The SMP 401 is a high-performance all-in-one 4K/60 recording and streaming processor that easily captures, switches, scales and distributes AV sources and presentations. Powerful processing with H.264/H.265 encoding provides up to five recordings and six streams concurrently. The SMP 401 captures a variety of sources from three HDMI inputs, two RTP/RTSP virtual inputs, and an optional 12G-SDI input. Additionally, the SMP 401 audio DSP provides independent audio mixing per channel and supports line or microphone level audio, with available +48V phantom power. The user-friendly front panel LCD screen enables video preview for confidence monitoring, and simple menu navigation for easy configuration. The SMP 401 is a robust solution for any environment that requires multiple high-quality recordings and live streams.

Flexible Signal Support

The SMP 401 processes two high resolution AV sources from up to four available local input signals:

• One of two HDMI signals can be selected from Channel A along with analog line level or HDMI-embedded stereo audio.
• One HDMI or optional 12G-SDI signal can be selected from Channel B along with analog line level or microphone level audio or HDMI-embedded stereo audio.

The SMP 401 also supports up to two independent RTP/RTSP push/pull streams as additional virtual input signals from network streaming sources such as IP cameras and other encoded sources. All inputs support common video formats from 640x480 to 4096x2160.

Customized Recordings and Streams

The SMP 401 can capture up to four video sources to produce multiple recordings and streams. It captures and processes two local sources to produce full screen views or any two-window composited layouts. Additionally, up to two independent virtual inputs can be recorded and re-streamed as full screen views. The SMP 401 processing allows flexible configuration of different encoders with a total capacity of 4K/60. Up to three Archive encoders are used for recordings and streams and one Confidence encoder for streaming only. The following images show examples of the number of recordings and streams possible with encoders configured at different resolution outputs. All three Archive encoders can be configured as any of the following options:

• Composite view Channel A + Channel B
• Full screen Channel A
• Full screen Channel B

The Confidence encoder stream follows the same selection as Archive 1 encoder.

Enhanced DSP with Independent Audio Mixing

SMP 401 audio DSP features enable customized AV content with independent audio signals per encoder. Users can choose their audio source from either analog or digital audio captured on Channel A, Channel B, or a blend of signals from both channels. Audio output signals are adjusted automatically during source switches to eliminate potential clicks, pops, or undesired effects. Advanced audio DSP features offer control over audio delay, audio levels, filtering, and compressor dynamics, producing a quality audio experience without requiring the use of external mixing and DSP equipment.

Effective Multi-Window Processing

The SMP 401 offers highly flexible source presentation options. The Channel A and Channel B local input signals can be presented individually at full screen or combined in any two-window display arrangement. Up to sixteen customized window presets can be prepared, mixing the inputs with a PNG background image, logo, and metadata. These flexible, multi-source processing features make it easy to recreate the live presentation experience. They also provide viewers with greater insight into the event’s context, facilitating interpretation and retention of the information presented.

Independent Video Encoding

The powerful processing of the SMP 401 enables the use of independent H.264 and H.265 video codecs per encoder. H.265 offers high quality video at lower size files for optimized storage and less bandwidth. H.264 is a widely supported codec used by many third-party video platforms. The ability to select different video encoding provides users with flexibility, optimization opportunities, and compatibility assurance, leading to improved performance, quality, efficiency, and future-proofing of video workflows.

AV Recording with Enhanced Data

The SMP 401 produces an MP4 (M4V) container format, which is compatible with virtually any media player. It records at up to 4K/60 resolutions, supporting a variety of quality, storage, and playback requirements. Recordings can include metadata with information such as: Title, Creator, Subject, Description, Publisher, Contributor, and Date, which makes searching, indexing, and managing multiple recordings more efficient. Set chapter marks during recording sessions for highly efficient searching and scanning during file playback. JPEG thumbnail images are captured periodically and for specially marked events. Thumbnail image size is selectable to meet the needs of the recording environment.

Storage

MP4 recordings can be saved to internal solid-state storage, a USB storage device, or a defined network storage directory. USB storage devices connect easily to the SMP 401 from the front or rear panel USB ports at write speeds up to 5 Gbps. The SMP 401 internal SSD is used for internal recordings, video bit rates can be adjusted from 200 Kbps to 200 Mbps and audio bit rates from 64 Kbps to 384 Kbps. The approximate capacity in hours for a 32 GB thumb drive, the SMP 401 internal solid-state storage and a 1 TB network drive is presented in the table below. Hours of storage capacity are calculated for video bit rates from 1 Mbps to 220 Mbps plus 192 kbps for audio.

Approximate Storage Capacity in Hours Based on Video Bit Rate and Storage Device
Video Recording Bit Rate	32 GB USB Thumb Drive	SMP 401 - 512 GB SSD	1 TB Network Storage
75 Mbps	1	15	30
50 Mbps	2	20	45
25 Mbps	3	40	90
10 Mbps	7	95	220
5 Mbps	14	185	430
2.5 Mbps	27	360	825
1 Mbps	60	800	1,865
Storage capacity estimate is calculated for a single stream / recording using the video recording bit rate plus 192 kpbs for audio.

Extensive Streaming Capabilities

The SMP 401 offers extensive streaming capabilities at different bit rates and resolutions from 640x480 up to 4K/60. High resolution, high bit rates can be used to deliver superior quality, presenting video on large screens in overflow applications, while a lower bit rate and resolution can be used for streaming distribution or confidence viewing applications. Streaming bit rates can range from 200 kbps to 200 Mbps for video and 64 kbps to 384 kbps for audio. Both push and pull streaming sessions are supported, offering a range of streaming transport protocols and session management methods. This range of capabilities provides the flexibility to stream from the SMP 401 to a variety of devices in different system configurations and network conditions.

