Telemedicine workflows incorporating live video have taken on dramatically greater importance for surgical education during the COVID-19 pandemic, as doctors reduce non-essential personnel in their operating rooms for the safety of patients and staff. Needing a way to continue its mission of improving training for ophthalmology students in underserved geographic regions, non-profit organization Advanced Center for Eyecare Global (ACE Global) is using the USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus external video capture device from Magewell as a crucial link in delivering live video of surgical procedures to medical residents and fellows around the globe.

ACE Global is a non-profit organization focused on training and empowering the next generation of ophthalmologists in the developing world. "The leading cause of blindness in the world is cataracts, but there are just not enough cataract surgeons that have enough training, particularly in low-income countries," said Dr. Kevin Barber, president of ACE Global and certified ophthalmologist. "Our major goal is working toward blindness prevention by training more surgeons, better surgeons, and more efficient surgeons."

Related: The Technology Manager's Guide to Videoconferencing and Streaming

For years, ACE Global has been partnering with residency programs in countries such as Honduras, Haiti, and El Salvador, making three or four trips each year to teach surgical students in person. Dr. Barber's team was packing their bags to leave for Honduras in March 2020 when the pandemic put the brakes on that journey. Needing a way to continue ACE Global's work, Dr. Barber came across a medical journal article by Dr. S.K. Steven Houston III and Dr. John Miller—partners in eyecare-focused telemedicine solution developer HEALTheia—that outlined their efforts in piloting telesurgery workflows incorporating live streaming technology.

Many ophthalmology operating rooms utilize the NGENUITY 3D Visualization System from Alcon Inc. Designed to provide retinal surgeons with greater depth and detail during surgery than traditional microscopes, NGENUITY lets them operate in a heads-up manner while looking at a large 4K video screen rather than peering through the oculars of a microscope. Dr. Houston had researched solutions for live streaming the output of the NGENUITY platform, choosing Magewell's USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus for its unique combination of cost-effectiveness, quality, ease of use, and reliability.

"Our goal was to balance our technical requirements with the accessibility of an off-the-shelf solution at a reasonable cost," Dr. Houston said. "We also wanted doctors to be able to implement this workflow themselves, so we needed to make it as simple as possible. "The Magewell capture device has given us a widely available plug-and-play option that we can recommend to our colleagues and is affordable to all comers."

After a successful test run facilitated by Dr. Houston, Dr. Barber purchased his own USB Capture HDMI 4K Plus unit, and began broadcasting live surgeries to medical students in early May. "Since then, we have logged around 150 hours of live surgical training through the Magewell device," Dr. Barber said. "Remote surgeons can see exactly what I see, and we can have a live dialog while I am operating."

The live HDMI output from the NGENUITY system goes into the USB Capture Plus device, which in turn sends the video over a standard USB connection into a computer running OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) and Zoom. OBS is used to combine video of the surgeon's hands from a separate camera with the NGENUITY output, with Zoom delivering the combined result to remote participants with lower latency than available with typical streaming protocols and services.

Dr. Barber concurs with Dr. Houston's assessment of the Magewell capture solution's benefits and also lauds its visual fidelity, which is crucial given the precision required for surgical applications. "It's so inexpensive and simple," he said. "I am not a technical guy, but I can set it up in the operating room within five minutes and be streaming to a global audience. The image quality is also impeccable, with no degradation of the NGENUITY output."

Earlier this year, in conjunction with blindness prevention non-profit Orbis International, ACE Global presented a global live surgical stream that was viewed by surgeons in 81 countries. ACE Global has also received a research grant from Alcon to install an NGENUITY system and Magewell unit in Honduras, with a goal of allowing surgical trainees there to stream live surgeries back to experts in the U.S. for mentoring and evaluation.

The Magewell-enabled workflow has proven valuable in enabling ACE Global to continue and expand its mission. "It has become a very powerful educational tool that we didn't have before," said Dr. Barber. "We have now streamed to medical students in Honduras, Dominican Republic, Peru, El Salvador, and Mexico, and can connect ORs anywhere in the world."

When New World Symphony, a unique post-graduate orchestral academy under the artistic direction of 11-time Grammy award-winning conductor and co-founder Michael Tilson Thomas, was preparing for its first international livestreamed WALLCAST concert, the academy’s video production team realized that in order to capture more dynamic point-of-view (POV) video, their infrastructure needed an upgrade to compliment the Performance Hall’s high-caliber video production system.

Although New World Symphony’s Performance Hall was already equipped with AV technology, the professional POV “lipstick” cameras NWS experimented with lacked modern features, flexibility, and most importantly, 4K video quality and color shading. As a result, the camera operators’ ability to broadcast dynamic 4K video was restricted. 

Related: Panasonic PTZ Cameras Help UK Cathedral Live Stream Mass

“The challenge we faced was twofold, as we needed to find a solution to replace our existing lipstick point-of-view cameras with remote control capabilities that integrated smoothly into our Telemetrics environment,” said Clyde Scott, director of video production and resident projection designer at New World Symphony.

Seeking flexible solutions, New World Symphony added seven Panasonic robotic AW-UE150 4K60 PTZ cameras and an AW-RP150 touchscreen remote camera controller into their infrastructure. The AW-UE150’s video quality, wide 75.1-degree viewing angle, and quiet pan and tilt performance made the camera well suited to meet the academy’s goals and objectives. Furthermore, the AW-RP150’s one-hand operation joystick and large touchpanel LCD screen for monitoring and menu settings complimented the Symphony’s production infrastructure.

“For the longest time, we were seeking quiet, robotic cameras that could mirror what was being captured on our 4K studio and broadcast cameras,” Scott said. “In the case of our first international webcast, we needed high-quality, small robotic cameras to showcase the different musical elements involved in Thomas’ composition without distracting or disturbing the musicians or our in-house audience.”

New World Symphony’s’ Performance Hall can be characterized as nothing short of magical. Numerous luminaries from John Williams to Katie Perry have carried out captivating performances in the hall, and over the years, the academy has been eager to broadcast and share those intimate experiences with its audiences.

After deploying Panasonic’s UE150 PTZ cameras, New World Symphony enhanced its overall video production capabilities for its beloved Performance Hall, enabling its video engineers to fully embrace a true 4K broadcast environment. In addition to seamlessly capturing the performance of Thomas’ piece in 4K, NWS’ updated production capabilities will foster unique musical performances and experiences for its guests—regardless of their location—now and in the future.

The What: Magewell has launched the sixth model in its Eco Capture family of compact, power-efficient M.2 video capture cards. Providing input signal compatibility for older 4K source equipment, the Eco Capture QL-SDI 4K M.2 captures one channel of video with embedded audio up to 4096x2160 at 60Hz over quad-link, 3G-SDI connectivity.

