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Livestream Studio HD51 Live Production Switcher

BH #LIHD51 • MFR #LS-HD51
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Livestream Studio HD51 Live Production Switcher
Key Features
  • 5-Input Live Production Switcher
  • 5 x HDMI & SDI Inputs
  • HDMI & SDI Output
  • Live Streaming Multi-Bitrate Encoder
Livestream's Studio HD51 Live Production Switcher is an all-in-one, broadcast-quality, 5-input switcher with pre-installed Livestream Studio production software. Connect up to five HDMI or professional SDI sources and stream to in-venue screens or to the web using the built-in HD multi-bitrate encoder. The HD51 is built to perform with a 3.2 GHz six-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB 7200rpm hard drive capable of recording four simultaneous isolated (ISO) recordings or 20 hours of broadcast-quality HD video. Using the included rack ears, the HD51 can be rack-mounted in 2U of rack space, making it suitable for studios, production facilities, live venues, and production trucks. Also included is a twelve-month telephone support plan, a configurable, color-coded Livestream production keyboard, a mouse with mousepad, and power cord.
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Livestream HD51 Overview

Livestream's Studio HD51 Live Production Switcher is an all-in-one, broadcast-quality, 5-input switcher with pre-installed Livestream Studio production software. Connect up to five HDMI or professional SDI sources and stream to in-venue screens or to the web using the built-in HD multi-bitrate encoder. The HD51 is built to perform with a 3.2 GHz six-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB 7200rpm hard drive capable of recording four simultaneous isolated (ISO) recordings or 20 hours of broadcast-quality HD video. Using the included rack ears, the HD51 can be rack-mounted in 2U of rack space, making it suitable for studios, production facilities, live venues, and production trucks. Also included is a twelve-month telephone support plan, a configurable, color-coded Livestream production keyboard, a mouse with mousepad, and power cord.

The HD51 is designed to broadcast television SMPTE and color sampling standards, supporting formats up to 1080p30/25 and 1080i60/50 and featuring 10-bit 4:2:2 video and 24-bit 48 kHz audio processing. Five Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder cards provide support for five inputs sources, with each input available as HDMI or SDI. A Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Monitor provides an HDMI and SDI output. Two remote camera sources, such as a live feed from your Livestream account and a remote computer desktop, as also supported, providing a total of seven live inputs. The HD51 supports embedded audio from SDI and HDMI input sources, as well as analog audio via a 1/8" input. Audio monitoring is available via a 1/8" output.

The pre-installed Livestream Studio live production software provides a full field rate multiview that displays all live inputs, graphics, and media players in real-time. The multiview features audio monitoring for each input and audio PPM overlay with peak hold on all inputs and outputs. The integrated NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 graphics card lets you extend your display to two additional monitors via HDMI and DVI connectors. In terms of graphics, two layers can be overlayed and mixed with transparency. Add text, images, live picture-in-picture, countdown graphics, and more.

Facebook Live Compatibility
Previously open only to mobile devices, Livestream's HD51 can broadcast professional productions straight to Facebook. Log-in and go live.
Chrome Browser-Based Control
Open up Google's Chrome browser (available free for Windows, OSX, Chromebook, and Android devices) to control Livestream's studio software remotely.
Bonded Streaming
By leveraging multiple connections, including Ethernet, WiFi, and 3G/4G LTE, you can spread your stream bandwidth for a more reliable connection. You can also set up alternate backup connections in case your primary connection fails or becomes too slow.
Built-In Multiview
Monitor all your cameras in real-time thanks to the built-in multiviewer. The multiviewer features on-screen full field rate multiview of all live inputs, Preview, Program Out, two GFX and two DDR, and Audio PPM overlay with peak hold feature on all inputs and outputs. The layout is resizeable to allow for hiding of all controls to maximize multiview screens.
Monitor on External Screens
The built-in NVIDIA GeForce GT 520 Commercial Series graphics card lets you extend the multiview to two additional screens via DVI and HDMI connectors.
Live Transitions
Cut, dissolve, or select from a collection of SMPTE wipes, with feathering and positioning control. Fade time durations can be manually adjusted in frames via the on-screen T-BAR or keyboard shortcuts.
Built-In Audio Mixer
The integrated multi-channel audio mixer features mix automation, SDI and HDMI embedded audio, level monitoring, peak warnings, as well as channel grouping. The incorporated video switcher follow feature supports audio crossfade when fading between two video sources. The HD51 also supports the use of external audio mixers.
Audio Input Options
The HD51 supports embedded audio via SDI or HDMI inputs. You can also bring in separate analog audio using the 1/8" input, or from any USB audio device.
Built-In Graphics Editor
The 2-channel graphics generator is built-in the GUI and allows you add text, transparent images, live picture-in-picture video, countdowns, and a range of graphic effects including drop shadows, borders, crops, and more. Create templates to quickly change sport scores, lower third text, or other graphic elements on-the-fly.
Downstream Key Overlays
Overlays graphics as layers on top of your program mix with transparency. This is ideal for adding corner bugs, sport cording, lower thirds, picture-in-picture, and other broadcast graphics.
Picture-In-Picture
Composite up to five live audio/video sources together within the graphics editor. Add a simple second camera angle, a scoreboard cam, or even a broadcast network 4-person live chat over an animated background video.
Media Recording (With ISO Recording)
Record your program output in broadcast quality MJPEG to an AVI file for archive and editing later in your NLE software, or for playback directly within one of the Livestream Studio media players. The HD51 supports up to four simultaneous isolated recordings (ISO). Choose from clean graphics-free video, video with graphics, as well as any live camera input. You can also open the files being recorded in the media players to trim and replay segments from your live show without stopping the recording.
Livestream Studio Media Player
Add recorded material to your program quickly and easily with the two media players built-in to Livestream Studio. You can import popular media formats such as H.264 video, MP3 and WAV audio), build playlists, loop clips, and auto-play on transition. You can also scrub through footage and trim clips down for broadcast. When working with clips that do not match your project settings, the built-in transcoder is available for file conversion. You can even get basic instant-replay functionality by loading an ISO recording into the media player.
Recording
The HD51 supports four simultaneous recordings. Record up to 20 hours of 1080i video at 100 Mbps in AVI MJPEG with uncompressed audio to the internal 1TB hard drive. Interlacing and "Time of Day" timecode are supported. Recording is fully compatible with Blackmagic Design Media Express and Adobe Premiere.
Remote Camera
Desktop: Broadcast a remote computer desktop video and audio as a Livestream Studio input via your local Wi-Fi or Ethernet network. Full motion and audio are supported.

