IBC 2019: Wowza unveils ClearCaster Pro encoding appliance
Wowza Media Systems (stand 14.E08) has announced a new version of the Wowza ClearCaster encoding appliance: ClearCaster Pro. As the new standard for encoder management and event monitoring, ClearCaster Pro brings improved reliability and streamlined control to broadcast workflows. It combines hardware encoding and cloud-based management to provide production teams and media groups with a single user interface.
Adding Powerful Control With Cloud-Based Workflow Management
Unlike traditional encoders that require local configuration and hold state, ClearCaster Pro leverages the power of the cloud to enable real-time encoder command and control, preventing configuration issues while streamlining encoder setup and broadcast management. Administrators can build custom configuration templates, create streamlined broadcast workflows, and tailor the web-based UI controls to meet their unique needs.
Broadcasters are able to utilize encoder presets and defined workflows for popular streaming destinations like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Built for professional productions, ClearCaster Manager can be used to remotely manage the technology from any web browser — providing the ability to start or stop streams, adjust settings, configure redundancy, and much more.
Event producers and streaming engineers can use the live and archived broadcast-health metrics to quickly identify issues and maintain an audit trail over all broadcasts. From video source through first-mile network conditions, ClearCaster Pro collects 100-plus stream-health metrics in real time, thereby empowering users with data so issues are prevented before going live.
Stream Monitoring and Adaptive Network Encoding
“The new monitoring feature gives me full confidence that my streams are happy and healthy,” says Rob Baynard, director at NowThis. “We cover a lot of breaking news at NowThis and run tons of live streams every day. The last thing I want to worry about is a failed stream. We already knew that ClearCaster was our most reliable encoding option, but now we can see that on display in real-time.”
With its unique low-level network tracking metrics and diagnostics, users can enable the power of adaptive network encoding over RTMP to automatically recover from bandwidth issues. ClearCaster Pro will constantly monitor low-level network metrics and performance, while automatically decreasing video streaming bitrate in adverse network conditions — ensuring broadcasts maintain smooth, buffer-free playback for end users.
Streamline Workflows With API Integrations
Using its centralized management API, ClearCaster Pro empowers broadcasters and service providers to quickly build fully automated workflows. Broadcasters can use the API to automate regularly scheduled events or integrate encoder control into their existing production tools. Service providers can use the API to create plug-and-play user experiences that increase encoder reliability through workflow automation. What’s more, service providers can reduce customer support time through improved health monitoring.
The company will be demoing ClearCaster Pro API integrations with Singular.Live, Streamshark, and Facebook — as well as a preferred live encoding configuration for Vimeo — at IBC2019. Each company will use ClearCaster Pro to streamline their AV system workflow automation end-to-end streaming.
Additionally, Facebook will have a live production studio powered by ClearCaster Pro in their stand (Hall 14.B31) at IBC.
ClearCaster Pro Tech Specs
The ClearCaster Pro live encoding appliance 1 RU unit meets the needs of all professional broadcast workflows. The appliance takes in up to 4Kp30 via HDMI, HD-SDI, or IP inputs including MPEG-TS and SRT. The encoder can output H.265/H.264 (HEVC/AVC) video over standard formats like RTMP, SRT and MPEG-TS (unicast, multicast) as either a single, high-quality contribution stream or a multi-output/multi-target syndicated feed. The 1 RU unit is perfect for studio production, on-site events, and broadcast facilities.