Advantech 4Kp60 HEVC Broadcast Video Encoder Card

Introducing the Advantech VEGA-3300-based 4Kp60 HEVC Broadcast Video Encoder Card, a purpose-built hardware encoder engineered for modern broadcast and streaming workflows. This card delivers real-time 4K UltraHD (2160p60) HEVC encoding, enabling high-quality video at dramatically reduced bitrates compared with traditional H.264, which translates into efficient bandwidth usage for live production, post-production ingest, and multi-platform distribution. Designed for reliability in demanding environments, the VEGA-3300 accelerator minimizes CPU load, lowers overall power consumption, and reduces system heat—making it an ideal choice for 24/7 operations in control rooms, OB vans, and data centers. Its PCIe form factor fits seamlessly into standard server or workstation builds, offering a scalable path to high-efficiency broadcast encoding without sacrificing latency or image fidelity.

• Real-time 4Kp60 HEVC encoding: Harness the power of the VEGA-3300 hardware accelerator to produce pristine 4K UltraHD (2160p60) HEVC/H.265 streams in real time. This enables broadcasts and live streams to maintain top-tier image quality while dramatically reducing bandwidth requirements. The encoder is optimized for low latency and dependable performance in demanding live environments, ensuring smooth, studio-grade output for ingest, distribution, and archival workflows. By handling the encoding on dedicated hardware, you free up system CPUs for other critical tasks, preserving overall broadcast reliability and responsiveness.
• Up to 20x lower power than software-only encoding: The VEGA-3300 architecture is purpose-built to deliver significant energy savings compared with software-based encoding. In practice, this translates to cooler operation, reduced power bills, and a smaller environmental footprint in data centers and broadcast facilities. For operators running continuous or multi-channel encoding pipelines, the card helps lower operating costs while maintaining high-quality video output. The result is a highly efficient solution that supports long-running sessions, remote production setups, and compact OB configurations without compromising performance.
• Seamless integration into broadcast workflows: This encoder card is designed to slot into standard broadcast and streaming pipelines with minimal disruption. It works alongside popular encoding software and hardware integrations, enabling easy adoption into existing IT infrastructures. The VEGA-3300 supports flexible encoding profiles and metadata handling that align with professional workflows, allowing operators to set up multi-channel pipelines, automate transcoding tasks, and deliver HEVC streams suitable for CDN delivery, satellite uplinks, or terrestrial broadcast distribution. With hardware-based encoding, you gain predictable performance even under peak demand, ensuring consistent viewer experiences across platforms.
• Reliability, robustness, and long-term operability: Built for continuous operation, the Advantech encoder card emphasizes stability and durability in harsh broadcast environments. Its architecture emphasizes thermal efficiency, quiet operation, and solid error handling to minimize downtime. In live production or post-production ingest scenarios, this translates to fewer interruptions, reliable encodes, and simpler maintenance. Operators benefit from a hardware accelerator that remains responsive over extended runtimes, helping teams meet tight deadlines with confidence and ease.
• Flexible deployment and future‑proofing for modern pipelines: The PCIe-based encoder card supports deployment in a wide range of systems—from on-premise control rooms to compact remote production setups. Its hardware-accelerated design pairs well with evolving streaming standards and multi-platform distribution strategies, enabling scalable, future-proof encoding as viewer expectations rise and bandwidth constraints tighten. By delivering high-efficiency encoding at 4Kp60, the card helps broadcasters and content providers maximize reach while controlling costs, supporting everything from live sports to HDR-capable workflows and on-the-fly transcoding for diverse streaming endpoints.

Technical Details of Advantech 4Kp60 HEVC Broadcast Video Encoder Card

• Encoder engine: VEGA-3300 hardware accelerator optimized for 4Kp60 HEVC/H.265 encoding to support broadcast-grade workflows.
• Supported format and resolution: Real-time HEVC/H.265 encoding for 4K UltraHD at 60 frames per second; designed to maintain high image quality with efficient compression.
• Power and efficiency: Hardware-accelerated encoding delivering lower power consumption than software-only solutions, enabling cooler operation and lower operating costs in continuous-use environments.
• Interface and form factor: PCIe-based add-in card designed to integrate into standard server or workstation systems, enabling straightforward installation into existing infrastructure.
• Workflow compatibility: Optimized for compatibility with common encoding software and broadcast pipelines, with support for flexible profiles, metadata handling, and scalable distribution to multiple endpoints.
• Reliability and operation: Designed for 24/7 operation in demanding environments, with robust thermal management and dependable hardware acceleration to minimize downtime.

