Encoder (NVM-302E)

The NVM-302E Encoder and NVM-302D Decoder are complementary components. The Encoder accepts HDMI sources and encodes them into Mediacast streams; the Decoder receives Mediacast streams and outputs them to HDMI displays. Key differences:

	Encoder (NVM-302E)	Decoder (NVM-302D)
Role	Encodes HDMI input into Mediacast IP streams.	Decodes Mediacast IP streams to HDMI output.
Subcomponents	HDMI AV Source 1 (and optionally Source 2), Encoder, Status, Serial Ports, USB HID.	HDMI AV Display, Decoder, Status, Serial Port, USB HID.
Mediacast I/O	Mediacast Output pins (1 or 2).	Mediacast Input pins (set via Decoder properties).
Application Modes	NVM-E1 (1 output, up to 4K60) or NVM-E2 (2 outputs, up to 4K30 each).	NVM-D1 (1 input).
HDMI Input Config	1×1 4K60 or 2×1 4K30 (NVM-E1 only).	N/A.
Source Selection	Internal input selector (2×1 mode).	Source Selection List (from Routing Group or wired sources).

The NVM-302E supports two application modes:

• NVM-E1 (default, no license required) — Single Mediacast output. Supports two HDMI input at up to 4K60, or two HDMI inputs pre-switched to a single Mediacast output stream at up to 4K60 (determined by the HDMI Input Config property). When two inputs are configured, the Encoder's control panel includes Input Select buttons to switch between them.

• NVM-E2 (license required) — Two independent Mediacast output streams, each at up to 4K30. HDMI AV Source 1 always feeds Mediacast Output 1; HDMI AV Source 2 always feeds Mediacast Output 2. No internal input selector is needed.

Note: You can order the NVM-E2 as a bundle (NVM-302E + SLNVM-E2) or simply order the NVM-302E (NVM-E1) and upgrade it to an NVM-E2 later in the field via the SLNVM-E2.

Note: Each Mediacast output uses two multicast addresses — one for the main stream and one for the preview stream. In NVM-E1 mode, each encoder uses two multicast addresses. In NVM-E2 mode, each encoder uses four. These addresses are drawn from the Video Endpoints multicast address range configured in Core Manager > Network > Multicast. The default range supports up to 256 multicast streams per Core. If your design approaches this limit, use Manual mode in Core Manager to specify a wider range. For more information, see Network > Multicast.

Each Mediacast output includes a Preview stream — a lower-resolution (up to 360p30) encoded stream plus a 1fps JPEG thumbnail. Preview streams are used for:

• Live video preview thumbnails on source selector buttons (in AV Displays, Routing Groups, NVM Proxy, and Mediacast Routers).

• Media Display components dragged into UCIs for live monitoring.

The Preview stream is independent of the main stream and can be enabled or disabled separately. When disabled, UCIs fall back to the 1fps JPEG thumbnail.

Input Pins

The Encoder component has no input pins. HDMI sources connect to the NVM-302E's HDMI AV Source subcomponents, which feed the Encoder internally.

Output Pins

Pin	Description
IP Stream 1	Mediacast output for the first encoded stream. Always present. Connect to a Routing Group Mediacast input, Mediacast Router input, or any compatible Mediacast input pins.
IP Stream 2	Mediacast output for the second encoded stream. Only present when the Application property is set to NVM-E2.

NVM-302E Properties

Properties are displayed in the right-side pane of Q-SYS Designer when the Encoder component is selected. The Properties pane shows both the parent NVM-302E properties and the HDMI AV Source properties.

Name

The Name may contain ASCII letters 'a' through 'z' (case-insensitive), the digits '0' through '9', and the hyphen. Names cannot begin or end with a hyphen. No other symbols, punctuation characters, or blank spaces are permitted. Options: Text. Default: auto-assigned.

Location

User-defined name that groups the component with other components in the same physical location, for example, "Casino West". Options: Text. Default: blank.

Is Required

Sets whether the NVM-302E is required for the design to report OK status. When enabled, and the device is not found on the network, the device is reported as 'Missing', which is an error condition. This is the default behavior. When disabled, and the device is not found on the network, the device is reported as 'Not Present', which is not an error condition. Options: Yes. No. Default: Yes.

