Version History

Version 1.4.2 introduced the following features and enhancements for the Makito X4 Encoder and Makito X4 Rugged Encoder:

FIPS 140-2 Support – Implementation of FIPS 140-2 security improvements.

Support for 16 kHz Sampling Rate – A new sample rate of 16 kHz is now supported for Analog Audio Input. This new sample rate allows for lower bitrate encoding and better quality at low bit rates. The bitrate ranges are also extended as follows: mono, 4 to 96 kbps, and stereo, 5 to 192 kbps. 

See Configuring Audio Encoder Settings and audenc.

Configurable Minimum Password Lifetime – A new option is available to restrict the user's ability to change their password. Enforcing a minimum password lifetime helps prevent repeated password changes to defeat the password reuse or history enforcement requirement. The range is from 0 (no restriction) to 7 days. The default is 0.

See Managing Security Policies and policy.

Added Trusted Root CA Bundle – In order to properly support future interactions with Haivision Hub over HTTPS, the Makito X4 firmware now includes a list of trusted root certificate authorities (ca-certificates.crt installed under /etc/ssl/certs/). This list may be used to validate certificates returned by remote servers.

Version 1.4.1 introduced the following features and enhancements for the Makito X4 Encoder and Makito X4 Rugged Encoder:

Security Improvements – Corrective action to resolve identified security issues affecting certification. Including:

• Disabling accounts after a specified period of account inactivity
• Limiting the number of invalid sign-in attempts by a user during a specified time period
• Limiting the number of concurrent sign-in sessions per user See Managing Security Policies and policy

See Managing Security Policies and policy

Version 1.4 introduced the following features and enhancements for the Makito X4 Encoder and Makito X4 Rugged Encoder: 

SMPTE ST 2110 IP over SFP+ Input

The Makito X4 Encoder can now ingest and encode SMPTE ST 2110 compliant content containing active video, audio and ancillary metadata through its 10Gbps SFP+ port. SMPTE ST 2110 is a licensed feature, and the encoder Personality (either SDI or ST 2110) must be selected either from the Web Interface Admin>Status page or via the personality CLI command. 

See Configuring ST 2110 Inputs and personality.

Analog Audio Support on X4 Rugged Encoder

The Makito X4 Rugged Encoder now supports capture of two (2) input channels of analog audio via the encoder’s Audio/Serial connector.  

See Connect to the Network and Audio/Video Sources (Rugged Encoder Installation Guide).

Ability to Sanitize the Makito X4

The Makito X4 Encoder now provides the ability to erase all non-volatile memory components of a Makito X4 Encoder or a Makito X4 Rugged Encoder. This is required for some use cases, for example, for sensitive or classified deployments before returning to factory. After sanitization, the device will no longer be able to boot and must be returned to factory for re-staging before the device can be operated again. 

See sanitize (CLI command).

Random Access Indicators (RAI) for MPEG-TS Streams

The Makito X4 Encoder now supports insertion of Random Access Indicators (RAIs) into MPEG-TS streams. RAIs indicate where the I-frame is and may be used to start to decode the stream randomly from any point in the stream or from a recorded file.

No user interface changes.

Image Snapshot via CLI

The snapshot command may be used to take and manage snapshots from the video received on any video encoder. Snapshots can be saved in either JPEG or PNG format, with varying image quality parameters depending on the format selected.

See snapshot (CLI command).

Preset Auto-Save

A Preset auto-save setting is now available, to help users who have not saved their configurations into presets to prevent loss of configuration settings when signing out or rebooting, or the power is disconnected on their units. In this case, the encoder configuration is automatically saved every time changes are applied.

Preset auto-save is enabled by default on new units and after factory reset, but disabled when upgrading from an older version of firmware that did not support this feature in order to avoid confusing users accustomed to the old preset workflow. Preset auto-save may be configured from the Web Interface (Presets page) or via the config CLI command.

See Saving and Loading Presets or config.

rtsp CLI command

The rtsp command is used to manage rtsp settings and may be used to set the TCP port on which to listen for rtsp clients. The default is 554.

See rtsp (CLI command).

Audio Encoding Bitrate Range Extended to allow for Lower and Higher Bitrates

The audio encoding bitrate ranges have been extended to reflect the actual limits of the AAC encoder when used with a 48 KHz sampling rate:

• Mono: 12 to 288 kbps / Stereo: 14 to 576 kbps.

This allows lower audio encoding bitrates (intended for very limited bandwidth streaming situations), as well as higher quality audio encoding at higher bitrates.  

See Audio Encoder Settings or audenc (CLI command).

