AJA FS4 Quick Start Guide
Introduction
FS4
Quick Start Guide
This Quick Start Guide provides a basic overview of FS4 system connections and
configuration.
The FS4 can be extremely simple to use, because of its ability to detect incoming
signal formats and automatically apply the correct video processing for the
selected output format. However, the FS4 is also extremely powerful and can be
flexibly configured to perform a wide variety of tasks.
This Quick Start Guide is designed to help you get your FS4 up and running for
the first time, and confirm it is operating properly. It also provides step-by-step
instructions that demonstrate a few FS4 signal processing examples.
For additional information, please see the FS4 Installation and Operation Guide
available on the AJA website.
Installation Summary
1. Unpack the shipping box, inspect and inventory the contents, and read the
late-breaking news sheet, if any.
2. Install any optional SFP I/O modules by sliding them into the SFP cages in
the back. Use only AJA approved modules.
NOTE: The "Stand Alone Tests" on page 2 can be performed with the FS4 sitting on a
bench to test system operation before physically installing the unit.
3. Mount the physical chassis: front rack, rear rack, or deskmount—1 RU x 17.5
inches (44.45 cm) x 16 inches (40.65 cm). Do not block air ow through the
side vents.
4. Make signal I/O connections to the FS4 back panel as shown in Figure 1 on
page 2.
Published July 9, 2018
FS4 Quick Start Guide v1.3 1 www.aja.com
100 to 240V
AES/EBU Digital
Audio In
Channels 1-16
DB-25F Connector
Figure 1. FS4 Rear Panel
ID
LED
MADI BNC
Out/In
MADI Fiber
Out/In
SFP Input
SDI 6,5,8,7
SDI 1-4
Input BNCs
AC Power
Socket #2
Autosensing
100 to 240VAC
50/60Hz
AC Power
Socket #1
Autosensing
50/60Hz
AES/EBU Digital
Audio Out
Channels 1-16
AC
DB-25F Connector
5. Connect one or two power cords to the FS4 and mains AC (100-240 VAC,
50/60 Hz, 55 Watts). For redundancy, use both cords and connect them to
separate branch circuits. The FS4 power supply is autosensing and adjusts
to the available power.
6. Connect your computer to the FS4 using a CAT5 Ethernet cable to the FS4
RJ45 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN connector. You can connect directly or via
a network device such as a switch, hub, bridge, etc. The FS4 automatically
senses and adjusts to either a straight-through or crossover cable.
Stand Alone Tests
The stand alone tests can be performed without a computer, using the FS4 front
panel controls and rear connections. The following procedures assume the FS4 is
at factory defaults (taken from a newly opened box). If not set to defaults, the FS4
may behave differently.
NOTE: FS4 units are configured at the factory to operate in Four Channel Mode.
Figure 2. FS4 Front Panel
GPI 25-pin
DB-25F
Connector
10/100/1000
RJ45 Ethernet
LAN Connector
SFP Output
SDI 5, 6, 7, 8
SDI 1-4
Output BNCs
Monitor Output
BNC and HDMI
External Reference
I/O with looping
BNC connectors.
Alphanumeric
Display
Select Knob:
Scrolls and selects menus;
Push to undo changes.
Adjust Knob:
Changes selected value;
Hold down for default value.
System Selection Buttons:
Press a button to select
a System Category
Channel Selection Buttons:
Press a button to select a
Video Processor or
Type of Audio
(Selection LED Lights)
Video Menu Group
Selection Buttons
Audio Menu Group
Selection Buttons
Status
Indicator
LEDs
First Power Up
The following workflow powers up a default FS4 and demonstrates some
example alarms.
FS4 Quick Start Guide v1.3 2 www.aja.com
Setup
• Ensure the FS4 is completely disconnected (all video, audio, network, and
power connector ports are empty).
Procedure
1. Connect both FS4 power cords to mains AC and allow time for the unit to
boot up. Observe the front panel LEDs.
• The REF LED will light red, indicating an alarm condition. By default the FS4
is congured to operate genlocked to an external reference signal.
2. Press the front panel STATUS button, then turn the SELECT knob to view
various Status menus.
