Matrox Monarch HDX Encoder Appliance
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Meet All Streaming and Recording Needs with Matrox Monarch HDX
The Matrox Monarch HDX is a simple and versatile video encoding appliance specifically designed for broadcasters and webcasters who need a flexible solution that is powerful enough to take on today’s demanding webcasting and recording workflows. Monarch HDX offers 3G-SDI and HDMI inputs with frame-synchronization to correct any discontinuity at the input, and two independent H.264 encoders that can be assigned to individual tasks. Webcasting to YouTube and Facebook Live is easy for these popular platforms. All that’s needed is to setup the device once with these accounts and it’s automatically retained for subsequent streams.
Powerful, high quality H.264 encoding engine
The Monarch HDX can share 30 Mb/s of encoding capacity across the two channels. Each channel benefits from a powerful scaling, de-interlacing, and noise reduction engine to ensure only pristine images are sent to be encoded.
Simultaneous streaming and recording
The quality of your VOD downloads need never be dictated by the available upload bandwidth. Monarch HDX dual encoders can broadcast a live webstream at one bitrate while simultaneously recording mastering quality H.264 files for immediate availability, such as post event VOD or editing with your NLE of choice.
Dual-channel streaming
When used as a webcasting encoder, the Monarch HDX generates an H.264-encoded stream compliant with RTSP or RTMP protocols. You can assign each channel separately to deliver what you need, where you need. Each channel can stream up to 10Mb/s, allowing you to simultaneously stream to two destinations or set the device for up to 20Mb/s streaming quality for a single encoding destination.
Easily webcast to your audience
Monarch HDX can provide live content to CDNs such as YouTube, Facebook Live, and Ustream; media servers such as Adobe Flash and Wowza; or directly to a computer or device found on a LAN. The device is easily configured for YouTube and Facebook accounts with a few short steps. As a certified “Works with Wowza” encoder it allows users to benefit from enhanced integration with the Wowza™ streaming engine via XML files or Wowza tokens. Additionally, Monarch HDX supports XML files generated for use with Flash Live Media Encoder.
Dual-channel recording
Monarch HDX provides a huge amount of flexibility as an H.264 video recorder. Content is captured as either MOV or MP4 files to ensure that recordings can be played by the viewer’s choice of application. Each recording channel can be stored independently to a local SD card or USB drive, or remotely on a network-mapped drive so that files are immediately available to anyone on the network. Recordings can also be encoded at different bitrates should there be a need to deliver content to devices with varying decode or bandwidth capacities.
Secure back-up with disaster recovery
By targeting local and remote storage simultaneously, Monarch HDX ensures that no action will be lost should the network go down. Furthermore, it provides users with the ability to create split files while recording; particularly useful when recording for extended periods of time. The user can set a specific file segment length and Monarch HDX will automatically stop recording in one file and start a new file once the elapsed time is reached, without losing a single frame. The split file feature also ensures the majority of content will be preserved if disaster hits such as a power failure. All files created up to that moment will be saved and uncorrupted.
Matrox file consolidator application
Matrox provides a free Java-based utility that allows users to consolidate a sequence of MP4 or MOV files recorded with the “Split File” feature enabled. The application does not transcode but simply rewraps the video data, accelerating the consolidating process. The resulting file will have the same quality as the original and playback seamlessly, even across the file boundaries.
H.264 preview stream
Monarch HDX H.264 encoder provides a very useful low bitrate preview stream of the input directly in the Command Center UI. This same preview can be viewed using software players such as VLC or on third-party devices, such as Crestron control panels. This stream is available independently of the two encoder channels allowing you to check your video signal before your webcast goes live.
Closed captioning support
Ideal for broadcasters who require the integration of closed captioning while streaming and/or recording. Monarch HDX retrieves closed captioning data from the SDI VANC or line 21, then embeds the data within the H.264 essence as CEA-608. Caption-enhanced H.264 media can be streamed to video hosting platforms including YouTube and Ustream, media servers such as Wowza™, or a variety of content delivery networks (CDNs). MOV/MP4 files recorded with Monarch HDX preserves captions and can be included in VOD or archiving workflows.
Learn more about the Matrox Monarch HDX Encoder Appliance
- Full Description
- Specifications
- What's Included
- Demo Videos
- Reviews
Selectable HDMI & SDI inputs & simultaneous outputs
Monarch HDX H.264 video recorder can accept signals from HDMI or SDI sources. The input is selected using the web based UI, Matrox Command Center, or directly on the unit itself, allowing for a wide range of connectivity to devices such as cameras, switchers or routers. Additionally, both inputs are complemented by internal frame synchronizers to ensure uninterrupted streaming & recording operations, regardless of the disturbance on the input. The audio is also selectable between the two channels of the embedded video signal or the analog stereo input. Audio may be dynamically muted/unmuted without affecting the video encoding operation.
