Magewell Ultra Encode AIO - User Manual

The device is the Magewell Ultra Encode AIO, a flexible and affordable encoding solution designed for systems integrators, streaming professionals, and OEM partners. It is ideal for high-quality live streaming of content such as sports, education, and live events, as well as IP-based production and AV-over-IP workflows.

Function Description:

The Ultra Encode AIO is a versatile encoder that supports multiple video encoding formats, including H.264, H.265 (HEVC), NDI®|HX2, and NDI®|HX3. It also supports a wide array of delivery protocols such as RTMP, RTMPS, SRT, RTSP, RTP, HLS, TS over UDP, TS over RTP, and TVU’s ISSP technology. The device can encode up to eight channels of audio in AAC format.

A key feature is its scheduler, which allows users to schedule streams directly from the Web UI for platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Live, as well as other servers. This enables users to set up the day’s streams in advance or reschedule them with ease. The recording function allows for archiving encoded content to various storage media, including SD cards, USB flash drives, and NFS/CIFS servers, facilitating follow-up work such as archiving and review.

The encoder is designed for broadcast video and audio, offering native support for live broadcasts to Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch, as well as custom sites, with multi-platform distribution capabilities. The Web UI provides a comprehensive interface for customizing the encoder, displaying device work status, a thumbnail preview window, and tabs for streaming settings, analytics, and stream health monitoring.

Important Technical Specifications:

• Streaming Protocols: Supports RTSP/RTMP/RTMPS/SRT Caller/SRT Listener/NDI®|HX2/NDI®|HX3/HLS/TS over UDP/TS over RTP/TVU ISSP.
• Encoding: Dual stream encoding (main-stream and sub-stream) with H.264 and H.265 (HEVC) video encoders, and AAC audio encoder.
• Overlays: Supports up to 8 overlays for both main and sub streams.
• Multi-streaming: Capable of multi-streaming to various video platforms simultaneously, with support for up to 8 schedules per session.
• Recording: Records main or sub streams to SD card, USB drive, and NAS, with up to 8 schedules per task.
• Network:
  • Ethernet: 10/100/1000Mbps
  • Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
  • USB 4G/5G mobile broadband modem (not included)
  • USB Net
• Supported Browsers for Web UI: Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox (version 61 and above), Google Chrome (version 49 and above), Apple Safari (11.1 and above), Opera (55.0.2994.44 and above).
• Supported Product: Ultra Encode AIO.

Usage Features:

