First-time setup, network access, firmware updates, Control Hub and common initial configuration across the Magewell range.
- Connect to a USB 3.0 port (blue inside) — not USB 2.0 or a hub
- Install latest driver from magewell.com/downloads
- Windows: check Device Manager → Sound, video and game controllers for yellow warnings
- Windows 10/11: Settings → Privacy → Camera → ensure apps can access camera
- Power off PC before installing — never hot-swap PCIe cards
- Ensure card is fully seated in the slot
- Check Device Manager → Other Devices for “Multimedia Video Controller”
- Check LED indicators — solid green = connected and active
- Connect via USB as fallback:
http://192.168.66.1
- On DHCP, device auto-assigns an IP — find it in your router’s device list or via Control Hub
- Open any browser and enter the device IP
- Default credentials: username
Admin/ passwordAdmin(capital A)
- Connect device to PC via USB → navigate to
http://192.168.66.1 - This address works regardless of network configuration
Download firmware
magewell.com/downloads → select your product → download latest firmware file
Log in as Administrator
Access web GUI at device IP → log in with Admin credentials
Navigate to Firmware
System tab → Firmware → Manual Update → upload the file
Wait for reboot
Do not power off during update. Device reboots automatically when complete.
- See all devices on your network in one browser interface
- Push firmware updates to multiple devices simultaneously
- Monitor signal status and stream health across a facility
- Configure stream profiles remotely
- View device temperature, uptime and error logs
Network tab → change IP Mode from DHCP to Static → enter IP, subnet mask, gateway and DNS → Save.http://192.168.66.1) first — this ensures a fallback access method if the IP is misconfigured.http://192.168.66.1 → on the Sign In page click Reset all settings top-right → confirm. Takes 2–3 minutes then reboots.Setup, driver installation, capture software compatibility and troubleshooting for USB Capture and Pro Capture PCIe families.
Install driver
Download USB Capture Utility from magewell.com/downloads for your specific model
Add source in OBS
Sources → + → Video Capture Device → select Magewell USB Capture from Device dropdown
Set resolution and FPS
Resolution → Custom → match your source exactly. Set FPS to match source frame rate.
Set audio device
In Properties, set Audio Device to Magewell USB Capture Audio — not Default
- Install the USB Capture driver first
- Zoom: Settings → Video → Camera → select Magewell USB Capture
- Teams: Settings → Devices → Camera → select the device
- Confirm you are on a USB 3.0 port (not USB 2.0)
- Set capture format to NV12 (YUV420) — enables 4K30 over USB 3.0
- YUY2 (uncompressed 4:2:2) is limited to 1080p60 over USB 3.0 — this is normal
- In OBS: set Audio Device to Magewell USB Capture Audio — not Default
- Windows Sound: ensure Magewell device is not muted
- Confirm source is outputting embedded audio — some cameras require HDMI audio to be enabled in their menu
- Server OS: Windows Server disables audio service by default — enable in Services
Reseat card
Power off — ensure card is fully seated in the PCIe slot
Download latest driver
magewell.com/downloads → Pro Capture → download driver for your OS
Install and reboot
Run installer → restart → yellow warning should be gone from Device Manager
- Recommended: PCIe x4 Gen2 or higher
- PCIe x4 cards fit in x8 or x16 slots and operate at x4 bandwidth
- PCIe x4 in x2 slots — bandwidth reduced, not recommended for 4K or multi-channel
- Check PCIe bandwidth in the driver panel after installation
- Insufficient PCIe bandwidth: Check driver panel — move card to higher-bandwidth slot or switch from RGB32 to NV12/YUY2
- RGB32 colour space: Uses significantly more bandwidth — switch to YUY2 for multi-channel capture
- BIOS incompatibility: Update motherboard BIOS — multi-channel cards can conflict with older BIOS versions
- Confirm your laptop has Thunderbolt 3 or 4
- Connect the enclosure via Thunderbolt and install the card inside it
- Install Magewell driver on the laptop — card detected as normal
Installation, setup and troubleshooting for the Eco Capture M.2 family — compact PCIe capture for NUC, mini-PC and embedded deployments.
