AJA Video Systems announced v2.0 firmware for its popular HELO Plus H.264 streaming/encoding/recording device, which will include a host of free new improvements that streamline the delivery of compelling live-streamed content. The update also introduces two new licensable features, including simultaneous multi-channel stereo audio streaming/recording and PlayToStream, which lets users use a previously recorded program for a future streaming event.
   

Available next month for download from the AJA support page, HELO Plus v2.0 includes a broad range of user-inspired improvements, including new audio choices, full integration with Facebook Live, SDI and HDMI status overlays, and more. An optional new PlayToStream license, available for purchase, enables playout of a previously recorded show as a streaming source, even alongside another live stream being served. Professionals can opt to leverage the add-on to record a live stream to a storage device connected to HELO Plus and playback the stream as soon as the recording ends or later, which can be scheduled from the integrated web-browser user interface (UI). True multi-channel stereo audio streaming is also available via a separate optional license that supports two simultaneous channels of stereo audio streaming/recording. With this feature, professionals can assign one audio stereo pair to stream content in one language and the other to stream the same content in a different language for multilingual needs.

HELO Plus v2.0 Feature Highlights

• Playback a previously recorded stream as the source for either HELO Plus stream outputs with an optional PlayToStream license.
• Leverage an optional license for two simultaneous channels of stereo audio streaming/ recording for true multilingual streaming.
• Bring in an SDI signal with eight stereo pairs of audio and route any pair to Audio 1 or Audio 2 with advanced audio selection and an audio presence indicator in the HELO Plus web UI.
• See the levels of the selected Audio 1 & 2 sources in real-time via VU meters in the HELO Plus web-browser user interface.
• Stream content easily to Facebook Live with full user authentication for the platform.
• Get system insight with status overlays on HELO Plus’ SDI and/or HDMI outputs.
• Improve the quality of your stream with updated VSG image capabilities and VSG “auto” mode.

“Demand for streaming continues to grow across a range of industries, alongside customer expectations for more dynamic streams. HELO Plus was designed to help support this demand, enabling high-quality streaming with ultra-reliable performance and picture-in-picture and graphics functionality. The new HELO Plus v2.0 firmware introduces powerful user-requested new features, including full Facebook Live integration, multilingual audio support, and unique options to repurpose recordings for later streams,” shared AJA President Nick Rashby. “We’re thrilled to release this update and encourage all users to download it next month.”