Big Productions, Small Footprint

Easily produce multi-angle live events by extending the production studio to any remote location with a network connection. Monarch EDGE can encode up to four camera feeds from HD or 3G-SDI sources. When an in-studio 4K production requires a remote feed, Monarch EDGE can accept either 4K signals over 12G-SDI, or a quad 3G-SDI to deliver a full-4K stream. All of the supported SDI resolutions will be available on the upcoming ST 21101 networked I/O ports using SFP28 connectivity. For events that require more cameras, its compact footprint ensures that two units will fit into a single 1RU space.

Built for High Quality 10-bit H.264 Encoding

The optimized H.264 engine powering Monarch EDGE keeps data rates exceptionally low without sacrificing quality. If quality is of the highest importance, streams can be encoded up to 120 Mbps. Four inputs can be streamed at resolutions up to 1080p60, or one input at 2160p60 using the High 4:2:2 H.264 encoding profile. Furthermore, multiple processes can be performed on each input by powerful scaling and de-interlacing engines. This enables each input to be streamed at multiple resolutions and bitrates simultaneously, which is useful for remote monitoring.

Exceptionally Low Latency

In live environments, high signal transport latencies are detrimental to remote production (REMI) quality. Audio and video may be hard to maintain, and return channels to the field are often too far behind the live-action, hindering seamless staff interaction. With “glass-to-glass” latencies as low as 100ms between video input at encoder and video output at the decoder, Monarch EDGE achieves some of the lowest latencies on the market while using standard 1 GbE networks.

Keep It In-Sync

All channels encoded by Monarch EDGE will be locked to a single clock, and the streams generated will have timestamps to allow the Monarch EDGE decoder to realign the streams at output. For the very best results, the cameras feeding the encoder should be genlocked together to ensure each frame is captured in phase. Monarch EDGE offers a genlock output jack with a signal that can be distributed to those cameras if an on-site sync generator is not available.

Flexible Protocols

There are a variety of streaming protocols available to Monarch EDGE users for use during remote productions (REMI). On closed networks, MPEG-2 TS or RTSP streams can be selected for delivery. For cloud-based destinations, or when the network is congested, SRT may be more appropriate. SRT is a new open-source format that provides the reliability of RTMP, while reducing latency, for use on open networks. SRT streams can also be encrypted if security is a concern. The Monarch EDGE decoder supports the processing of MPEG-2 TS, RTSP, and SRT protocols.

Simple, Easy-to-Use Tally and Talkback

The Monarch EDGE remote production (REMI) encoder and decoder pair provides the transfer of tally2 signals and talkback channels to facilitate bi-directional communication between on-site camera operators and in-studio personnel. Eight tally signals can be sent from the production switcher to the decoder, which transfers these signals to the encoder for output to the cameras. Two balanced analog inputs and two balanced analog outputs are found on both the encoder and decoder for interfacing with local intercom systems.

Comprehensive Connectivity

Both the Monarch EDGE encoder and decoder devices offer flexible, future-proof video connectivity with 3G, 12G SDI, and ST 21101 over 25 GbE network connections.

Convenient, Centralized Control

Monarch EDGE Control Hub is a powerful application that provides management and configuration remotely over all Monarch EDGE units on the network. This convenient software provides authorized users with high-level views of all devices on the network, and enables full access and control from a single, easy-to-use interface.

Localized Preview

Allowing up to four simultaneous input previews on a single desktop monitor, Monarch EDGE’s DisplayPort output ensures that videos are valid and ready to use. Monarch EDGE Control Hub allows users to effortlessly configure how they would like to preview audio sources of input. From the DisplayPort and line out, users can choose to monitor one audio input at a time, or mute all.

Robust and Practical Design

Both the Monarch EDGE encoder and decoder were built with reliability in mind. An LCD screen on the front of the appliance allows the user to quickly access its status and configuration settings. A locking power connector safeguards against connection loss during production. Redundant Ethernet (1 GbE) ports allow users to control the device from one port while sending video from a second port. Users can opt to send the same streams from each port while taking completely separate network paths. Finally, Monarch EDGE’s compact design ensures it can be installed in a fly-pack or with a second Monarch EDGE unit in a 1RU-rack space.

Connectivity
Video Input	1x 12G SDI input per ST 2082 3x 3G SDI inputs per ST 425 (Level A mapping only) UHD support using 4 SDI inputs per SMPTE ST 425-5 -Square division -2x sample interleave input1 2x SFP 28 network ports (up to 25 Gbps) Capture up to four independent 3 Gbps video streams or one 12 Gbps (4Kp60) stream encapsulated per SMPTE ST 2110-10, -20, and -21. Seamless protection (redundancy) according to SMPTE ST 2022-7
Video Input Resolutions	2160p at 50, 59.94, 60 fps 1080p at 251, 29.971, 301, 50, 59.94, 60 fps 1080i at 25, 29.97, 301fps 720p at 50, 59.94, 60 fps
Audio Input	Digital: 8x channels of embedded audio support per SDI input. Two channels per input supported with first release Analog: 2x channels of balanced analog audio input via XLR connector** Line Level
Audio Output	Analog: 2x channels of balanced analog audio output via XLR connector 1 channel of unbalanced stereo audio output via 1/8” TRS connector
Confidence Preview	1x DisplayPort 1.1 Maximum resolution: 1920x1080
Performance
Color Space and Chroma Sub-Sampling	4:2:0 (8-bit and 10-bit) 4:2:2 (8-bit and 10-bit)
Video and Audio Processing
Frame Synchronization	Yes
Video Scaling	High Quality multi-tap 10 bit Up/Down Scaler and De-Interlacer
Video Compositing	Yes
Audio Encoding Format	AAC-LC
Audio Sampling Frequency	48 kHz when digitized from analog source
Audio Bitrates	Range from 32 kbps to 256 kbps
Codec
Video Encoding Formats	H.264/MPEG-4 Part 10 (AVC)
Encoding Profiles	Up to High 4:2:2 profile (Hi422P)
Encoder Bitrates Range	Video: Up to 120 Mbps
Encoding Rate Control	Configurable GOP (Group Of Pictures) Structure Constant Bitrate (CBR) Favor quality Favor speed Variable Bitrate (VBR)
Encoding Level	Up to 5.2
Encoding
Encoding Capability	4:2:0 1x 3840x2160p @60fps 4x 1920x1080 @60fps 16x 1920x1080 @30fps Plus proxy stream 1x 1080p proxy stream (8-bit) 4x 720p30 proxy stream 4:2:2 1x 3840x2160p @60 fps 4x 1920x1080 @60 fps There are a number of additional encoding profiles that can be generated per input.
Encoding Latency	Latency as low as 50ms (network transfers and decode operation not included in value)
Decoding
Decoding Capability	1x 3840x2160 60p 4x 1920x1080 60p
Decoding Latency	Latency as low as 50ms (network transfers and encode operation not included in value)
Decoding Protocols	SRT RTSP MPEG-2 TS over UDP
Network
Network Standard	2x RJ45, 100/1000BASE-T Ethernet 2x MSA-compatible SFP28 cage supporting 10 GbE and 25 GbE modules
IP Addressing	IPv4 IPv6 DHCP (default) and static IP
Streaming Protocols	MPEG-2 TS over UDP (unicast or multicast) RTP/RTSP Native RTP (unicast or multicast) SRT RTMP
Command and Control	HTTPS over TCP UPnP (discovery)