Buyer’s Guide: Media Servers

This month we take a look at the current crop of Media Servers. There are a range of choices for controlling video, images, and other media as a part of your productions. We’ve asked manufacturers to submit their choice of product so you can compare features and determine which media server is right for the type of work that you produce. They are used in a variety of markets and segments as well as are the engines that drive eXtended Reality (XR) stages.

To download a PDF of PLSN’s June 2022 Buyers Guide, CLICK HERE

Analog Way Picturall Pro Mark II

• OS: Linux
• Input: HDMI 1.4, HDMI 2.0, 3G-SDI, network video streams, html content
• Output: DP 1.2, NDI
• Playback Resolution (Image): Beyond 8K
• Playback Resolution (Video): Beyond 8K
• Layers: 200
• Playback Layers: Up to 66 layers of 1080p@60Hz video; or 18 layers of 4K@60Hz video; or 6 layers of 8K@60Hz video; or 1 layer of 16K@60Hz video
• Control Protocols: TCP/IP, Art-Net
• NDI Compatible: Yes
• Stock Content: Yes
• Support for Notch: Yes, Notch LC Codec
• Support for Syphon/Spout: No
• Edge Blending: Yes
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: N/A
• 3D Object Import: N/A
• Real Time UV Mapping: N/A
• More Details: Engineered around a new, extremely robust, and powerful professional hardware platform, the Picturall Mark II series delivers outstanding performance for supporting large-scale events and installations from a single server unit.

www.analogway.com

ArKaos VS4

• OS: Windows 11
• Input: 8x 4K60 SDI/HDMI, USB, NDI
• Output: 4x 4K60 DP
• Playback Resolution (Image): 4K
• Playback Resolution (Video): 4K
• Layers: 48
• Playback Layers: 48
• Control Protocols: Art-Net, MIDI, Ableton Link, MTC, LTC, DMX, StageLinQ, Companion, Pioneer ProDJ Link, OSC, Genlock, Framelock
• NDI Compatible: Yes
• Stock Content: Yes
• Support for Notch: N/A
• Support for Syphon/Spout: Yes
• Edge Blending: Yes
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: N/A
• 3D Object Import: Yes
• Real Time UV Mapping: N/A
• More Details: VS4 is a 4 output 4K media server that comes with the MediaMaster 6 software.

www.arkaos.com

AV Stumpfl PIXERA four

• OS: Windows 10 Embedded
• Input: 5 x PCI 4.0 slots, 12G-SDI, 3G-SDI, HDMI
• Output: 2 or 4 display port 1.4
• Playback Resolution (Image): Appx. 16K
• Playback Resolution (Video): 8K Uncompressed
• Layers: Unlimited
• Playback Layers: Unlimited, Limitations Depend on Format/Codec Used
• Control Protocols: TCP, UDP, HTTP, OSC, MIDI, Art-Net, sACN
• NDI Compatible: Yes, Input & Output, Supports Alpha
• Stock Content: N/A
• Support for Notch: Yes
• Support for Syphon/Spout: Spout
• Edge Blending: Yes
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: Yes
• 3D Object Import: Yes, FBX & OBJ
• Real Time UV Mapping: Real-Time Mapping, Warping & Compositing
• More Details: PIXERA four is a new and powerful media server hardware system, perfect for highly demanding real-time graphics applications, uncompressed 8K playback and XR/AR broadcast setups.

www.pixera.one/en/

Avolites AI Q3pro

• OS: Windows
• Input: Up to 4 x 3G-SDI or 2 HDMI (user configurable)
• Output: 2 x 4K and 1 x HD HDMI 2.0 Plus HD GUI
• Playback Resolution (Image): Up to 16,384 x 16,384
• Playback Resolution (Video): Up to 16,384 x 16,384
• Layers: Up to 32 per Fixture
• Playback Layers: Up to 32 per Fixture
• Control Protocols: Art-Net, sACN, Titan Net Synergy, KiNET
• NDI Compatible: In and Out
• Stock Content: Yes
• Support for Notch: Yes
• Support for Syphon/Spout: Yes
• Edge Blending: Camera-based Autoblend and Manual
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: Kinesys, BlackTrax, Tait, and others
• 3D Object Import: Yes
• Real Time UV Mapping: Yes
• More Details: Node based engine allows infinite flexibility for any situation. The power of AI in a compact size.