Dynamically Paired

Indicates that this virtual component can be paired with the same type of hardware without changing the network ID of the hardware or the name of this component. Refer to the Q-SYS Core Manager Dynamic Pairing topic for more information. The default is 'No'.

External USB Audio

When enabled, you can connect an external audio device to the USB input and route audio to and from that device. See External USB Audio Device In and External USB Audio Device Out.

Routing Groups

Routing Groups are named video zones that link NVM Encoders and Decoders so they can route sources to displays without manual Mediacast wiring. Assigning an encoder to a Routing Group makes its HDMI input(s) available as sources in that group, and assigning a decoder to the same group lets its displays see and select those sources by name.

Application

Sets the application mode for the NVM-302E. NVM-E1 provides a single Mediacast output at up to 4K60 (no license required). NVM-E2 provides two independent Mediacast outputs at up to 4K30 each (license required). Changing this property changes the number of HDMI AV Source subcomponents and Mediacast Output pins. Options: NVM-E1, NVM-E2. Default: NVM-E1.

HDMI Input Config

Sets the HDMI input configuration when Application is NVM-E1. 1×1 4K60 uses a single HDMI input at up to 4K60. 2×1 4K30 uses two HDMI inputs pre-switched to a single Mediacast output at up to 4K30; the Encoder's control panel includes Input Select buttons to switch between them. This property is not available when Application is NVM-E2. Options: 1×1 4K60, 2×1 4K30. Default: 1×1 4K60.

HDMI AV Source Properties

Note: The following properties belong to the HDMI AV Source subcomponent. For full HDMI AV control and control pin documentation, see HDMI AV Source (NVM-302E).

Is Required

Sets whether this AV Source subcomponent is required for the design to report OK status. Options: Yes, No. Default: No.

Audio Channels

Sets the number of audio channels for HDMI embedded audio. This determines how much embedded audio travels with the video in the Mediacast output stream to NVM‑302D decoders and other Mediacast receivers. Setting the value to 0 produces a video‑only stream and disables Breakaway Audio. LPCM only (32 kHz–48 kHz). One audio channel is not a valid setting. Options: 0, 2–8. Default: 2.

Breakaway Audio

When enabled, the HDMI embedded audio is separated from the video stream and routed to dedicated Breakaway Audio output pins for independent processing. The video continues on its normal path. The number of audio pins is determined by the Audio Channels property. Disabled (grayed out) when Audio Channels is set to 0. USB‑C AV connections do not support Breakaway Audio. Options: Disabled, Enabled. Default: Disabled.

Video Format Error

Controls how the component reports fault status when the connected HDMI source is sending a video format that cannot be processed, such as an incompatible resolution, frame rate, or interlaced signal. Options: Fault – Unsupported, Fault – Unsupported / No Format, Ignore. Default: Fault – Unsupported.

• Fault – Unsupported (default) — Reports a Fault for unsupported or interlaced video formats. Ignores no-signal conditions (no fault when nothing is connected).

• Fault – Unsupported / No Format — Reports a Fault for unsupported formats, interlaced formats, and when no video format is detected (no signal).

• Ignore — Ignores all HDMI source faults. Component status shows OK regardless of video format.

Audio Source

Selects where the AV output obtains its audio. Source uses the embedded HDMI audio from the connected device. Audio Breakin Pins replaces the HDMI audio with external audio routed through the component's Breakin pins, which become visible when this option is selected. Each HDMI AV Source can choose its audio source independently. Hidden or disabled when Audio Channels is set to 0. Options: Source, Audio Breakin Pins. Default: Source.

Source Control Count

Sets the number of source control command rows on the Control tab. Each row provides a command button that sends high-level commands — such as channel changes, navigation inputs, or power toggles — to the connected source device through the assigned device driver. Increasing the count exposes more commands; decreasing it hides them. Options: Integer, 0–64.

Graphic Properties

Label

User-defined text that appears next to the component on the Schematic. Changing the label does not affect the component name or system behavior.

Position

Specifies the X and Y coordinates of the component on the Schematic. The values update automatically when you move the component, and can be edited to place the component at an exact location.

Fill

Sets the background color of the component block on the Schematic. This is for visual organization only and does not affect system operation.

Script Access Properties

Code Name

Displays the currently assigned name for control access. You can use the auto-assigned name or customize it. Q-SYS will automatically check all Code Names in the design to ensure name is unique.

