
Cromorama Simplifies Color Management and Quality Control for Live Productions with the ORION-CONVERT Pipeline and AJA ColorBox
Brie Clayton December 10, 2024
0 Comments
Well-executed productions come off seamlessly to audiences, regardless of the delivery format, but their underpinning is complex. Today, crews often work with a host of high dynamic range (HDR) and standard dynamic range (SDR) cameras and equipment, each with its own color science. Achieving a consistent look often requires crews to be able to color match production cameras and easily convert between SDR and HDR standards. However, broadcasters can still encounter quality control (QC) issues, where the feed they output looks off and adjustments must be made. European HDR and color management consultancy firm and software developer Cromorama is streamlining this process with its ORION-CONVERT color pipeline, which is built into AJA's ColorBox and OG-ColorBox color management and conversion solutions. Cromorama's aim is to make color management more accessible for clients like the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) while also supporting QC demands.
ORION-CONVERT's backstory Cromorama CEO and CTO Pablo Garcia developed ORION-CONVERT with a vision to give professionals more creative and technical control over color management capabilities. He didn't want them to worry as much about the math, especially as lighting conditions change. To this end, his team designs all Cromorama software with the philosophy that clients should be able to easily adapt.
We're a company that's all about improving color iteration, and the ORION-CONVERT algorithm originated out of a need we saw amongst clients, Garcia explained. Before Cromorama, there wasn't an easy way to execute high quality conversions between HDR and SDR with the level of control we wanted. This gap in the toolset was especially noticeable when we were preparing for a major 2020 international sporting event on behalf of a client, so we envisioned a piece of code and started fine tuning it.
That effort, said Garcia, led to the development of ORION-CONVERT , an intuitive engine with a unique two-stage compression process for full color management from display to display, SDR to/from HLG and PQ. The Cromorama team regularly deploys the software to serve clients globally, as it provides film production, broadcast, and research and development (R&D) services; it's also a core technology behind NBCU LUTs. They see ORION-CONVERT , AJA ColorBox, and AJA OG-ColorBox breaking down color management barriers.
The color management learning curve used to be steep, especially in broadcast, but we've reached an inflection point. ORION-CONVERT in AJA ColorBox and OG-ColorBox, a platform that's well targeted to live production demands, provides more control over SDR and HDR transforms, so it's easier to adapt to various scenarios in the field, Garcia noted. Both hardware solutions are also so valuable for QC purposes because I know I can trust them. If a broadcaster encounters an issue with their feed, I can run it through a ColorBox or OG-ColorBox and quickly uncover the issue with the original signal so they can fix it.
A closer look at the technology behind a major live sports championship production Since its founding over four years ago, Cromorama has worked closely with sports organizations, providing HDR and color management consultancy services. When its team began preparations in 2022 to support the UEFA EURO 2024 championship production, they benchmark tested a wide range of HDR production gear to achieve the desired visual outcome. Tests included solutions like AJA ColorBox and FS-HDR, as well as camera and graphics kit from other manufacturers. By the end of the process, UEFA had certified ColorBox as an approved production device.
Cromorama extensively leveraged the solution throughout the tournament venues for color conversion, QC, and testing needs. As QC Supervisor, Garcia oversaw two QC operators and the whole tournament production. He was quickly notified if any broadcasters encountered signal issues, such as picture quality or artifacts, and troubleshooted to identify the issue. This entailed passing their signal through a ColorBox on his desk, identifying the approved conversion path, analyzing whether there were artifacts, and finding the source of the problem in the chain.
I know that with ColorBox, the LUT is technically correct, so if there's an issue, it's often with the signal itself or a problem the broadcaster's in-house gear has created, and ColorBox helps me figure that out. Coupled with ORION-CONVERT, it's THE standard for color conversion, Garcia explained.
He added, ColorBox was a natural fit for a project like this because it's such an intuitive device that makes color management and QC simpler and more accessible. With ColorBox, you can easily complete SDR and HDR transforms and make adjustments. When we're working with clients, ColorBox also has such a fast protocol, especially when combined with tools like our Ennio Desktop application, which is great. I can see it processing video in near-real time, and the dynamic LUT mode in ColorBox is bonkers fast! I'm also excited to test out the latest ColorBox ACES implementation.
Charting the journey ahead Since ORION-CONVERT's rollout, Cromorama has continued to advance its technology with ease-of-use top of mind so that users don't have to be color scientists or specialists to figure out how to use it. Some of its latest innovations include an ORION-CONVERT plugin for a popular creative application that's used for nonlinear editing in television production, as well as Ennio, a color management orchestration desktop application.
Looking ahead, the company plans to continue this tr
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
15/07/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a big deal for DAZN, which has distribution rights in three markets: Italy, Spain, and Japan. Each requires a different editorial app...