www.avolites.com

Dataton WATCHPAX 62

• OS: Windows
• Input: HDMI, DVI, SDI, NDI
• Output: DisplayPort, MiniDP, HDMI, DVI, VGA, SDI
• Playback Resolution (Image): No system limitations
• Playback Resolution (Video): No system limitations
• Layers: No system limitations
• Playback Layers: No system limitations
• Control Protocols: TCP, UDP, DMX512, RS232, MIDI
• NDI Compatible: Yes
• Stock Content: N/A
• Support for Notch: N/A
• Support for Syphon/Spout: N/A
• Edge Blending: Yes
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: Yes
• 3D Object Import: Yes
• Real Time UV Mapping: Yes
• More Details: The core of the Dataton system is WATCHOUT multi-display software, available for free download. Dataton offers a variety of media servers from compact WATCHPAX 42 to the high-performance WATCHPAX 62 range.

www.dataton.com

disguise vx 4

• OS: Windows 10
• Input: 16x 3G-SDI (quad-3G for 4x 4K inputs)
• Output: 4x VFC Output Slots plus 1x dedicated GUI port
• Playback Resolution (Image): 4K (4096 x 2160)
• Playback Resolution (Video): 4K (4096 x 2160)
• Layers: 65 in HD HAPQ 30, 46 in HD HAPQ 60, 43 in HD Notch LC 30, 4 in HD Notch LC 60, 15 in UHD HAPQ 30, 6 in UHD HAPQ 60, 10 in UHD NotchLC 30, 3 in UHD NotchLC 60
• Playback Layers: [Same as Above]
• Control Protocols: Support for OSC, Serial, Telnet, UDP and GPI
• NDI Compatible: Support for NDI capture
• Stock Content: Yes
• Support for Notch: Yes
• Support for Syphon/Spout: N/A
• Edge Blending: Yes
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: RenderStream plug-ins for both Unreal Engine and Unity
• 3D Object Import: Support for .obj files
• Real Time UV Mapping: 3D real-time simulator for visualizing venues and video displays
• More Details: More information on the disguise vx 4 can be found here: https://www.disguise.one/en/products/pro/vx-4/

www.disguise.one

Hive Media Control PLAYER_4

• OS: Ubuntu
• Input: USB 3, Gigabit Ethernet, NDI
• Output: 4 x 2160p
• Playback Resolution (Image): 8192 x 8192
• Playback Resolution (Video): 8192 x 8192
• Layers: Two
• Playback Layers: Two
• Control Protocols: Art-Net, MIDI, Web Sockets, Phidgets
• NDI Compatible: Yes, Send & Receive
• Stock Content: N/A
• Support for Notch: Notch LC Codec, and Streaming Support
• Support for Syphon/Spout: N/A
• Edge Blending: Yes, via Vioso or Screenberry Auto Calibration Tools
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: PosiStageNet (PSN)
• 3D Object Import: Yes, via Screenberry Auto Calibration
• Real Time UV Mapping: Yes, via Screenberry Auto Calibration
• More Details: Web Browser Interface; Designed to be simple to use; Avolites AiM, Notch LC, h264 & h265; Embedded Linux Render Engine; Synchronize multiple players; Synchronize to external clock sources such as SMPTE or Art-Net Timecode.

www.hive.run

Modulo Pi Modulo Kinetic

• OS: Windows 10 SAC 64 bits
• Input: 12G-SDI/HDMI
• Output: Up to 6 Outputs
• Playback Resolution (Image): 16K
• Playback Resolution (Video): 4K
• Layers: Unlimited
• Playback Layers: Unlimited
• Control Protocols: Art-Net, DMX, MIDI, GPIO, OSC
• NDI Compatible: Yes
• Stock Content: N/A
• Support for Notch: Yes
• Support for Syphon/Spout: Only Spout
• Edge Blending: Yes
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: Yes
• 3D Object Import: Yes
• Real Time UV Mapping: Yes
• More Details: Modulo Kinetic is reliable across the complete workflow. Its real-time timelines, embedded live mixer, 3D engine, and show control tools are instrumental in creating stunning visual experiences.

