Review: Matrox Monarch LCS Lecture Capture Appliance
By Jamie G
The Matrox Monarch LCS is perfect for educators looking for a versatile lecture capture solution. With the emphasis on hybrid learning, schools and universities are looking for solutions that will allow them to broadcast their classes anywhere, at anytime, with ease. The Monarch LCS is just that. Education Technology reviews this easy to use, fully-featured device. Check out some highlights below.
The first question they’ll ask, “What platform is Monarch LCS compatible with?” The good news: the device is compatible with most Video Management Systems (VMSs) – including Kaltura, Presentations2Go, Streamitup and Ubicast, as well as Learning Management Systems (LMSs)/Virtual Learning environments (VLEs), including Moodle, Blackboard, Brightspace and Canvas. What does this mean? Monarch LCS is ready to integrate seamlessly into almost any existing infrastructure. Furthermore, with its compact size, the encoder makes it an ideal fit for any storage rack that can be installed discreetly within the classroom. Its metal frame also makes it extremely hard-wearing.
Education Technology
The Monarch LCS gives you multiple destination options when streaming or recording. When the device is set to record, an encoding channel captures H.264 content in MOV or MP4 files, meaning that your video files will play on virtually any player. You can also record files locally to an SD card or USB attached storage and transfer those files over the network or via FTP/sFTP at a later time, thus reducing network congestion during peak times, or worse, the potential of losing files in transit due to connectivity issues. Alternatively, you can record lectures to USB drives, SD cards, or network-mapped drives and have them made available immediately to your school’s virtual management system (VMS). For streaming purposes, the encoders use either RTMP or RTSP protocol to deliver live streams to local media servers or cloud-based CDNs.
Education Technology
Final verdict: the Monarch LCS lecture capture appliance will comfortably cover all your bases when it comes to recording and streaming content anywhere, anytime — and with exemplary sound and picture quality.
Education Technology
Check out the full review here!
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