The What Else: While recent 4K products often support the transport of Ultra HD video over a single 12Gb/s SDI connection, a lot of existing equipment still utilizes the earlier quad-link approach in which four separate SDI cables combine to carry one 4K signal. Owners of such products wish to maximize the lifecycle of those investments—which may be just two or three years old—and for some specialized solutions, equivalents with single-link, 12G-SDI interfaces may not yet be available. Now shipping, the quad-link Eco Capture QL-SDI 4K M.2 enables integrators and OEM product designers to bring live, 4K content from these sources into their software and systems.

Related: Magewell Expands Live Streaming With Capture Express 3.2 

The new quad-link model joins five existing Eco Capture M.2 models, including two other 4K configurations: the Eco Capture SDI 4K Plus M.2, which captures one 4K source at 60Hz over single-link, 12G-SDI, and the Eco Capture HDMI 4K M.2, which supports 4K video at 30Hz via an HDMI interface. The Eco Capture family also includes dual-channel models that capture HD and 2K video over HDMI or SDI, and a quad-channel HD/2K model with SDI inputs. All six Eco Capture products also support up to eight channels of embedded audio per input.

Eco Capture cards are compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems and support OS-native APIs including DirectShow, DirectKS, V4L2 and ALSA. Stream replication enables each input channel to be used by multiple software applications simultaneously with identical capture parameters, while FPGA-based video processing provides high-quality up/down/cross-scaling, picture controls, and color space conversion without tasking the host system CPU. A comprehensive SDK is also available, enabling developers to directly access the full feature set of the cards.

"Customers who were on the cutting edge of 4K adoption often have significant investments in quad-link equipment that they want to keep using," said Amy Zhou, sales director at Magewell. "Meanwhile, in markets such as medical equipment, where new products often undergo lengthy certification periods, we continue to see quad-link 3G-SDI even on current offerings. The Eco Capture QL-SDI 4K M.2 complements our popular single-link 12G-SDI model by seamlessly supporting quad-link 4K sources."

The Bottom Line: Magewell's Eco Capture cards offer systems integrators and OEM developers high-performance video capture with low power consumption in a space-efficient form factor. The low-latency devices feature a high-speed PCIe 2.0 bus interface with an M.2 connector and measure 22x80mm (0.87x3.15 inches), making them well suited for use in small or portable systems where full-sized PCIe slots are not available.

The What: RUSHWORKS has revealed plans to roll out its PTX Model 1L at the recently re-branded The Video Show to be held in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC, from Dec. 4-5, 2019. 

In addition to the new PTX model, RUSHWORKS will highlight RUSHDOLLY, its robotic camera platform in Booth 609 alongside other systems developed specifically to bring easy-to-operate, affordable solutions to a broad cross-section of markets. 

The What Else: Following on the global success of its PTX Model 1 PanTilt Head, RUSHWORKS has designed the Model 1L to include a more powerful tilt motor and a larger L-shaped tilt platform. The result allows expanded compatibility with wider and heavier camera/lens combinations including DSLR and mirrorless bodies like the Sony Alpha series and the versatile RX10 IV “bridge” camera with a 25x optical zoom lens.

Like the previous PTX Model 1, Model 1L can be controlled using RS-422 VISCA devices as well as DMX hardware and software. It includes connections for cameras that can be controlled using RS-422, RS-232, LANC, and Panasonic REMOTE (two-wire) communications. 

The RUSHDOLLY supports cameras of all kinds, including those on PTX PanTilt heads and PTZ standalone models. It is fully integrated with RUSHWORKS CTRL+R Camera, Dolly, and Switcher Control software, and with RUSHWORKS’ VDESK/REMO Integrated PTX/PTZ Production Systems. 

RUSHWORKS will also be showing attendees how one integrated system can turn one person into the producer, writer, director, technical director, and talent of a news program or entertainment show. VNEWS is the company’s turnkey production system that includes all the hardware and software necessary. It includes up to four PTZ cameras, prompters, lights, microphones, computer, and rundown software with picture-in-picture (PiP), double-box, chroma-key, recording, and streaming. Add an optional RUSHDOLLY—equally at home on the floor or suspended from the ceiling, creeping or strolling—for enhanced studio production value. VNEWS is well suited for K-12, Higher Ed, Broadcasters and Internet TV Stations.

Answering the need of a very specific market, RUSHWORKS brings VDEPO to meet the needs of those specializing in the production of on-location video depositions and courtroom support. Lightweight and small, it’s optimized for quick setup and noiseless touch-screen operation. It has four inputs, supports picture-in-picture (PiP), a graphic and video file browser with search and playback, and ISO recording of all inputs. New features include cropping, highlighting, and streaming.

Not to be forgotten, RUSHWORKS flagship production and playouts systems will also be at show. VDESK is an integrated multi-camera PTZ & PTX production system that includes switcher, effects, transitions, and chroma key, with local encoding and streaming functions.

The Company’s A-LIST BROADCAST Automation System provides all the features needed for 24/7 automation and supports SD and HD on up to four independent channels. The OTT-only configuration, the A-LIST Streamster, will also be featured in the booth.

“We are excited to be part of The Video Show, an event that attracts professionals in all areas of broadcast, government, and pro AV,” said Rush Beesley, president and founder of RUSHWORKS. “Our solutions are designed for any individual or company that values reliability, creativity, ease-of-use, and early ROI. And we’re absolutely thrilled to have the new PTX Model 1L front and center with the small but powerful RUSHDOLLY creepy-crawling next to it on a track.”  

The Bottom Line: RUSHWORK’s lineup of scalable and extensible solutions integrate networked video and graphics servers and encoders with automation software for houses of worship, broadcast, cable, PEG channels, meetings, events, and digital signage. 

The What: AJA Video Systems has introduced new upgrades for its Ki Pro Family of file-based recorders. A new v1.5 firmware update for Ki Pro GO adds timecode recording and playback, expanded primary and backup recording to all USB ports and new clip naming and segment recording. Ki Pro Ultra Plus v5.0 introduces a new Infinite Recording feature that allows the unit to act as an always running backup recorder. Both firmware updates will be available soon to customers as free downloads.

The What Else: With the v1.5 firmware update, Ki Pro GO now records and plays video with timecode. The timecode can originate from an incoming SDI video’s RP188 data, be recorded as the time of date, or be specified to start at a specific hour. For playback, timecode values are automatically embedded as RP188 data on Ki Pro GO’s SDI outputs. The v1.5 update also expands backup and primary recording to all five USB ports, providing users with increased flexibility to choose their desired recording destination. Additionally, the update adds new clip naming and segment recording, automatically creating a unique file name for each clip and identifying each segment of a continuous recording for extended event time needs.

