This article explains when to use the Magewell Ultra Encode, how to configure it correctly for Dartfish Live, and how it differs from USB or Thunderbolt capture devices. 

• What is the Magewell Ultra Encode?
  • Pros & Cons
    • Recommended for
    • Not ideal for
  • Key characteristics
• Setting up the Magewell Ultra Encode for use with Dartfish
  • Step 1 - Initial Access to the Magewell Ultra Encode
    • Power and access:
    • Login
  • Step 2 - Configuration
    • Firmware
    • Network configuration
    • Video encoding settings
  • Step 3 - Configure the RTSP stream
• Using the Magewell in Dartfish
• Common issues & troubleshooting
  • Deinterlacing notes

What is the Magewell Ultra Encode?

The Magewell Ultra Encode is a professional SDI or HDMI to RTSP video encoder.

Unlike USB or Thunderbolt capture devices:

• video is encoded directly by the hardware

• video is delivered to Dartfish via Ethernet (network stream)

• multiple clients can connect to the same stream

This makes the Magewell Ultra Encode ideal for live collaboration (DLC) and stadium or fixed installations.

Pros & Cons

Recommended for

• Live Collaboration (DLC) workflows

• Sharing live video to multiple devices

• Fixed installations (stadium, arena, training center)

• SDI-based broadcast feeds

Not ideal for

• Portable or quick plug-and-play setups

• Users without basic network knowledge

If you need a simple, direct connection to one PC, consider AJA U-TAP or UltraStudio Recorder 3G instead.

Key characteristics

Setting up the Magewell Ultra Encode for use with Dartfish Live Collaboration

Step 1 - Initial Access to the Magewell Ultra Encode

Power and access:

1. Power the Magewell Ultra Encode via USB

2. Connect it to your PC using the USB cable

3. Open a web browser and go to:
   http://192.168.66.1

The USB connection provides a temporary network interface.

No IP changes are required on the PC at this stage.

Login

At first login, set the device name to:

• Magewell

Step 2 - Configuration

Firmware

• Go to System → Firmware

• Disable Online Update

• Install the Dartfish-validated firmware version

Network configuration

1. Go to System → Network

2. Set:

   • IP address: 192.168.1.168

   • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

3. Apply changes

Video encoding settings

1. Go to Encode → Main Stream
2. Set:
   • Output frame rate: Follow input
   • Output resolution: Follow input
   • Bitrate: 4096 Kbps
3. Expand the Advanced settings:
   • Bitrate encoding: VBR
   • Codec: H.264
   • Encoding profile: High
   • Keyframe interval: 15
4. Click Apply

Step 3 - Configure the RTSP stream

1. Go to Live → Add Destination

2. Select RTSP

3. Set:

   • Name: hdmi

   • Connections: 5

     • This will allow up to 5 clients to connect to the rtsp stream: 1x PC, 1x iPad and then 3 other options if the teams want additional PC or iPads

   • Main key: 0,

     • this creates the stream URL: rtsp://192.168.1.168/0

4. Click Save

Go back to the Live section and make sure that the tick boxes Destinations and RTSP are enabled. Those settings will remain enabled even after restarts.

As a final test, restart the device using the switch on the box, connect the PC to the encoder using an ethernet cable and try to  access the device with the IP address 192.168.1.168

Using the Magewell in Dartfish

1. Launch Dartfish

2. Go to Live → Source

3. Select Network Camera

4. Enable Search for camera on local network

5. Enter the encoder credentials

6. Select the Magewell stream and apply

Common issues & troubleshooting

Deinterlacing notes

If the incoming SDI stream is interlaced (e.g. 1080i):

• In Dartfish, go to Setup → Video Format

• Set the stream to Interlaced – Top First or Bottom First

• Deinterlacing is supported only on Intel CPUs

• AMD and NVIDIA GPUs do not support deinterlacing at this time