Sardius EMLA Encoder Template Settings

1. Template Types

2. Global Settings

3. Video Renditions

4. Audio Renditions

Template Types

A Sardius EMLA Encoder can be use the following Template types:

• HTTP Push (for HLS Streams)
• Sardius Stream
• RTMP

• SRT

Global Settings

Template Name and Description *

All Templates are required to have a name, and we provided a description field to help remind you (or to communicate to your team) what this Template was designed for.

Framerate *

All common NTSC and PAL framerates are supported, ranging from 23.98fps up to 60fps.

Enable UHD Source

If this template is intended to stream content greater than HD, toggle this on. This will ensure that the encoder will correctly process the input signal.

Captions

If your stream contains embedded 608/708 captions, activate this toggle. If enabled, embedded captions will be passed through and embedded into all video renditions.

Embedded captions are not supported in Sardius Stream templates.

Audio *

HTTP Push and SRT Templates can contain multiple audio renditions. To enable this, your Audio will need to be unmuxed. HTTP Push Templates that will use HEVC/H.265 codecs will also need to be unmuxed. 

Otherwise, select muxed.

Enable Audio-Only Variant Rendition

Muxed HTTP Push Templates will support an audio-only variant rendition. This rendition will provide an audio-only experience in the player.

DVR Length

DVR Length applies only to HTTP Push Templates, and is intended to restrict the DVR length of an Akamai stream. This will not apply to Sardius Entrypoint Streams

Input Signal Type

Your selection of progressive or interlaced will instruct your encoder on how to process your video input.

Force Field Pictures

This function is available when the Input Signal Type is interlaced. If selected, the encoder will process the input signal on a field basis and not the full frame.

 

GOP Size

GOP Size *

GOP Size, also referred to as Segment Duration, determines how often your encoder will use an I-Frame and establish new encoding markers for the next segment. 

If this is a HTTP Push template, this GOP Size needs to fit evenly into the HLS Segment Duration.

A recommended GOP Size for SRT and Sardius Stream is 2-4 seconds.

HLS Segment Duration

This applies to HTTP Push Templates only. A typical HLS Segment Duration is 6-10 seconds. 

B-Frames

If your stream is HD only, use 1 frame. If your stream is greater than HD, use 2 frames.

Reference Frames

The number of reference frames to use per GOP Size. We recommend 1 frame for shorter GOP Sizes.

B-Frame Reference

If enabled, use B-Frames as reference when the GOP has more than one B-Frame. If this is a UHD stream, please leave this disabled.

Scene Change Detection

If enabled, inserts additional I-Frames on scene changes for a higher quality stream.

 

Timecode Management

Program Date Time Clock

This controls the appearance of Date/Time metadata in your HLS manifest. We recommend that this match your Timecode Configuration. 

Timecode Configuration

Select Embedded, System Clock, or Zero-Based for your timecode source. 

 

Video Rendition Settings

Rendition Settings

Name

This name is for internal purposes only, to help you identify the rendition.

Video Settings

Video Width and Height

Select a value from the width dropdown, and a constrained value will appear in the locked height field. To separate the connection, click the "lock" between the two values and you can change the height and width independently.

Video Bitrate

Select a value from the dropdown, ranging from 365kbps to 25 Mbps. These values are optimized settings based on a variety of destinations.

Codec Settings

The EMLA Encoder supports H.264 (AVC) and H.265 (HEVC). 

Sardius Stream does not support H.265.

Enable Stretch to Output

If you are streaming to a vertical output, such as Instagram or TikTok, this will stretch the horizontal image to fill the frame. Leaving this disabled will letterbox the footage.

H265 Packaging Type *

Use HVC1 for most situations as it will be supported on many devices. HEV1 is generally used for specific legacy devices or players that require it.

Rate Control

Rate Control Mode

Three options are available: CBR (Constant Bitrate), QVBR (Quality-Defined Variable Bitrate), and VBR (Variable Bitrate)

• CBR will keep the stream within your specified bitrate.

• QVBR is an advanced video encoding rate control mode that prioritizes consistent visual quality over a fixed bitrate.

• CVBR will allow the encoder to decrease or increase the bitrate based upon the level of complexity within your video source.

Max VBR Bitrate *

This option appears only when Rate Control Mode is QVBR or VBR. This value will define the maximum bitrate for your video encoding.