The v5.0 firmware update to the Ki Pro Ultra Plus adds numerous performance enhancements and a new Infinite Record mode that automatically captures all footage, providing the ability to run as an always-running backup recorder. Infinite Record mode includes automatic formatting and rollover to both AJA Pak Media slots for uninterrupted recording, so there is no downtime when one drive fills up. Ki Pro Ultra Plus offers up to four channels of simultaneous HD recording, or 4K/UltraHD/2K/HD recording and playback via SDI and HDMI.

“Following lots of positive feedback from our users, we’ve upgraded Ki Pro GO with even more functionality to streamline H.264 recording and flexibility throughout production,” said Nick Rashby, president, AJA Video Systems. “With our new update to Ki Pro Ultra Plus, we’re delivering even more features that customers have been asking for, like Infinite Recording.”

The Bottom Line: Ki Pro GO is AJA’s new portable, multi-channel H.264 recorder and player, featuring up to four channels of simultaneous HD and SD capture to affordable, off-the-shelf USB media. The Ki Pro Ultra Plus is a multi-channel HD Apple ProRes and single-channel 4K Avid DNxHR and ProRes recorder.

Ki Pro GO v1.5 and Ki Pro Ultra Plus v5.0 are available soon as free downloads from the support page on AJA’s website. 

The What: After exhibits in China, Australia, and Europe the past three months, Magewell is heading to the NAB Show New York (October 16-17, booth N354) with new model variants in the company's Eco Capture family of compact, power-efficient M.2 video capture cards.

The What Else: The Eco Capture cards themselves continue to measure 22x80mm (0.87x3.15in), matching the M.2 2280 size specification. The Eco Capture HDMI 4K M.2 captures one channel of 4K video up to 4096x2160 at 30 frames per second, while the dual-channel Eco Capture Dual HDMI M.2 can capture two HD or 2K video signals up to 1080p60 simultaneously.

While the initial models used a break-out cable connected perpendicularly to the M.2 card to provide externally-accessible HDMI ports, the new alternatives employ a flatter ribbon cable and daughter card combination that requires less space.

The Bottom Line: Well suited for use in small and embedded systems, the new versions of the Eco Capture Dual HDMI M.2 and Eco Capture HDMI 4K M.2 make it even easier for integrators and OEM partners to incorporate high-performance HDMI video capture in the most space-limited form factors. 

Extron and Panopto, an enterprise video platform provider, have formed a partnership to integrate Extron’s configurable AV control systems with Panopto’s media capture software and content management system. 

Extron is now publishing certified drivers for Panopto enterprise video content management systems. Extron’s configurable control will provide customers with customizable workflows to streamline day-to-day in-room tasks and simplify the capture and delivery of lectures and presentations. Additionally, in coming months, the Extron SMP–Streaming Media Processors will be directly integrated into Panopto, allowing the publishing of live and on-demand video content from the SMP products for both ad-hoc and scheduled recording applications.

“This is a very exciting time as Extron integrates solutions from our uniquely broad AV product portfolio with Panopto’s powerful enterprise video streaming platform to provide robust turnkey video solutions for the modern classroom and meeting space,” said Casey Hall, vice president of worldwide sales and marketing for Extron. “Whether it be simple push-button control to hands-off, fully automated streaming and recording for any environment, we are jointly taking media capture and management to a new level of simplicity for the industry.”

"Extron and Panopto share a belief that AV technologies should simplify how organizations communicate and share knowledge," said Sean Gorman, chief operating officer of Panopto. "With today's announcement, we're taking the next step toward that goal, bringing together Extron's room control hardware and expertise with the leading video platform for businesses and universities."

The Extron-Panopto partnership will aim to provide a unified solution that encompasses AV control and media capture, coupled with enterprise video content management, delivery, and collaboration software services.

It’s safe to say that the collective tolerance for bad video is increasingly low. With everyone from YouTubers to small to mid-sized businesses creating studio-grade content, enterprise-level organizations are under pressure to produce video communications that rival the big networks… and even the big studios. At the same time, just because you’re striving to achieve cinematic quality doesn’t mean you have the budget to invest in cinema cameras. Manufacturers are aware of this, and have developed a number of products designed to deliver slick video at a more accessible price point. Here are a few to consider:

VADDIO ROBOSHOT 40 UHD

A broadcast-quality PTZ camera, Vaddio’s RoboSHOT 40 UHD features 40x zoom and a genlock external sync port, designed to deliver accurate synchronization in multi-camera environments. (This feature also includes phase compensation to adjust and fine-tune the genlock signal.) It will provide 4K resolution at 30fps through 30x zoom, and an 1/2.5-type Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS image sensor. The camera incorporates the manufacturer’s next-generation silent motor and tri-synchronous motion algorithms designed to eliminate jitter and bouncing (even at full zoom).

Beth Peterson, product marketing manager at Vaddio, touts not only the image quality the RoboSHOT 40 delivers, but also the smoothness of movement. “When you’re watching a movie, you’ve got that smooth pan across the horizon,” she illustrated. “You can experience that with high-quality PTZ cameras now. Really, it’s like natural eye movement, instead of [the camera] moving over, then up, then in. This [camera] is doing that all at the same time, so you getting the same experience as you would if you were watching a television show.”
www.vaddio.com

SONY SRG NETWORK CAMERAS

Sony’s SRG Series of network cameras are well suited for lecture capture and corporate applications, as well as those common in the medical field. The SRG-360SHE delivers Full HD (1080p60) video with IP networking capabilities, as well as 3G-SDI and HDMI outputs that can provide simultaneous feeds––a triple-streaming solution for users that wish to display content on a connected monitor, stream live to the web, and record for editing and archiving at the same time. Users may synchronize pan, tilt, and zoom so that they start and stop in unison, and preset camera positions can be stored for recall.

In the medical field, these cameras are used for remote monitoring of patients, as well as for training purposes. Mark Barron, product manager at Sony Medical, also notes that the SRG Series enables doctors, colleagues, and students to communicate on the spot. “A typical use case might [have] a doctor in his office, and maybe he’s looking in on a med student or a colleague [who is with a patient],” he illustrated. “[The doctor] has got to be able to view not only the overall scene of where the patient is in relation to the doctors and the technicians, but he may also need to zoom in and get a better view of the surgery itself. Pan/tilt/ zoom and the really high quality of HD are two important features.”
pro.sony.com

PANASONIC AW-UE150

The AW-UE150 is a 4K integrated remote camera that offers 4K/UHD 60p capture, and affords the widest viewing angle (75.1 degrees, horizontal) in its class, according to the company. With an HDR mode, support of various 4K interfaces, and simultaneous 4K/HD output, the UE150 is targeted at higher-end applications in broadcast, production, corporate, events and staging, education, house of worship, and more.

