Magewell Ultra Encode HDMI Plus Module

About this product

If you stream services, lectures, meetings or events from HDMI cameras and computers, you want each source going out without a PC and streaming software to babysit. The Ultra Encode HDMI Plus Module is a hardware streaming encoder for that work. It takes an HDMI signal from a camera, computer or switcher, compresses it, and sends it to streaming platforms, to another site, or onto an NDI network. It can record at the same time. It does all of this by itself, with no computer involved, from a slot in the Magewell Modator 2U chassis. Fit one module per source and a single rack becomes a multi-channel streaming and recording system.

What goes in

• HDMI. One HDMI input (HDMI 1.4a), up to 4096×2160 at 30 frames per second in 4:4:4 or 4:2:2, with a second HDMI socket for loop-through to a monitor or other device, so you can keep a local screen fed. Set a 4K source to 30 frames per second or below.
• Embedded audio. 8 channels of audio embedded in the HDMI signal come in with the picture.
• Analogue audio. A 3.5 mm line input (2-channel) lets you add sound from a desk or player, and a 3.5 mm line output is provided too. To bring in a balanced XLR microphone or mixer, use an external adapter or interface.

What comes out

• Encoding. H.264 or H.265 (HEVC). There are two encoding profiles, a main stream and a sub stream. The main stream runs at up to 4096×2160 at 30 frames per second, and the sub stream at up to 1080p for a second, lighter version. That lets you send a high-quality stream to one place and a smaller one to another.
• Protocols. RTMP and RTMPS, RTSP, SRT (caller or listener), NDI HX2 and HX3, HLS, MPEG-TS over UDP or RTP, TVU ISSP, Zixi and RIST (caller or listener). Facebook, Twitch, YouTube and Wowza are supported natively.
• Destinations. Up to six sessions at once across those protocols, including one NDI HX3 session or two NDI HX2 sessions.
• Bitrate. Up to 62 Mbps for NDI HX3 and up to 32 Mbps for the other protocols.
• Audio. AAC encoding with up to 8 channels.
• Recording. To the supplied 128 GB Micro-SD card, an external USB drive or a network share (NFS or CIFS), in MP4, MOV or TS format. The card is in the box, so you can record from day one and still have a copy if a stream is interrupted.

On the network

• NDI HX2 and HX3. These are the compressed, bandwidth-friendly forms of NDI, which travel easily over ordinary networks. For full-quality NDI High Bandwidth, see the Pro Convert encoder modules on the Modator range page.
• Wired Gigabit Ethernet. The module has its own wired Gigabit Ethernet port, the dependable choice for a rack installation.

How it fits in the chassis

• Powered by the chassis. The module slides into a slot of the Modator 2U chassis, which holds up to ten modules and supplies their power. Order the chassis with it if you are starting a new rack.
• Hot-swappable. It connects to the chassis through its Modator interface and can be swapped while the rack is running, so the other channels stay on air.
• Its own network socket. The module has its own Gigabit Ethernet port (RJ45), as well as a USB Type-C port for configuration.
• Power and size. It draws at most 13.08 W, inside the chassis limit of 20 W per slot. It measures 184.4 × 30.0 × 81.5 mm and weighs about 307 g.

Setting it up

• Configure it from the touch screen on the Modator chassis, from the Web GUI in a browser, or from Magewell Control Hub for managing many devices from one place.
• HTTP-based APIs are provided for custom integration, so you can tie it into a control system.

Where it sits in the range

The same specification is also available in a standalone form. If one or two channels are all you need, see the standalone Ultra Encode HDMI Plus. If your sources are SDI, see the Ultra Encode SDI Plus Module. The other modules are listed on the Modator range page.