SRT Path Redundancy with Active-Backup

SRT Active-Backup mode can now be configured from the Web Interface (previously only via the CLI).  This update allows an SRT listener to accept one non-redundant connection on any of the paths configured, or two redundant connections. 

See Configuring Streaming Outputs or stream (CLI command).

Version 1.3 introduced the following features and enhancements for the Makito X4 Encoder and Makito X4 Rugged Encoder: 

Slice-based Encoding

The Makito X4 Encoder may now be configured to use multiple slices per frame instead of the normal 1 slice per frame encoder configuration. Encoding latency is improved since encoded slices can be transmitted on the network without having to wait for the whole frame to be encoded. Note, however, that this feature requires a compatible slice-based decoder to take full advantage of the latency savings; latency improvements are only seen on decoders that do not buffer entire video frames before decoding and can actually decode and output slices.

The Web Interface Video Encoder settings and CLI videnc command now include a "slices" parameter that can be set from 1 (default) up to 11. This parameter is not available when B-frames are enabled. Also, the encoder cannot use “Partial Image Skip” or “skipframes” when using multiple slices. Please note that slice-based encoding may not provide the same video encoding efficiency as frame-based encoding since the estimation and quantization are performed on a smaller portion of the image.

See "Slices" in Video Encoder Settings, videnc, and Video Encoder Statistics.

HDR Transfer Function

The Makito X4 Encoder now supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG). This feature supports both Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) and Perceptual Quantizer (PQ) HDR transfer functions. When licensed and configured for HDR, the encoder detects the inbound transfer function signaling and forwards that information within the encoded stream.

This allows users responsible for deploying and maintaining remote contribution infrastructure to preserve their HDR transfer function from the camera(s) back to the control room for live Production.

HDR content is based on either the HLG (BT.2100) or PQ (SMPTE ST 2084/BT.2100) transfer function, and this information is signaled by their source within the SDI signal through SMPTE ST 352. In the case of HDR cameras that do not provide such information in the SDI signal, users can manually set the transfer function at the encoder level.

These HDR capabilities work with either 4k/UHD or Full-HD 1080p resolutions to accommodate live event production. HDR is a licensed feature. If the unit is not licensed for HDR, the colorspace is always SDR/BT.709 in the output stream.

See "Dynamic Range" in Video Encoder Settings and videnc.

SMPTE 12M System "Drop-Frame" Timecode Generation

SMPTE 12M "drop-frame" has been added to the timecode generation counting type for both H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC. SMPTE 12M recommends dropping values 00 and 01 every minute, except every 10 minutes. Previously on the Makito X4 Encoder (v1.0 and v1.1.x), when Timecode Source was set to System Time and the encoded video frame rate was fractional (e.g., 29.97 or 59.94), the encoder derived the generated timecode (in HH:MM:SS:FF format) from UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). In this case, dropped timecode values occurred as needed to avoid drift and not at predetermined points in the timecode count sequence.

This addition is designed to make multi-vendor interoperability and other workflows more deterministic for broadcasters and media organizations.

See "Counting Mode" in Video Encoder Settings and "countmode" in videnc.

Support for HEVC RTP Streams via RTSP

The Makito X4 Encoder now supports H.265 streams in the RTSP server in accordance with RFC 7798. This feature also adds the ability to specify optional stream link parameters in the URL. Supported stream link parameters include tos, ttl, mtu, multicast address and multicast port.

See Configuring RTSP.

Metadata Now Considered When Comparing Output Bitrate to Total TX Bandwidth

The calculation that compares the output stream bitrate to the Total TX Bandwidth value now considers the Metadata rate (assuming a metadata rate of 150 Kbps). Stream options are available via the Web Interface and CLI to  set the value used in the calculation.

See "Metadata Bandwidth" in Output Settings and stream.

Version 1.2 introduced the following features and enhancements for the Makito X4 Encoder and Makito X4 Rugged Encoder: 

SRT Path Redundancy 

The Makito X4 Encoder now may be configured to use redundant transport paths to ensure seamless stream failover. The same content is sent over two SRT connections and network paths to allow glitch-less recovery at the decoder. If one of the transport links goes down, the stream continues without interruptions. Path redundancy takes advantage of the dual NIC support.

See Configuring SRT Path Redundancy.

SRT Access Control

In order to connect with SRT services that use the Stream ID identification mechanism (SRT 1.4 or later), users can now assign a Stream ID in the SRT stream creation workflow. The Stream ID can be used by applications to differentiate between ingest streams and apply user-password access methods, as well as to send more than one stream to a single UDP destination. 

See Configuring SRT Access Control. 

Dual Network Interface Support  

Both the Makito X4 Encoder and Rugged Encoder now support dual NICs.

