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  1. Play
  2. M|Family

M|Family

Multichannel Hardware and Software Bundles

NEW bundles, now with 12G support!

  • Up to 8 HD channels or 2 UHD all-in-one box capture solution
  • Audio LTC (or reference) input
  • Up to 32 channels of audio
  • No transfer time needed (files are readily available)
  • Edit-while-ingest
  • Ideal for multicam Live productions
  • Multiple ingest and playout channels
  • Apple ProRes, Avid DNxHD, XDCAM, and other codecs
  • Multiple codecs & destinations

With the new bundles that we offer, you can enjoy all the robustness of Softron ingest and playout applications in a certified software and/or hardware bundle. We have gathered what we think are the highest quality hardware components in order to ensure the best experience possible. 

There are different models available, depending on what you want to achieve, and the computer you use. We know our customers have different kind of workflows, and we wanted to answer them all. All models can now go up to 60fps.

First the Software only bundles, the S|XX. These are ideal if you want to use our software with the hardware you choose, or already have. There are various combinations, from the S|40 with 4 licenses of MovieRecorder for 4 inputs, up to the M|80R with 8 licenses of MovieRecorder AND 8 licences of M|Replay. The best combination if you need to do both kind of workflows.

Then come the M|XXi bundles, which come of course with software licenses, but also add a 8 in or out PCIe video card that you can place into the coming up Mac Pro (or your older grey Mac Pros, or a Thunderbolt expansion chassis).

And finally the M|XXe bundles, with which you will receive the software licenses, the 8 in or out PCIe video card, and the Thunderbolt expansion chassis. These models are ideal for Thunderbolt capable Mac computers. Just connect the M|XXe to a Thunderbolt port and you'll be ready to go. 

Watch 
M|80 at 24h Le Mans
M|80 at 24h Le Mans
M|62 at 24h Le Mans
M|62 at 24h Le Mans
M|80 and Adobe Premiere demo
M|80 and Adobe Premiere demo
Main features 
The M|Family Bundles - All in!

The M|Family is a software and/or hardware bundle that includes everything you need:

  • Licences for MovieRecorder, OnTheAir Video Express or M|Replay
  • All licenses are provided on a single dongle, so it is easier to work with
  • One Thunderbolt Expansion Chassis (for the M|XXe models)
  • One or two SDI Video card in that expansion chassis  (for the M|XXe and M|XXi models)
  • One Thunderbolt cable (for the M|XXe models)
  • As many SDI adapaters as there are connectors so you don't need a specific cable, just regular SDI will work.

You will just need to connect it in Thunderbolt and the dongle to your Mac and you are good to go. The only thing you'll need to buy is a Mac, because, no the Mac is not included for the price...

System Requirements.

As usual, the system requirements will depend on the format and codec that you will be using, and we recommend that you run tests to confirm. You may want to check on the MovieRecorder and OnTheAir Video Express pages for system requirements.

Note also that you may want to check the Thunderbolt bandwidth limitation. Our thunderbolt 3 devices can transfer from the device to the computer (ingest):  

  • in 8 bit, up to 8 channels of HD (all formats up to 60 fps),
  • in 10 bit you will be able to transfer 8 channels of 1080i50, 1080p25 or all 720p formats, but only 7 channels of 1080i59.94 or 1080p29.97.
Thunderbolt 3

The M|XXe models are coming with a Thunderbolt 3 expansion chassis. And as the PCIe video card provided is a PCIe Gen3 card, you can get the most bandwidth out of it. Typically you can do up to 8 x HD60p or 2 x UHD 60p channels in 8 bit, that's what you can get through the Thunderbolt. Of course you should then check what your Mac can handle in terms of encoding performances to see how many channels you will actually be able to encode.

Choose the model that you need

The new bundles come in different flavors, depending on your need. See the table on the left to decide which one you will need.

Prices for the M|Family
Check Prices...
Available options
  • Multicam Logger - a license for Multicam Logger will be provided when ordered together with an M|Family
  • Upgrade from OnTheAir Video Express to OnTheAir Video or OnTheAir Node
  • M|Care 3-year Warranty Extension
  • Spare Deltacast or Thunderbolt expansion chassis
Accessory Products 

Multicam Logger

Multicam Logger allows a user to log all of the different angles (or inputs) used in a live multi-camera production. It records which input the director has selected on his video mixer and when. Multicam Logger thus creates a multicam clip for Final Cut Pro X, Final Cut Pro 7 and Adobe Premiere Pro using the logs and the files recorded by any type of video recorder. The purpose is to use the resulting media to edit a final version of the production which could include necessary corrections.