The UE150 incorporates a 1-inch large MOS sensor, 20X optical zoom, and seamless intelligent zoom (i Zoom). The 4K interfaces supported include 12GSDI, HDMI, optical fiber, and IP. Other key features include HD crop from 4K picture, PoE++ power supply support, seamless x32iA zoom (HD, UHD:x24), high-speed Pan/Tilt mode, largesize tally, NDI|HX support, and a new web UI. The new AW-RP150 remote camera controller will be compatible with the UE150 as well as Panasonic’s higher-end PTZs.

“The UE150 is a step-up in resolution, lensing, and interfacing, presenting a clear 4K upgrade path and a new workflow for such premium PTZ applications as high-end enterprise and broadcast/production applications,” said Michael Bergeron, product manager studio/system cameras, Panasonic System Solutions Company.
na.panasonic.com

ALTIA SYSTEMS PANACAST 3

Altia Systems recently launched the Panacast 3, a 180-degree panoramic 4K plug-and-play video system for corporate and collaborative applications. An array of cameras in one unit, the PanaCast 3 approaches image capture much like the human eye, according to Aurangzeb Khan, Altia’s cofounder, president, and CEO. “When you look at our device you won’t see scale distortion, meaning that if you’re [looking at] the left extreme or the right extreme [of the image], people and objects will look the correct size,” he said.

The system is comprised of three 13-megapixel cameras, stereo microphones, and software. The PanaCast Vision Processor captures the entire room, enabling the unit to deliver video over a 180-degree field of view at panoramic 4K resolution without distortion. Its Intelligent Zoom feature automatically adjusts to ensure that all meeting participants are included in the field of view. It can be mounted to any digital display or on a wall, features a USB-C connection, and is compatible with popular collaboration software such as Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, Cisco WebEx, Slack, Google Hangouts, and GoToMeeting.

Khan noted that PanaCast 3’s people-detection functionality (achieved through a partnership with Intel that resulted in Advanced People Detection and Counting technology) delivers valuable information on room usage and occupancy. (Users may access this information via the PanaCast API, or the PanaCast Vision app.) The AI software can count the number of people on camera (up to 40 feet away).

“AV technology is tied into IT technology, and people not only want a great audio-video experience, they also want to get information,” Khan said. “This whole AI application and those technologies are just going to continue to expand.”
www.panacast.com

Zooming In: Choosing the Right Camera

Cameras abound, and which one you purchase depends on your application. To narrow the choices down, tech managers need to ask themselves a few key questions.

“Regardless of what you’re shooting, you need to consider what your shooting environment is,” said Steve Cooperman, senior product manager at Panasonic. For example, large, heavy cameras are O.K. on a sound stage, but they’re more cumbersome for those operating on the fly. Cooperman also urges tech managers to define their deliverables: “Will [the images] be on a big screen? Will they be viewed on a smartphone, or a laptop?”

“Your room size is going to dictate some of things you need to consider in a camera,” said Terry Huber, senior marketing manager for network cameras at Sony. “You also have to consider your lighting situation––how sensitive the camera needs to be, how much light you’re going to have, [and] if there will be back-lighting.” She adds that aside from capturing quality images, there are other functions to take into account: “Do you need it to stream? Do you need it to go over a network? Those are some of the questions you start asking.”

The What: Matrox Graphics has begun shipping a fanless cooling version of its highest-density 4K IP decode and display card. The new fanless, single-slot Matrox Mura IPX card for IP-based multiviewers and personal video walls features high-quality decoding of multiple 4K and Full HD streams for display across up to four 4K outputs. 

The What Else: Matrox Mura IPX multiviewer cards feature a dedicated onboard network interface controller (NIC) enabling decoding density of up to two 4K60, four 4K30, eight 1080p60, 16 1080p30, or more SD streams. Built into the same board are four DisplayPort connectors to attach up to four 4K30 displays. Mura IPX decode and display boards are also standalone solutions—requiring an enclosure for power, while eliminating the need for an operating system, CPU, driver, or any other system requirements. System integrators further have the choice of fan or fanless options to deliver optimized multiviewers, video wall controllers, and personal video walls for any project requirement.

Matrox Mura IPX multiviewer and capture cards include a complete range of video wall software, APIs, and libraries. These software toolkits allow OEMs and developers to deploy intuitive, ready-to-use software and build custom interfaces and applications.

"The Matrox Mura IPX multiviewer cards unequivocally provide incomparable user experiences, from OEM integration all the way through to operator-level control," said Fadhl Al-Bayaty, business development manager, Matrox Graphics. “Combining high-density decode and display support, on a system-independent card, significantly saves on development and deployment resources, while operators in 24/7-type environments can comfortably access, view, and monitor all IP streams to make timely, well-informed decisions.”

The Bottom Line: A “video wall system on a card,” Mura IPX decode and display boards provide OEMs with system design flexibility to cost-effectively build low-footprint, maintenance-free multiviewer platforms for control room, process monitoring, security, and other networked AV applications requiring high-performance, high-reliability operation. 

Matrox Mura IPX 4K IP decode and display cards in both passive (part number: MURAIPXO-D4LHF) and active (part number: MURAIPXO-D4LF) cooling versions are now available. See the Matrox Mura IPX decode and display cards as part of an end-to-end, AV-over-IP ecosystem at InfoComm 2019 (Orlando, June 12-14, booth 3055).

The What: Blackmagic Design has released a major update for its DeckLink 8K Pro capture card, which allows its four 12G-SDI connections to be used for the independent capture and playback of four separate video streams. For customers working on high-end feature films, this update for DeckLink 8K Pro also adds support for HDR metadata packing via SMPTE ST2108-1 and both HLG and PQ transfer characteristics via SMPTE ST2082-10.

The What Else: Developers will be able to use the free DeckLink software developer kit to configure their software to use the 12G-SDI connections as independent channels for capture or playback, or they can enable them to be used for two simultaneous fill and key outputs as well. This makes DeckLink 8K Pro well suited for compositing broadcast graphics for sport and news in real time. It’s also suited for digital signage playback systems in which customers need synchronized playback on massive multi-screen displays. 