• Web UI Access: The Web UI can be accessed via QR code scan from the LCD touch screen, by typing the device's IP address (e.g., 192.168.48.1 for AP mode) into a web browser, via File Explorer on Windows (Network > Other Devices), or via USB NET (IP Address: 192.168.66.1).
• Initial Setup: Connect to a LAN, power up, connect input signal, then access the Web UI. For wireless connection, plug in the Wi-Fi antenna and join the device's AP (named "Ultra Encode + Serial number"), using the last 8 digits of the serial number as the default password.
• Login: The default administrator username and password are "Admin". It is recommended to change the admin password after initial login. The Web UI supports multiple users with read/write access, though simultaneous operation is not recommended to avoid conflicts.
• Dashboard: Provides a thumbnail preview of the encoded video, device hardware information, system status, global volume and color settings, and product module information.
• Volume Control: Adjust Mic Bias, LINE IN, LINE OUT, and HDMI/SDI IN audio levels. Audio channels can follow SDI or HDMI input. Mute and restore to default options are available.
• Input Source Configuration:
  • Auto: Previews the first locked input signal.
  • SDI/HDMI: Previews the respective signal.
  • Mixer: Combines two input signals with options for format (Follow SDI IN/HDMI IN), Picture-in-picture, and Side-by-side effects.
  • Color Settings: Adjusts color format, quantization, brightness, contrast, saturation, and hue for SDI/HDMI input and output.
  • No Signal Images: Allows selecting JPEG images (up to 1920x1080, 1MB) for display when no signal is present. Users can add up to 2 custom images.
• EDID Management: For HDMI products, SmartEDID is enabled by default to ensure compatible signal output. "Keep last" function retains the last EDID value if the loop-through device is disconnected. Users can import/export EDID files and reset to default.
• Deinterlacing: Can be turned off for HEVC (H.265) streams when input source is Auto, SDI, or HDMI, allowing interlaced signal output. Not supported for "Mixer" source.
• Main/Sub Stream Configuration:
  • System preferred: Automatically matches output format to input signal (not available for NDI®|HX3).
  • Output: Customizable resolution, frame rate, and bitrate. NDI®|HX3 bitrate is automatic.
  • Bitrate Encoding: CBR (Constant Bitrate) for bandwidth stability, VBR (Variable Bitrate) for varying output data. CBR is the only option for NDI®|HX3.
  • QP (Quantization Parameter): Min QP (0-50, default 4) and Max QP (1-51, default 40) for VBR.
  • Code Type: H.264 (default) and H.265 (HEVC). H.264 is the only choice for NDI®|HX3.
  • Encoding Profile: High (default)/Main/Baseline for H.264; Main for H.265 (HEVC).
  • Quantization Range: Full (0-255) and Limited (16-235) (default).
  • AR Convert: Ignore, Cropping, and Padding (default).
  • Keyframe Interval: 0.5-300 frames (default 60). Fixed at 20 for NDI®|HX3.
  • Time Code SEI Message: Off (default), system clock, embedded.
  • Closed Caption SEI Message: Turn on to encode closed captions (SDI product only).
• Audio Stream Configuration: Supports 4 audio streams (Stream 1 up to 8 channels, Streams 2/3/4 fixed at 2 channels). Configurable channel count, channel map, and AAC bitrate (16-256 Kbps, default 128 Kbps).
• Live Streaming Management: Add, modify, or delete streaming sessions. Start/stop streams via Web UI switch or LCD touch screen.
• Specific Platform Streaming:
  • Twitch/Facebook Live/YouTube: Log in, specify session name, choose main/sub stream and audio stream, URL (auto-filled), and prime network.
  • RTMP/RTMPS: Specify name, stream (main/sub), audio stream, URL, stream key, authentication (if required), and network.
  • RTSP: Specify name, port, connections (up to 8 clients), main/sub stream, main/sub key, audio, audio stream, authentication, and save.
  • SRT Caller/Listener: Specify name, stream (main/sub), audio stream, address, port, connect timeout, retry duration, latency, bandwidth, MTU, stream ID, encryption, passphrase, and network.
  • NDI®: Supports NDI®|HX2 and NDI®|HX3. Configure program stream, preview stream, audio stream, source video (group name, source name), transport mode (UDP Unicast/Multicast, RUDP Unicast, TCP Uni/Multi-connection), Discovery Server, Failover (backup NDI source), IP Address, and Receiver Control.
  • HLS: Specify name, stream (main/sub), stream key, audio stream.
  • TS over UDP/RTP: Specify name, stream (main/sub), audio stream, address, port, and network. MTU can be set in System > General > LIVE.
  • TVU ISSP: Specify name, stream (main/sub), audio stream, and port.
• Live Schedule: Create up to 8 scheduling schemes with description, details, begin/end times (or full day), and repeat events (no-repeat, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly).
• Recording Management: Supports SD card, USB drive, and NAS. 2 record tasks can run simultaneously, with up to 8 schedules.
  • Record Mode: Normal (stops when full) or Loop (overwrites old files).
  • Stream: Main (default) and sub stream.
  • Audio Stream: Audio stream 1-4.
  • Video Type: MP4 (default), MOV, TS.
  • File Path/Name: Customizable folder and file prefix.
  • Duration: 5-240 minutes per file, or "No limit" for normal recording in TS format.
• Overlay Function: Available for input signal and mainstream resolutions up to 2048x1080.
  • Text Overlay: Customize location (Custom, Top left/right/center, Bottom left/right/center, Center), horizontal/vertical coordinates, font (Source Han Sans, Lato, Bold, Tilt), size & fill (6-400px, default 26px, customizable color), outline (0-100px, default 1px, customizable color), and content (1-63 characters).
  • Clock Overlay: Similar location, font, size & fill, and outline options as text. Time format options include YYYY-MM-DD hh:mm:ss, MM/DD/YYYY hh:mm:ss, DD/MM/YYYY hh:mm:ss, YYYY-MM-DD, MM/DD/YYYY, DD/MM/YYYY, hh:mm:ss, hh:mm.
  • Picture Overlay: Customize location, horizontal/vertical coordinates, alpha transparency (0-255), scale (1-400%, default 100%). Choose pictures from the Gallery.
  • Gallery: Upload JPEG/PNG files (up to 1920x1080, 1MB, max 8 pictures) for use as overlays.

Maintenance Features:

• A/V Sync: Adjust audio offset (-200 to 200ms) to synchronize audio and video tracks.
• Date & Time: Set time zone and enable "Set time automatically" for synchronization with world-time servers. Configure NTP servers (0.pool.ntp.org, 1.pool.ntp.org).
• Reset Device: "Reset all settings" restores configurations to defaults (available on "SIGN IN" page when connected via USB NET). "Reboot the device" restarts the unit.
• Network Configuration: Configure Ethernet (DHCP or manual IP, subnet mask, gateway, DNS), Wi-Fi (connect to existing networks, manually set Wi-Fi, or manage AP mode), USB NET (IP address, subnet mask), and Mobile Network (IP address, subnet mask, gateway, DNS).
• User Admin: Create/remove general user accounts (up to 15 users) with customizable usernames (3-12 characters) and passwords (1-32 characters). Modify user passwords.
• Firmware Update: Online update function automatically detects and installs the latest firmware. Manual update allows uploading a .mwf firmware file from an SD card or computer.
• Cloud Integration: Register with Magewell Cloud for remote control. Supports 2 cloud platforms simultaneously. Configure invitation code, cloud address, and HTTP port. Monitor cloud status (Online/Offline) and registration status (Waiting, Approved, Rejected, Deleted).
• Device Information: View device name, product name, serial number, hardware version, firmware version, Ethernet MAC address, and Wi-Fi MAC address.
• Export Reports: Generate .html reports of device status for Magewell Support.
• System Log: View and filter system logs (Total, Information, Warning, Error). Logs are stored up to 1000 entries. Export logs as .html files or clear them.
• Warranty: Two (2) years for Ultra Encode Family, one (1) year for power adapter. Contact Magewell support for RMA and repair.