Overview
HELO Plus is a compact, advanced H.264 streaming and recording stand-alone appliance. HELO Plus offers both SDI and HDMI I/O with the capability to stream up to 1080p60 to a Content Delivery Network and record simultaneously. Two separate streaming destinations can be set up, and recordings can be made to a combination of SD card, USB storage, and NFS or SMB network storage. HELO Plus also provides Picture-In-Picture and graphics functionality in hardware for compelling presentations made simple.
HELO Plus v.2.0 firmware adds two new features that are optional upgrades with a free trial period, PlayToStream and 4-channel audio support. PlayToStream offers the opportunity to play a live stream out of one encoder and use the other encoder to playback a pre-recorded stream. 4-channel audio support means that you can stream two separate audio pairs via each encode, for multi-language support.
HELO Plus offers high quality streaming with ultra-reliable performance for any critical streaming service needs, including eSports, news, sports, education, creator, live events, and beyond.
Features
- Portable streaming with 3G-SDI and HDMI video I/O
- Encode up to 1080p60 in H.264/MPEG-4
- Web-based GUI preview window
- Stream to two separate destinations simultaneously
- Create Picture-in-Picture streaming/recording output from multiple input sources
- 2-channel stereo audio
- Optional 4-channel audio adds a second stereo pair for streaming alternate languages
- Optional PlayToStream to stream pre-recorded program
- Analog stereo audio out
- Front panel LED audio meters
- Data rates from 100 kbps to 20 Mbps in MPEG-4
- Record to SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards, USB storage, NFS, CIFS, or SMB network volumes
- Front-mounted USB slot and SD card slot for local external storage
- Support for RTP/UDP, RTSP, RTMP, RTMPS, HLS, and Unicast
- SRT compatibility - Caller and Listener modes
- AV Mute with user graphics upload support for pre-live feeds
- Group control for multiple HELO Plus and Ki Pro devices
- Multi-language UI - WebUI can be selected between English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese
- Three Year Warranty
In Depth
Hardware
HELO Plus is compact, with a very small desktop footprint. It offers stand-alone capabilities with stream and record buttons on the front of the unit as well as LED indicators. Audio level meters provide valuable feedback about incoming audio. HELO Plus is fanless and silent, allowing it to be used almost anywhere without fear of introducing noise. SD card and USB ports are also situated on the front of the unit for easy access.
Remote or Local Control
HELO Plus can be easily configured remotely on a standard web browser, via the Ethernet connection, and using a desktop computer, laptop or iPad. Every function of HELO Plus is accessible in the Web UI, with multiple HELO Plus devices being easily controllable via a tabbed browser window. Once set up to your requirements, HELO Plus can also be controlled via the stream and record buttons on the front of the device, with audio level LED meters providing feedback for monitoring, or the system can be controlled directly from the included web-based UI. There’s also the option for remote control via the system’s integrated REST API. Elgato’s Stream Deck, with the new AJA plug-in found on their market place, uses the REST API to drive Key Actions of the HELO Plus and even unlock more features available only through the REST API. Elgato’s Stream Deck, with the new AJA plug-in found on their market place, uses the REST API to drive Key Actions of the HELO Plus and even unlock more features available only through the REST API.
Video and Audio Support
Video Formats
- (HD) 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
- (HD) 1080i 50, 59.94, 60
- (HD) 720p 50, 59.94, 60
- (SD) 525i, 625i
Video Codec Support
- H.264/MPEG-4 Encoder
Audio Encoding Parameters
- 32 kbps to 256 kbps
- 48 kHz 2-channel stereo
- MPEG-4 AAC-LC
SRT Support
SRT is an open source video transport protocol and technology stack, developed and pioneered by Haivision, that optimizes streaming performance across unpredictable networks with secure streams and easy firewall traversal, bringing the best quality live video over the worst networks.