For customers working on high-end HDR projects, DeckLink 8K Pro with the Desktop Video 11 update adds new support for HDR metadata packing (SMPTE ST2108-1) and both HLG and PQ transfer characteristics (SMPTE ST2082-10). This uses metadata to provide a far more granular way of presenting luminance mapping, which helps to ensure the content creator’s vision is carried throughout the workflow. Most importantly, it makes it possible to output HDR content over SDI, providing customers with a future-proof solution for HDR content creation.

DeckLink 8K Pro with Desktop Video 11 update now supports quad-link sample interleave signals in Ultra HD and 4K DCI modes, along with new 47.95 and 48 frame per second formats. This makes DeckLink 8K Pro compatible with even more quad-link SDI equipment and workflows than ever before. In addition, this update adds support for perfectly synchronized capture and playback via SDI across multiple DeckLink cards when using a reference, or genlock, input signal.

“We designed DeckLink 8K Pro to be a future-proof solution that customers could use for HD, 4K, and 8K workflows,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “The exciting thing about Desktop Video 11 is that it’s an update that’s free of charge, so customers get even more great high-end features for the product they already own and they don't have to purchase a new card. They get support for the latest formats, frame rates, resolutions, and HDR workflows. Plus, it turns their existing 8K cards into the equivalent of four independent 4K cards! It’s a very exciting update.”

The Bottom Line: The new multichannel support makes DeckLink 8K Pro as powerful as four separate PCIe capture and playback cards. Customers can now capture or play back any combination of formats and frame rates, all the way up to Ultra HD and 4K DCI at 60 frames per second. The new multichannel support can be enabled by developers via the free DeckLink SDK. This makes it fast for developers to support the multichannel features of DeckLink 8K Pro.

Desktop Video 11.0 update is available as a free download for all existing DeckLink 8K Pro customers from www.blackmagicdesign.com/support.

The What: MultiDyne Fiber Optic Solutions will refresh its SilverBack series of camera-mounted fiber transport solutions at the 2019 NAB Show with three additions to serve a range of live production needs, including one aimed at the commercial AV market.

The What Else: The SilverBack V facilitated the convergence of fiber and IP-based production workflows upon its introduction in 2018. The industry’s first 12G- and 4K-capable camera-back system to incorporate an IP output, according to the company, the SilverBack V offers a gateway to multipoint IP networks, enabling users to move field-acquired content to many destinations. Broadcasters and content producers can send video, audio, and data captured on location to studios, post houses, and mobile production trucks at once, for example.

The SilverBack V remains the company’s high-end option for broadcast and digital cinema customers working with Ultra HD resolutions. Its optimized bandwidth efficiency reliably accommodates the high data rates that live 4K and 8K productions require—a substantial benefit for live sports, concerts, and motion picture productions.

New for NAB, MultiDyne has added power management capabilities to the SilverBack V that eliminates the need for external power supplies. This will prove especially valuable for camera operators and cinematographers for powering focus, iris, and zoom directly from the unit without risk of power supply failure. The compact, lightweight design also supports two camera heads that are configurable to today’s leading cameras, with a common, integrated multiviewer to monitor both cameras.

MultiDyne will additionally introduce the SilverBack HP, a reimagined version of the SilverBack II fiber transceiver that adds two-channel intercom and Ethernet alongside video, audio, and data. Like its predecessor, the SilverBack HP provides robust, full-bandwidth fiber-optic links for 3G, HD and SDI signals from the field to a truck, control room, or other receive point along with genlock, tally, and audio.

MultiDyne will also extend the operational benefits of SilverBack to commercial AV and smaller event productions for the first time with SilverBack Pro. The SilverBack Pro offers the same engineering innovation, live production benefits, and ease of use associated with all SilverBack products at a much lower cost. This provides worship facilities, corporations, and K-12/higher education systems with a highly configurable camera-back fiber transport system to cover live performances, presentations, lectures, and high school/college sports at an affordable price point.

MultiDyne president Frank Jachetta noted that the popularity of the SilverBack line inspired the company to diversify the product line, with specific models and price points that can serve a much broader customer base.

“All three of our next-generation SilverBack systems integrate the same user-friendly features, interfaces and menus, with just the right amount of signal density and networking capabilities to serve each price point,” Jachetta said. “Whether the customer is using SilverBack for professional AV applications, cinematography, or the largest, mission-critical live broadcasts, the model that suits their needs will offer the same flexible, project-to-project configurability for their signal acquisition goals in the field.”

The Bottom Line: The updated series, anchored by the now-shipping, IP-enabled SilverBack V, includes the global debut of two models that extend MultiDyne’s reach into new production verticals. MultiDyne will demonstrate all three systems at Booth C5013 from April 8-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The What: Jupiter by InFocus has debuted its new flagship Catalyst XL display wall processor, featuring ultra-fast bandwidth and data transfer, high memory capacity, 4K and 8K capture board technology, and real-time document and video annotation capability.

The What Else: The processor can power up to 48 displays and a maximum of 156 4K IP and direct inputs, with a density of processing power that allows for fewer input/output boards to reduce an installation’s hardware footprint. Catalyst XL is available with a four-channel HDMI input board capable of ingesting resolutions up to 4K per input, and which can be synchronized for 8K capture.

Using point-to-point technology, Catalyst XL offers bandwidth at bidirectional speeds of 15.8GB/s PCIe Gen 3 x 16 that enables direct data sending without needing to go through system memory. Next-generation DirectGMA technology enables the processor to maintain frame synchronization while handling high-speed data transfer from the capture board to one or more GPU boards, and it can support full-duplex communication between any board for full-frame rate transmission from the source to display through the PCIe bus. For easy deployment, Catalyst XL includes a new graphics driver, support for multiple languages, and backwards compatibility with the Jupiter by InFocus’s ControlPoint software.

Catalyst XL offers users security and ease of use with a specialized version of Windows 10 LTSB and Jupiter by InFocus’s collaborative visualization software, Canvas, in its newest 5.6 version. With Canvas, users on a mobile device or conference room display can view video, data, and applications from a control room, as well as annotate directly on live video streams, chat by text or voice, and collaborate on documents in real time. Catalyst XL can be used for a single video wall using Canvas or it can be connected to a Canvas Enterprise ecosystem, where multiple video walls are managed by one or more Canvas servers.

“Equipping Catalyst XL with the fastest bandwidth available, along with more 4K direct inputs and streaming sources, was critical in debuting our newest flagship display wall processor,” said Devon Wright, Jupiter by InFocus product manager. “We’ve tapped into processing, memory, and resolution advancements to give users a highly capable solution designed for the enterprise and mission-critical applications the Jupiter brand is known for.”

The Bottom Line: Catalyst XL is designed to support enterprise as well as mission-critical, 24/7 operations that require video quality and uptime, both for single video wall installations and those on a corporate network with multiple connected video walls.

