SENSORAY Model 2226 HD-SDI audio/video H.264 encoder/decoder

Features

• High profile H.264 HD/SD encoding and decoding
• Transport stream format
• HD (1080p/1080i, 720p) and SD (NTSC, PAL)
• Audio on SDI or external
• Audio level meter
• Blu-ray compatible
• HD/SD uncompressed frame snapshot capture
• Full screen 16-bit color graphics and text overlays with transparency
• Low latency uncompressed preview stream

Model 2226 is a USB 2.0 audio/video H.264 encoder/decoder with full screen text/graphics overlay that supports a variety of video resolutions, including SDI 1080i/1080p/720p and SDI and analog NTSC/PAL SD. The encoder outputs H.264 High Profile Level 4 for HD and Main Profile Level 3 for SD, multiplexed in MPEG transport stream format. The board's versatile overlay generators, integral HD/SD raw frame grabber, and live preview stream make it ideally suited for a wide range of video processing applications, including High Profile DVRs, medical vision systems, live TV, teleconferencing, and stream servers.

High Profile H.264 Encoding

Broadcast quality video compression is achieved by using High Profile H.264 encoding, which is unavailable in many lower quality encoders that implement only Baseline or Main profiles. Streams recorded from the 2224 can be burned to Blu-ray disks without transcoding.

While the unit is encoding, the source video may be overlaid if desired, and then echoed on the SDI and composite video outputs. A frame buffer with dedicated overlay generator is provided to capture snapshots of individual frames. Captured frames can be sent over USB concurrently with the video stream, and may also be sent to the video outputs as freeze frame video.

The 2226 employs sophisticated hardware to keep audio synchronized to video, thereby eliminating lip sync problems characteristic of other solutions, which often rely on application software to perform this task.

Decoding

When functioning as a decoder, the 2226 can receive, via USB, a stream that was previously encoded by a 2226 and decode and output the results on its video and audio outputs. If desired, the video may be overlaid before being output.

Inputs and Outputs

Video inputs and outputs include HD/SD SDI in/out, composite video in/out, and S-Video in/out (stand-alone Model 2226 only). The unit has two composite outputs and two SDI outputs so that multiple monitors can be driven directly without requiring an external splitter.

Audio may be sourced from embedded SDI audio, external audio line in, external high-level microphone signals, or decoded MPEG output. Audio can be output to embedded SDI, line out, MPEG encode stream, or any combination of these. Model 2226 may be ordered with an optional on-board XLR3 microphone input connector and preamplifier for low-level microphones.

Video Overlay

Model 2226 supports text and graphic overlays at 16-bit color resolution. Eight overlappable, hardware-managed regions are supported. Each rectangular region may occupy up to full screen size. Any true-type font can be displayed. Graphics can be displayed from standard .bmp files as well as generated on the fly by SENSORAY's 2226 API. The API allows graphics to be easily placed and moved anywhere on the screen. Real-time update rates are possible for small overlay regions, while update rates for larger regions vary depending on computer speed and USB activity.

While encoding, each overlay region may be applied to the H.264 stream, the video output stream, the freeze frame/snapshot, or any combination of these. In the case of H.264 streams, the video is overlaid before compression. When decoding, the H.264 stream is first decoded and then overlaid before the video is output.

Uncompressed Capture

SENSORAY's SDK (software developer's kit) enables the 2226 to send an uncompressed, down-scaled video stream through the USB port to enable low-latency video previewing on the USB host computer.

Packaging Options

The unit is available in a robust enclosure (model 2226S) or as a stand-alone board (model 2226) for OEM applications.

Model 2226S features a sturdy metal enclosure with video, audio, USB and GPIO connectors

Specifications