- NOT compatible with M.2 SATA-only slots — card will not be detected even if it physically fits
- Most modern Intel NUC, desktop motherboards and mini-PCs support PCIe — confirm before purchase
- The card replaces the M.2 SSD slot — ensure your system has a second storage option
- Confirm the M.2 slot supports PCIe — SATA-only will not detect the card
- Ensure card is fully seated and retaining screw is fastened
- Power off completely before installing — hot-insertion not supported
- Check Device Manager for “Multimedia Video Controller” — install the Eco Capture driver from magewell.com/downloads
- Switch colour space from RGB32 to NV12 or YUY2 — significantly reduces bandwidth per channel
- Reduce encoding parameters in your capture software
- Update to latest Eco Capture firmware — bandwidth optimisations are included
- Single-channel RGB32 capture is not affected
- Form factor: Eco Capture = M.2 for NUC and mini-PC. Pro Capture = full PCIe for desktop/server
- Bandwidth: Pro Capture PCIe x4 Gen2 has higher sustained bandwidth — better for uncompressed 4K multi-channel
- Channels: Eco Capture 1–4 channels. Pro Capture 1–8 channels
- Use case: Eco Capture = compact embedded deployments. Pro Capture = broadcast workstations and servers
NDI discovery, subnets, latency, packet loss and IP workflow configuration for Pro Convert and Ultra Encode devices.
- Confirm encoder and receiving device are on the same subnet (both 192.168.1.x)
- Managed switches may block mDNS — ensure multicast is enabled
- Allow UDP 5353 (mDNS) and TCP/UDP 5960+ (NDI streams) in firewall
- Install NDI Tools on receiving PC — open NDI Studio Monitor to verify
- If not discoverable, add encoder IP as a manual NDI source in your software
- Use hardware monitors and switches — software displays add OS rendering latency
- Pro Convert decoders: reduce video buffer in web GUI → NDI tab
- Use a low-latency managed switch (under 1ms forwarding)
- Full NDI provides lower latency than NDI HX
- Full NDI: SpeedHQ intra-frame — highest quality, ~100–200Mbps, lowest latency. Pro Convert encoders.
- NDI HX: H.264 — 8–20Mbps. Ultra Encode HDMI/SDI.
- NDI HX2: H.265 — 8–20Mbps. Better quality than HX at same bitrate.
- NDI HX3: H.265 up to 62Mbps — approaches Full NDI quality. Ultra Encode Plus/AIO and Pro Convert IP devices.
- Network congestion: Full NDI at 1080p60 uses ~150Mbps — ensure switch has headroom
- Consumer switches: Replace with managed Gigabit switch with QoS
- Wi-Fi: Never use Full NDI over Wi-Fi — always use wired Ethernet
- Long cable runs: Use Cat6 for runs over 50m
- Connect PTZ camera RS-232 cable to Mini-DIN 8 port using included breakout cable
- Web GUI → PTZ tab → select protocol: VISCA, Visca UDP, PELCO-P or PELCO-D
- Set baud rate to match camera: 9600 for PELCO-D, 38400 for VISCA typical
- PTZ can also be controlled via NDI tally from vMix, TriCaster and compatible software
- NDI Bridge: Built into Ultra Encode firmware — bridges NDI streams across network segments
- NDI Discovery Server: Firmware V1.2.213+ on Pro Convert decoders — Sources → NDI OPTIONS → Server IP
- SRT tunnel: Encode as SRT at sending end, decode back to NDI at receiving end — works over any internet connection
Configuration, signal issues, PoE setup, output formats and troubleshooting for the complete Pro Convert family.