The What: Sony has launched its first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based Edge Analytics solution, the REA-C1000, which allows users to create video content in real time, without the need for specialized training, additional staff, or equipment.

The What Else: The compact and lightweight REA-C1000 uses AI-based video analytics technology to analyze the input it receives from connected cameras and automatically extracts the object in focus to combine it with other images in real time on a GPU (Graphics Processor Unit). This technology, using motion/face detection and color/shape recognition, effectively makes the REA-C1000 the brain of any connected camera and AV setup, allowing education, government, and corporate organizations to create professional content that keeps audiences engaged.

“Video content has become a key method of communication in many organizations, including education, government, and corporate environments, where the demand for solutions that create high-quality content, offer a hassle-free shooting experience, and help distribute content quickly is rapidly increasing,” said Mark Bonifacio, director of education sales and marketing, Sony Electronics. “At Sony, we want to provide organizations that have a limited budget with solutions that are cost-effective, yet allow them to easily create professional and engaging video content. The REA-C1000 is yet another example of Sony working with our AV partners in corporate, education, and government organizations to create solutions that help solve real-life technology and budget challenges.”

The REA-C1000, planned to be available in spring 2019, comes with the following optional features:

Handwriting Extraction and Presenter Overlay

By optimizing parameters and processing the images received from the camera, the REA-C1000 can extract handwritten objects from black and white boards using Sony's moving/unmoving object detection algorithm. This allows audiences to clearly see written content and diagrams, while simultaneously being able to see the gestures and expressions of the presenter. This function of the REA-C1000 is particularly well suited for lecture theaters or remote learning to keep students engaged, even if they aren't physically in the same room as their teacher. Additionally, it helps all members of an audience to engage in a live presentation, in a large hall requiring sub-monitors.

Chroma Keyless CG Overlay

Based on Sony's motion detection technology, the REA-C1000's chroma keyless function can extract the presenter and overlay them onto any background without the need for a dedicated green screen or specialized training. This offers an effective chroma-key solution to make content like corporate videos, interviews, webinars, and e-learning materials much more appealing and engaging. This feature will be made available through a future software update later in 2019.

PTZ Auto Tracking

The REA-C1000 can accurately and smoothly track a presenter, ensuring they constantly stay in frame and in focus throughout their presentation. This feature offers users a cost-effective tracking solution in an education, corporate, or conference setting, without having to invest in a camera operator.

Focus Area Cropping

Using this feature, an image from one camera can be simultaneously shown as two different output images. Users are able to get an overview image in 4K and a cropped image in HD. The cropped area is selectable to be static or dynamic to follow the speaker’s movement. This feature will be made available through a future software update later in 2019.

Close-up by Gesture

The REA-C1000 can detect and react to the gestures of audience members, showing both the whole image and zoomed image in real time. When an audience member stands up, the REA-C1000 can trigger the camera to electronically auto-zoom in on that person, which is particularly useful in educational environments to measure students’ reaction and incorporate presentation settings, such as during a Q&A session.

After an initial 60-day free-of-charge trial period, each feature can be activated permanently through separate licenses, providing users with the freedom to customize features based on their individual needs and budget.

The Bottom Line: Leveraging Sony’s imaging expertise and its heritage in camera development, the REA-C1000 will support 4K/HD input and output, and will be able to connect directly to Sony’s PTZ cameras, including its range of XDCAM camcorders, which are are widely used within the broadcast industry. Additionally, with HDMI network connection, the REA-C1000 can integrate into various common AV setups involving either multiple displays, large-screen projections with monitors, or even live-streaming projects.

Visitors to ISE 2019 will be able to experience an interactive demonstration of the REA-C1000 on Sony’s stand 1.N20 at RAI Amsterdam.

The What: 1 Beyond has begun shipping the 1 Beyond AutoTracker 3 camera, the latest version of the company’s presenter tracking camera. 1 Beyond AutoTracker cameras use a combination of motion and facial detection, and require no mats, lanyards, or any other external hardware for operation.

The What Else: The new AutoTracker 3 camera will most notably feature Power over Ethernet (PoE+) and a new software manager in addition to improved tracking and higher quality wide-angle camera.

With the addition of PoE+, the AutoTracker 3 camera can now be controlled, powered, and monitored over a single network connection, making installing the camera simpler as fewer cables need to be run.

The AutoTracker 3 camera also comes with the new 1 Beyond Camera Manager software which is able to control multiple cameras across subnets of a network and allows up to four camera streams to be viewed simultaneously.

“1 Beyond AutoTracker 3 cameras now not only feature the leading auto tracking technology but also are the easiest to install,” said Terry Cullen, founder and CEO of 1 Beyond.

The AutoTracker 3 retains the key features of the previous versions which include high-quality Sony sensor, dual 1080p or 720p HD-SDI output, advanced motor design for smooth quiet tracking, easy setup, 20x optical zoom, and automatic camera functions such as focus and white balance.

The Bottom Line: Hundreds of universities and corporations have adopted the AutoTracker camera as their standard for lecture capture, videoconferencing, training, and many other applications due to its design, which eliminates the need for camera or system operators. 

AutoTracker 3 cameras are shipping immediately and are priced at $6,995.

The What: Datapath has launched a new dual 4K capture card, the VisionSC-UHD2, ahead of ISE 2019. It is the most powerful 4K card in the company’s portfolio.

The What Else: Datapath’s Vision SC-UHD2 provides two HDMI 2.0 capture channels with HDCP 2.2 at 4K60 and full 4:4:4 chroma sampling. This latest high-end card complements Datapath’s Vision SC capture card family.

“AV integrators are demanding the highest resolution video when creating the most stunning visual displays and the new UHD2 addition to our Vision SC range is designed to meet and exceed that demand,” said Mark Rogers, Datapath product manager. “Along with unparalleled performance and future-proof connectivity, end users also have the peace of mind that Datapath reliability brings. We believe the VisionSC-UHD2 to be the ultimate 4K capture card available to the market.”

In order to capture two channels of 4K 60p 4:4:4 without any loss of quality or dropped frames, 4GB/s of raw data is needed and this requires a minimum of eight lanes PCIe Gen3. Other dual 4K solutions offering eight lanes of PCIe Gen2 are not enough once data bus overheads are accounted for. With this in mind, Datapath’s VisionSC-UHD2 is the only professional solution with enough performance to handle two channels of 4K without any loss of quality or dropped frames, according to the company.

