Lyon Video Installs FOR-A FA-9600 Signal Processors for HDR Up-Conversion on College Football Productions

Lyon Video, a video broadcasting and production company based in Columbus, OH, has purchased 10 FOR-A FA-9600 multi-purpose signal processors with the high dynamic range (HDR) software option. The first eight units have been installed in Lyon-14, a 53-foot expando OB truck that is being used for a 13-game NCAA Division I college football package during the 2021 season.

While the FA-9600s will be used for sports this fall, the long-term plan is to have them in place for a variety of productions. Chad Snyder, president of Lyon Video, said the two additional units will be installed in Lyon-14 later this year. Lyon Video had some legacy equipment in the truck, but purchased the FA-9600s as a modern solution.

Lyon-14 includes a complement of 11 Grass Valley LDX 86N native 4K UHD cameras. Although Lyon Video will produce the football games in UHD, not all content from outside sources – such as graphics, POV cameras, and effects – is supplied in UHD. The FA-9600s will provide upconversion of the HD signals, which helps avoid a jarring difference in picture quality between elements for the viewer.

“The quality of the conversion is so important. When we looked at the options available to us, the FA-9600’s quality was superior to their competitors,” Snyder said. “Having these signal processors as part of our equipment package allows us to include these extra visual elements that viewers are accustomed to seeing. This gives it a consistent feel at the network level.”

Designed for live HDR broadcast production, each of the FA-9600’s two 3G/HD/SD-SDI inputs includes a frame synchronizer, HDR and Wide Color Gamut support, and conversion of multiple formats, including 12G, 4K (UHD), 1080p, and HD/SD-SDI. Its 12G-SDI terminals provide support for 4K production (with optional software), while an optional expansion card adds four additional channels of 3G-SDI I/O or six channels of 12G-SDI distributed output. Built-in LUTs – as well as support of 3D LUTs for SDR-HDR, HDR-HDR, and HDR-SDR conversions in mixed SDR and HDR production environments – deliver unprecedented conversion accuracy.