Epiphan Pearl

There’s a new multiple source recorder on the block with today’s announcement from Epiphan Systems. Pearl, can stream and record multiple HD sources simultaneously, including 3G- and HD-SDI cameras, at rates of 60 frames per second and resolutions up to 2048×2048.

Despite having a delicate name, Pearl takes more of a hard-core stance with its design as a desktop rack or portable rack solution for streaming and recording live a/v content. It not only combines multiple HD AV inputs, it can then add client branding to create a single video layout with output resolution up to 4K.

The unit features a front-panel touch-screen controller as well as remote control capability, and it can encode for both RTMP and RTSP streaming, allowing it to be used with leading content distribution networks, such as Akamai, Livestream, Wowza, and YouTube.

“This is the most advanced and flexible capture, streaming, and recording platform ever produced by Epiphan,” said David Kirk, VP of product management. “Pearl will be a very appealing solution to our customers in education, healthcare, security, worship, business, and industry. It’s also a complementary component for other companies’ video content management systems.”

The unit has a brushed metal finish and is equipped with two inputs each for TRS audio, HDMI/DVI, VGA, and SDI; two USB 2.0 ports; and one Gigabit Ethernet port. For compatibility with commonly-used AV sources, it also supports SAP and UPnP for set-top boxes and media players. For post-production flexibility, it can record the streamed program as well as the original sources.

pearl

Features

  • Capture from screens or cameras at HD resolutions and higher (up to: 2560×1600, 2048×2048)
  • Simultaneously capture two HD sources and stereo TRS audio
  • Portable and lightweight
  • Touch-screen front panel display for confidence monitoring and recording control
  • Supports 3G-SDI, HD-SDI, SD-SDI, HDMI/DVI, and VGA
  • SAP and UPnP support for set-top boxes, digital signs and media players
  • Flexible multi-source layout and branding to customize your output
  • Provides RS-232 and HTTP APIs for easy integration into larger systems
  • Simple CDN setup, supports RTMP and RTSP
  • Stream at one bitrate and record at another

pearl-inputs

Specs

Video Inputs Connectors (2) SDI
(2) HDMI / DVI1
(2) VGA / Component2
Resolutions VESA modes: 640×480 to 2048×2048 (or 2650×1600);
Custom HDMI/VGA modes
HDMI up to 1920×1200
HD Video Format Options 3G-SDI; HD-SDI; SD-SDI;
DVI single link;
HDMI;
R, G, B plus separate HSync and VSync signals;
R, G, B plus CSYNC signal;
R, G, B with Sync-on-Green synchronization
Audio Input Connectors (2) ¼” left/right TRS audio (balanced or unbalanced)
SDI audio
HDMI audio
Video Output Connectors (2) Confidence monitoring through displayPort output ports
Built-in Display Front touch-screen display used for confidence monitoring
Video Encoding Video Codecs H.264, MPEG-4, Motion JPEG
Video Bit Rates 100 – 9,999 kbit/sec
Key Frame Intervals Programmable
Color Resolution 4:2:0
Output Frame Size Configurable up to 3840×2160
Frame Rates
(per output stream)
60 FPS @ 2048×2048
Audio Encoding Audio Codecs Encoder Bitrate Sample Frequencies
MP3 32-192kbps 22kHz, 44kHz
PCM 22kHz, 44kHz
AAC 32-192kbps 16 kHz, 22kHz, 44kHz
G.711 8kHz (a-Law) & 8kHz (μ-Law)
IP Network Interfaces Connector (1) 10/100/1000 Ethernet RJ45
Streams FLV, ASF and MJPEG, over HTTP
RTSP over TCP/UDP
Publish to Streaming Server / CDN (RTMP, RTSP)
HLS – Native Apple HTTP stream for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch
Multicast Streams RTP, MPEG-TS & RTP and MPEG-TS over UDP
Network Discovery / Announce UPnP, SAP
Video/Audio Recording and File Management Internal Storage 1 TB3
Automatically removes oldest recordings from internal storage as space is required.
File maintenance through admin interface (Web UI)
Local Storage Automatic copy to local USB drives via the (2) USB 2.0 ports
Copy to USB drive (automatic and manual)
Network Storage FTP server and FTP client capabilities (automatic and manual)
RSYNC/CIFS synchronization
Playback and Recorded Formats Download recorded videos (AVI or MOV) using the Web UI and playback through any compatible player.
Administration Web UI for full administration. On-screen display and mobile UI for confidence monitoring and simple administration.
Multiple user accounts/passwords.
Included API for integration into existing environments (executed via HTTP or RS-232). RS-232 API integration requires a USB to RS-232 adapter (not included).
Time Synchronization NTP, TIME (RFC 868), PTP v1 (IEEE-1588-2002 V1)
Product Dimensions 10⅝” x 3¼” x 7⅜” (270mm x 82mm x 187mm)
Product Weight 3.4 lbs (1.54kg)

 

Pricing and Availability

Pearl will begin shipping this month (at time of publication), with a price tag of US$4875.
For more info, check: www.epiphan.com/pearl
Download brochure here.

Excerpts from Press Release
This article was updated on 15/08/2014 to add pricing and feature information.
Including a correction to David Kirk’s title of “VP of product management” from the previous title of “vice president of product management”.

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