Video streaming and recording with Matrox Monarch HD

This small, simple video streaming and recording device allows you to stream a live event and simultaneously record a higher quality version for later editing tasks.

Matrox Now has Monarch HD in its portfolio of solutions, a small and simple video transmission and recording device that has been designed for professional video producers who need to broadcast a live event and simultaneously record a higher quality version for subsequent editing tasks.

By separating the task of recording from streaming on a single integrated drive, Matrox Monarch HD ensures that Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) focus on delivering quality video to audiences while controlling file quality.

From any HDMI input source, such as a camera or switcher, Matrox Monarch HD outputs an H.264-encoded stream that complies with RTSP or RTMP protocols. While encoding video signals at bit rates suitable for live streaming, Matrox Monarch HD can simultaneously record a high-quality MP4 file to an SD card, USB drive, or mapped network drive. Additionally, Matrox Monarch HD is controlled remotely from any PC or mobile device with an Internet browser.

If an event is worth broadcasting, it is also worth recording it in the best possible quality. The better the recording quality, the more valuable the content produced later will be. These contents can be offered to the audience as VOD files generated in a very short time or as a fully edited and finalized highlights summary.

Since recording quality should not be affected by upload bandwidth, Matrox Monarch HD supports bit rates of up to 30 Mbps while simultaneously streaming at 20 Mbps.

Matrox Monarch HD injects the highest quality video into every bit regardless of the input source or target bitrate. By combining the power of the integrated H.264 encoder with Matrox's high-quality upscaling and deinterlacing engines, stunning results are guaranteed.

Ready to edit and upload with MP4

Matrox Monarch HD records high-quality H.264 video as MP4 files, offering maximum flexibility for all applications. Upload a file to your own web server or to a CDN such as YouTube. Or, directly import the file into a wide variety of authoring tools without transcoding.

In terms of connectivity, the Matrox Monarch HD's HDMI output allows you to easily monitor what is being transmitted and recorded, regardless of whether the signal is received from a camera, a switch, a signal converter or a PC. Eight channels of integrated audio can be processed and distributed. Two audio channels with loop output via 1/8” stereo connectors are also available.

Powerful and robust, the Matrox Monarch HD device offers easy physical one-touch recording and streaming buttons, low power consumption and a locking power connector, and is fanless. Its design allows it to be easily placed either on a table or rack-mounted – up to three units can be mounted on a 1RU tray. The software has been developed on a secure embedded Linux OS, so there is no risk of automatic or unscheduled updates using third-party servers.

Importantly, whether you're delivering live content to Flash or Wowza servers or any popular CDN, the task is made easy with Matrox Monarch HD's support for a variety of Internet streaming protocols. Its useful preset encoding settings allow you to select the most appropriate resolution according to the available bandwidth. Target encoding streaming parameters only need to be specified once and are saved as an exclusive profile. 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.

Matrox Monarch HD allows you to select from a wide range of recording media types. Use a USB drive or device when mobility is important. An SD card may be the best option when a more secure and compact solution is required. Alternatively, a system drive on a network PC can be extremely useful when multiple people need to access the footage.

Regardless of where footage is saved, recording controls can be executed without affecting streaming operations. During the streaming session, high-quality files are available at all times with which you can create complementary video content.

A simple Web page is all that is needed to control Matrox Monarch HD. The unit is controlled and configured with any device on the network that supports a standard Web browsing application. A preview of the main IP stream is integrated into the control web page.

Daniel Maloney, director of video technical marketing at Matrox, said: "Matrox Monarch HD injects high-quality video in all bits regardless of input or bit rate. Combining a built-in H.264 encoder with high-quality deinterlacing and Matrox's upscaling engine, the results are impressive."