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Academic version available to qualified school purchasers and teachers only. Proof of qualification required for order approval.
Your Ideal Lecture Capture Appliance
IT administrators will find this reliable, standalone network appliance simple to set up and integrate into any open Video Management System (VMS) or Lecture Management System (LMS). Monarch LCS lets you easily define profiles for live streamed and recorded lectures by mixing camera and presentation material from SDI and HDMI sources. Once configured, this versatile H.264 encoding appliance can be operated by anyone at the push of a button. And it won’t break your budget!
Variety of Operating Modes
Complex recording equipment is no longer required to effectively capture presentations in lecture halls. A typical setup would consist of video and audio of the presenter and a computer source with supporting material which can be mixed into a single webcast. The operator can select a number of operating modes that include layouts such as Picture-in-picture and Side-by-side. If the operator prefers to dynamically change the inputs throughout the lecture, the Monarch LCS also offers Switcher mode. With very little set up time, the Monarch LCS can be configured to capture and deliver content such as presentations and seminars in many appealing layouts.
Viewer Defined Layouts
Keep your audience fully engaged by putting the control in their hands. In Isolated mode, the appliance provides two independent video files or streams. This feature, when used with a compatible 3rd party player, enables the viewer to select their preferred layout. The synchronized streaming or recording of Monarch LCS’ dual inputs are invaluable when such players are used. By aligning video inputs, the viewer can seamlessly switch to their preferred layout while maintaining perfectly synced audio and video.
Easy to Operate
Matrox Monarch LCS can be controlled and configured via the Monarch LCS Command Center using any device on the network that supports a standard web browsing application such as a tablet. The interface is designed for operator ease-of-use and features one-click operation to start encoding from anywhere within the user interface. A number of typical streaming and recording presets are provided that define all of the encoding parameters, including resolution and bitrate. Encoding parameters can be customized and combined with destination and operating mode settings and saved as a unique profile. If the device must be accessed by different users, profiles can be instantly recalled without having to re-enter data.
Simple to Integrate
Designed to work in network environments, Monarch LCS is a network appliance that facilitates a seamless integration into existing infrastructures managed by third party asset management solutions, such as OpenCast VMS and Moodle LMS software. In addition, a scheduler feature will be available in a future release of Monarch LCS to support open source iCal software such as Google calendar which allows you to create a schedule, export to an .ics file format, and easily import to the device. Schedules can be imported at any time and Monarch LCS can be configured to periodically retrieve schedules on your network.
Uncompromising Quality
Offering unprecedented quality, Monarch LCS can share up to 20 Mb/s of encoding capacity across its two H.264 encoding channels. Each independent channel has individual bitrate/quality settings and benefits from powerful scaling, deinterlacing, and noise reduction engines that ensure only pristine images are sent to the encoders. When the highest quality is required, each encoder can be set to encode at 1080p30 resolutions.
Set Your Destinations
This dual encoder offers multiple destination options when streaming or recording. When set to recording, an encoding channel captures content in MOV or MP4 files to ensure that video files can be played on virtually any player. Recordings can be stored on local USB drives, SD cards, or network-mapped drives and made available immediately to an LMS or VMS for distance learning. For streaming purposes, the encoders use either RTMP or RTSP protocol to deliver live streams to local media servers or cloudbased CDNs.
Flexible Inputs
Monarch LCS can support productions with two HDMI video sources or one SDI and one HDMI video source. Embedded or analog audio can be selected as the audio source. By supporting video camera signals that are either SDI or HDMI, this lecture recorder gives operators the flexibility to select what is best for that installation. SDI signals can travel more than 300 feet (100 meters) over coaxial cable, which is ideal if the camera is mounted a long distance from the encoder. When cable lengths are not an issue, HDMI cameras may prove the most affordable option, particularly in larger installations.
Frame Synchronization Between Inputs
The ultimate lecture viewing experience can only be guaranteed when computer, video and audio content is synchronized before encoding. However, computer and video feeds rarely share the same resolutions and frame rates. The Monarch LCS accepts these different feeds and synchronizes them before encoding, delivering perfectly timed video and audio, regardless of the operating mode. Built-in frame syncs also correct any signal discontinuity at either input, ensuring uninterrupted streaming and recording operations.
Live Production Preview Output
Both SDI and HDMI outputs are active and can be mapped to either inputs, a useful feature for driving in-house projections. The HDMI output also gives the operator the option of selecting the production output at the frame size of the encoding parameters, enabling them to preview content that will be sent to the remote viewer.
Remotely Manage Your Device
The Matrox Utils application allows operators to remotely scan and find all Monarch LCS devices present on their network. The Utils application will also scan the attached Monarch LCS and notify the operator if the unit is up to date with its installed firmware version and will also update the device automatically to ensure that it has the latest software release. The Matrox Utils Application can also be used to reboot Monarch LCS devices present on the network.
Versatile API for Your Environment
Contractors or in-house IT specialists can take advantage of Monarch LCS Dev Tools, which includes automatic configuration tools and the Monarch LCS Control API, to provide operators with a unified, consistent and branded experience. Individuals do not need to interact with the Monarch LCS Command Center web UI, simplifying enterprise-level and centrally administered deployments.
Control with Crestron
The Monarch LCS Control API is an ideal way to integrate Monarch LCS functionality into an existing classroom, boardroom or other space equipped with a Crestron control system. Monarch LCS registered users are invited to download a sample SIMPL module written to run on Crestron 2-Series® and 3-Series® Room Media Controllers.