GPICommander

GPICommander is two things: a USB to GPI Converter and a software. You can send or receive GPI triggers using AppleScript, so it can be used with any macOS application. Since version 2.2, there is also a REST API available so you can send and receive GPI triggers very easily.

If needed, an SDK is available if you want to have direct access to it without AppleScript (it also runs on Windows then and it enables you to control the unit by writing C code.)

Upgrades from OnTheAir Video Express
Check Prices...

If you ordered a bundle with playout licenses, you can upgrade any of the OnTheAir Video Express licenses to OnTheAir Video or OnTheAir Node at the usual price.

Downloads

Download the Software you need

To be able to use your M|Family, you will need to download and install the following Softron software on your Mac:


  • MovieRecorder
    To record

  • OnTheAir Video Express
    To playout

  • M|Replay
    To playout

Then depending on your M|Family model, download the appropriate driver:


  • Deltacast Drivers

How many Licenses? How many channels ?
The M|Family bundle comes with a dongle that holds all the licenses you need. Just plug the dongle to your computer and you are good to go.

If you purchased an upgrade of one of the OnTheAir Video Express to OnTheAir Video or OnTheAir Node. In that case, you will need to download either one of them instead of OnTheAir Video Express.

 

The Softron software uses code of FFmpeg, licensed under the LGPLv2.1 and its source can be downloaded here.

Resources

Resouces

Manuals & Quickstart
Resources 
PDF icon M|80e Quick Setup Guide
PDF icon M|44e Quick Setup Guide
PDF icon M|8Re Quick Setup Guide
PDF icon M|80i (12G2C) Quick Setup Guide
PDF icon M|80i (12G40) Quick Setup Guide
hide

Product Features

Features

Main Features
Video & Audio
Playlist & Schedule
Media Management
Other Features
Codecs

Features and Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications

Features
Features 

Hardware bundles with MovieRecorder and OnTheAir Video Express

Model Max HD Inputs Max HD Outputs Max 4K* Inputs Max 4K* Outputs
M|80e / M|80i 8 0 2 0
M|62e / M|62i 6 2 2** 2**
M|44 4 4 2** 2**

* 4K signals use either 12G for single link or Quad link.

** The PCIe video card supports maximum 2 channels of 4K, so you won't be able to do 2 UHD in and 2 UHD out simultaneously. It will be either 2 in, or 2 out, or 1 in and 1 out.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information above tells you what the device can support. But you should also check the "System Requirements" page to know which computer and setup you will need to be able to encode those channels.
 

Hardware bundles with M|Replay and MovieRecorder

Model Max HD Inputs Max HD Outputs Max 4K* Inputs Max 4K* Outputs
M|80Re / M|80Ri ** 8*** 8*** 2*** 2***
M|8Re / M|8Ri 8*** 8*** 2*** 2***

* 4K signals use either 12G for single link or Quad link.

* The M|80R comes with 8 licences of MovieRecorder and 8 licences of M|Replay, but only one 8 connector card. So with that card, you won't be able to use all licences at the same time. It's really meant for users who go from a setup with MovieRecorder to a setup with M|Replay. If you purchase an additional 8 connector video card, you could be using all licenses at the same time, if your computer allows it.

*** M|Replay licenses can be used as either in or out. The card provided has 8 connectors. So you will be able to do any combinations. If you use the 8 inputs, you won't be able to playout at the same time, but if you use it to replay later on, you can then use the 8 connectors to replay all 8 channels simultaneously. Typically, M|Replay users use combinations such as 6 in/ 2 out, or 4 in / 4 out. Also, the PCIe video card supports maximum 2 channels of 4K, so you won't be able to do 2 UHD in and 2 UHD out simultaneously. It will be either 2 in, or 2 out, or 1 in and 1 out.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information above tells you what the device can support. But you should also check the "System Requirements" page to know which computer and setup you will need to be able to encode those channels.
 

Software Bundles

The software bundles (S|80, S|62, S|44, S|40, S|80R, S|8R) are software only bundles, so you will need to purchase both the video device that supports the required number of channels.

 

System Requirements
System requirements 

 

Software Requirements*

Some System requirements depend on the software that you will be using. Check the MovieRecorder, OnTheAir Video Express and M|Replay pages for system requirements.

The M|Family is provided with the latest versions of our ingest and playout applications, but previous versions can be used too.

