Magewell Ultra Encode HDMI

About this product

A laptop running streaming software works until it updates, sleeps or gets borrowed five minutes before you go live. The Ultra Encode HDMI is a small standalone hardware streaming encoder that takes the laptop's place, for churches, schools, venues and anyone who streams regularly. You connect one HDMI source and a network, set it up once in a web browser, and it sends live video to streaming platforms, to another site, or to an NDI production network. No computer is involved while it runs.

What goes in

• Video. One HDMI input (HDMI 1.4a, DVI-D compatible). It accepts up to 4096×2160 at 60 frames per second in 4:2:0, or at 30 frames per second in 4:4:4 or 4:2:2. A second HDMI socket is a loop-through, which passes the picture on to a monitor or projector.
• Audio. Up to eight channels embedded in the HDMI signal, or two channels from the 3.5 mm line input, so you can take sound from a mixing desk instead of the camera. There is also a 3.5 mm line output.

What comes out

• Encoding. H.264 or H.265 (HEVC). The main stream goes up to 2048×1080 at 60 frames per second. A sub stream of up to 1920×1080 can run alongside it, which is useful for a lighter version of the same picture. The maximum video bitrate is 16 Mbps, with two-channel AAC audio. A 4K source is accepted and encoded at 1080p or below, so a 4K camera can feed an HD stream directly.
• Protocols. RTMP and RTMPS (used by YouTube, Facebook and most platforms), SRT as caller or listener (a protocol built for sending video over the public internet), RTSP, NDI HX2, HLS, MPEG-TS over UDP or RTP, and TVU ISSP.
• Several destinations at once. Up to six RTMP / RTMPS sessions, up to six SRT sessions, or up to six MPEG-TS sessions at the same time, and up to two NDI HX2 sessions. That lets you stream to more than one platform without a second encoder.
• Overlays. Up to eight per stream, from text, pictures and a clock, so you can add a logo or title in the box.

Why choose it

• No streaming PC. The encoder does the work a laptop running streaming software would otherwise do, in a box about 107 mm square and 25 mm high.
• The local picture carries on. The loop-through output carries the source on to a screen or projector while the encoder streams.
• Wired or wireless. Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) are built in. A 4G / 5G USB modem is also supported if you add your own, ready for venues with no network to offer.
• Power. It runs from the supplied 5 V power adapter and draws about 8.62 W at most. For power over the network cable, choose the Ultra Encode HDMI Plus.

Choosing between this model and the Plus

This is the straightforward HD streaming model: an HDMI 1.4a input, encoding up to 1080p60, NDI HX2 and the main streaming protocols, all managed from a browser. It is a good fit when an HD live stream is the whole job. If you need 4K encoding, NDI HX3, RIST or Zixi, built-in recording or power over Ethernet, look at the Plus models below.

Setting it up

• Configuration is done in the Web UI, which can be opened from a PC or a smartphone, so you can check or change it from wherever you are standing.
• Several encoders can be registered with Magewell Control Hub for central management.
• APIs are provided for third-party control systems.
• A T-bracket for mounting is in the box.

Where it sits in the range

The Ultra Encode HDMI Plus is the same size and adds 4K encoding at up to 30 frames per second, NDI HX3, RIST and Zixi, 128 GB of internal recording storage and PoE. For an SDI source there is the Ultra Encode SDI, and the Ultra Encode AIO has both HDMI and SDI inputs. All models are on the Ultra Encode range page.