Overview
The Pixelhue P20 doubles up on the P10 across the board. The input bank goes to 8x DP 1.2 / HDMI 2.0 (selectable per input) plus 4x 12G-SDI with loop. Outputs are 8x HDMI 2.0 4K (up to 4096x2160@60Hz HDR, HDCP 2.2). 10G OPT fiber output mirrors the HDMI program for long-distance distribution. The 12-layer compositing engine runs in two modes: 2x MAIN DL + 10x PIP DL (switcher with deep layering) or 4x MAIN DL + 4x PIP DL (multi-output workflows). Advanced DSK keying — Smart key, Luma key, and Chroma key — plus Cut and Fill, virtual pixel mapping, projector edge blending, and multi-screen splicing for uneven divisions. An integrated multiviewer lets one operator monitor all sources on a single display. Real 4K60p 4:4:4 8/10/12-bit FPGA processing, BKG/LOGO storage, 4x AUX outputs, dual Gigabit Ethernet control, Genlock, and up to 128 stored presets. The P20 ships at 10.2 kg net (25.2 kg with flight case). Step up to the P20-DS when your install needs 12G-SDI program outputs or Dante audio.
How the OUTPUT · PGM layout works
What is a PGM? “PGM” is short for Program — the finished, composited video the switcher sends out to a display. Each PGM is a complete signal you can route to an LED wall, a confidence monitor, or a downstream device.
How many unique PGMs does the P20 produce? Two. The layer engine composites your sources into PGM 1 and PGM 2. Those two unique programs are then distributed across the eight HDMI 2.0 outputs:
- OUTPUT 1 / PGM 1 — primary pair (HDMI ports 1, 2)
- OUTPUT 2 / PGM 2 — primary pair (HDMI ports 3, 4)
- OUTPUT 3 / PGM 1 — hardware copy of PGM 1 (HDMI ports 5, 6)
- OUTPUT 4 / PGM 2 — hardware copy of PGM 2 (HDMI ports 7, 8)
Why copies? The duplicate outputs let you feed up to four displays per program without an external HDMI splitter — useful for redundancy, confidence monitors, recording, or driving multiple LED processors from the same program.
Hardware Details
Authoritative connector + behavior reference, sourced from the official Pixelhue user manual (V2.0.0). Tap any section to expand.
Combo card (slot 3) — SDI inputs + OPT + audio (passive)
The P20 slot 3 holds the P_4K_12G SDI Audio-OPT Combo Card, which provides:
- 4× 12G-SDI IN & LOOP (INPUT 9 to 12)
- 8× optical fiber output ports (OPT) — routing details below
- 4× 3.5 mm audio jacks: 2× line in + 2× line out. The audio function will be implemented in future firmware updates.
Step up to the P20-DS for working analog audio plus 32×32 Dante (AES67) networked audio and 4× 12G-SDI program output copies.
All inputs
The remaining seven slots are identical to the P20:
- INPUT 1–8: each slot has one DP 1.2 + one HDMI 2.0 connector. Selectable per input — when both connectors have signals, only one can be the active source at a time (the chassis LED above each port shows which one is live).
- INPUT 9–12: four 12G-SDI inputs with loop-through outputs.
OUTPUTS 1–4 (HDMI 2.0 + SDI + OPT) — layer modes
OUTPUTS 1–4 each have 2× HDMI 2.0 connectors. The behavior depends on the layer mode:
- 4K · Switcher mode — Connectors 1 and 5 are primary; connectors 2, 3, 4 copy connector 1, and connectors 6, 7, 8 copy connector 5. The resolutions of connectors 1 and 5 can be set independently.
- 4K · PGM-only mode — Connectors 1, 3, 5, 7 are primary; connectors 2, 4, 6, 8 copy 1, 3, 5, 7 respectively. Connectors 1 and 3 share a resolution group; connectors 5 and 7 share another.
- DL mode (Switcher & PGM-only) — Connectors 1, 3, 5, 7 are primary; connectors 2, 4, 6, 8 copy 1, 3, 5, 7 respectively, in the same resolution groups as above.