Robust and Practical Design
Powerful and robust, Monarch LCS storage ports are located on the front of the device along with three simple one-touch buttons that offer an alternative to the Web based UI control. All connectors are located at the back, including the locking power connector, which ensures that Monarch LCS can just as easily be located on a desktop as in a rack. A 1RU tray can fit up to two units.
Matrox Monarch LCS Technical Specifications
Inputs and Outputs | |
Supported HDMI Video Input 1 (Video Sources) | Progressive 1920x1080 @ 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25 Frames per second 1280x720 @ 60/59.94/50 Frames per second Interlaced 1920x1080i 29.97/25 Frames per second |
Supported HDMI Video Input 2 (Computer Sources) | Progressive 1920x1080 @ 60/50 Frames per second 1280x720 @ 60/50 Frames per second Interlaced 1920x1080i 29.97/25 Frames per second |
HDMI Video Output | Preview output of video input signals. Preview output can be mapped from either SDI or HDMI input sources. Note that when input is an SD resolution, the HDMI preview output will show video window-boxed on an HD output. When HDMI output is set to Preview Mode, refer to the manual for a complete description of behavior. |
Supported SDI Video Input | Progressive 1920x1080 @ 60/59.94/50/30/29.97/25 Frames per second 1280x720 @ 60/59.94/50 Frames per second Interlaced 1920x1080i @ 29.97/25 Frames per second 720x486i @ 29.97 Frames per second 720x576i @ 25 Frames per second Compliant with SMPTE 259M/292M/424M (Level A) / 425M |
SDI Video Output | Preview output of video input signals. Preview output can be mapped from either SDI or HDMI input sources. |
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. |
Extra features | Video Input Format is Auto-Detected in SDI and HDMI. All outputs are active regardless of audio and video input selection. |
Frame Synchronization | |
Frame Synchronization | The Monarch LCS 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. |
H.264/MPEG-4 Part 10 (AVC) Video Encoder | |
Resolutions | Selectable encoding resolutions ranging from: 128x128 to 1920x1080 |
Bit Rates Ranges | Single Encoder - Streaming mode: 16 Mbps Dual Encoder - Maximum of 8 Mbps for streaming channels Dual Encoder - Maximum of 10 Mbps for recording channels |
Encode Frame Rates | Encode frame rates selection includes; 60/50, 30/25 and 15/12.5. Note that 50/60 fps setting is limited to following use cases: Single Input, single encoder – 1080p60 and 720p60 supported in RTMP, RTSP or Recording modes Single Input, dual encoder – 720p60 in RTSP and Recording modes All other operating modes will limit the frame rate to the 30/25 fps setting regardless of encoding resolution. |
Encoding Profiles | Baseline, Main and High |
Encoding Controls | 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 4.0, 4.1 Level Support GOP Size Variable bit rate support Average max/min data rate controls Deblocking Filter |
MPEG-4 AAC Audio Encoder | |
Standard | AAC-LCS |
Sample Frequency | 32, 44.1 and 48 kHz when digitized from an analog source |
Channels | 2 channels Stereo (L/R) |
Bit Rates | Range from 32 kbps to 256 kbps Note that audio codec settings are applied to both encoders. |
Scaler | |
 | High Quality multi-tap 10 bit Down Scaler and De-Interlacer Available to both streaming and recording operations |
Recording File Format | |
File Type | Industry Standard MP4 and MOV files with two channels of embedded AAC audio |
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 LCS 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 Interfaces | |
Connector | RJ45 providing 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet with Static or DHCP addressing |
Protocols | RTMP, RTSP/RTP IPv4 Support Unicast and Multi Unicast (number of clients may vary from 3 to 10) |
User Interface | |
Computer Based control | HTTP via standard PC or Mac web browser using Monarch LCS Command Center. |
Physical Interface | On Device push buttons for independent streaming and recording with Start/Stop control |
Storage Types for File Recording | |
2 x USB 2.0 | Support for NTFS (3.1) and FAT32 file system The Monarch LCS 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 LCS 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. |
1 x SD card Slot | Supports SD and SDHC cards. Only NTFS formatted SDXC cards are supported. (Class 10 highly recommended). |
Network Mapped Drive | 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). |
Physical | |
Dimensions | Length (shell) - 5.6" (14.2cm), Length (shell +BNCs) - 6"(15.3cm), Width - 8.5" (21.6 cm), Height (shell) - 1.4"(3.6cm), Height (Shell + pads) - 1.5" (3.81cm) |
Weight | 1.3 lbs, 0.6 kg |
Operating conditions | 32 to 104 deg. F (0 to 40 deg. C), 20 to 80% relative humidity (non-condensing) |
Power |
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Power Supply |
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Transport and Storage | Max Operating Altitude: 3000 meters Max Transport altitude: 12,000 meters Storage Humidity 5 to 95% relative humidity (non-condensing) |
Regulatory |
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Warranty | 2 years with free telephone support |
Kit Contents | |
In the box |
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Ordering Information | |
MHLCS/I | Matrox Monarch LCS part number |
MRCH/RACK/KIT | Monarch Rack Mount Kit. Can fit up to two Monarch LCS units in a 1RU space. |
PWR/SUP/MHLS | Monarch LCS power supply unit. Does not include IEC-C14 power cord. These cables must be sourced locally. |
Kit Contents | |
In the box |
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