Magewell will unveil a standalone, hardware-based streaming encoder at the 2018 NAB Show in Las Vegas.
The Ultra Stream HDMI enables customers to record or stream video from a range of sources with one click, using on-device buttons, or via smartphone app.
It is suitable for users with little technical knowledge and is tipped for use in house of worship, school, live event and corporate applications.
Initial configuration is performed over network or Bluetooth connectivity with the iOS or Android app. Once security, encoding and destination parameters have been set, recording and live streaming can be started and stopped directly with physical buttons on the Ultra Stream unit or via virtual buttons in the app.
Users can stream to services such as Twitch, YouTube and Facebook Live or to a custom-specified RTMP server. Streams can be output to multiple target services simultaneously and a real-time video preview is offered via the app. A tablet version of the app is also available for use with larger mobile devices.
Ultra Stream HDMI - the first model in the Ultra Stream family - captures, encodes and streams video up to 1080p60 via an HDMI input interface from sources such as video cameras and Blu-ray players. The encoder also supports 4K HDMI inputs at 60fps with 4:2:0 colour subsampling, down-converting them automatically to HD for recording and streaming. Embedded HDMI audio is complemented by an analogue microphone input and a headphone output for monitoring. HDMI loop-through connectivity enables source signals to be simultaneously sent to a monitor or projector without the need for an HDMI splitter.
In addition to outputting live streams, the Ultra Stream HDMI can record video as MP4 files to a directly-connected USB drive or the associated smartphone. Footage can also be recorded in a loop on embedded storage within the unit for subsequent previewing and downloading. The device supports H.264 video compression and AAC audio, with HEVC encoding and recording planned for a future update. Two distinct combinations of resolution, frame rate and bitrate can be specified, enabling simultaneous recording and streaming with different parameters. Still frames can also be captured with the app.
The unit measures 94.2 mm square with a height of 28.5 mm. It offers both wireless and wired network connectivity, with built-in Wi-Fi as well as an RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet port.