StreamZHD format-agile media encoding servers expand the powerful and flexible features of StreamZ into the high definition domain, offering multi-format, high-performance HD/SD video ingest, encoding, transcoding and streaming with outstanding output quality for a broad range of professional applications.

Version 3.2 software now available! Read about the new features and how to upgrade here.  

High definition video anywhere, any time, any format
Broadcast, post production, archive, digital dailies, video on demand (VOD), IPTV, Blu-ray and many other professional applications have embraced the visual quality offered by HD acquisition, production and distribution. Meanwhile, distribution to multiple platforms – from HDTV to the Web and mobile devices – has become essential to maximizing opportunities in today’s competitive media landscape. Digital Rapids StreamZHD media encoding systems are the ultimate versatile HD tools, letting you capture, encode, transcode, stream and deliver your content in multiple formats ranging from uncompressed HD video to high-quality streaming media, all from a single, intuitive interface.

Combining the performance and quality advantages of hardware based preprocessing with the flexibility of software codecs and powerful, robust software features, StreamZHD encoders are ideal for creating and transforming HD content for network-based distribution and file-based production workflows. From real-time HD encoding and HD streaming from live sources or decks to transcoding from existing media files, StreamZHD seamlessly brings together IP-based networks, file-based workflows and high definition video, boosting your productivity, efficiency and output quality.

Multiple formats, one easy workflow
StreamZHD encoders are format agile, on both input and output. StreamZHD can capture HD or SD video in its native format, or format convert it in hardware during capture from HD to SD, SD to HD, or between HD resolutions and frame rates. StreamZHD can capture from live or tape-based sources to uncompressed files or encode directly to select formats (including H.264) at up to 1920x1080 in real time.

Source video can be encoded to multiple formats, resolutions and bit rates simultaneously in real time – ideal for optimally reaching multiple audiences and when creating content for adaptive bit rate delivery. StreamZHD offers the industry’s highest performance and quality for live and on-demand adaptive streaming technologies including Adobe® Flash® Dynamic Streaming, Apple® iPhone® HTTP Streaming (with integrated segmenting), and Microsoft® IIS Smooth Streaming (H.264 and VC-1).

StreamZHD’s Batch Encoding mode captures any HD or SD input format to an uncompressed media file in real time and automatically transcodes it to multiple formats without user intervention, enabling easy HD encoding to even the most complex combinations of formats. Existing media files from differing resolutions, frame rates and sources can be transcoded to any other output format and concatenated if desired.

StreamZHD supports standard and optional compression and container formats including AVC (a.k.a. H.264 or MPEG-4 Part 10), VC-1 (Windows Media, Silverlight, IIS Smooth Streaming), Adobe Flash (H.264 or On2 VP6), MPEG-2, XDCAM HD, Avid DNxHD®, DVCPro, JPEG2000, H.264 for Apple® iPhone with integrated segmenting, Dolby® Digital and Digital Plus, QuickTime®, MXF, GXF, LXF, Omneon and many more, with a flexible architecture ensuring easy expandability to support future formats. Additional formats such as QuickTime-wrapped Apple® ProRes files can be used as sources for transcoding.

Hign-quality, high definition hardware...
Audience expectations of video quality on platforms from IPTV to the Web continue to increase. To meet or exceed these expectations, looks really can be everything, and simply being HD isn’t enough – high definition isn’t necessarily high quality. StreamZHD encoding systems are renowned for their exceptional output quality, powered by the advanced preprocessing capabilities of our purpose-built hardware cards. Running in hardware in real time, video preprocessing features features include motion adaptive de-interlacing with pixel-level analysis, video noise reduction, scaling and filtering, ensuring industry-leading output quality and enabling the most efficient use of bandwidth in the compressed result. This preprocessing also reduces the amount of work the compression engine needs to do, letting you create more outputs simultaneously. Meanwhile, hardware-based graphic overlay and video proc amp controls let you brand and refine your video.

...tightly integrated with sophisticated software
StreamZHD includes the powerful and flexible Stream FE software, providing you with a simple, consistent interface with a streamlined workflow from ingest through delivery. The Stream FE software lets you adjust compression settings and hardware pre-processing options as precisely as desired, from production-tested presets to robust manual controls. Video and audio processing plug-ins such as graphic overlay, adaptive inverse telecine, color space conversion and audio mix-down can be applied, and output can be directed to a variety of options including archive files and live streams.

Encoding parameters can be saved in whole or in part in reusable project files and profiles, letting you or your colleagues reuse portions within other jobs, or perform similar tasks later with just a single click or under automation.

Easy workflow integration and automation
StreamZHD combines its format agility and outstanding quality with a comprehensive set of tools for automation and easy integration into any environment. Features including as RS422 deck control, Closed Caption support, scheduled recording, standalone logging, e-mail notification and automated FTP delivery let you integrate easily with existing equipment and automate your workflow. Watch folder support can be combined with powerful template-based publishing to empower your content creators, enabling them to automatically encode and publish to your web site, intranet or FTP server by simply dropping their finished content into your watch folder.

Optional Nexguard forensic watermarking by Civolution provides advanced content protection, while the Civolution Teletrax option embeds watermarks for content tracking and monitoring. YouTube Content ID support generates ‘fingerprints’ to automatically identify and enforce policies upon user-uploaded video clips on the popular site, enabling protection and new monetization opportunities for content owners. Support for content access technologies such as Microsoft PlayReady ensures that high-value content is used only as specified by the content owner and only by authorized users.

External scripting and XML-based project files let you extend StreamZ functionality and customize how it works in your environment. For more advanced requirements, multiple levels of SDK – including a robust Web Services API – are available for integrating the Stream FE software tightly into your custom applications. For live streaming, the optional Digital Rapids Broadcast Manager software provides centralized control, management and failover of multiple StreamZ systems.

StreamZHD continues to raise the bar for multi-format HD encoding solutions, with an unparalleled combination of versatility, quality, performance and efficiency. StreamZHD – the ideal encoder for today’s multi-platform HD world.

	High-performance, multi-format HD/SD ingest, encoding, transcoding and streaming
	Encode from live sources or decks; transcode from existing media files
	Integrated HD/SD up, down and cross-conversion
	Hardware based video preprocessing (incl.. deinterlacing and noise reduction) for optimal quality and bandwidth usage
	Simultaneous output to multiple formats, resolutions and bitrates from same source lets you optimize for multiple distribution channels
	HD/SD SDI input with embedded audio; AES digital audio inputs
	Broad, expandable compression and file format support including adaptive bit rate delivery technologies
	Flexible software with extensive integration, automation and customization features
	All features and benefits of Stream FE Software

Click here for a complete chart of formats for each level of software.
	AVC/H.264
	Microsoft Silverlight (H.264, VC-1, Windows Media WMV, live and on-demand IIS Smooth Streaming)
	Adobe Flash (H.264, or On2 VP6, Dynamic Streaming)
	H.264 for Apple iPhone with integrated segmenting
	MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MPEG-1, 3GPP
	XDCAM HD, DVCPro, Avid DNxHD
	MXF, GXF, LXF, Omneon
	JPEG2000
	QuickTime (including Apple ProRes import)
	AVI, Uncompressed
	RED R3D (import)
	Dolby Digital (AC-3) and Digital Plus, Dolby Pulse AAC, MP3, WAV
	and more!