Script Access

Defines whether the component will be accessible by script and/or externally, or not at all. Choices include All, External, None (default), and Script.

• None (default) - Not accessible by any script, plugin, or by Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC).
• Script - Can be accessed by scripts, such as Text Controller, Block Controllers, and plugins only.
• External - Can only be accessed by 3rd party controls systems using component commands from the Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC).
• All - No restrictions, can be accessed by 3rd party control systems via Q-SYS Remote Control Protocol (QRC), or script objects or plugin objects.

Tip: Use Script Programmer Mode to quickly view the Script Access setting directly on the component in the design schematic without the need to disconnect from the Q-SYS Core processor.

The Encoder control panel shows the IP Stream controls for each Mediacast output. When the Application is NVM-E2 or HDMI Input Config is 2×1 4K30, the control panel expands to show controls for each input / output.

Input n (per Mediacast Output)

Preview Stream

Control	Type	Description
Preview Stream LED	LED	Device status indicator. Shows OK, Compromised, Fault, Not Present, Missing, or Initializing.
Status	Text	Displays the current status: OK, Initializing, Compromised, Missing, Fault, Unknown, or Not Present.
RTSP URL	Text (read-only)	Displays the RTSP URL for the Preview stream when enabled.
RTP Address	Text (read-only)	Displays the multicast RTP address assigned to the Preview stream when enabled. This address comes from Core Manager's Multicast Address range for Cameras. Note: This address is assigned from the multicast range configured in Core Manager. If you change multicast address ranges, you must restart your design.
Streaming Mode	Drop-down + fps	When set to Auto, the resolution and frame rate are automatically adjusted. When a manual resolution is selected (e.g., h.264 640H), you can choose an fps value from 1 to 30.
Max Format	Text (read-only)	Displays the maximum video format for the Preview stream.
Video Format	Text (read-only)	Displays the current, actively streaming format of the Preview stream.
Max Bitrate (Mbps)	Fader	Sets the maximum average bitrate for the Preview stream, from 0.5 to 2.0 Mbps. Instantaneous bitrate can exceed this value up to network limitations.
HDMI Input Preview	Preview Window	Displays a live video preview of the HDMI input. Can be dragged into a UCI to create a Media Display.

Mediacast Stream

Control	Type	Description
Mediacast Stream LED	LED (green)	Glows green when the Mediacast main stream is actively streaming on the network.
Streaming	LED	Indicates that the main Mediacast stream is actively being transmitted.

Input Select (NVM-E1 with 2×1 4K30 only)

These controls only appear when Application is NVM-E1 and HDMI Input Config is 2×1 4K30.

Control	Type	Description
Input Select 1	Toggle	When on, HDMI AV Source 1 is selected as the source for Mediacast Output 1. Pressing this button turns off Input Select 2.
Input Select 2	Toggle	When on, HDMI AV Source 2 is selected as the source for Mediacast Output 1. Pressing this button turns off Input Select 1.

The control pin tree is organized under IP Stream 1 (and IP Stream 2 when Application is NVM-E2).

IP Stream n — Mediacast Stream

Pin Name	Control Type	Value	String	Position	Direction	Description
Streaming	LED	0 1	false true	0 1	Output	Mediacast main stream is actively streaming.

P Stream n — Preview Stream

Pin Name	Control Type	Value	String	Position	Direction	Description
Enable	Button	0 1	false true	0 1	Input / Output	Enable or disable the Preview stream.
Max Bitrate	Fader	0.5–2.0	0.5Mbps to 2.0Mbps	0.000 to 1.00	Input / Output	Maximum average bitrate for the Preview stream.
Max Format	Text	—	text	—	Output	Maximum video format for the Preview stream.
RTP Address	Text	—	text	—	Output	Multicast RTP address for the Preview stream.
RTSP URL	Text	—	text	—	Output	Preview stream is actively streaming.
Streaming Mode Format	Selector	—	Auto, h.264 640H, h.264 320H	—	Input / Output	Preview stream resolution mode.
Streaming Mode Frame Rate	Integer	1–30	—	—	Input / Output	Preview stream frame rate (fps). Disabled when Streaming Mode is Auto.
Video Format	Text	—	text	—	Output	Current Preview stream format.