- Signal LED: flashing = no signal, solid = locked
- Web GUI → Dashboard → Input Signal: shows detected format or “No Signal”
- Verify source is actively outputting — test directly with a monitor
- HDMI encoders: check EDID settings — set Custom EDID to 1080p60 to force negotiation
- SDI encoders: confirm SDI standard matches source in web GUI SDI tab
- Try a different cable — SDI and HDMI cables can fail intermittently
- Web GUI → Sources: confirm NDI/IP source is selected and active
- Web GUI → Output tab: confirm Decode Output is set to On
- Check NDI source is actively streaming — open NDI Studio Monitor to verify
- Try output resolution set to Follow Input — manual resolution unsupported by display shows blank
- Confirm switch supports PoE — not all Gigabit switches include PoE
- Check switch port has PoE enabled — managed switches disable PoE per-port by default
- Pro Convert standard = IEEE 802.3af (15.4W). Ultra Encode Plus/AIO = IEEE 802.3at PoE+ (30W)
- Check total PoE budget — if budget is exhausted, ports may not receive power
- Test with included USB power adapter — if it powers via USB, issue is PoE-related
- Web GUI → EDID tab → Custom EDID → choose resolution and frame rate → Apply
- Source renegotiates and switches to the selected format automatically
- Programme (red) and Preview (green) tally LEDs are built into the device
- Tally output via Mini-DIN 8 port — connect to included tally light accessory for on-camera tally
- Tally state controlled by NDI production software (vMix, TriCaster etc.) via NDI tally protocol over the network — no separate tally cable infrastructure needed
- Single view: One stream at up to QHD (2560×1440) 60fps
- Dual view: Two streams side-by-side
- Picture-in-picture: Two streams as main + inset
- Quad 2×2: Four simultaneous streams in a grid
Platform configuration, bitrate settings, multi-destination streaming and troubleshooting for Ultra Stream and Ultra Encode.
Open app → Channels → Add → YouTube
Log in with your Google account — no stream key needed
Go Live
Press physical button or tap Go Live in app
rtmp://a.rtmp.youtube.com/live2 → paste stream key from YouTube Studio → Save → Start.- Via Magewell app: select Facebook → log in — streams to personal profile natively
- For Business Pages: Facebook → Live Video → Setup → Get Stream Key → web GUI → Channels → Add → RTMP → paste Server URL and Stream Key
- Upload bandwidth: Bitrate must be no more than 70% of sustained upload — 4Mbps stream needs 6Mbps upload minimum
- Use Ethernet: Wi-Fi jitter causes drops — always use wired Ethernet for streaming
- Reduce bitrate: Start at 2Mbps and increase until drops appear
- Switch to SRT: SRT has built-in packet loss recovery — far more reliable than RTMP over unstable connections
- Ultra Stream: 2 simultaneous RTMP destinations
- Ultra Encode HDMI/SDI: Multiple simultaneous destinations
- Ultra Encode Plus/AIO: Up to 6 simultaneous destinations across all protocols
- Director Mini/One: Up to 4 simultaneous streaming destinations
- Insert compatible USB modem (Huawei, Vodafone, EE etc.) into USB-A port
- Select Mobile Broadband as network interface in web GUI or app
- YouTube 1080p60: 4500–6000Kbps, H.264, AAC 128Kbps
- YouTube 1080p30: 3000–4000Kbps, H.264
- Facebook Live: 3000–4000Kbps max, H.264
- Twitch 1080p60: 4500–6000Kbps, H.264
- SRT contribution: 8–15Mbps, H.265
Understanding and configuring RTMP, SRT, HLS, RTSP, NDI HX and Zixi on Magewell devices.
Real-Time Messaging
Standard for platform streaming. No built-in error recovery.
YouTube · Facebook · Twitch
Secure Reliable Transport
Built-in ARQ error recovery and AES-256 encryption. Ideal for unreliable networks.
Contribution · Remote production · 4G
Network Device Interface
IP production protocol for LAN environments.
vMix · OBS · Switchers
HTTP Live Streaming
Segment-based. Higher latency but universally compatible.