Regardless of input selection, SDI, HDMI video & embedded & analog audio outputs are live. For SDI workflows, the Monarch HDX recorder has an extremely low pass-through latency with a built-in power-loss relay which, in case of power loss, will route the SDI input directly to the SDI output, ensuring signal path integrity & fail safe design options
Profiles & presets
Ships with a number of typical streaming & recording presets that define all the encoding parameters including resolution & bitrate. Whether preset or custom parameters are used, they only need to be entered once & saved as a unique profile. A profile not only contains encoding parameters but also destination information detailing where the encoded video is being sent. Multiple profiles can be saved if the device is used in different environments. Each profile can be loaded instantly without having to re-enter data
Control from anywhere
Can be controlled & configured via the Monarch HDX Command Center using any device on the network that supports a standard web browsing application such as a computer, smart phone or tablet. Designed for operator ease-of-use, master controls provide one-click operation to start streaming, recording or both from anywhere within the user interface.
The device also provides convenient controls directly on the unit itself to stop/start recording or streaming, & an additional button to assign the input
Matrox utils application
The Matrox Utils application allows operators to remotely scan & find all Monarch HDX’s present on their network. The Utils application will also scan the attached Monarch HDX & notify the operator if the unit is up to date with its installed firmware version & will also update the device automatically to ensure that it has the latest software release installed. The Matrox Utils application can also be used to reboot Monarch HDX devices present on the network
Integrate Matrox Monarch HDX into your own application or environment
Broadcasters, network or cloud-based video management platform developers, A/V integrators & value-added resellers can use Monarch HDX Dev Tools, which include automatic configuration tools & the Monarch HDX Control API, to provide a unified, consistent & branded user experience. Individual users need not interact with the Monarch HDX Command Center web UI, which can simplify enterprise-level and centrally administered deployments.
Automatic configuration tools can be used to set all Monarch HDX encoding & destination settings by simply loading a properly formatted configuration file. For example, specialized CDNs & video platform providers who wish to offer a branded plug-and-play user experience can use the automatic configuration tools to give their customers a very simple installation procedure. The customer only needs to insert a USB key containing the customized automatic configuration file, boot the new Monarch HDX & the device will be ready to stream at exactly the right settings.
Similarly, IT administrators in broadcast, corporate & education environments with deployments of multiple Monarch HDX units on a network can use the tools to manage all of the units from a single application or portal. This can be done automatically by having each Monarch HDX access a defined webpage for configuration settings at boot up. Alternatively, the task of fetching configuration settings can be triggered manually from the Monarch HDX Command Center.
Monarch HDX Control API is an HTTP-based API that lets system integrators create their own control software to start, to stop, to set streaming bitrates & destinations, & to get the status of a Monarch HDX device. The Monarch HDX Command Center or the automatic configuration tools are used to initially configure devices with complete streaming & recording parameters. Once set up, units can be controlled using the custom application, on-device buttons only or the Command Center.
Connectivity
- Video Input:
HDMI*
SDI*
*Video Input Format is Auto-Detected
All outputs are active regardless of audio and video input selection. - Video Input Resolutions:
HDMI
Progressive
• 1920x1080 @ 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25/24/23.98 fps
• 1280x720 @ 60/59.94/50 fps
Interlaced
• 1920x1080i 29.97/25 fps
SDI
Progressive
• 1920x1080 @ 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25/24/23.98 fps
• 1280x720 @ 60/59.94/50 fps
Interlaced
• 1920x1080i @ 29.97/25 fps
• 720x486i @ 29.97 fps
• 720x576i @ 25 fps
Compliant with SMPTE 259M/292M/424M (Level A) / 425M
Closed Captioning embedded in VANC of SD or HD SDI signals per SMPTE 334-1 or Captions found in Line 21 of SD signals per EIA-608 are embedded in the essence of H.264 as SEI NAL Units (CEA-608) as per SCTE 128-1 specification. - Video Output:
HDMI
SDI - Video Output Resolutions: Preview output of video input signal. Preview output is available when source is SDI or HDMI.
0 frame latency passthrough of SDI Input signal. Output is a clean distribution of SDI incoming signal. Hardware bypass relay present in SDI signal path is "closed" on power failure.
When input is an SD-SDI resolution, the HDMI preview output will show video window boxed on an HD output. - Audio Input: Processes the first two channels of audio embedded in HDMI or SDI input signals.
Unbalanced analog stereo input via 1/8” (3.5mm) jack.
Line Level - Audio Output: Passthrough of 8 channel of embedded audio channels in HDMI and SDI signals.
Unbalanced analog stereo output via 1/8” (3.5mm) jack—passthrough of input.
