 10 NBC affiliates and one FOX affiliate station. In addition, Gray Television also operates 38 digital second channels for ABC, FOX, The CW and MyNetworkTV, along with eight local news and weather channels and two independent channels in several of its existing markets. Gray Television has purchased upwards of 130 FS1 converters for its stations to date, with several more on order via local AJA reseller Professional Video Supply.

“AJA tools fill in the gaps for us,� commented Jim Ocon, Gray Television’s VP of Technology. “The FS1 is extremely versatile and is able to be many things to many people. Our station engineers have put it to myriad uses—as a router, to handle cross-conversions and as a frame synchronizer, just to name a few—and we’ve been surprised by how quickly they are gravitating toward it. Engineers ask for it by name!�

“From where I’m sitting, my favorite feature of the FS1 is the fact that it’s a low-cost converter,� Ocon continued. “It’s possible to spend thousands on conversions, so when you can find something that handles multiple jobs on the fly without having to make time-consuming reconfigurations, you definitely stick with it.�

About FS1
The FS1 is a universal HD and SD audio and video frame synchronizer and converter. With an extremely flexible architecture, the FS1 can simultaneously support both HD and SD video—all in full 10-bit broadcast quality video and 24-bit audio. The FS1 supports virtually any input or output as analog or digital, HD or SD. This product can up-convert or down-convert between SD and HD while providing simultaneous outputs of both formats, and supports both closed captioning and closed captioning conversions between SD and HD formats. FS1 also includes 10-bit HD to HD cross-conversion for 1080 and 720 formats, and AFD support. For audio, the FS1 supports 8-channel AES, balanced analog or embedded audio with audio mapping and full flexibility. The FS1 is also network ready, offering web-based remote control and SNMP alerts.

About AJA Video Systems, Inc.
Since 1993, AJA Video has been a leading manufacturer of high-quality and cost-effective digital video interface, conversion and Desktop solutions supporting the professional broadcast and post- production markets. With headquarters in Grass Valley, California, AJA maintains an extensive sales channel of dealers and systems integrators around the world. For further information, please see our website www.aja.com.