4K/Multi-HD Webcasting Encoder

Pristine Quality Delivered to Any Screen

Producing and delivering live events in 4K is becoming more widespread, and homes across the globe are adding increasingly fast network download capabilities, as well as 4K TVs to accommodate this content. OVPs are capable of downscaling content optimized for large 4K TV screens to smaller screens when 4K streams are sent to them. When OVPs let TVs tackle the upscaling of HD content to fill screens, the result is not optimal. Monarch EDGE eliminates any comprise by encoding 4K at high frame rates (50 or 60 fps), while the OVP handles any downscaling. With Monarch EDGE, content providers can deliver a superlative 4K viewing experience.

Stream Every Angle

Monarch EDGE is a high-density encoding platform that can accept four independent HD inputs and deliver multiple streams per input, ideal for central equipment room installations. Thanks to innovations such as multi-camera event support offered by YouTube, users can select from main or secondary camera angles when viewing content. With a single Monarch EDGE device, four different camera angles can be streamed simultaneously.

Even More Reach

Monarch EDGE’s powerful encoding engine allows users to stream to multiple OVPs simultaneously for unprecedented reach and exposure. With Monarch EDGE’s ability to reach over 16 top OVPs, such as YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, Ustream, and LinkedIn among others, users can extend their reach and engage with their audiences where they are rather than luring them to a single OVP.

Uncompromising H.264 Quality

The H.264 codec is universally accepted for web contribution and live streaming. Monarch EDGE’s unique implementation of the codec keeps data rates exceptionally low while minimizing latency without sacrificing quality. Monarch EDGE’s independent encoding operations per input can be configured to stream to single or multiple destinations. Each operation benefits from a powerful scaling and de-interlacing engine to ensure only pristine images and audio are encoded.

Flexible Streaming Formats

Monarch EDGE supports a variety of streaming protocols. Social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube use the ever-popular RTMP format. SRT is a new open-source format that provides the reliability of RTMP, while reducing latency, for use on open networks. On local networks, MPEG-2 TS or RTSP streams can be selected for delivery over in-house networks. Finally, multiple destinations can be targeted for each encoding profile.

SDI and IP Connectivity

Monarch EDGE offers flexible, future-proof connectivity with 3G, 12G SDI, and ST 2110 over 25 GbE network connections. Inputs are auto-detectable and allow for a wide range of connectivity to devices such as cameras, switchers, vision mixers or routers. Additionally, audio can be selected from two channels of embedded audio per video input, or professional XLR connectors.

Convenient, Centralized Control

Monarch EDGE Control Hub is a powerful application that provides remote-control management and configuration of all network-connected encoders from a central location. This powerful software provides authorized users with high-level views of all devices and enables full access and control from a single, easy-to-use interface.

Preview Inputs

Allowing up to four simultaneous input previews on a single desktop monitor, Monarch EDGE ensures that videos are ready to be webcast. Monarch EDGE Control Hub allows users to effortlessly configure how they would like to preview audio sources of input. Users can choose to monitor one input at a time, or mute the Display Port audio output.
 

Robust and Practical Design

Monarch EDGE was built with reliability in mind. An LCD screen on the front of the appliance allows users to quickly access its status and configuration settings. A locking power connector safeguards against connection loss during production. Redundant Ethernet (1 GbE) ports allow users to control the device from one port while sending a video from a second port. Users can opt to send the same streams from each port while taking completely separate network paths. Finally, Monarch EDGE’s compact design ensures it can be installed in a fly-pack, OB van, or with a second Monarch EDGE unit in a 1RU-rack space.

4K/Multi-HD Remote Production Encoder

Big Productions, Small Footprint

Easily produce multi-angle live events by extending the production studio to any remote location with a network connection. Monarch EDGE can encode up to four camera feeds from HD or 3G-SDI sources. When an in-studio 4K production requires a remote feed, Monarch EDGE can accept either 4K signals over 12G-SDI or a quad 3G-SDI to deliver a full-4K stream. For events that require more cameras, its compact footprint ensures that two units will fit into a single 1RU space.

Built for High-Quality 10-bit H.264 Encoding

The optimized H.264 engine powering Monarch EDGE keeps data rates exceptionally low without sacrificing quality. I-frame-only streams reaching 120 Mbps can be delivered if the quality is a high priority. Each input can be streamed at resolutions up to 1080p60 using the High 4:2:2 H.264 encoding profile. Furthermore, multiple processes can be performed on each input by powerful scaling and de-interlacing engines. This enables each input to be streamed at multiple resolutions and bitrates simultaneously, which is useful for remote monitoring.

Exceptionally Low Encode Latency

In live productions, multiple signal sources must be synchronized. If a remote production encoder takes too long to transfer the signal from the field to the production system, delivering crisp cuts between local and remote feeds can prove difficult. High latency often means long delays between video capture and delivery, making live productions appear unsynchronized and unprofessional. With an exceptionally low 50ms of latency between video capture and stream output, Monarch EDGE achieves some of the lowest latencies on the market, ensuring remote production staff feels like they are at the event.

Keep it In-sync

All channels encoded by Monarch EDGE will be locked to a single clock, and the streams generated will have timestamps to allow a decoder to realign the streams at the output. For the very best results, the cameras feeding the encoder should be genlocked together to ensure each frame is captured in phase. Monarch EDGE offers a genlock output jack with a signal that can be distributed to those cameras if an on-site sync generator is not available.

Flexible Streaming Formats

There is a variety of streaming protocols available to Monarch EDGE users. On closed networks, MPEG-2 TS or RTSP streams can be selected for delivery. For cloud-based destinations, or when the network is congested, SRT may be more appropriate. SRT is a new open-source format that provides the reliability of RTMP, while reducing latency, for use on open networks. SRT streams can also be encrypted if security is a concern.

Tally and Talkback¹

Monarch EDGE provides tally signals and talkback channels to facilitate bi-directional communication between on-site camera operators and in-studio personnel. These provisions on the device help reduce the amount of equipment required on site.

SDI and IP Connectivity

Monarch EDGE offers flexible, future-proof connectivity with 3G, 12G SDI, and ST 2110 over 25 GbE network connections. Inputs are auto-detectable and allow for a wide range of connectivity to devices such as cameras, switchers, vision mixers or routers. Additionally, audio can be selected from two channels of embedded audio per video input, or balanced analog audio connectors.

Convenient, Centralized Control

Monarch EDGE Control Hub is a powerful application that provides management and configuration remotely overall Monarch EDGE units on the network. This powerful software provides authorized users with high-level views of all devices on the network and enables full access and control from a single, easy-to-use interface.

Preview Inputs

Allowing up to four simultaneous input previews on a single desktop monitor, the DisplayPort output of the Monarch EDGE ensures that videos are valid and ready to use. Monarch EDGE Control Hub allows users to effortlessly configure how they would like to preview audio sources of input. Users can choose to monitor one input at a time, or mute the Display Port audio output.

Robust and Practical Design

Monarch EDGE was built with reliability in mind. An LCD screen on the front of the appliance allows the user to quickly access its status and configuration settings. A locking power connector safeguards against connection loss during production. Redundant Ethernet (1 GbE) ports allow users to control the device from one port while sending a video from a second port. Users can opt to send the same streams from each port while taking completely separate network paths. Finally, Monarch EDGE’s compact design ensures it can be installed in a fly-pack or with a second Monarch EDGE unit in a 1RU-rack space.