The functionality of each processing blade is unlocked by a series of software licenses.

Firstly, the number of ".edge_SDI" licenses determines the number of active SDIs (on the rear I/O plate). Secondly, the advanced feature licenses can be used to unlock the Input Frame Synchronization, Video Gearboxing and 100Gbps operation (and proxy generators).

All software licenses are locked to an individual processing blade. 

Resources can be unlocked using perpetual licenses and/or Lawo Flex credits.

Please note: To use Lawo Flex credits, the blade's system clock must be correct. This can be achieved either by synchronizing the blade to an NTP server or extracting Time of Day from PTP arriving from the network.

The available licenses are determined by a licensing file that must be uploaded to the processing blade. Once this is in place, the user can choose which licenses are active, or how they are assigned, using the HOME Web UI.

For more information on the activation procedure, see License Activation. Here we describe how the licensing model works for each option.

Software License Options

In the current release, the following features require a valid license (or licenses):

  • Additional SDI Interfacing
  • Input Frame Synchronization
  • Video Gearboxing
  • 100Gbps operation (for 3G and UHD format support).
  • With a 100G license, up to 32 video proxy generators can be added (per blade).

SDI Interfacing

The .edge_sdi software license enables 16 x SDI interfaces on the rear I/O plate.

Each .edge_gateway processing blade comes with a single .edge_sdi_inc license (for 16 x SDIs). The number of SDIs can be expanded by adding one or two .edge_sdi licenses (for 32 or 48 x SDIs).

Licensing Requirements:

  • 1 x .edge_sdi_inc license is included (per blade).
  • Up to 2 x .edge_sdi licenses can be added (per blade).

Input Frame Synchronization

The .edge_fsync software license enables input frame synchronization for a single SDI input. It allows the user to adjust the timing of an SDI input as follows:
  • Video: 1 frame adjustable delay in line OR pixel granularity + one subsequent frame sync (= maximum delay of 2 frames).
  • Audio: up to 250 seconds applied to all channels of the SDI audio essence.

Licensing Requirements:

  • For SD and HD, you will need 1 x .edge_fsync license for each SDI input.
  • For UHD (single-link 12G-SDI or quad-link 3G-SDI), you will need 4 x .edge_fsync licenses for each 12G instance.
  • Up to 48 x .edge_fsync licenses are possible (per blade).

Video Gearboxing

The .edge_gbox software license enables 3G UHD gearboxing for a quad-link 3G-SDI signal (input or output). It allows you to connect 4 x 3G-SDI inputs or outputs to transport a 12G signal (also known as quad-link 3G-SDI).

Licensing Requirements:

  • 1 x .edge_gbox license is required for each input or output instance.
  • The 4 x 3G-SDI signals must connect to one of the 12G-capable rear I/O blocks: 1-4, 5-8, 9-12, etc.
  • Up to 12 x .edge_gbox licenses are possible (per blade).

Additional Notes:

  • The .edge_gbox license supports SDQS (Square Division Quad Split), 2SI, and 4 x super slow motion. Includes VPID insertion on the output interface (2-sample interleave, SMPTE ST352 payload identification).
  • The .edge_gbox license also includes the UHD Link Rotate feature: Automatic reshuffling of a four-wire 3G-SDI link whose cables were connected in the wrong order (based on 2-sample interleave signal identifiers).
  • This license is not required for a single-link 12G signal.

100G Operation

The .edge_100g software license enables the 2 x 100GbE option for the media network interfaces. It allows the processing blade to operate at 100Gbps and enables support of 3G and 12G format signals.

Licensing Requirements:

  • 1 x .edge_100g license is required (per blade).

Video Proxy Generator(s)

The .edge_proxy software license enables a proxy generator for a single SDI input. It can be used to generate smaller video proxies, from an SDI input, for streaming to the IP network. The proxies use less network bandwidth than the original signal and so are ideal for bandwidth-critical applications. For example, to feed downscaled versions of UHD video to multiviewers and other destinations (via IP).

To use this feature, the processing blade must have the .edge_100g software license and be set to the 100G+proxy operating mode. 

Licensing Requirements:

  • 1 x .edge_100g license is required (per blade).
  • Once the 100G license is enabled:
    • For SD/HD/3G, you will need 1 x .edge_proxy license for each SDI input.
    • For UHD (single-link 12G-SDI or quad-link 3G-SDI), you will need 4 x .edge_proxy licenses for each 12G instance.
    • Up to 32 x .edge_proxy licenses are possible (per blade).

Software License Bundle

The .edge_gw_all license bundle can be purchased to enable the full feature set of a processing blade. The package includes:

  • 2 x .edge_sdi licenses: to enable all 48 SDI interfaces (on the rear I/O plate)
  • 48 x .edge_fsync licenses: to enable input frame synchronization on every SDI input.
  • 12 x .edge_gbox licenses: to enable video gearboxing for every possible quad-link 3G-SDI input/output.
  • 1 x .edge_100g license: to enable the 2 x 100GbE option for the media network interfaces as well as 3G and UHD format support.

Ordering Information

The software licenses can be ordered either individually or as part of a bundle. See .edge - Ordering Information.