www.modulo-pi.com

NovaStar MBOX600

• OS: Windows 10 IoT Enterprise
• Input: 1x RJ45, 2 USB 3.0
• Output: 4x Gigabit RJ45 Ethernet, 1x HDMI 1.3 (monitor), 1x stereo audio output
• Playback Resolution (Image): 1,440×900; 1,920×1,080; 1,920×1,200; 2,048×1,152; 2,560×960
• Playback Resolution (Video): 1,440×900; 1,920×1,080; 1,920×1,200; 2,048×1,152; 2,560×960
• Layers: One
• Playback Layers: One
• Control Protocols: Ethernet, WiFi, 4G connection
• NDI Compatible: N/A
• Stock Content: N/A
• Support for Notch: N/A
• Support for Syphon/Spout: N/A
• Edge Blending: N/A
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: N/A
• 3D Object Import: N/A
• Real Time UV Mapping: N/A
• More Details: With a large loading-capacity, the MBOX600 integrates an industrial-grade PC with a sending card in a single unit, allowing for easy LED display control with no PC required. Distributed by Blizzard Lighting.

www.novastar.tech | www.blizzardpro.com

Production Resource Group (PRG) Mbox

• OS: Mac
• Input: Blackmagic or AVFoundation
• Output: Depends on Hardware
• Playback Resolution (Image): Up to 16K
• Playback Resolution (Video): Up to 8K
• Layers: Up to 24
• Playback Layers: Up to 24
• Control Protocols: Art-Net, sACN
• NDI Compatible: Yes
• Stock Content: Rental Units Only
• Support for Notch: N/A (Notch not supported on Mac platform)
• Support for Syphon/Spout: Syphon In/Out, NDI In/Out
• Edge Blending: Yes
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: Yes
• 3D Object Import: Yes
• Real Time UV Mapping: N/A
• More Details: Mbox is a software-only product for the Mac platform. Capabilities and performance depend on the user-supplied hardware. Three versions of the Mbox software are available—Mbox Designer, Mbox Studio, & Mbox Mini.

www.prg.com

Show Sage LLC Show*Server MICRO

• OS: Windows
• Input: NDI and USB
• Output: 2 x DisplayPort
• Playback Resolution (Image): 4K@30
• Playback Resolution (Video): 4K@30
• Layers: Unlimited
• Playback Layers: Unlimited
• Control Protocols: TCP/UDP, DMX, MIDI
• NDI Compatible: Yes (Input)
• Stock Content: N/A
• Support for Notch: N/A
• Support for Syphon/Spout: N/A
• Edge Blending: Yes
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: N/A
• 3D Object Import: Yes
• Real Time UV Mapping: N/A
• More Details: The Show*Server MICRO is a small form factor media player capable of handling 2 4K outputs at 30 FPS. Dimensions are 6.5” x 7.5” x 1.43”.

www.showsage.com

SNP Productions Ltd Catalyst V6 PRO

• OS: Mac OS (10.9 – 10.14)
• Input: SDI / HDMI
• Output: DP / HDMI / DVI
• Playback Resolution (Image): 4K (Max 14 Megapixels)
• Playback Resolution (Video): 4K (Max 14 Megapixels)
• Layers: 48 Layers / 32 Output Mixes
• Playback Layers: 48 Layers / 32 Output Mixes
• Control Protocols: DMX / Art-Net / OSC / MIDI /MSC / MMC / SMPTE / RS232 / HTTP
• NDI Compatible: With external NDI interface
• Stock Content: N/A
• Support for Notch: Compatible with Video Dust (MacOS)
• Support for Syphon/Spout: Syphon Input & Output
• Edge Blending: Edge-blending, editable blend percentages, blend curve editor, mix offsets, keystone
• Scenic/Automation Data Input: Kinesys / Stagetech / Blacktrax / Scalable General Controllers
• 3D Object Import: Yes
• Real Time UV Mapping: Yes
• More Details: Catalyst V6 PRO software provides a range of image processing tools to control and manipulate high resolution movies, live camera, or images for playback through video projection or LED screens.

www.snp-productions.co.uk

NEXT MONTH

Audience Lighting
Ensure your Audience Lighting product is included in the July Buyer’s Guide by contacting PLSN Co-Editor Michael S. Eddy at meddy@timelesscom.com.