Cloud: Downlink live feeds from your Livestream accounts and use it as a remote live source in your program mix.
Integrated Live Streaming Encoder
Livestream Studio comes with a built-in H.264/AAC multi-bitrate live streaming encoder. You can stream HD video directly to Livestream, UStream, YouTube Live, or any RTMP-compatible server or CDN (Wowza Media Server, Akami, Flash Media Server). Also supported is the ZiXi streaming protocol and 1080p streaming when using custom quality settings.
Stream to Any Device
Livestream supports simultaneous output to desktop browsers, Roku connected TVs, and iOS/Android devices through a combination of Flash, adaptive bitrate HLS, and RTSP streaming protocols.
Live Video Output
Output your live program via SDI or HDMI to large format in-venue screens, broadcast networks, or complement your workflow using external video hardware such as graphics generators, encoders, and recorders.
Tally Light
Use the tally light integration to let your talent and camera operators know which source is live and which source is coming next. The HD51 supports tally devices from MetaSETZ.
Mid-Roll Ad Insertion
With an optional Livestream Platform Enterprise account, you can add your Google DFP ID to add mid-roll advertising to your live streams. Simply press the "Insert Advertisement" button.
Livestream Keyboard and Mouse Included
Use the included Livestream keyboard to quickly access essential functions and features. The keyboard works with all Livestream Studio products. A Livestream mouse and mousepad are also included.
Phone Support
Twelve months of free telephone support is included. Phone support is available seven days a week.
UPC: 853359004072

Livestream HD51 Specs

Built-In Video Input/Output Cards
4 x Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Recorder
1 x Blackmagic Design DeckLink Mini Monitor
Input
5 x HDMI
5 x SDI
2 x Remote cameras (desktop capture or live feeds)
1 x 1/8" analog audio
Output
1 x SDI
1 x HDMI
1 x 1/8" analog audio

Graphics card:
1 x DVI
1 x HDMI
Embedded Audio Input
6 stereo or 48 mono inputs
Media Sources
2 x DDRs (video clip playback with built-in transcoder)
3 x GFX (graphics)
2 x Color bars / background color
Video Switcher/Mixer
1 x M/E with no upstream keyer
Resolution Support
HD: 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080PsF23.98, 1080p23.98, 1080PsF24, 1080p24, 1080PsF25, 1080p25, 1080PsF29.97, 1080p29.97, 1080PsF30, 1080p30, 1080i50, 1080i59.94, and 1080i60

SD: 625/25 PAL, 525/29.97 NTSC, 525/23.98 NTSC
Recording Format
AVI MJPEG with uncompressed audio
Recording Capacity
Approx. 20 hours at 1080i with recorder set at 100 Mbps MJPEG AVI (using 1TB built-in HDD)
Playback Media Formats
GFX: JPEG or PNG image files (PNG images fully adjustable in transparency)

