Reviewer’s Guide
Matrox Monarch HD
October-10-2013
Reviewer’s Guide
Matrox Monarch HD
Thank you for taking the time to evaluate the Matrox Monarch HD – a 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 stream a live event and wish to record a
higher quality version for VOD upload or even a 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 video provided to Content Delivery Networks
(CDNs) is optimally formatted for streaming to your audience while you control the
quality of the archive.
From any HDMI input source such as a camera, switcher or convertor, the 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.
Positioning Statement
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. At a
fraction of the cost of devices offering similar capabilities, the Monarch HD empowers
web broadcasters with a simple and affordable means to reach their live audience while
recording a higher quality version for VOD download purposes.
The Monarch HD is a new class of device; a small affordable appliance offering a very
powerful and focused set of functionality; one that was only available in enterprise class
media server and encoders, until now!
Key Features
Record master quality video while streaming
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.
Ready to edit and upload with MP4 and MOV
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 Non-Linear Editing software
without the need for file transcoding.
Robust and Practical Design
The Matrox Monarch HD is a stand-alone device. 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.
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
(RTSP and RTMP) is up to task. Loaded with useful presets, it lets you select the most
appropriate resolution based on the available bandwidth. Custom profiles can be saved
if the device is used in different environments. Each profile can be loaded instantly
without having to re-enter data.
Record to anything
Matrox Monarch HD records to a USB key or drive, an SD card inserted right into the
unit, or a network mapped drive on a computer found on the network.
Regardless of where you store the footage, the record controls can be executed without
affecting the streaming operations. High quality files are available as MP4 or MOV
anytime during the streaming session for creating complementary video assets.
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.
Setting up
There are a number of ways to configure and use the Monarch HD unit. At the very
minimum an HDMI source and a device or computer running a web browser are
necessary to test the Monarch HD. This reviewer’s guide will illustrate two possible ways
to use the device although there are a number of other ways this unit can be used.
1)
Stream to CDN, Record to Network Computer, Control with mobile device.
a. This is an example of a user that wishes to send a live stream to a web
audience while simultaneously recording a high quality version directly to
a PC on the same LAN. The PC, logged into Monarch HD’s web page can
be used to start and stop the recording and streaming operation via the web
browser at beginning and end of event. To target a CDN streaming
account, appropriate credentials in the stream settings field are entered or
an XML file created by a previously configure Adobe Flash Live Media
Encoder software application is loaded. The recorded file is being sent to a
shared folder of the PC and can be immediately uploaded after the event to
private website or up to a CDN.
2)
Record to USB Drive, Stream to mobile device for preview.
a. In this scenario the Monarch HD is connected to a router which can
provide a wifi link to a mobile device. Using the command and control
center web page, an iPad was used to configure the Monarch HD to
provide an RTSP stream which can be decoded by VLC player running on
the IPAD. This stream is purely for preview purposes. A USB 2 drive
(NTFS or FAT 32 formatted) was connected to the Monarch HD to record
high quality video. The record function can be initialized either by directly
pressing “record” on the Monarch HD unit or pressing the record button
on command and control center.
FAQ
Getting started
1)
How do I find my Monarch HD unit on the network?
There are a number of ways to do this. A user can run the Matrox MonarchHD Finder
application on a computer (Mac or PC) which is on the same network as your Monarch
HD. This application will provide a list the IP Addresses of all Monarch HD units on
your network.
Alternatively your can list all the devices that are currently connected to your router.
Compare the MAC address of your Monarch HD (printed at bottom of Monarch HD unit)
with address listed by router and take note of IP address.
2)
Why do I need to type “/Monarch” after the IP address before logging on?
This is a small measure taken which makes it less likely that a random network
“wanderer” will try to access a Monarch HD. This is by no means the only counter
measure that should be taken but in the event more stringent measure have not been
taken, this masks the Monarch HD when not specifically looking for such a device.
Control Options
3)
Can I control the unit with my own application?
Matrox has made simple HTML based API to allow a user to create a simple command
application for the Monarch HD. A user could create a custom app to start and stop
Monarch HD operations, as well as query the status of the operations. More in depth
control such as codec parameters and stream destination must be entered using the
existing Monarch HD web page.
4)
Can I configure multiple Monarch HD units from a single UI?
Multiple units can have their recording and streaming operations controlled by a single
interface using a master, slave topology however the streaming and recording parameters
for each device must set independently by directly logging into each Monarch HD unit.
Streaming and Recording
5)
How long can I stream or record video?
There are no fixed limits. Recording files will be limited to storage size or storage file
system (FAT 32 or NTFS). See STORAGE OPTIONS AND FORMATS section below
for more info.
6)
How can I quickly test streaming capabilities of the Monarch HD?
