Blackmagic Design Streaming Encoder 4K – Hardware Streaming Encoder

Product Overview

The Blackmagic Design Streaming Encoder 4K is a standalone hardware streaming encoder that takes SDI or HDMI video and streams it live in resolutions up to DCI 4K / Ultra HD 2160p60. Built for broadcast, live events, corporate, and education, it encodes in H.264 and H.265 and publishes to common platforms or custom destinations over Ethernet or USB-C. As a 12G-SDI streaming encoder with low latency, it drops into existing AV and broadcast chains without a dedicated streaming computer.

Product Description

The Streaming Encoder 4K is a real-time H.265 live streaming encoder for productions that need high image quality with low latency. A 12G-SDI input with loop output integrates it directly with Blackmagic cameras, switchers, and routers, and SDI plus HDMI monitor outputs support confidence monitoring. It supports common streaming protocols including RTMP, RTSP, and HLS for both public broadcasts and private/custom destinations, encoding in H.264 or HEVC (H.265). For connectivity, it streams over Gigabit Ethernet or USB-C, and can tether to a 4G/5G phone for streaming where wired networks are unavailable; USB-C also provides a webcam output. An integrated 2.2-inch LCD with front-panel buttons and a spin knob allows local setup, with web-based configuration for detailed control. Compared with the HD-class Streaming Bridge, this encoder reaches Ultra HD rather than 1080p, uses standard RTMP/RTSP/HLS protocols instead of a proprietary stream, and adds H.265 alongside H.264 — making it the more flexible 4K SDI to RTMP encoder for mixed-platform delivery. Dual 100–240 VAC and 12 VDC power inputs support rack and mobile use.

Key Features

• Up to DCI 4K / 2160p60 — Encodes Ultra HD video at up to 60 fps for high-quality streams.
• H.264 and H.265 encoding — HEVC support delivers efficient bitrates alongside standard H.264.
• 12G-SDI input and loop output — Integrates with SDI cameras, switchers, and routers, with SDI and HDMI monitor outputs.
• Standard streaming protocols — Publishes via RTMP, RTSP, and HLS to public platforms or custom destinations.
• Ethernet and USB-C connectivity — Streams over Gigabit Ethernet or USB-C, with a USB-C webcam output.
• Cellular tethering — Tethers to 4G LTE / 5G phones to stream without a wired network.
• Integrated 2.2" LCD and controls — Front-panel buttons and spin knob for local operation; web-based configuration.
• Dual power inputs — 100–240 VAC and 12 VDC for rack and mobile deployments.

Typical Applications

• Broadcast studio — Encodes SDI program feeds to RTMP/RTSP/HLS for live delivery.
• Auditorium — Streams live events in up to 4K from an SDI or HDMI source.
• All-hands room — Corporate streaming with a USB-C webcam output for conferencing platforms.
• House of worship — Reliable encoded streaming of services over Ethernet or cellular.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What input does it take?
A multi-rate 12G-SDI input (also 6G/3G/HD-SDI) with a loop output, plus SDI and HDMI monitor outputs for confidence monitoring.

Which streaming platforms can it reach?
Any service or destination supporting RTMP, RTSP, or HLS — both public platforms and private/custom endpoints.

Can it stream without a wired network?
Yes. It can tether to a 4G LTE or 5G phone over USB-C in addition to streaming over Gigabit Ethernet.

How is it configured?
Locally via the 2.2-inch LCD with front-panel buttons and spin knob, or through web-based configuration for detailed setup.