• Stream to popular third-party content delivery networks including YouTube, Facebook Live, Twitch, Wowza, etc.
• Integrate with content management systems such as Kaltura and Panopto.
• Stream into enterprise-grade virtual platforms: Zoom Events and Zoom Session webinars, and MSTeams Town hall events. The RTMP stream from the SMP 401 will be captured as a high quality source and available as a live panelist or participant for the webinar or live event.
• Stream H.264 video to Extron TLP Pro 35 Series Touchpanels to monitor live video feeds for real-time visibility of remote spaces.

Content Management and Publishing Options

 

Enhanced Kaltura Features with Free LinkLicense

The Enhanced Kaltura Features LinkLicense® is a free license that enables enhanced integration with the Kaltura hosted video platform for the SMP 401. The LinkLicense adds enhanced features to the SMP 401 enabling users to schedule recordings from Kaltura and stream live media to Kaltura using RTMP and RTMPS. Installation of the complimentary Kaltura FlexOS App is required for basic ad-hoc recording and publishing to Kaltura, as well as for automating system operation for enhanced scheduling and live streaming features.

Basic publishing of recordings to Kaltura does not require a LinkLicense.

Enhanced Panopto Features with Free LinkLicense

The Enhanced Panopto Features LinkLicense is a free license that enables enhanced integration of the SMP 401 with the Panopto enterprise video platform. This upgrade allows the SMP 401 to receive recording schedules from the Panopto video platform as well as stream live media to Panopto using RTMP and RTMPS protocols, which includes virtual inputs such as IP cameras and other encoded sources. Installation of the complimentary Panopto FlexOS App is required for basic ad-hoc recording and publishing to Panopto, as well as for automating system operation for enhanced scheduling and live streaming features.

Basic publishing of recordings to Panopto does not require a LinkLicense.

Opencast Integration

Extron SMP 401 integrates natively with Opencast Media Server as a capture agent for recording AV presentations, scheduling and publishing to Opencast. Opencast is a free, open-source platform for the management of AV media recorded in training and education environments. Installation of the complimentary Opencast FlexOS App is required for basic ad-hoc recording and publishing to Opencast, as well as for automating system operation for scheduling and live streaming features.

Highly Adaptable FlexOS Platform

FlexOS is Extron’s flexible, embedded operating system that manages and controls functional systems within the SMP 401. FlexOS makes the SMP 401 easily-adaptable to new requirements over time for a multitude of streaming, recording, processing, control, and presentation applications. A number of Extron applications are available for uploading to the SMP 401 that help automate various system operations via the control ports.

Flexible System Control Options

Many different control capabilities are available from the SMP 401.

• The front panel 2.2” LCD screen provides confidence monitoring and allows simple menu navigation for easy configuration. The user has the flexibility to disable the preview video.
• RS-232 port that interfaces with serial devices and control systems.
• Two isolated, independent LAN ports can be configured to separate streaming and content upload from control traffic.
• A front panel USB-C control port provides a direct IP connection to the embedded webpage for streamlined control and troubleshooting.
• Four digital I/O ports can automate a variety of recording and streaming scenarios.
• Up to 16 different presets can be saved for source window layouts and 32 presets can be saved for encoding configurations to simplify control and management.

Optional Remote Control - RCP 401 Series

Extron RCP 401 Series are remote control button panels that allow remote operation of the SMP 401. User-friendly record, pause, stop, and mark buttons enhance the recording experience. Manage and save files directly to thumb drives or external portable drives through a USB port that supports writing speeds up to 5 Gbps. It also features buttons for swap and layout preset recall functions, streamlining the creative workflow. Status lights and audible alerts keep users informed of SMP 401 recording status. The RCP 401 Series includes a USB-C control cable for easy, out-of-the-box connection to the SMP 401. It comes in decorator-style, MK, and EU versions. RCP 401 Series panels include black and white faceplates for a wide range of environments. MK model is available in white only.

Powerful Tools for Scheduling, Monitoring, and Management

Recording schedules can be automatically updated by configuring the SMP 401 to integrate with Microsoft Exchange or periodically upload a centrally managed iCalendar file. Simple Network Management Protocol - SNMP traps, email and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol - SMTP can be used to deliver messages to AV and IT support staff or monitoring systems when signal errors or encrypted sources are detected and when storage is near capacity, allowing proactive service to be initiated. Operational system data is logged continually, identifying recording sessions, storage directory use, file names, metadata, and storage capacity. This information provides valuable data for evaluating usage patterns and operating concerns.

Signal Processing Simplifies Source Management

Like many other Extron AV products, the SMP 401 offers comprehensive digital and analog signal processing features that make interfacing presentation sources easy. EDID Minder® automatically manages EDID communications to ensure sources power up properly and a reliable output signal is provided. Intelligent HDCP-compliant signal management passes encrypted signals to HDCP-compliant connected displays, while presenting a green or black screen with HDCP message on encoded media sent to non-compliant displays. All signal switching produces clean transitions, with no distracting visual jumps, glitches, or distortion that would distract from recordings and live streaming. Auto-Image™ automatically adjusts source sizing, centering, and filtering and Auto Input Memory saves the size, position, and picture settings of incoming signals, ensuring that sources present properly. Comprehensive picture controls and aspect ratio controls produce quality and accuracy for every application.

Applications

The SMP 401 is ideal for use in virtually any professional environment that requires the ability to capture several AV sources up to 4K/60 resolutions and the flexibility of producing multiple high-quality recordings and live streaming to popular third-party platforms. This includes lecture capture and HyFlex learning, government and healthcare training, courtrooms, and command and control centers.