The Modator 2U chassis holds up to 10 hot-swappable Modator blade modules. Each module slot is independent — modules can be mixed and matched (e.g., some encoding blades and some decoding blades in the same chassis). Empty slots should be covered with the supplied blank panels to maintain airflow and cooling.
Yes. All Modator modules support hot-swapping — they can be inserted or removed while the chassis is running without powering down the frame. This is essential for 24/7 broadcast environments where any downtime is unacceptable. Each module manages its own independent startup and shutdown sequence.
Current Modator modules include: Pro Convert HDMI Plus module (HDMI to NDI encoder), Pro Convert HDMI 4K Plus module (4K HDMI to NDI encoder), Pro Convert 12G SDI 4K Plus module (12G-SDI to NDI encoder), Pro Convert for NDI to HDMI module (NDI to HDMI decoder), Pro Convert for NDI to AIO module (NDI decoder with HDMI, SDI and USB-C outputs), Ultra Encode HDMI Plus module, and Ultra Encode SDI Plus module. ForeFront Imaging stocks all current blade types.
Yes. Each Modator module has its own independent network connectivity — it connects to the network directly, not through the chassis backplane. Each module operates as a standalone device with its own IP address, Web UI, and configuration. The chassis itself also has a management network port for frame-level configuration and status monitoring.
Yes. The Modator 2U chassis has dual hot-swappable power supplies for redundancy. If one power supply fails, the other maintains uninterrupted operation. This makes the Modator suitable for mission-critical broadcast installations that require continuous 24/7 uptime.
Each module slot supports up to 20W of power. The chassis itself consumes up to 200W maximum when fully loaded with 10 modules at maximum draw. The actual consumption varies by module type — encoding modules typically draw more than decoding modules. The dual power supplies each handle the full load, ensuring no single point of failure.
The chassis has an integrated 4.8-inch LED touchscreen on the front panel for local configuration and status monitoring. You can view the status of the chassis and each installed module, configure network settings, and turn modules on or off. All modules and the chassis can also be managed remotely via Magewell Control Hub software.
Yes. Each Modator module is individually compatible with Magewell Control Hub, which provides centralised management across all modules and other Magewell Pro Convert and Ultra Encode devices on the network. Control Hub can push configuration, monitor status, manage firmware updates, and alert on faults across the entire deployment.
The Modator 2U chassis requires 2U of rack space in a standard 19-inch rack. Physical dimensions are 482mm (L) × 275mm (W) × 88mm (H), weighing approximately 12.3 lbs (5.6kg) with blank panels installed. Standard L-shaped rack rails (not included) are required for installation.
Yes. The Modator was specifically designed for continuous 24/7 broadcast operation. The dual redundant power supplies, optimised heat dissipation, and hot-swap capability for both modules and power supplies all contribute to an architecture with no single point of failure. Operating temperature range is 14°F to 113°F (−10°C to 45°C).
Modator blades are functionally equivalent to their standalone Pro Convert counterparts — they share the same firmware and feature sets. The key difference is form factor: Modator blades pack up to 10 encode/decode channels into 2U of rack space, compared to 10 individual standalone units which would occupy far more space and require separate power and network connections for each. For high-density installations, Modator is significantly more space-efficient and easier to manage.