How to install Advantech 4Kp60 HEVC Broadcast Video Encoder Card

To install the Advantech VEGA-3300 hardware encoder, follow these general steps to ensure a proper and reliable setup within your broadcast or encoding workstation:

1. Preparation and safety: Power down the system and unplug it from all power sources. Ground yourself to prevent static discharge. Remove the chassis cover to access the motherboard and PCIe slots. Verify that you have an available PCIe slot suitable for the card and that your system meets any minimum requirements listed by the manufacturer for driver compatibility and firmware updates.

2. Physical installation: Carefully insert the VEGA-3300 encoder card into the appropriate PCIe slot and press firmly until it seats with a snug connection. Secure the bracket to the chassis with a thumbscrew to prevent movement. If your chassis requires additional power connectors for PCIe devices, connect them according to the vendor’s guidelines. Ensure there is adequate airflow around the card to maintain optimal thermal conditions.

3. System boot and driver installation: Reassemble the chassis, reconnect power, and boot the system. Install the latest VEGA-3300 drivers and software package from Advantech’s official support portal or bundled media. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the driver installation, then reboot if required. This step enables the operating system and encoding software to recognize the hardware encoder as a dedicated HEVC encoder device.

4. Software configuration: Launch your encoding software or the VEGA-3300 software suite and select the hardware encoder as the primary encoding device. Configure the target resolution (4Kp60), bitrate targets, encoding profiles, color spaces, and any required metadata. Save these settings as a profile for future sessions. If you’re feeding multiple destinations or streams, set up separate encodes or multiplexing profiles as needed to align with your distribution plan.

5. Validation and workflow integration: Verify that the card is encoding correctly by running a test clip or live feed. Check for timing accuracy, frame pacing, and color fidelity. Ensure downstream systems (CDN ingest, streaming servers, recording modules) properly receive the encoded HEVC streams. If needed, adjust latency settings or profile configurations to balance quality and bandwidth according to your operational requirements. Document the installation steps and profile parameters for repeatability across operators and projects.

Note: For detailed installation instructions, driver versions, and recommended best practices, consult Advantech’s official documentation and support resources tailored to your exact system configuration and software ecosystem.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is 4Kp60 HEVC encoding?
  A: It is real-time encoding of 4K UltraHD video at 60 frames per second using the HEVC/H.265 codec, which provides high image quality at substantially reduced bitrates compared with older codecs like H.264. Hardware-based encoding accelerators such as the VEGA-3300 are designed to deliver this performance with lower power consumption and lower CPU load.
• Q: How does the VEGA-3300 improve power efficiency?
  A: The hardware-accelerated encoding engine handles the computationally intensive parts of HEVC encoding, reducing the workload on the host CPU. This leads to lower overall system power draw and cooler operation, making it well-suited for continuous, multi-channel broadcast streams and data-center deployments where energy costs and heat management are considerations.
• Q: What platforms and workflows does it support?
  A: The card is designed to integrate into standard PCIe-based systems and work with common broadcast and streaming pipelines. It supports industry-standard encoding workflows, metadata handling, and profiles that align with professional distribution needs, enabling stable operation in live production, ingest, and CDN delivery environments.
• Q: Can I install this card in any PC or server?
  A: The card is intended for PCIe-compatible servers or workstations that meet the vendor’s driver and firmware requirements. It’s recommended to verify slot compatibility (e.g., PCIe generation and lane width) and sufficient power/thermal headroom in your chassis before installation.
• Q: Do I need specialized software to use the hardware encoder?
  A: Yes. Use the certified VEGA-3300 driver package and your preferred encoding software. The hardware encoder is designed to deliver best results when paired with compatible software that can offload encoding tasks to the VEGA-3300, enabling efficient 4Kp60 HEVC streams with reliable performance.
• Q: What are typical use cases for this encoder card?
  A: Typical applications include live broadcast production (sports, news, events), high-quality live streaming to CDNs, multi-channel ingest for post-production workflows, OB/VAN broadcasts, and any scenario requiring high-resolution HEVC encoding with low power and latency characteristics.