URMI Consortium

Open Source MPEG-2 Transcoder

Urmi MPEG2 Transcoder is an open-source MPEG-2 transcoder for IPTV, cable TV, broadcast and digital TV networks.

It takes a live video stream from UDP, converts it to MPEG-2, and sends the output to another UDP destination.

It is designed for 24×7 live transcoding and can run on standard Linux server hardware.

Key Features & Benefits

  • MPEG-2 Transcoding: Convert live video to MPEG-2 for IPTV, cable TV and broadcast networks.
  • UDP to UDP: Receive a live UDP stream and send the MPEG-2 output to another UDP destination.
  • Open Source: The source code is available for review and customization.
  • No Vendor Lock-In: You are not required to use a specific hardware or software vendor.
  • Generic Hardware: Run the transcoder on suitable standard server hardware instead of a proprietary transcoder appliance.
  • Hardware Freedom: Choose your own CPU, GPU, storage and network hardware.
  • Software Freedom: Use and control the software without depending on a closed proprietary transcoding platform.
  • Good Performance: Designed for MPEG-2 encoding workloads and long-running live streams.
  • 24×7 Operation: Designed for continuous live transcoding.
  • Linux Based: Deploy on suitable Linux server hardware.

Where Can It Be Used?

Urmi MPEG2 Transcoder can be used for:

  • IPTV headends
  • Cable TV headends
  • MSO networks
  • LCO networks
  • Broadcast networks
  • Digital TV systems
  • MPEG-2 set-top boxes
  • Local TV distribution

Licensing: Open Source, But Not Free

The Urmic MPEG2 Transcoder operates under a unique and transparent distribution model. While the source code is entirely open and available for your review, the software itself is not free for commercial use.

It is distributed under the Urmi License—a custom “you happy, me happy” licensing framework. This outlines specific ethical distribution rules and commercial usage requirements, ensuring the sustainable development of the Urmic project while granting users the ultimate transparency of open-source software.

Get Started & Resources

You can access the source code, read the license and learn how to deploy the Urmi MPEG2 Transcoder.

Source Code Repository:
https://git.urmic.org/hw_partner/urmic_mpeg2_transcoder

Urmi Open-Source License:
https://github.com/shreebhattji/Urmi

Tutorials & Documentation:
https://learn.urmic.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Urmi MPEG2 Transcoder?

Urmi MPEG2 Transcoder is an open-source software solution that converts live video streams to MPEG-2.

What input does it use?

The main workflow uses live UDP SPTS input.

What output does it provide?

It produces an MPEG-2 stream that can be sent to a UDP destination.

Can I use it for Cable Tv?

Yes. It can be used in IPTV, cable TV and broadcast networks.

Can I use generic hardware?

Yes. The transcoder is designed to work with any intel or amd standard server / consumer hardware.

Do I need specific hardware?

No. There is no requirement to purchase a proprietary transcoding appliance or use a specific hardware vendor. any x86 or amd64 cpu will work fine

Is the source code available?

Yes. The source code is available for review and customization.

Is the software free?

The software is open source, but use is subject to the Urmi License. Read the license before commercial deployment.

Can it run 24×7?

Yes. It is designed for continuous live MPEG-2 transcoding.

Urmi MPEG2 Transcoder

Open-source MPEG-2 transcoding for IPTV, cable TV and broadcast networks — with generic hardware and no hardware or software vendor lock-in.