Line Level
Note that all outputs are active regardless of audio and video input selection. - Confidence Preview: 1x SDI
1x HDMI
Maximum resolution: 1920x1080
Performance
- Color Space and Chroma Sub-Sampling: 4:2:0 (8-bit)
Video and Audio Processing
- Frame Synchronization: The Monarch HDX contains frame synchronization circuitry designed to compensate for disruptions of the input signal. This circuitry is in place for both SDI and HDMI inputs. Streaming and recording operations will proceed cleanly with repeated or dropped frames.
- Video Scaling: High Quality multi-tap 10 bit Down Scaler and De-Interlacer
Available for both streaming and recording operations - Audio Encoding Format: AAC-LC
- Audio Sampling Frequency: 32 kHz
44.1 kHz
48 kHz - Audio Bitrates:Range from 32 kbps to 256 kbps
Note that audio codec settings are applied to both encoders.
Codec
- Video Encoding Formats: H.264/MPEG-4 Part 10 (AVC)
- Encoding Profiles:
Baseline (BP)
Main (MP)
High (HiP) - Encoder Bitrates Range:
Single Encoder - Streaming mode: 20 Mbps
Single Encoder - Recording mode: 30 Mbps
Dual Encoder - Maximum of 10 Mbps for streaming channels
Maximum of 30 Mbps combined for both channels - Encoding Rate Control:
Average max/min data rate controls
Deblocking Filter
Selectable frame rates
GOP Size
Variable bitrate support - Encoding Level: Up to 4.2
Recording
- Recording Locations:
2x USB 2.0*
1x SD card slot**
Network mapped drive***
* Support for NTFS (3.1) and FAT32 file system. The Monarch HDX will support writing to USB3 devices at USB2 speeds. Also note, there is a very high variability in the performance capabilities of “thumb” drives (even USB3 versions). Many are optimized for “read” operations while the Monarch HDX requires sustained “write” capabilities. For best results, Matrox recommends using powered USB drives. If small portable media is required, SD cards may be more suitable.
** Supports SD and SDHC cards. Only NTFS formatted SDXC cards are supported. (Class 10 highly recommended).
*** Support for writing to shared folders in computers found on a network using Windows Share protocols (suitable for Windows system) as well as NFS protocols (suitable for Mac and Linux systems). - Recording Lengths: Maximum file length of 300 minutes—irrespective of storage type used. File splitting feature allows a user to record continuously for long periods by defining file segment sizes. The Monarch appliance will create these sequential file segments over the course of the recording operation without losing a single frame of video. File segment can have a length of 1 to 300 minutes.
Network
- Network Standard: RJ45 providing 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet with Static or DHCP addressing
- IP Addressing:
IPv4
DHCP (default) and static IP - Streaming Protocols:
RTMP, RTSP/RTP
Unicast and Multi Unicast (number of clients may vary from 3 to 10) - Command and Control:
HTTPS over TCP
UPnP (discovery)
Physical
- Product Dimensions:
5.6 (L) x 8.5 (W) x 1.4 (H) inches
14.2 (L) x 21.6 (W) x 3.6 (H) cm - Unit Weight: 1.3 lbs / 0.6 kg
- Power Supply Unit:
Line voltage: 100-240 V a.c.
Frequency: 50-60 Hz
Input: external AC/DC adapter - IEC320-C14
DIN4 locking power connector
Power-supply safety:
cULus (Canada/US)
CE (EU)
GS (Germany)
CCC (China)
RCM (Au/Nz)
EAC (Russia / Customs Union)
PSE (Japan)
KCC (Korea)
BIS (India)
Environmental
- Operating Conditions:
Temperature: 0 to 45 degrees Celsius
Altitude: 650 hPa (3,580 m) to 1,013 hPa (0 m)
Humidity: 20% to 80% non-condensing - Storage Conditions:
Temperature: -40 to 70 degrees Celsius
Altitude: 192 hPa (12,000 m) to 1,020 hPa (-50 m)
Humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing - Power Consumption:
Input: 9-24 volts
Total Power Consumption: 20-30 watts (42 max)
General
- Supported Operating Systems (software): Mac OSX EL Capitan
Windows 10 (64 bit) - EMC/EMI Device Class: Class A
- EMC/EMI Certifications:
CE (EU)
FCC (US)
ICES-3 (Canada)
KC (Korea)
RCM (Aus/NZ) - Environmental Certifications: RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU amended by (EU) 2015/863
- Warranty: Two-year limited warranty with free online or telephone support
Hardware
- Matrox Monarch HDX appliance
- Matrox Monarch HDX external power supply
- IEC-C8 power cords (US, UK and EU)
Software
- Monarch HDX Command Center
HTTPS API *
*Free download