The Bottom Line: With a full 10-bit processing pipeline, the VisionSC-UHD2 is suitable for the full spectrum of high quality displays, from command and control rooms to creative, high-end corporate applications. Purposely designed for high performance controllers, Datapath’s latest card works seamlessly with the company’s latest iolite 12i chassis—delivering a single-appliance, 12-output solution for 4K video walls and menu boards.

Datapath’s VisionSC-UHD card can be seen at ISE 2019 on their Hall 12 H80 stand. 

The What: Magewell has introduced the Pro Capture Dual HDMI 4K Plus LT, the newest member of its Pro Capture family of PCI Express video capture hardware.

The What Else: The Pro Capture Dual HDMI 4K Plus LT captures two channels of Ultra HD video with embedded audio on each single card while reducing workflow costs and complexity with HDMI loop-through. The loop-through connections enable each source signal to be sent simultaneously to additional displays or equipment without the need for external HDMI splitters.

The Pro Capture Dual HDMI 4K Plus LT features HDMI 2.0 input interfaces and supports two discrete channels of video at resolutions up to 4096x2160 at 60 frames per second. Both inputs can be used simultaneously with independent control of capture resolution, frame rate, and processing settings.

Input video and audio can be routed to multiple software applications simultaneously, with separate control of resolution, frame rate and video processing settings for each program. FPGA-based video processing provides high-quality up/down/cross-conversion, graphic overlay and more without taking valuable host system CPU cycles away from third-party software — particularly significant because of the high computational requirements of processing two 4K sources at once.

The Bottom Line: The Pro Capture Dual HDMI 4K Plus LT leverages a high-speed PCIe 2.0 x8 bus interface and is compatible with Magewell's comprehensive SDK, helping third-party developers take full advantage of the card's advanced features in their own custom software applications and turnkey systems.

The company will showcase the new card in booth N1119 at NAB Show New York, taking place Oct. 17-18 in New York City. In addition to NAB Show New York, Magewell will demonstrate its latest offerings at Streaming Media West (Nov. 13-14, Huntington Beach, CA, booth 323), WFX (Nov. 14-15, Orlando, FL, booth 1222) and Government Video Expo (Nov. 28-29, Washington, DC, booth 625).

The What: Timecode Systems, manufacturer of wireless sync technology, has introduced UltraSync BLUE. The first solution to use the company's new patented timecode sync and control protocol, UltraSync BLUE transmits timecode to a recording device over Bluetooth with sub-frame accuracy.

The What Else: UltraSync BLUE uses Bluetooth pairing to connect to a device. This enables timecode to be transmitted wirelessly from UltraSync BLUE directly into the media file of a connected device.

"The beauty of this solution is that the timecode is embedded directly into a timecode track, so there is no need for any additional conversion software; the metadata is in the right format to be automatically recognized by professional NLEs," said Paul Scurrell, CEO of Timecode Systems Limited. "This launches a whole new era for multi-camera video production in which content from prosumer and consumer audio and video has the potential to be combined, aligned, and edited together with ease and efficiency, and with the same high level of accuracy as footage from top-end, professional recording devices."

By removing the restrictions of a wired connection, crews not only benefit from the convenience of being cable free, but also from even more versatility in how they can sync content. A unique feature of UltraSync BLUE is the ability to use a single unit to sync up to four recording devices shooting in close range over Bluetooth—a great option for small shoots and interviews, and also for content captured for vlogs and social media.

However, as filming is not always this simple, especially in the professional world, UltraSync BLUE is also designed to work with the rest of the Timecode Systems product range. For more complicated shoots, UltraSync BLUE can be connected to devices over Bluetooth and then synced over robust, long-range RF to other camera and audio recorders using Timecode Systems units. This also includes any equipment containing a Timecode Systems OEM sync module, such as the AtomX Sync module that was recently launched by Atomos for the new Ninja V.

"With more and more prosumer and consumer cameras and sound recorders coming with built-in Bluetooth technology, we saw an opportunity to use this wireless connectivity to exchange timecode metadata," Scurrell added. "By integrating a robust Bluetooth Low Energy chip into UltraSync BLUE, we've been able to create a simple, low-cost timecode sync product that has the potential to work with any camera or sound recording device with Bluetooth connectivity."

Timecode Systems is now working with manufacturers and app developers to adopt its new timing protocol into their Bluetooth-enabled products. At launch, both the MAVIS professional camera app and Apogee MetaRecorder app (both for iPhone) are already fully compatible, allowing sound and video recorded on iPhone devices to be synchronized over the Timecode Systems network.

"It's been an exciting time for sync technology,” Scurrell said. “In the past couple of years, we've seen some massive advancements not only in terms of reducing the size and cost of timecode solutions, but also with solutions becoming more widely compatible with more consumer-level devices such as GoPro and DSLR cameras. But there was still no way to embed frame-accurate timecode into sound and video recordings captured on an iPhone; this was the biggest thing missing from the market. UltraSync BLUE, in combination with the MAVIS and MetaRecorder apps, fills this gap."

The Bottom Line: The device itself measures 55mm by 43mm by 17mm, weighs 36g, and costs $179, making it small enough to fit neatly into a pocket during filming and affordable enough to be used on nearly any type of production—from documentaries, news gathering, and reality shows to wedding videos and independent films.

The What: Kaltura announced the launch of its next generation personal video capture product, Kaltura Personal Capture.

The What Else: Kaltura Personal Capture offers users the ability to capture both screen and camera in just one click. It also includes a new automatic slide detection feature—if a user has a PowerPoint presentation in presenter mode when recording the screen, Kaltura Personal Capture automatically detects and captures it, making videos more searchable and discoverable. Kaltura also automatically captures metadata from slides and audio, which are made immediately searchable as well.

Kaltura Personal Capture encourages more content creation and makes it easier than ever before. It seamlessly uploads new videos into the user’s My Media folder and videos are made available in an organization’s Learning and Content Management Systems as well as the Kaltura MediaSpace video portal, making it easy for employees, students, faculty, and other users to create professional video with multiple feeds, including slides. Anyone in the organization can make engaging videos, without specialized equipment, within minutes.

The Bottom Line: The design of this capture solution makes it easier than ever before to create videos from the desktop. The new product lays the groundwork for even more ambitious and powerful capture features in the future.

At the IBC2018 exhibition, taking place September 14-18 in Amsterdam, Magewell's theme will be showcasing how its latest innovations extend its product lines “beyond capture” into other critical signal processing functionality. Magewell will exhibit in stand 8.A84.

Spearheading this expansion will be the European debut of Magewell’s new Ultra Stream HDMI standalone streaming encoder. Designed to make live streaming simpler, even for non-professional users, Ultra Stream HDMI lets them record or stream high-quality video with one click using on-device buttons or an intuitive smartphone app.