• The Status menu for Video Processor 1 will report No Input for IN1, the
port is disconnected), and the GEN (Genlock) parameter will report Ref
(congured for external reference) but will also report No Input.
Video Format Status screen Video Format Alarm Status screen
IN1 SDI 1 No Input
BKGD Black 1080i59
GEN Ref No Input
OUT1 1080i59
3. Connect a 1080i59.94 HD tri-level sync reference signal to one of the FS4 Ref
Loop BNCs, and connect a 75 ohm terminator to the other Ref BNC.
• The REF LED will light blue, indicating the FS4 is genlocked to an external
reference signal.
• The Status menu GEN parameters will report Ref and indicate the format of
the incoming reference signal or OK.
• However, because the FS4 is still not receiving a compatible video input, No
Input, will be reported for IN1.
Video Format Status screen Video Format Alarm Status screen
IN1 SDI 1 No Input
BKGD Black 1080i59
GEN Ref 1080i59
OUT1 1080i59
4. Connect a 1080i59.94 SDI video source to the SDI 1 input BNC.
• The front panel will report 1080i59 and an OK status for SDI 1. This indicates
no alarm condition exists.
Video Format Status screen Video Format Alarm Status screen
IN1 SDI 1 1080i59
BKGD Black 1080i59
GEN Ref 1080i59
OUT1 1080i59
5. Disconnect one of the power cords, leaving the other attached.
• The front panel PWR LED will light red for the power supply with the
removed cord.
• The PS status will report PS1 (or 2) OFF
6. Reconnect the power cable. The PWR LED for that power supply will light
blue and the power supply status will report OK.
This workflow confirms the FS4 powers up successfully and reports reference and
power supply alarms.
IN1 SDI 1 OK
BKGD Black OK
GEN Ref No Ref
Rate 59/29/23
IN1 SDI 1 OK
BKGD Black OK
GEN Ref OK
Rate 59/29/23
IN1 SDI 1 OK
BKGD Black OK
GEN Ref OK
OUT1 1080i59
FS4 Quick Start Guide v1.3 3 www.aja.com
NOTE: FS4 Reference, Power Supply, and Video Format alarms can be disabled, if
desired. This will prevent the LEDs from going red, but will not affect front panel
status displays.
Internal Test Signals
This workflow generates bars and tone and routes them to an FS4 video and
audio output. This example uses the SDI 1 and AES output connectors, an SDI
video monitor, and an AES audio monitor.
NOTE: In the following procedures, where the terms select and adjust are used, turn the
front panel SELECT and ADJUST knobs.
Setup
• Connect the FS4 SDI 1 output BNC connector to an SDI video display with a
BNC cable.
• Connect the FS4 AES/EBU output DB25 connector to an AES audio monitor
using a standard TASCAM pinout cable (customer supplied). Separate DB25
connectors carry all 8 AES digital audio pairs (16 audio signals), one connector
for input and one for output. Turn the output gain of the audio monitor to a
low level.
Procedure
1. Press the VID1 Channel Select button.
2. Press the FORMAT Video button
• Select 1 Output Format and adjust to a signal compatible with your SDI
monitor (for example, 1080i59.95).
3. Press the TSTGEN Video button.
• Select 1 Test Pattern Gen and adjust to On.
• Select 2 Test Pattern and adjust to 75% Bars.
4. Press the AES Channel Select button.
5. Press the MAP Audio button.
• Select 1.0 AES Out and adjust to Sig Gen 400KHz.
You should now be able to see the test signal on the SDI Monitor display, and hear
the audio on the AES monitor.
This workflow confirms the FS4 generates and outputs video and audio.
FS4 Network Setup
The following instructions summarize ways to configure the FS4 to communicate
with a computer directly or over a network.
FS4 Default Network Settings
The FS4 ships from the factory set for DHCP networking, and can be manually
reset to the following default network settings:
IP Address 192.16 8 .0.2
Subnet Mask 255.255.255.0
Gateway 192.16 8 .0.1
FS4 Quick Start Guide v1.3 4 www.aja.com
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