• On the Makito X4 Encoder, dual NIC support requires that an SFP+ Network Interface Card (Optical or Electrical) be installed. If no NIC is installed on the SFP+ port, the current functionality of the unit is maintained. See Install the Encoder (in the Makito X4 Encoder Quick Start Guide).
• On the Makito X4 Rugged Encoder, the second 1G Ethernet NIC is now available for streaming or management purposes. IPv4 and IPv6 are supported from both NICs. See Install the Makito X4 Rugged Encoder (in the Makito X4 Rugged Encoder Installation Guide).
  
  

Application Partitioning

Dual NICs enable partitioning for either streaming or management purposes:

1. Dual Streaming (sending streams from both 1G ports)
2. Streaming and Management Partitioning (each service on different 1G port, with no crosstalk of traffic)

On the Makito X4 Encoder on which an SFP+ module has been installed, or on the Makito X4 Rugged Encoder (v1.2 forward), management Services such as HTTP, SSH and Telnet may be assigned to either eth0 or eth1, or All. See Enabling and Disabling Network Services.

Similarly, streams may be assigned to either eth0 or eth1, or Auto. (When set to "Auto", eth0 takes precedence as long as the address is resolvable; otherwise the output switches to eth1.)  See Setting Up Streaming Outputs.

EMS License Management

EMS Server operators managing Makito X4 Encoders can now apply pre-obtained licenses to a group of Makito X4 devices. The EMS maintains a copy of all the licenses installed on a unit in order to recover if necessary. The EMS is also able to push restored licenses or new licenses for features, version upgrades or time limitations. Devices selected with mismatched serial numbers will simply reject the license file and communicate transfer status to the EMS. 

There are no user interface changes on the Makito X4, only on the EMS interface.

ONVIF Protocol Support

The Makito X4 Encoder may now be managed using the ONVIF protocol and API. Users can stream RTSP-based video to a video management software such as a Milestone server, which then monitors and controls the Makito X4 using the ONVIF T Profile API. This functionality is a licensed feature and must be purchased using the SWO-MX4-ONVIF part number.    

The ONVIF Service can be enabled and disabled via the Web Interface, CLI, and SNMP. See Enabling ONVIF Support.

H.264/RTSP Streaming

Users can now stream H.264 RTSP-based video feeds from the Makito X4 Encoder to a video management software such as a Milestone server for archiving and analysis. The RTSP protocol is defined in RFC 7826 using Direct RTP (RFC 3984/6184 and RFC 3640) transport. See Configuring RTSP.

REST API

Users can now manage a Makito X4 Encoder via REST API. To access the API endpoint documentation,  see Accessing the REST API.

Makito X4 Version 1.1 introduced the following new features and enhancements to existing capabilities:

Makito X4 Rugged Appliance

The Makito X4 Rugged Appliance features four 3G-SDI input ports (three of which also support Composite video). Designed to operate in the most demanding environments, it complies with MIL-STD-810G, MIL-STD-461G, DO-160 and MIL-STD-1275E, and is an invaluable tool for ISR applications.

Scaling and Cropping

Scaling changes the resolution of encoded content to better match your workflow. (Only progressive content can be scaled at this time.) Cropping c enter-cuts an image to focus in on important content for encoding and streaming.

De-Interlacing

This feature converts interlaced content to progressive video to better match your workflow and convert sources to alternative formats.

Input Image Filtering

This feature reduces the noise in your source video and enhances the encoding efficiency.

CBR Rate Control

You can now constrain the Makito X4’s bitrate for encoded video using the Partial Image Skip tool to inter-operate on constrained bandwidth networks.

Intra-Refresh Coding

This feature reduces your bandwidth fluctuations and lowers latency on constrained bandwidth networks links.

EMS Integration

The Makito X4 Encoder can now be paired with a Haivision EMS (Element Management System) to discover, manage and monitor all of your Makitos from one place.

KLV or CoT over Serial for MX4E Rugged

ISR customers can now capture KLV  (SMPTE 336)  or CoT  metadata  from the serial port (Makito X4 Rugged only) , manipulate that metadata and transport it within a MPEG-2 TS container as per MISB Sync/Async transport formats 0604.2 and MISB 1402. 

HTTP Strict Transport Security

The  Makito X now supports HTTP Strict-Transport-Security (abbreviated as HSTS) that forces web browsers to only  contact the Web interface over  HTTPS, instead of using HTTP. 

Current Temperature of the Board Available on Web Interface and via SNMP

Remote SNMP users as well as Web interface users need to read the temperature of the board, in particular,  when the cooling has failed for the Makito.  The current board temperature is now shown in the Web interface and via SNMP in deg C. (It was already available from the CLI using the temperature command.)