Users can stream to popular services including YouTube, Facebook Live, or Twitch, or to a custom-specified server, and can record video as files to a directly connected USB drive or the associated smartphone. The device encodes video up to 1080p60 from an HDMI input and also supports 4K sources, down-converting them automatically to HD.

Magewell will also provide a sneak preview of new solutions that bring the company’s hardware and software benefits to IP-based production infrastructures, bridging traditional video signals with live, network-based media transport. More details will be shared closer to the show.

In addition to these IBC premieres, Magewell’s exhibit will feature established and previously announced product lines, including:

• Flex I/O: Flex I/O PCIe input-output cards combine Magewell’s video capture technology with versatile playout capabilities. Available with SDI or HDMI interfaces, the first two Flex I/O models each feature four input channels and two outputs, all of which can be used simultaneously with independent resolution, frame rate, and processing settings for maximum flexibility.
• Eco Capture (M.2): Designed for use in small and embedded systems where full-sized PCIe slots are unavailable, the Eco Capture family of video capture hardware offers OEMs and systems integrators an ultra-compact capture solution with low power consumption. Featuring an M.2 connector and measuring 22x80mm, four Eco Capture models offer single-channel 4K (HDMI), dual-channel HD (HDMI or SDI), or quad-channel HD-SDI capture.
• Pro Capture: New models and enhancements in Magewell’s flagship Pro Capture family of PCIe capture cards will make their IBC debuts, including a multichannel CVBS model for ingesting legacy analog signals, an additional dual-channel 4K Ultra HD configuration, and recently added HDR support in select configurations.
• USB Capture Plus: Magewell’s plug-and-play, external USB Capture Plus devices bring SDI, HDMI, or DVI sources into popular software, enabling all types of computers including laptops to capture HD or 4K signals through a standard USB 3.0 interface.

“While we continue to expand and enhance our popular capture card families, our newest offerings are designed to bring our hallmarks of exceptional performance, quality, reliability, and simplicity to other critical functions in acquisition, production, and distribution workflows,” said Amy Zhou, sales director at Magewell. “We look forward to introducing these new solutions to international attendees at IBC2018.”

The What: Marshall Electronics (booth C2164) will demonstrate its CV502-U3 High-Definition USB POV Camera at InfoComm 2018. The 1080p device is engineered for easy integration in spaces like huddle and conference rooms.

The What Else: Designed for simple plug-and-play connectivity on any Mac, PC, or Linux system supporting USB 3.0 input infrastructure, the CV502-U3 uses video capture drivers included with common computer software and soft codecs. Utilizing UVC 1.5, common teleconference and video capture programs can adapt best resolution and frame rate for optimal performance. Marshall also offers free downloadable software for manual adjustment and control where applications require it.

“As the pro AV market continues to expand, Marshall is confident that AV professionals will greatly benefit from its latest product offerings, including the CV502-U3,” said Tod Musgrave, director of cameras at Marshall. “Equipped to deliver superior HD quality video through a single USB 3.0 connection, this POV camera incorporates optimal settings that promote ease-of-use, flexible lens options, and consistent reliability that’s greatly needed in huddle and conference rooms.”

Using the same sensor and processor as Marshall’s CV502, CV505, and CV565 miniature cameras, the CV502-U3 delivers 1080p resolution at 60/59.94/50 frame rates. With a low 0.2 lux (color) minimum light sensitivity, the CV502-U3 captures accurate color images even under low-light conditions. The CV502-U3 ships with an ultra-wide 2.3mm 126-degree angle-of-view (AOV) HD lens that is interchangeable in order to customize it for specific applications. Marshall offers a wide assortment of lens options for a fully customizable AOV and focal length per camera position within an installation.

The CV502-U3 includes the CVM-5, an adjustable, heavy-duty monitor/desk mount clip that can be positioned and adapted to any installation using a common 1/4-inch 20 tripod interface. Designed as a permanent fixture in huddle rooms and conference rooms, the CVM-5 is also flexible to enable ideal positioning for the right shot during podcasts and livestreams. The CV502-U3 includes a 2-meter (6.5-foot) USB 3.0 cable with thumb-screw locks, allowing multiple users to setup quickly and adjust without worry of a loose cable connection.

The Bottom Line: Designed for the professional AV and UCC markets, the CV502-U3 offers users connectivity, performance, and reliability required by thriving markets including corporate, healthcare, hospitality, retail, gaming, and podcasting.

Magewell (booth C3468) is bringing its full product range to InfoComm 2018, including the debut of the new Ultra Stream HDMI standalone streaming encoder.

Designed for users who want to stream but may have minimal technical knowledge, Ultra Stream HDMI allows recording or streaming of high-quality video with one click using on-device buttons or a smartphone app. Users can stream to popular services including YouTube, Facebook Live or Twitch or to a custom-specified server. Streams can be output to a third-party service and custom server simultaneously, while real-time video preview in the app allows easy monitoring. In addition to outputting live streams, Ultra Stream HDMI can record video as MP4 files to a directly connected USB drive, embedded storage or the associated smartphone.

At InfoComm, the company will highlight recent and established capture solutions including:

Eco Capture (M.2)

Of particular interest to OEM developers and systems integrators, the Eco Capture family of M.2 video capture cards features a compact form factor and low power consumption for use in small and embedded systems. Measuring 22 by 80mm, four Eco Capture models support a choice of input interface, channel density, and resolution: single-channel 4K (HDMI), dual-channel HD (HDMI or SDI), or quad-channel HD (SDI), all with embedded audio.

Pro Capture

Magewell's flagship Pro Capture family of PCIe capture cards combines reliability and compatibility with features such as FPGA-based video processing. Pro Capture cards are available in single, dual, and quad-channel models with a flexible choice of input interfaces and resolutions up to 4K. New multichannel models will be highlighted, as well as recently-announced HDR support in select configurations.

USB Capture Plus

Magewell's external USB Capture Plus devices allow users to bring SDI, HDMI, or DVI sources into Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chrome OS software applications. Featuring driver-free installation and automatic input detection for plug-and-play operation, the USB Capture Plus family enables all types of computers including laptops to capture HD or 4K video and audio signals through a standard USB 3.0 interface.

"InfoComm is the ideal forum for showcasing our video interface and streaming solutions to North American systems integrators, AV professionals, and OEM partners, and we're excited to bring our latest innovations to Las Vegas for this year's event," said Amy Zhou, sales director at Magewell. "Our new Ultra Stream HDMI makes streaming easier than ever before for all types of users and AV environments, while our capture and playout solutions continue to expand to meet the evolving needs of today's software-defined AV workflows."