Requirements for M|80e, M|62e, M|44e
(or the same S|.. models used in Thunderbolt expansion chassis)

Format Recommended Mac Compatible Ingest Codecs Remarks
Up to 8 x 1080p30 or 2 x UHD30p iMac Pro 10 Core In HD or UHD: ProRes codecs up to ProRes 422
In HD only: Any of the XDCAM or DNx120/145
 
Up to 8 x 1080p50 or 2 x UHD50p iMac Pro 18 Core In HD or UHD: ProRes codecs up to ProRes LT
In HD only: H.264
In YUV10 bit, the M|80e model is limited to max 7 x 1080p50 channels or 1 x UHD50p
Up to 8 x 1080p60 or 2 x UHD60p iMac Pro 18 Core In HD or UHD: ProRes codecs up to ProRes Proxy
In HD only: H.264
In YUV10 bit, the M|80e model is limited to max 6 x 1080p50 channels or 1 x UHD60p

Requirements for M|80i, M|62i, M|44i
(or the same S|.. models used in internal PCIe slots)**

Format Recommended Mac Compatible Ingest Codecs Remarks
Up to 8 x 1080p30 or 2 x UHD30p Mac Pro 12 Core In HD or UHD: ProRes codecs up to ProRes 444
In HD only: Any of the XDCAM or DNx
The 8 core Mac Pro could probably work, but hasn't been tested yet
Up to 8 x 1080p50 or 2 x UHD50p Mac Pro 28 Core (the 24 core could probably work, but hasn't been tested yet) In HD or UHD: ProRes codecs up to ProRes HQ
In HD only: DNx120/145
 
Up to 8 x 1080p60 or 2 x UHD60p Mac Pro 28 Core ProRes codecs up to ProRes HQ The 24 core Mac Pro could probably work, but hasn't been tested yet

Requirements for M|80Re***, M|8Re
(or the same S|.. models used in Thunderbolt expansion chassis)

Format Recommended Mac Compatible Ingest Codecs Remarks
Up to 8 x 1080p30 or 2 x UHD30p iMac Pro 18 Core ProRes codecs up to ProRes 422  
Up to 8 x 1080p60 or 2 x UHD60p iMac Pro 18 Core N/A N/A

Requirements for M|80Ri***, M|8Ri
(or the same S|.. models used in internal PCIe slots)**

Format Recommended Mac Compatible Ingest Codecs Remarks
Up to 8 x 1080p30 or 2 x UHD30p Mac Pro 28 Core ProRes codecs up to ProRes 4444 The 8 core Mac Pro could probably work, but hasn't been tested yet
Up to 8 x 1080p50 or 2 x UHD50p Mac Pro 28 Core, with the Afterburner card ProRes codecs up to ProRes LT  
Up to 8 x 1080p60 or 2 x UHD60p Mac Pro 28 Core, with the Afterburner card ProRes codecs up to ProRes LT The 24 core Mac Pro could probably work, but hasn't been tested yet

* Softron does not guarantee that these recommended configurations will always meet specific user requirements. They are intended as guidelines and are based on extensive testing that Softron has done, they can be changed without notice.

Some requirements may change depending on the the type of signal getting in. We try to be as conservative as we can, and test the worse case scenario, so maybe you could do even more channels than what we say. Hardware, drivers, software and operating systems change regularly and we advise users and prospective users to evaluate their requirements in their specific environment/workflow using Softron demo licenses that are available for downloading from Softron's web site.

Do not hesitate to contact us before purchasing to enquire about the requirements for your specific needs.

** The "i" models system requirements are valid only if place in an internal PCIe slot in the 2019 Mac Pro or later. Additional limitation (similar to the "e" models) may apply if the card is placed in a Thunderbolt expansion chassis.

*** The requirements below are when the device is used with 8 channels of M|Replay. See above limitations when used with 8 channels of MovieRecorder

 HEADQUARTERS
Softron Media Services, a division of
Softron Microcomputing S.A./N.V.
Avenue Molière, 470
1050 Brussels
Belgium

IBS (US Subsidiary)
2151 Village Walk Drive #4304
NV 89012
USA

  At GMT-8
USA - Nevada

Sales and Pre-Sales:
Phone: +1 (702) 330-3023

Technical Support:
Phone: +1 (702) 330-3232
 

 

  At GMT+1
Europe - Belgium

Phone: +32 2 588 1394

 

 

Softron has team members in all time zones of the world. They can answer your questions in English, French, Spanish and Dutch.

Most questions however are answered already in our knowledge base. Don't forget to consult it first. It might be a huge time saver.