The SRT Open Source Project, supported by the SRT Alliance, is a collaborative community of industry leaders and developers striving to achieve lower latency internet video transport by continuously improving open-source SRT.
HELO Plus includes SRT (plus encryption) to ensure you are well positioned to deliver streaming video content securely, with low latency and secure reliability.
HELO Plus offers all the professional digital I/O you need to make it the heart of your streaming service. The easy to access front panel buttons make starting and stopping your stream simple.
Front of the HELO Plus:
- Record button
- Main and Backup LED indicators
- Stream button
- Streaming LED indicators
- LED Stereo VU meters
- 1x USB 3.2 Gen1 port (5Gb/s) for media recording. This USB connection can supply 1A of current to the storage device, allowing it to work with modern, larger memory sticks.
- USB LED indicator
- 1x SD card slot for media recording
- SD card LED indicator
Rear of the HELO Plus:
- 1x Stereo analog audio input
- 1x Stereo analog audio output
- 1x 3G-SDI input
- SDI signal LED indicator
- 1x 3G-SDI output
- 1x HDMI 1.4a input
- HDMI signal LED indicator
- 1x HDMI 1.4a output
- 1x Dedicated Micro USB port for use with AJA eMini-Setup software
- 1x 1GigE network connection for control and SMB recording
- 1x Locking power connector
Operational Flexibility
HELO Plus' small footprint form factor and silent operation allow it to fit on any desktop, with the operator using the easy to access front panel start/stop buttons. But just as simply, HELO Plus can be operated remotely from a desktop or laptop computer via Ethernet, which is especially useful for multiple HELO Plus use cases.
HELO Plus is designed to give you the flexibility to configure and deploy HELO Plus to your needs in the field, home, or studio. HELO Plus fits any streaming need imaginable, from sports, news, creator, education, eSports, remote workflows, and many more.
REST API capabilities provide control for all functions of the HELO Plus, regardless of the scenario, allowing for user developed integration and automation.
A popular device that takes advantage of the REST API is the Stream Deck from Elgato. We have crafted a plugin that provides ready-to-go Key Actions for Stream Deck users to control the HELO Plus.
To find out more and download the AJA Stream Deck Plugin, please visit the Elgato Marketplace. Also, please visit our support page to download the Stream Deck / HELO Plus Stream Deck Plugin Guide.
Simultaneous Stream and Record
HELO Plus has the capability to stream and record up to 1080p60 simultaneously in the following combinations:
- Stream to two destinations and record to SD local storage simultaneously
- Stream to two destinations and record to USB local storage simultaneously
- Stream to two destinations and record to NFS/SMB network storage simultaneously
Having a recorded backup of the video stream provides a high quality H.264 version for editing applications, with the most suitable storage being selected. Network storage may make more sense for edit sharing, while an SD card or USB recording provides an easy takeaway for clients or editors.
Calendar Integration
HELO Plus opens up a world of new streaming workflows for AV, live events, houses of worship, webcasting, corporate communications, production, and post. HELO Plus offers a scheduler that triggers pre-planned start and stop recording and streaming media, simplifying projects requiring definitive schedules. The schedule may be programmed locally through HELO Plus' web UI, importing .ics files, or linking to external calendar providers such as Google Calendar.
Layouts - Powerful Multi-Input Video Processing
HELO Plus brings an exciting layouts feature, allowing multiple inputs to be combined into a single screen with a graphic element overlay. A layout enables the user to combine the SDI input and the HDMI input into a single output stream and then add a graphic (video + key) into that composite. The layout can have up to four layers, and their priority can be arbitrarily adjusted to suit the customer’s needs.
In addition to the layering engine, both the SDI and the HDMI layers can be arbitrarily downscaled and positioned anywhere in the frame. Effectively, each live video source can be used in its picture-in-picture (PiP) element.
The system also has an internal matte generator, which can be used as the background. In this way, the graphic can be keyed over the dual PiP images, which are “over” a flat matte background.