DDR: AVI MJPEG with uncompressed audio, DV video, WMV (7/8/9), H.264 (.mov and .avi), MPEG4 Part 2 (.mov and .avi), MPEG4 V1/V2 (.mov and .avi), AAC, MP3
Live Streaming
Live HD streaming via Gigabit/100/10 built-in Ethernet
Presets in up to HD 720p
Multiple simultaneous bitrates
Mobile quality for playback over 3G on mobile devices (iPhone / Android)
Integrated live streaming to RTMP compatible servers/services
Operating System
Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
CPU
Intel Sandy Bridge-E Core i7 3930K 3.2 GHz 6-Core processor
12 MB L3 cache, 130 W, Socket LGA 2011
Graphics Card
NVIDIA GeForce GT 520
Storage
1 TB Western Digital Red SATA 2.5" internal hard drive, 7200 rpm
RAM
8 GB DDR3 1333 MHz RAM
Processing
Video: 4:2:2, 10-bit color (REC 601, REC 709)
Audio: 48 kHz, 24-bit REF IN/Genlock (Requires genlocking the two Blackmagic Design cards via two separate connectors)
Rack Height
2 RU
Dimensions
14.0 x 17.0 x 3.5" / 35.6 x 43.2 x 8.9 cm
Weight
13.2 lb / 6 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
22.6 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
21.5 x 17.8 x 11.6"

Livestream HD51 Reviews

Highly Recommended

By Jace N.
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2016-11-11

We purchased the HD51 to do live webcasts of real estate seminars and I can say it has definitely surpassed my expectations. If you're familiar with the tri-cast system this should feel reasonably familiar. Like NLEs, how much different can they REALLY be from each other? One of my favorite features is the plug-in Livestream has as a companion to the Studio software to bring in remote cameras. If you're on the same network, you can stream those feeds wirelessly into the Studio software. For the software demos this is fantastic. I even used the system to monitor a teleprompter running from a Surface. If you're looking for a turn-key system, this is it. Getting a livestream going is easy, plugging in feeds is easy, importing graphics is easy, it's just easy. At least for those who have done it before. There are only a thing or two I can say that are negative. 1. It's running on Windows 8.1. I don't have a problem with 8.1, I'm a Windows guy through and through. This is a guy with a Windows Mobile phone, Microsoft band, Surface and edits on a PC, But why 8.1? Why not 10? 2. The support manual for the device is rather lacking. This is really a turn-key system, but if you're jumping into this without any past experience, fresh into video, you'll have to dig pretty deep and get outside of Livestream's available resources to learn how to use some of the functionality of the software and it's nuances. 3. Finally, the on-board recording options are limited. Only very large AVI files and an h.264 option are available. AVIs are huge and if you're planning on long recording sessions like we are, it's just really not an option. The files are unnecessarily large. H.264 if great, especially when you're not concerned with color grading and such, but options for recording an h.264 file are limited. I highly recommend this system. It's really easy to use, has plenty of inputs and for a one-man band type guy like me, it's definitely a robust system.

See any errors on this page?

question

Will I be able to stream using Wi-Fi connections? The overview mentions bonded streaming, but the specs only mention the wired Ethernet port option.
Asked by: Chad
To stream, you can use a variety of connections including Ethernet, WiFi, and 3G/4G LTE. An advantage of this is you can spread your stream bandwidth to insure a more reliable connection.
Answered by: Dennis A L.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

Can you add more inputs by connecting an external capture card via USB?
Asked by: Shahed E.
USB is not able to handle multiple high quality camera feeds; it cannot handle the bandwidth. With the Livestream Studio HD51 Live Production Switcher, it is able to handle multiple Livestream Broadcaster Pros. B&H # LIBRPRO.
Answered by: Dennis A L.
Date published: 2018-08-25

question

is this really worth the price i don't see how the hardware in this justifies the 7k price tag as i can build a copycat rig for under 2.5k?
Asked by: Anonymous
The price differential between consumer and professional products that are seemingly the same is based on the features and robustness of the components available in the higher priced unit. In professional situations these considerations are more important than cost. If a consumer unit is procured and fails during a live broadcast, any monetary savings instantly becomes irrelevant against the loss of the production and revenue.
Answered by: Dennis A L.
Date published: 2024-03-28

What OS does this ship with now? it states that ...

What OS does this ship with now? it states that it shipped with Windows 7. Is this still the case?
Asked by: Bill
Yes, the Livestream Studio HD51 Live Production Switcher runs on Windows 7 Professional.
Answered by: Paige K
Date published: 2024-05-01

question

Can we connect 2 remote iOS devices or 10? Some pages say 10 and some say 2? Which is which?
Asked by: Jithendran S.
According to Livestream, you can connect up to 10 remote, wireless cameras from a variety of types including Mac iOS.
Answered by: Dennis A L.
Date published: 2018-08-25

Is this now shipping with Windows 11 or still ...

Is this now shipping with Windows 11 or still Windows 7?
Asked by: Bill
The Livestream Studio HD51 Live Production Switcher is now shipping with Microsoft Windows 11 installed.
Answered by: Chris H
Date published: 2024-05-03

question

can you change the pre installed capture cards, so they can capture 4k for example?
Asked by: Shahed E.
Yes - just install the necessary drivers/software for the card!!
Answered by: Gino C.
Date published: 2018-08-25
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