Web delivery · CDN · VOD
Real-Time Streaming
Pull-based — receivers connect to the encoder.
IPTV · VLC · Local monitoring
Zixi Protocol
Managed broadcast IP transport with hitless failover.
Broadcast contribution
- Channels → Add → SRT → Caller → enter destination IP and port e.g.
192.168.1.100:9001
- Select Listener → set port → ensure port is open UDP in firewall
- RTSP:
rtsp://[device-ip]:554/stream - HLS:
http://[device-ip]:8080/stream.m3u8
App control, recording, OSD overlays, scheduling and configuration for the Ultra Encode and Ultra Stream families.
Install Magewell app
From App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)
Enable Bluetooth on phone
Power on the Ultra Stream device
Pair via Bluetooth
Open app → tap + → select device from Bluetooth scan list
Same Wi-Fi network
Ensure phone and device are on the same Wi-Fi for full control after pairing
- Ultra Stream: 32GB internal SD + USB flash drive simultaneously
- Ultra Encode HDMI/SDI: USB flash drive simultaneously
- Ultra Encode Plus/AIO: USB flash drive + SD card simultaneously
- Text overlay with custom font and position
- PNG logo/image file uploaded via web GUI
- Analogue and digital clock displays
- 4K input: Up to 4096×2160 30fps vs 2048×1080 on standard
- 32Mbps bitrate: vs 16Mbps on standard
- NDI HX2 and HX3: Up to 62Mbps vs NDI HX only
- PoE+ powered: IEEE 802.3at — no mains adapter required
- Up to 6 simultaneous destinations
- SD card + USB recording: vs USB only on standard
Setup, scene configuration, sources, streaming, recording and troubleshooting for the Director all-in-one production systems.
- HDMI: Connect to HDMI IN 1 or 2 — auto-detected, supports up to 4K input
- USB webcam: UVC-compatible cameras including DJI and Insta360
- NDI HX2/HX3: Touchscreen → Sources → Add → NDI → select from network
- SRT stream: Add → SRT → enter server URL or listener port
- Phone camera: Director Utility app → connects phone camera as a source over Wi-Fi
- Media file: Copy MP4/MOV/JPG/PNG to internal storage or SD card → Add → Video/Image
- Create scenes in the Scenes panel — drag sources into layout, set size and position
- Switch via touchscreen — tap scene for direct cut, or tap Preview first then Programme for controlled transition
- Available transitions: Cut, Fade, DIP, DVE and custom effects
- Title and lower-third overlays with custom text
- Scoreboard with home/guest scores — including tennis templates
- Timer and stopwatch
- Analogue and digital clock
- Logo image overlays (PNG)
- Social media overlays
- Custom PAG (Portable Animated Graphics) files for animations
- Choose from: Programme, HDMI 1, HDMI 2, USB Webcam, Multi-view, NDI HX2/HX3
- Can record same source at two different quality levels simultaneously
- Files saved to internal storage or SD card in MP4 or MOV
- Split by time (up to 4 hours) or file size (up to 16GB)
- Export via USB flash drive, SD card, Director Utility app or web GUI download
- NP-F550, NP-F570, NP-F750, NP-F970 compatible
- Hot-swap one battery while the other powers the device
- Rear-mounted batteries act as a stand for ventilation
- Screen: Director Mini = 5.44″ AMOLED. Director One = 7″ display
- Built-in 4G: Director One has built-in 4G modem with antennas — no USB dongle needed
- Locking connectors: Director One has locking HDMI and USB — more secure for OB deployments
- External touchscreen: Director One supports an external connected touchscreen for Duplicate Screen mode
- Scene switching and transition control
- GFX management — edit lower-thirds, scoreboard and clock live
- Audio level control and monitoring
- PTZ camera control via network (Visca UDP)
- Instant replay control
- Use phone camera as additional video source (up to 3 phone cameras)
- Stream start/stop and recording management
Visual signal flow diagrams for common Magewell deployment scenarios across the complete product range.