The system can accurately switch from one layout to another frame, allowing the user to “cut” between layouts during a streaming session. Layouts are stored in one of the 20 Presets, allowing users to recall all the parameters needed for a specific purpose. There are ten layouts stored in each preset so that the user can recall the show’s preset and switch between those ten layouts at will.
The graphics system is equally impressive - It stores 20 images in its internal, non-volatile memory.
Dual Streaming Outputs
HELO Plus has dual encoders for streaming outputs, giving the flexibility to create different output settings from a single input source. The two encoders can have different packaging settings and different output frame sizes, which means that a single content stream can be presented in two ways to serve a wider audience.
It can also be duplicated across both encoders for added resilience. Either of these encoder outputs can serve as the source for the HELO Plus recording system as well.
Specifications /Documents
Video Formats
- (HD) 1080p 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94, 60
- (HD) 1080i 50, 59.94, 60
- (HD) 720p 50, 59.94, 60
- (SD) 525i, 625i
Video Codec Support
- H.264/MPEG-4(part 10) Encoder
Video Encoding Parameters
- 100 kbps to 20 Mbps. Bit rate may be set independently for Encoder 1 and Encoder 2.
- Up to 1080p60
- Supports Baseline, Main and High Profiles
Audio Encoding Parameters
- 32 kbps to 256 kbps
- 48 kHz 2-channel stereo
- MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Protocols
- RTMP, RTMPS, RTMPT, RTMPE, RTMPTE, RTMPTS, RTSP, HLS RTP-TS/UDP-TS Unicast and Multicast, SRT (caller mode). RTSP and HLS client sessions combined limited to a total of 10. RTSP limited to a single server session.
Storage
- 1x USB port (USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 media, exFAT or FAT32)
- 1x SD card slot, SD, SDHC, SDXC cards (exFAT)
- Mounted Network Share (SMB or NFS)
Video Input Digital
- 1x 3G-SDI, SMPTE-259/292/296/424, 10-bit
- Single Link 4:2:2 (1x BNC)
- 1x HDMI Standard Type A connector
- HDMI v1.4a, RGB or YCbCr
Video Output Digital
- 1x 3G-SDI, SMPTE-259/292/296/424, 10-bit
- Single Link 4:2:2 (1x BNC)
- 1x HDMI Standard Type A connector
- HDMI v1.4a, RGB or YCbCr
Audio Input Digital
- 2-channel, 24-bit SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
- 2-channel, 24-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
Audio Input Analog
- 2-channel, Analog (-10dBV Line Level, Unbalanced stereo 1x 3.5mm TRS connector)
Audio Output Digital
- 2-channel, 24-bit SDI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
- 2-channel, 24-bit HDMI embedded audio, 48 kHz sample rate, synchronous
Audio Output Analog
- 2-channel, Analog (Line Level, Unbalanced stereo 1x 3.5mm TRS connector)
Network Interface
- 10/100/1000 Ethernet (RJ-45)
- Embedded web server for Configuration and Control
User Interface
- Stream Button
- Record Button
- Web UI
- Simple Web Configuration via AJA eMini-Setup (macOS and Windows)
- Integrated calendar
Control and Automation
- Integrated calendar scheduler
- Support remote ICS calendars
- Scriptable REST control API
- Closed Captioning supported
Size (w x d x h)
- 8.50" x 5.5" x 1.02" (215.9 x 139.7 x 25.91 mm)
Weight
- 1.2 lb (0.52 kg)
Power
- External power supply required
- Enclosure: 12Vdc 4-pin mini XLR
- AC adapter included: 100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz, universal input, 12V– 60W Max
Environment
- Safe Operating Temperature: 0 to 40 C (32 to 104 F)
- Safe Storage Temperature (Power OFF): -40 to 60 C (-40 to 140 F)
- Operating Relative Humidity: 10-90% noncondensing
- Operating Altitude: <3,000 meters (<10,000 feet)