4K — Switcher mode
| OPT 1 | copies left half of HDMI 1 |
|---|---|
| OPT 2 | copies right half of HDMI 1 |
| OPT 3 | copies left half of HDMI 1 |
| OPT 4 | copies right half of HDMI 1 |
| OPT 5 | copies left half of HDMI 5 |
| OPT 6 | copies right half of HDMI 5 |
| OPT 7 | copies left half of HDMI 5 |
| OPT 8 | copies right half of HDMI 5 |
4K — PGM-only mode
| OPT 1 | copies left half of HDMI 1 |
|---|---|
| OPT 2 | copies right half of HDMI 1 |
| OPT 3 | copies left half of HDMI 3 |
| OPT 4 | copies right half of HDMI 3 |
| OPT 5 | copies left half of HDMI 5 |
| OPT 6 | copies right half of HDMI 5 |
| OPT 7 | copies left half of HDMI 7 |
| OPT 8 | copies right half of HDMI 7 |
DL — Switcher & PGM-only modes
| OPT 1 | copies HDMI 1 |
|---|---|
| OPT 2 | copies HDMI 1 |
| OPT 3 | copies HDMI 3 |
| OPT 4 | copies HDMI 3 |
| OPT 5 | copies HDMI 5 |
| OPT 6 | copies HDMI 5 |
| OPT 7 | copies HDMI 7 |
| OPT 8 | copies HDMI 7 |
MVR — Multiviewer output (operator monitoring)
1× HDMI 1.3 dedicated to the Multiviewer. Plug a monitor in here and it shows a tiled grid of every input source plus PVW and PGM thumbnails — so the tech at front-of-house can see what's coming in and what's about to go live, all on one display.
The MVR feed never goes to the LED wall. It's a confidence-monitor feed only. Pick from the built-in layout templates; custom MVR layouts are a P80/Q8 feature.
- Default resolution: 1920×1080 @ 60 Hz
- Frame rate is adjustable
AUX — Auxiliary program outputs (second screens)
4× HDMI 1.3 AUX outputs. Each AUX is its own second program-style output with its own layer engine — pick any input source, PVW, or PGM and stage it independently of what's on the main LED wall.
Typical destinations: teleprompters, stage-side confidence monitors, lobby displays, ISO recorders, streaming encoders, or a separate room. AUX layers can be scaled, cropped, and positioned just like the main PGM layers.
- Default resolution: 1920×1080 @ 60 Hz
- Maximum resolution: 2048×1152 @ 60 Hz
- Supports interlaced output (1080i, etc.)
For 1080p confidence monitoring, use the MVR output above. For up to 4 independent custom feeds (one per teleprompter, recorder, etc.), use these AUX outputs.
CONTROL — Ethernet + Genlock
2× Gigabit Ethernet ports — for control and live input view. One works as primary, the other as backup; they share the same IP address and have the same function.
GENLOCK IN + LOOP — BNC sync signal input with a loop-through for daisy-chaining the reference to downstream devices.
Power + work lights
IEC C14 inlet with a rocker switch. 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz.
Two LED work lights with red pushbutton switches on the rear panel — so you can see the connectors during load-in at a dim venue without pulling a flashlight.
Input video specs
DP 1.2
- Maximum resolution: 4096×2160@60Hz / 8192×1080@60Hz
- Minimum resolution: 800×600@60Hz
- Maximum width: 8192 px (8192×1080@60Hz)
- Maximum height: 7680 px (1080×7680@60Hz)
- Maximum frame rate: 240 Hz
- EDID management (standard + custom resolutions)
- HDCP 1.3 compliant
- No support for interlaced video signal
HDMI 2.0
- Maximum resolution: 4096×2160@60Hz / 8192×1080@60Hz
- Minimum resolution: 800×600@60Hz
- Maximum width: 8192 px
- Maximum height: 7680 px
- Maximum frame rate: 240 Hz
- HDR support
- EDID management (standard + custom resolutions)
- HDCP 2.2 compliant (downward compatible)
- Interlaced video signal supported
12G-SDI
- Supports ST-2082 (12G), ST-2081 (6G), ST-424 (3G), ST-292 (HD)
- Maximum resolution: 4096×2160@60Hz
- Maximum frame rate: 60 Hz
- Interlaced video signal supported
Output video specs
HDMI 2.0
- Maximum resolution: 4096×2160@60Hz / 8192×1080@60Hz
- Minimum resolution: 800×600@60Hz
- Maximum width: 8192 px
- Maximum height: 7680 px
- Maximum frame rate: 240 Hz
- HDR support
- EDID management
- HDCP 2.2 compliant (downward compatible)
- Interlaced video signal supported
12G-SDI (P20-DS only)
- Copies the HDMI outputs (one per output group)
- Backward compatible with SD-SDI, HD-SDI, 3G-SDI and 6G-SDI
- Supports ST-2082 (12G), ST-2081 (6G), ST-424 (3G), ST-292 (HD)
- Maximum resolution: 4096×2160@60Hz
- Interlaced video signal supported
