Check out my full review here... If you are like me, trying to find the best video switcher for multi-camera live streaming that is portable, broadcast-quality, and inexpensive, then I think BlackmagicDesign released a product just for us.
In this post, I am going to explore the BlackmagicDesign ATEM Mini.
As of September 2019, the price of the ATEM Mini is USD295 / SGD425.
With this price, some may say it is not professional enough, but it’s “BlackmagicDesign”. So, let’s find out…
How many inputs can it take?
What video format does it accept?
Are there any format compatibility issues?
What is the output video format?
How does it connect to the internet?
Can I overlay a lower third text?
Can I do green screen effects?
Also, will it be good replacement for my ATEM Television Studio HD Production Switcher?
Towards the end, I will reveal what it cannot do or does not have… at least for my requirement.
1. How Many Inputs?
The ATEM Mini accepts 4 HDMI inputs. That means I can connect up to 4 cameras or even computer displays with HDMI outputs.
That’s nice, I rarely go more than 4 inputs in my regular gigs.
2. What Video Formats?
The ATEM Mini accepts 1080 and 720 HD formats at various universal frame rates, both progressive and interlaced.
Great! All my cameras and computers have HDMI outputs.
3. Any Compatibility Issues?
According to the product description, all connected sources will re‑sync if they operate at different video standards.
I hope that means it can really handle unknown equipment when I set it up at new locations… which is an issue I face with the ATEM Television Studio HD.
4. What Output Format?
There are 2 video output ports. One HDMI and one USB-C. The HDMI goes to a standard video projector or monitor. The USB-C goes straight into the computer, just like plugging in an external webcam.
Wow! That means I don’t need another video converter in between, like the HDMI to USB converter that I have been using.
5. Direct to the Internet?
So, for live streaming, does it connect directly to the internet? No. You connect the USB-C video output port to a computer, and on the computer, run a streaming software like OBS.
That’s fine with me, just think of the ATEM Mini as an external webcam with multiple camera angles to choose from. Hardware switching is always better than software switching, which OBS can do, but that’s another topic.
6. Overlay Text and Graphics?
On its own, you cannot overlay text or graphics. You will need to connect ATEM Mini to a computer and run its free ATEM Software Control Panel. Adding to that, we can overlay only still text and graphics.
As far as I know, we cannot overlay animated graphics, which I hope I am wrong, but I am sure BlackmagicDesign can do something about it if I am right.
7. Green Screen Effects?
Can we do greenscreen keying live? I know this feature exists in the higher end ATEM switchers, but I just found out, we can do it on the ATEM Mini, again with the software control panel.
This could be the decisive feature to own the ATEM Mini. I don’t know. What do you think?
Is that it? These are only the 7 features that I need. There is more the ATEM Mini can do, such as… having 2 audio inputs with adjustable audio levels, picture-in-picture effects, live transition effects,
…and some “secret” broadcast features built-in.
What it Cannot Do
So far everything is good except it cannot do the following.
- Overlay animated texts and graphics (only still text and graphics can be overlayed via the Free ATEM Software Control Panel on Mac or Windows)
- No 4K video input nor output
- No multi-screen preview
Bookmark this page as I continue to update it with reviews, comparisons, and tutorials.
Check out my full review here...
Feel free to reply with a comment or question.
Share this post with someone who needs it.
See you in the next one!
Adrian Lee
VIDEOLANE.COM
Sign up for free upcoming courses on Smart Video Content Creation ⏩ →
SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL
→
LET’S CATCH UP!
LIKE:
SUBSCRIBE:
FOLLOW:
CONNECT:
VISIT:
#BlackmagicDesign #AtemMini ##VideoSwitcher
0 Comments