Extron Unveils New Lecture Capture Processor

Extron Electronics has released the SMP 351, an H.264 streaming media processor for lecture capture and distribution.

The SMP 351 is designed for recording and delivering presentations to a larger audience. It can record and stream simultaneously, and it "can stream concurrently at two different resolutions and bit rates using a range of transport protocols and session management options," according to the company. The system supports up to five inputs, and users can enhance recorded lectures by combining two high resolution signals, a background image and metadata into dynamic layouts. Files are saved in MP4 format, so they are compatible with virtually any media player or content management system, and the files can be stored on the internal solid state drive, a USB thumb drive or a network storage directory.

Administrators can use Extron Streaming Content Manager (SCM) to manage users, groups and recordings, and to process recorded media into data-rich playback packages compatible with the Extron Media Player (EMP), the company's browser-based media player.

Key features of the SMP 351 include:

  • FlexOS embedded operating system;
  • Ability to record up to two high resolution audio-visual signals with metadata and a background image in blended source layouts;
  • Simultaneous recording and streaming;
  • MP4 file output;
  • Support for internal storage, USB storage and network storage directories;
  • Concurrent streaming at two resolutions and bit rates;
  • License-free operation;
  • Configuration and operation from front panel or external control system;
  • Compatibility with common AV signal types, including HDMI, component HD, composite and optional 3G-SDI;
  • Serial RS-232, Ethernet and four digital input/output ports;
  • Extron Streaming Content Manager;
  • Integration with Opencast Matterhorn AV content management system;
  • Compatibility with third-party content management systems including Kaltura, iTunes-U, Blackboard LMS, SharePoint, CaptionSync, YouTube, Moodle and RSS feeds; and
  • iCalendar support for scheduling streaming and recording.

Further information about the SMP 351 streaming media processor can be found on Extron's site.

About the Author

Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].

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