- Dual-channel embedded audio (24-bit / 48 kHz)
- No HDR support
- No EDID management
- Does not output when matching HDMI 2.0 connector is at a custom resolution
Specifications
| Model | P20 |
|---|---|
| Inputs | 8x DP 1.2 / HDMI 2.0 (selectable per input — not both at once) 4x 12G-SDI with loop-through |
| HDMI 2.0 Outputs | 8x HDMI 2.0 (max 4096x2160@60Hz, HDR, HDCP 2.2) |
| 10G OPT Fiber Output | 8x 10G SFP+ — copies HDMI program output |
| Layer Capacity | Up to 12 DL layers (2x MAIN + 10x PIP) or 8 DL layers (4x MAIN + 4x PIP) |
| Multiviewer | 1x HDMI 1.3 multiviewer — live thumbnails of all inputs + PVW + PGM. Default 1920x1080@60Hz, adjustable frame rate, multiple layout templates |
| Advanced Keying | Downstream Keying (DSK), Smart Key, Luma Key, Chroma Key |
| Image Processing | Real 4K60p 4:4:4 — 8 / 10 / 12-bit FPGA |
| Transitions | Seamless Take / Cut / T-bar, fade and cut effects |
| Multi-Screen | Virtual pixel mapping, mosaic, LCD bezel compensation, projector edge blending, Cut and Fill, multi-screen splicing for uneven divisions |
| Control | Front-panel keys + 5" LCD, PixelFlow software, U5 / U5 Pro console |
| Network | 2x Gigabit Ethernet (primary + backup, shared IP) |
| Sync | Genlock IN + LOOP |
| Net Weight | 10.2 kg (25.2 kg with flight case) |
| Best For | Small to large live events, broadcast-adjacent production |
| AUX Outputs | 4x HDMI 1.3 — default 1920x1080@60Hz, max 2048x1152@60Hz, interlaced supported |
| Output Failover | Software fail-over: a damaged HDMI output can be replaced by a spare connector while the device is running |
| Backgrounds / Logos | BKG loadable from PC or event controller; capture from input or PGM as BKG with adjustable aspect, position, and size. LOGO storage included. |
| Compatibility | Mac mosaic compatibility, Mac EDID compatibility, antistatic protection with configurable duration |
| Audio Jacks | 4x 3.5 mm (2x line in + 2x line out) — analog audio working on P20-DS; reserved for future firmware on P10 / P20 |
| Dimensions | 482.6 x 501.0 x 139.0 mm (3U rack) |
| Flight Case Dimensions | 560 x 230 x 732 mm |
| Mount Orientation | Horizontal only — do not mount vertically or upside down |
| Rack Load Rating | At least 41.0 kg per mount; M5 x 12 screws (4) |
| Power | 100-240 V~, 50/60 Hz |
| Maximum Power Consumption | 140 W |
| Noise Level | 45.6 dB(A) typical at 25 deg C / 77 deg F |
| Operating Temperature | 0 deg C to 50 deg C (32 deg F to 122 deg F) |
| Operating Humidity | 0-80% RH non-condensing |
| Storage Temperature | -20 deg C to +60 deg C (-4 deg F to 140 deg F) |
| Storage Humidity | 0-95% RH non-condensing |
| Reliability | 24/7 stability tested |
| Certifications | FCC, IC, CE, RoHS, KC, CB (Class A device) |
| Presets | Up to 128 complete and relative presets (PVW or PGM load) |
| Standard Timings | DMT, CEA, SMPTE (custom resolutions with reduced blanking + HBlank) |
| Supported Color Bit Depth | 8-bit, 10-bit, 12-bit (12-bit at 4096x2160@30Hz, 10-bit at 4096x1080@60Hz, 8-bit at 4096x2160@60Hz) |
| Connector Bandwidth | DP 1.2 / HDMI 2.0: 18 Gbps; 12G-SDI: 11.88 Gbps |
| Control Integration | PixelFlow software, U5 / U5 Pro consoles, Stream Deck (Companion integrated), KeyFrame |
| Outputs | 8x HDMI 2.0 (4K, HDR, HDCP 2.2) 8x 10G SFP+ OPT fiber (copies HDMI program) 1x HDMI 1.3 MVR (multiviewer) 4x HDMI 1.3 AUX |
Documentation
Official Pixelhue documentation: specifications, release notes, and the full user manual.
| Type | Document | Size | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📄 Specifications | P20 & P20-DS Specifications V1.7.1 | 1.5 MB | Download .pdf |
| 📝 Release Notes | P20 & P20-DS Release Notes V1.8.0 | 2.2 MB | Download .pdf |
| 📘 User Manual | Seamless Switchers, Pixelflow & Event Controllers User Manual V2.0.0 (covers P10, P20, P20-DS, P80, Q8, Pixelflow, U5, U5 Pro) | 26.4 MB | Download .pdf |
Downloads
Latest firmware and control software for the P20.
| Type | Name + Version | Size | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firmware | P20 V1.8.0 | 621.0 MB | Download .zip |
| Software | PixelFlow V2.0.0 (Windows) | 450.0 MB | Download .exe |
Need help configuring the P20?
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