Matrox Monarch HD Professional Video Streaming and Recording Appliance

Matrox Monarch HD is a small, easy-to-use video streaming and recording appliance designed for professional video producers who need to simultaneously stream a live event and record the master quality version for post-event editing. By separating the task of recording from streaming in a single integrated unit, Matrox Monarch HD ensures that the Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) are focused on delivering quality video to your audience while you control the quality of the archive.

From any HDMI input source such as a camera or switcher, Matrox Monarch HD generates an H.264-encoded stream compliant with RTSP or RTMP protocols. While encoding the video at bitrates suitable for live streaming, Matrox Monarch HD simultaneously records a high-quality MP4 or MOV file to an SD card, a USB drive, or a network-mapped drive. Matrox Monarch HD is remotely controlled using any computer or mobile device with a web browser.

If an event is worth streaming, it is worth recording at the highest possible quality. The better the recording quality, the more value it offers a post event produced asset. These assets can be made available to your audience as fast turnaround VOD files or as fully post produced highlight reels.

Matrox Monarch HD supports sharing the H.264 encoder between the streaming and recording processes so recording quality and upload bandwidth are independent of each other. A typical setting will let a user record a master quality file at 25 Mbps while simultaneously streaming at a bitrate of 5 Mbps. As a dedicated streaming or recording appliance, Matrox Monarch HD can stream at bitrates up to 20 Mbps or record at bitrates as high as 30 Mpbs.

Matrox Monarch HD injects the highest quality video into every bit regardless of input source or target bitrate. Combining the power of the built-in H.264 encoder with Matrox’s high quality deinterlacing and scaling engines guarantees stunning results.

Matrox Monarch HD gives the option of recording high quality H.264 video as MP4 or MOV files. These formats offer maximum versatility for use in any application. Upload a file to your own web server or to a Content Delivery Network (CDN) like YouTube. Alternatively, you can directly import the file into most creation tools without the need for file transcoding.

Robust and Practical Design

Powerful and robust, Matrox Monarch HD offers simple, one touch stream and record pushbuttons, low power consumption, a locking power connector, and a fanless design. Matrox Monarch HD's HDMI output makes it easy to monitor what you are streaming and recording, regardless of whether the signal received from a camera, a switcher, a signal convertor, or a computer. All eight channels of embedded audio can be passed from the HDMI input to HDMI output ports. Two channels of analog audio input with loopout are also available via 1/8" stereo jacks. Its design allows Matrox Monarch HD to be just as easily located on a desktop as in a rack–up to three units can fit in a single 1RU tray. The storage and button controls are conveniently located on the front of the unit while the power and I/O ports are found at the back.

Easily reach your audience

Whether you’re providing live content to Flash or Wowza servers, or to any of the popular CDNs, Matrox Monarch HD’s flexible streaming internet protocols’ support is up to task. Its useful encoding presets let you select the most appropriate resolution based on the available bandwidth. The target encoding streaming parameters only need to be entered once and saved as a unique profile. Multiple profiles can be saved if the device is used in different environments. Each profile can be loaded instantly without having to reenter data.
Record to USB key or drive when portability is important

Record to anything

Matrox Monarch HD lets you select from a variety of recording media types. Use a USB key or drive when portability is important. A SD card might be your best option when a more secure and compact solution is required. Alternately, a system drive on a computer found on the network may prove extremely useful if multiple individuals need to access the footage.

Regardless of where you store the footage, the record controls can be executed without affecting the streaming operations. High quality files are available anytime during the streaming session for creating complementary video assets.
Matrox Monarch HD web-based user interface

Remote Command and Control

A simple web page is all that is needed to harness the power of Matrox Monarch HD. You can control and configure the appliance using any device on your network that supports a standard web browsing application.

A single Matrox Monarch HD device can act as a master to multiple slave devices. From a single web page, you can simultaneously start the recording and/or streaming of up to four Matrox Monarch HD devices.

Stream and record signals using optional Matrox MC-100 dual SDI to HDMI convertor

Stream and record SDI signals

A/V professionals and broadcast engineers often work with SDI signals from devices like switchers, routers and cameras that do not have HDMI outputs. Matrox Monarch HD can stream and record these signals using Matrox MC-100, a dual SDI to HDMI convertor. This convertor accepts any HD-SDI or 3G-SDI sources and converts it to an HDMI signal that may be used as a source for the Monarch HD if it is of a supported resolution.

An attractively-priced bundle that includes Matrox Monarch HD and Matrox MC-100 is now available. Please see Matrox Monarch HD Tech Specs for ordering information.

Integrate Matrox Monarch HD into you own application

The very simple Monarch HD Control API has an HTTP-based API that lets users and system integrators create their own control software to start, stop and get the status of a device. The Monarch HD Command Center Web UI is used to initially configure the device with streaming and recording parameters and, once set up, users have the flexibility to control the unit using the Command Center Web UI controls, on-device buttons only or their own applications written using the Control API.

View or download the Monarch HD Control API documentation