Enable Buffer

If enabled, the encoder will maintain a local segment buffer at 2x your selected video bitrate.

Enable Buffer Fill

If enabled, the buffer will be filled immediately to 90% for further stream stability.

QVBR Quality Level * 

This controls the target quality for the video encode. Some examples:

• 8-10: Primary screen
• 7: PC or Tablet
• 6: Smartphone

 

Codec Details

Profile

The Profile options will vary based upon your selected codec. The option you choose will be based upon your destination's capabilities. For example, some destinations may want H.264 encoded using a Main profile. Other sources may want H.265 encoded using a Main 10 profile.

Tier *

If your rendition is using HEVC, select Main or High for your Tier Settings

Level * 

Select Auto for any (or lower-sized) renditions, or specify a specific level according to destination or quality requirements.

Deblocking Filter

This filter reduces blocking artifacts at block boundaries, which improves overall video quality.

Adaptive Quantization

Adjust encode compression without losing quality. A stronger value will require more processing resources from your encoder.

Spatial AQ

If your codec is H.264, this filter will adjust adaptive quantization of each frame based on the complexity of the input content. This will be ignored if Adaptive Quantization is set for auto.

Temporal AQ

If your codec is H.264, this filter will adjust adaptive quantization of each frame based on the temporal variation of content complexity. This will be ignored if Adaptive Quantization is set for auto.

Flicker AQ

If your codec is HEVC, this filter is a specific type of adaptive quantization designed to reduce flicker or "pop" on I-frames by making adjustments within each frame.

Look Ahead Rate Control

Amount of lookahead. A value of low can decrease latency and memory usage, while high can produce better quality for certain content.

Alternative Transfer Function

If your codec is HEVC and your Color Space is a form of High Dynamic Range, this will insert an alternative transfer function SEI message to support backwards compatibility with non-HDR decoders and displays.

Color Space Settings

Color Space

Declare the default color space for your stream. Used primarily for HDR content.

Max CLL

If HDR 10, this value is the maximum light level, in nits, of any single pixel within an encoded HDR video stream or file.

Max Fall

If HDR 10, the maximum frame average light level, in nits, of any single pixel within an encoded HDR video stream or file.

Filter Settings

These filters reduce bandwidth by removing imperceptible details. You can enable only one filter. We recommend you try both filters and observe the results to decide which one to use.

* - denotes a conditional field

Audio Rendition Settings

Templates will start with a single audio rendition. To add additional audio renditions, click the "Add Rendition" button.

Name

This name is for internal purposes only, to help you identify the rendition.

Audio Settings

Audio Bitrate *

Select a value from the dropdown, ranging from 96 kbps to 512 kbps. These values are optimized settings based on a variety of destinations.

Source Audio Channel *

Select from 1 of 8 different stereo tracks available from the video input. If your destination supports multiple audio tracks, you can create additional audio renditions and assign a different track to each rendition. 

Most SDI sources will have their primary audio in Track 1 (Audio channels 1 and 2).

Audio Sample Rate *

The EMLA Encoder supports multiple audio sample rates, but we recommend using only 44.1 or 48 kHz for web streaming.

Codec Settings *

Our options include AAC or WAV. We recommend AAC for most live streams.

Coding Mode *

Coding Mode allows you to select between Mono or Stereo modes.

Audio Bit Depth

If your codec is WAV, select how deep the bit-depth should be for your audio quality.

Rate Control Mode *

If your codec is AAC, select CBR or VBR for the Bit Rate Control.

VBR Quality Level

If your codec is AAC, and your Rate Control is AAC, select your quality level for the variable bitrate.

Audio Normalization Settings

If your stream must adhere to the Loudness Act, enabling this setting will adjust your stream to conform within the -24 LKFS scale.

Audio Language Code

Enter any 3-digit value for a supported language. We recommend using only ISO-639-1 values. 

Stream Name

This field represents an identifiable name for the Audio Output. In most cases, this will be values such as "English" or "Spanish."

Audio Type

If your audio rendition is an unusual type (anything except a primary audio stream), select the audio type here.

Audio Track Type *

This setting determines how your audio track will appear in the HLS manifest. If your stream is unmuxed, you must select one audio rendition to be "Alternate Audio Auto Select Default." All other audio renditions should be "Alternate Audio not Auto Select."