If you have an account with a Content Delivery Network you can manually enter your
credentials in the Monarch HD Stream Settings Web page or you load an XML file
provided by the CDN which will populate the credentials automatically. Once step up
you can begin streaming to the CDN and log into from a computer to view the stream.
The Monarch HD can also be set in RTSP mode if you want to stream over a LAN. Any
computer on the LAN running VLC player should be able to log unto the Monarch HD to
view the stream. The RTSP stream path defined in the Status web page of the Monarch
HD can be loaded in the appropriate field; ie, “open location” or “open network stream”.
7)
Can I directly access files on a storage (USB or SD card) while connected to the
Monarch HD?
The Monarch HD does not include a file browser. Local storage must be connected to
another computer to list the content on that media.
8)
Which type of recording media does the Monarch HD support?
The Monarch HD can right to NTFS or FAT 32 USB 2, USB3 or SD, SDHC and SDXC.
Please note most SDXC cards are formatted Ex-Fat which is not support by the Monarch
HD.
In addition, the Monarch HD can write files to network mapped drives using Windows
Share protocol or the NFS Share protocol which is suitable for writing to network
attached storage units. Mac computer may also be configured to use this format but it is
not the native protocol used by the Mac O/S
9)
When Recording, can the Monarch HD automatically switch files after a fixed
amount of time without user intervention?
The Monarch can be programmed to stop recording after a user selectable amount of time
but there is no function to allow the Monarch HD to automatically stop and start a new
file, on existing or and different drives.
10) What are the upper limits of the Monarch HD capabilities?
There are three modes of operation for the Monarch HD:
1) Record only mode is capable of recording files up to 30 Mbps
2) Streaming only mode capable of streaming video at up to 20 Mpbs
3) In Streaming and Recording mode The Monarch HD shares its encoding
bandwidth to perform the streaming and recording tasks. There are four upper
boundaries to respect:
a) Total combined bitrate of streaming and recording cannot exceed 30 Mbps.
b) Streaming bitrate cannot exceed 10 Mbps
c) When Streaming and recording Resolutions are both 1920 x 1080, encoding
parameters must be identical
d) When streaming and recording resolutions and/or encoding parameters are
independent, streaming resolution is limited to 1280 x 720
11) Can the Monarch HD specify multiple destinations for a single stream?
In RTMP mode, only one destination can be selected. In RTSP mode, the Monarch can
serve multi devices however a maximum of 5 to 10 clients can connect before maximum
serving capacity is reached.
12) Does Monarch HD support multi-rate encoding (smooth streaming, adaptive
streaming, HLS (HTTP live streaming))?
The Monarch HD only supports encoding to a single streaming bitrate. CDNs are
increasingly offering realtime transcoding and transrating of the live stream to allow the
web broadcaster to reach as wide an audience as possible regardless of bitrate. If the
streaming server selected does not offer transrating a user will can use multiple Monarch
HD units in a daisy chain fashion to stream to multiple bitrates or/and destinations.
13) Are there any CDN specific presets?
The Monarch HD UI exposes the main parameters required to log into the vast majority
of CDNs. Most CDNs simply provide a URL which contains all the parameters necessary
to log into account. The UI also allows a user to load a Flash Media Live Encoder XML
file, either provided by CDN to exported by Adobe Flash Live Media Encoder to
populate all relevant fields. As long as instructions exist by the CDN to connect using
FMLE by loading an XML file, there should be little trouble connecting using the
Monarch HD.
14) Can I create my own presets?
The Monarch HD Recording and Streaming configuration web pages allows a user to
save “Profiles”. Information saved in a streaming profile includes both the encoder
parameters as well as the destination parameters. Information saved in a recording profile
includes both the encoder parameters as well as the file information and target recording
media. A total of four Streaming Profile and four Recording profiles can be saved in each
Monarch. Therefore, while a preset cannot be created and saved in the preset field of the
web pages, profiles allow a user to save more than just encoding parameters for easy
loading of preferred encoding, destination and file writing settings.
Connectivity
15) If the video signal is SDI, does Matrox recommend any specific convertor?
Matrox manufactures the MC-100, a dual SDI to HDMI convertor. We are convenient
bundling the item with the Monarch HD for those who need it. In the US the
MC100/Monarch HD bundle is priced at $1295.
16) Can I stream HDCP encrypted signals?
Only unencrypted signals can be recorded and streamed. HDMI signals output from Blu
Ray players cannot be processed by the Monarch HD
17) Does the Monarch HD have wireless connectivity?
The Monarch HD was not conceived as a camera mount or field based encoder. As such
no built in Wifi or 3G/4G connectivity exists. Since the Monarch HD is meant to stream
live events, we made a design choice to have the most reliable network connection built
in “a network jack”. For video streaming WiFi is not a reliable connection, too many
interruptions and network drops which are not conducive for video streaming. The vast
number of streaming encoders and live video servers are installed in wired networked
environments. The Monarch HD is best suited to provide affordable options to this class
of user. The camera top encoder for ENG style use is not the target market.