15/07/2026
As sports-media organizations manage rapidly growing content libraries and incre...
15/07/2026
HBS director of digital Johannes Franken talks SVG Europe through the operation built to serve FIFA World Cup 2026 rights holders remotely from Stratford, east ...
15/07/2026
IBC has unveiled the conference program for IBC2026, with this year's event ...
15/07/2026
Software-defined wideband RF platform supports 96-kHz monitoring, streamlined fr...
15/07/2026
New AI-powered module enables broadcasters and content owners to extract dialogu...
15/07/2026
Weeklong gathering at EBU headquarters will test new IPMX capabilities and expand certified product ecosystem...
15/07/2026
Force Tech has announced the appointment of Bryan Adams, CTS, as Vice President of Integration. Adams will oversee AV and broadcast integration project delivery...
15/07/2026
USA Sports has announced an exclusive English-language agreement with the Bundes...
15/07/2026
ITV Sport's FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage has been produced from one of the m...
15/07/2026
Program will provide professional camera kits, training, and technical support to participating local newsrooms...
15/07/2026
San Francisco church becomes first U.S. deployment of the 2 M/E production switcher...
15/07/2026
Former ESPN and NFL Network executive to advise startup league on media, distribution, technology, and fan engagement...
15/07/2026
The Houston-based RSN is the live-game home of the Astros and Rockets...
15/07/2026
Launched alongside new FreqSoft installer
Designed to bridge the gap between hardware and software, Freqport's FreqInOut FO1 unit provides a simple way ...
15/07/2026
Save up to 55% on software until 23 July 2026
Expressive E have just launched their Summer Offer sale, with discounts of up to 55% now applied across their ...
15/07/2026
Real-time stem-separation tool updated
zplane have recently released a new and improved version of their real-time stem-separation plug-in which they say ma...
15/07/2026
A new benchmark in bass enhancement
Described as a new benchmark in bass enhancement , Baby Audio's latest release has been designed to augment the lo...
15/07/2026
DMC Production's AR 1 and AR 2 units reverse the conventional OB workflow, keeping all production-critical processing at the venue while operators work remo...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
GigaCloud, a leading Ukrainian cloud service provider, and Cubbit, the first geo-distributed cloud storage enabler, today announced a new Business Alliance Part...
15/07/2026
SMPTE, the global society for media professionals, technologists, and engineers, has announced the launch of the SMPTE 110th Anniversary Campaign, a fundraising...
15/07/2026
Studio Technologies, a leading manufacturer of high-quality audio, video, and fiber-optic solutions, unveils the new StudioComm Model 762 Stereo Level Control, ...
15/07/2026
COW Jobs: Producer, Virtual Events - Hybrid, Full Time, Salaried
Brie Clayton July 15, 2026
0 Comments
Producer, Virtual Events (Hybrid | Full-time | ...
15/07/2026
Brazilian media organization builds nationwide CDN with Broadpeak's high-performance software for low-latency streaming and new content distribution service...
15/07/2026
DHD announces a new utility designed to increase the efficiency of its audio mixing systems during initial installation and subsequent configuration.
Anyone w...
15/07/2026
BCNEXXT Brings Next-Generation Vipe to IBC2026, Breaking the 1:1 Channel-to-Server Ratio New innovations liberate broadcasters from legacy playout infrastructur...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
15/07/2026
Wednesday 15 July 2026
Screeners and press pack now available: Gomorrah: The Or...
15/07/2026
Trinity's Treasures features Ruth Negga, Eleanor McEvoy, and David Norris, a...
15/07/2026
Join geographer Dr Susan Hegarty, Engineer Tim Joyce and Architect Orla Murphy a...
15/07/2026
Home to leading manufacturers, robotics pioneers, infrastructure builders and gaming, of course, Japan is one of the world's centers of AI - building across...
14/07/2026
South end zone videoboard, cloud-based control system will be ready for 2026 football season...
14/07/2026
Redesigned website, enhanced mobile app unify content, ticketing, and personalized fan engagement...
14/07/2026
Agreement spans sponsorship sales, digital monetization, radio production, and new practice facility naming rights...
14/07/2026
Independent league adds 14 regional sports network affiliates, growing distribut...
14/07/2026
New strategy aims to unify competitions, content, fan engagement, and commercial...
14/07/2026
ESPN and Disney+ become exclusive home of PFL events in key international MMA market...
14/07/2026
Gill will oversee engineering, technology, and sports operations across the company's 64 local television stations...
14/07/2026
Submitted by North American Broadcasters Association (NABA)
As broadcasters con...
14/07/2026
Modernized mobile unit combines HOME Apps, mc 56 console, and IP infrastructure ...
14/07/2026
Every match of the 32-team tournament will air across ION and Scripps Sports platforms in English and Spanish...
14/07/2026
FloHockey to stream every game of the annual international tournament under four...