Pearl Mini User Guide
Configure video encoding
By default, Pearl Mini automatically uses the incoming video source frame size as the frame
size for streaming and recording when the channel has only one layout with a single video
source. If you're channel has multiple video sources or layouts, you must manually set a frame
size for the channel. If you plan to switch layouts during a live stream, a fixed frame rate is
recommended. This avoids the stream from stopping and restarting due to frame size
changes when switching between single-source layouts that use different frame sizes.
Important considerations
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For optimum system performance, the frame size of the channel should be set to match the frame
size of your video input source to avoid scaling, see
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If your channel has a custom layout with only one source and your source and stream aspect ratios
differ, then your source appears centered in the frame and matte bars are added automatically to
the top and bottom (or left and right sides) of the frame to make up the difference. See
black bars (matte) from the video
.
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If an SDI or HDMI video input source that is selected to display at the HDMI output port also
appears in a custom layout for a channel, then the channel's encoding settings are used at the
HDMI output. Changing the channel's frame rate will change the frame rate used at the output port
for that video input. If the video source appears in multiple layouts in different channels, the one
with the highest frame rate set in the encoding settings is used.
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The larger the channel's frame size, the more bandwidth is needed for streaming and the recorded
files are bigger. Instead of using the same frame size as the original video source, you can configure
a smaller frame size for the channel and let Pearl Mini downscale the video. For example, if the
input video signal resolution is 1920×1080 (a 16:9 aspect ratio) and the channel's frame size is set
to 1280×720, Pearl Mini downscales the video and streams/records the channel at the lower frame
size, using less bandwidth and producing smaller recorded files.
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If you have unchecked all the manual resizing and positioning boxes in the custom layout editor
and you downscale the video source using the frame size setting on the
Encoding
tab (for example,
select 1280×720 frame size for a full HD video source), then the source appears cropped within the
frame instead of scaling to fit the frame.
You can add black bars around your video source by adjusting the frame size. For example, if your video
source has a 16:9 widescreen/HD format but you need a 4:3 frame size on your output, Pearl Mini
automatically adds black bars to the top and bottom of the frame if you choose a frame size for the
channel that has a 4:3 aspect ratio.
There is some trade off between video quality and bandwidth size, depending on the encoding settings
you choose. The following table lists some additional considerations when choosing video encoding
settings.
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