Example User Applications
A/V Service Provider
Streaming/recording need:
Motivation:
How they chose gear:
Setup:
Stream traditional live production to web and record
backup for production.
Adding streaming services to their portfolio of services
in an effort to increase revenue
Looked for flexibility, reliability, ease of set up, low
cost.
Changes at every event.
Religious Services
Streaming/production need:
Motivation :
How they chose gear:
Streaming of weekly sermons. Production of high
quality VOD available for download
To reach a wider audience with their gospel
Seamless integration into their IMag production.
Setup:
3 x HD-SDI cameras feeding traditional production
switcher which in turn feeds an onsite projector for
iMag. Connect secondary HD-SDI output from switcher
to Matrox MC-100 SDI to HDMi convertor. Output of
MC-100 sent to Monarch HD
Web Broadcaster
Streaming/production need:
Motivation:
How they chose gear:
Setup:
Web Radio broadcaster looking to bring video content to
broadcast.
Looking to engage audience on a different level.
Cost and connectivity
One HDMI input from Camera focused on host.
Research Organization
Streaming/production need:
Motivation:
How they chose gear:
Setup:
Need to record long form video of research subjects.
Live stream used for monitoring
Review subject material after experiment
Remote control options. Multiple device control from
single interface. Easy operation.
One HDMI camera per room. Multiple rooms recording
at once to a central storage subsystem.
University
Streaming/production need:
Motivation:
How they chose gear:
Setup:
Lecture streaming and recording. Students can view live
professor live or as a download at a later time
Conveniently reach students wherever they may be.
Simple HTML API allowed A/V dept to create
application for Professor to login and start stop stream
and record process very simply.
One HDMI camera pointed at professor. Professor
leaves with Memory stick at the end of lecture and
uploads to his website.
Video Production
Streaming/production need:
Motivation:
Proxy file recording of high bit rate on-line camera
recording (Dailies creation).
Create easy to upload files at the same time as full
quality video is being recorded. Decision makers can
review ingested material rapidly after recording.
How they chose gear:
Setup:
One button control and easily swappable usb drive.
SDI preview output from camera sent to on set monitor.
Loop out of monitor is converted to HDMI using MC100 and sent to Monarch HD.
Storage Options and Formats
Standard Media and Format Types
Formatting
Type
MAX
File size
Read/Write
PC
Read
Mac
Write
Mac
FAT32
4GB
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
SDHC
cards
Most
external
USB drives
Some USB
Drives
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
NTFS
EXFAT
NFS
HFS+
very
large
very
large
very
large
very
large
Standard on:
Most Thumb
Drives
Supported by
Monarch HD
Yes
All PC drives
Yes
SDXC cards
no
NAS drives
Linux Drives
Yes
Mac drives
Some USB drives
no
Recording File Sizes and Duration
Getting Started
The first thing you will need to do is power up your device and connect it to you network.
Appendix 1 includes our “Quick Start” set up guide. The process essentially involves
running our Matrox Monarch Finder Application to find your Monarch HD on your
network. Once The Monarch Finder provides the IP address of your unit, log on to get
started.
The Monarch HD we have sent you should have the latest Firmware installed however to
make sure we ask the you navigate to the  Device  About Monarch HD webpage to
obtain the firmware version installed.
The latest firmware and well as the Monarch Finder application can be found at this
location ftp://videotm2:v6dAcHa2@privftp.matrox.com/private/monarch_beta/
Please note you must select the appropriate version based on whether you will be downloading to
a Mac or PC.
User Guide and Release Notes
Documentation including release note are also found at the link above
Graphics Resources
To access Matrox Monarch HD logo and Monarch HD product images:
1. Visit http://www.matrox.com/video/en/press/artwork/
2. Download desired graphic/s
Contact Information
Product Information
http://www.matrox.com/video
Contacts
MAIN/PRESS CONTACT
Janet Matey
INSTALLATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Chris Ellis, Matrox Video Product Specialist
Phone: 514-822-6000 x7248
Email: cellis@matrox.com
Company Overview
Matrox Video is a technology and market leader in the field of HD and SD digital video
hardware and software for accelerated H.264 encoding, realtime editing, audio/video
input/output, streaming, A/V signal conversion, capture/playout servers, channel-in-a box
systems and CGs. Matrox's Emmy award-winning technology powers a full range of
multi-screen content creation and delivery platforms used by broadcasters, telcos, cable
operators, post-production facilities, videographers and A/V professionals worldwide.
Founded in 1976, Matrox is a privately held company headquartered in Montreal,
Canada.