Magewell Ultra Encode HDMI Plus

About this product

When an event has to go out live and also be kept, you normally need an encoder, a recorder and a way to power them at the camera or lectern. The Ultra Encode HDMI Plus rolls those into one. It is a small standalone hardware streaming encoder for one HDMI source: it encodes at up to 4K, streams to several destinations at once, and can record to its own built-in storage. It is set up in a web browser and then runs without a computer.

What the Plus adds

The Plus is the model to choose when you want more than HD from a compact encoder. Compared with the standard Ultra Encode HDMI it adds 4K encoding, NDI HX3, RIST and Zixi, a higher bitrate, built-in recording storage and PoE.

For audio you can use the sound embedded in the HDMI signal, or plug a line-level source into the 3.5 mm line input. There is also a 3.5 mm line output.

What goes in

• Video. One HDMI input (HDMI 1.4a, DVI-D compatible) up to 4096×2160 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, so there is no splitter to buy.
• Audio. Up to eight channels embedded in the HDMI signal, or two channels from the 3.5 mm line input.

What comes out

• Encoding. H.264 or H.265 (HEVC). The main stream goes up to 4096×2160 at 30 frames per second, and a sub stream of up to 1920×1080 can run alongside it, which lets you send a full-quality version and a lighter one together.
• Bitrate. Up to 62 Mbps for NDI HX3 and up to 32 Mbps for the other protocols.
• Protocols. RTMP and RTMPS, RTSP, SRT (caller or listener), NDI HX2 and HX3, HLS, MPEG-TS over UDP or RTP, RIST (caller or listener), Zixi and TVU ISSP. That range suits streaming platforms, links to another site and use as an NDI encoder on a production network.
• Destinations. Up to six at once, including two NDI HX2 sessions, or one NDI HX3 session on its own.
• Overlays. Up to eight per stream, from text, pictures and a clock, so you can brand the stream in the encoder.
• Recording. To the 128 GB of internal storage, an external USB drive or a network share (NAS), in MP4, MOV or TS format. There is loop recording, a recording scheduler, and upload of files to an FTP server, Google Drive or Dropbox, which saves collecting files from the unit by hand.

Why choose it

• Stream and keep a copy. The same box that streams the event can record it internally, with no card or drive to remember.
• One cable for power and network. With a PoE switch (IEEE 802.3af) the network cable also powers the encoder, which draws up to 8.68 W. A 5 V power adapter is supplied for use without PoE.
• 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.
• Small. 106.6 × 106.2 × 25 mm, with a T-bracket for mounting in the box.

Setting it up

• Configuration is done in the Web UI, which can be opened from a PC or a smartphone, so you can set it up on site with the phone in your pocket.
• Units can be registered with Magewell Control Hub or Zixi ZEN Master for central management.
• APIs are provided for third-party control systems.

Where it sits in the range

For an SDI source see the Ultra Encode SDI Plus. For both HDMI and SDI inputs in one unit see the Ultra Encode AIO. All models are on the Ultra Encode range page.