HECTOR is a modular, multi-purpose, generic input-output system for use in video and audio broadcasting and production studios.


Due to its modular nature, it is suited to both small and large studios, from individuals working at home to large television studios and outside broadcast units. Plus, new modules are constantly being developed, increasing HECTOR's functionality and versatility.
Essentially, HECTOR gives you a blank framework that can be used to control incoming and outgoing data streams, regardless of whether they contain audio, video or other data formats.
Once these data streams are within the HECTOR domain, they can be modified, converted, configured or consumed to generate additional data streams.
Furthermore, multiple HECTOR machines can be linked together via a standard network, so that inputs can be shared between machines in real-time, allowing data streams to be split in different directions or processing to be spread over several computers.
Finally, the entire user interface for HECTOR runs from within a web browser, meaning it can easily controlled and configured from a wide variety of computer systems and locations. Potentially, with a secure VPN connection, HECTOR could be managed from a mobile tablet at an entirely different location to where filming is taking place.
Example HECTOR setups:
- Graphic overlays for sports events.
- Multiple source-switching with all sources being streamed to monitors in the studio.
- Live colour grading in-studio and from remote locations.
- Recording and immediate playback of live content.
- Video encoding and transcoding between different formats, rescaling and altering FPS with ease.
- Video and audio capture and playback to/from a wide variety of hardware devices, including Blackmagic Decklink products, USB devices, desktop and web browser capture and direct playback to HDMI/DisplayPort/DVI monitors.
- Applying Look-Up Tables (LUTs) to live and pre-recorded feeds.
- HECTOR is also capable of intelligent sourcing of information. For example, in one example setup, HECTOR listens to an audio stream, identifies any music being played, locates the appropriate music video on YouTube and then starts playing it to an output of your choice.
- HECTOR can even be used as a modular synthesiser with built-in music visualisation!
Follow the development roadmap on Trello: