Blackmagic ATEM Mini Low cost Multi Camera Live Production Switcher

Blackmagic ATEM Mini Low cost Multi Camera Live Production Switcher

Create professional, broadcast quality programsand stream them live!

Blackmagic ATEM Mini is the world’s first live production switcher that makes it possible for anyone to create and stream broadcast quality multi camera programs! Packed with high end broadcast technology, ATEM Mini features 4 HDMI inputs for connecting cameras, computers and game consoles, two microphone inputs, and an HDMI output for monitoring and recording.

You also get a USB output for connecting to a computer so you can stream full 1080 HD live online! The intuitive control panel is designed for speed and simplicity. That means you can use it by yourself, without the need for a large dedicated video crew! You also get built in digital video effects, transitions, and keyers for removing backgrounds or adding your own custom graphics! It’s perfect for anyone that wants to create their own professional looking programs and post them online!

The new Blackmagic ATEM Mini makes it easy to create professional multi camera productions for live streaming to YouTube or innovative business presentations using Skype. Simply connect ATEM Mini and you can switch live between 4 high quality video camera inputs in dramatically better quality images. You can even connect to a computer to present PowerPoint slides or add a gaming console.

The built in DVE allows exciting picture in picture effects, perfect for live commentary! There’s loads of video effects too! To live stream, Blackmagic ATEM Mini has a USB output that works like a webcam, so you can connect to any video software. There’s also HDMI video out for projectors! Microphone inputs allow high quality desktop and lapel mics for interviews and presentations. Blackmagic ATEM Mini even has secret broadcast features built in so it can do high end work!

BMD ATEM Mini

Blackmagic ATEM Mini With ever-changing technology and innovation at our era, we are always spoil with choice. Not only Technology becoming Simple but it is power packed with essential features with price level even more affordable.

With today information age, the winner will be the one who is not only disruptive in technology but at price which is much more below acceptable.

The old saying of “Cheap thing no good, Good thing not cheap” might be overturned.

I would like to site the product as eg that I am familiar with to justify my statement. At the entry level of professional Digital Video switcher, with at least 4 input either SDI or HDMI, commonly seen are

1. Roland V1-HD (4 X HDMI input)
2. Sony MCX500 (4 x input with pre-configuration of either HDMI or SDI Input and capable of recording in SD card and built in streaming function)
3. Data video HS1300 (4 x SDI + 2HDMI input yet with recording and streaming function)

These devices have been the key presence in the Video mixing market be it at live event or for streaming activities. There are no fanciful feature like ME which is not normally needed in these type of applications. They have, by far, proven to be one to offer most economical and workable solutions.

As a matter a facts we don’t see many are un-pleased with its performance given the price point it offered. Now with the introduction of Blackmagic Designed Atem mini, the skyline may begin to shift.

This would be the first occasion I have met with Blackmagic ATEM Mini which is a entry level of professional video mixer of 4 x HDMI input WEIGHTING only less than 600g, and it is sized at Approximately 24cm x 10cm x height slight less than 4cm.

This is Just unbelievably too tiny, light, compact and yet it could perform similarly to those model mentioned above. And guess what is the price? It will be price at less than USD 330 or SGD 500, isn’t this disruptive?

Briefly speaking, the Atem Mini could do the followings

1. Accepting 4 x HDMI source input only (No SDI at all) .When Video are of different format they will be re-sync at the Mixer, thus make the video seamless and smooth
2. It has 4 layers of keyer namely, Upstream Keyers, Downstream Keyers, Advanced Chroma Keyers , Linear/Luma Keyers and complimented by additional Transition keyer for Digital Video effect ( DVE), eg Picture in Picture
3. 6 input x 2 Channel Audio Mixer
4. USB output enable you connect to any computer, which transform the video source into webcam like so that you are enable to do streaming to any video platform.
5. It supports most of the HD input ( NOT 4k) ranging from 720P to 1080P/60 and output at 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p30, 1080p50, 1080p59.94, 1080p60 (Ultra HD Video not supported)
6. Mixing effect like Fade, Dip, wipe, Dissolve DVE are standard features which is available in it
7. 2 x output ,namely 1x HDMI and 1x WEBCAM USB-C
8. Mini in size for Portability

Applications

When you are in tight budget to do Multi-Cam Video switching for live or interview event. Blackmagic ATEM Mini may be your ideas choices. With 4 x HDMI input which is the basic requirement you are ready to performance your task at the most unbelievable cost. You may allocate one input from your computer to present your PowerPoint or stored video.

Blackmagic ATEM Mini is suitable too for live presentation or streaming as the webcam output can make your job at ease now, allowing your audience to view the presentation via FB, U tube and etc. In the live event application Atem Mini –HDMI output enable you to connect directly to any display with HDMI input port such as projector or display.

Since the set up could be pretty fast, one may consider to use this for education purpose, to stream and record the lecture content and process.

Webcam USB-C output

USB Output allow you to connect to any Window or Mac computer, such connectivity allow the computer to accept input HDMI source as it was captured by your webcam thus you can share the content or stream it immediately to your digital platform or social media like Facebook, YouTube, Twitch TV Skype and I envisage there should be more forthcoming.

If you have a OBS software installed, the streaming is at your complete control to where it like to go. Laterally you may have difference application, like PowerPoint presentation that mix’s with video and with Picture and picture capability, You can make present an impressive and interesting presentation.

Hidden Features found in Atem Software Control Panel app

A free app is available with BMD Atem Mini which can be connected via a USD /Ethernet access to a computer. More features can be extended now.

Those Audio control and mixing effect which are not found on the front panel, can be found in this interface. Within which you are able to access to 6 Band EQ, Compressor and Limited to make your audio production more professional. Truly amazing!!

Software Updates

This can be done via USB or Ethernet connection directly connected to Mac OS X or Windows computers. Includes ATEM Switcher Utility

The Negative points

Cooling /Heating

There is no fan built within the device, thus long operation may generate some heat, this is my key concern, will it be overheated? And freeze the machine?. But this is yet to be proven

HDMI Limitation

Since the device come with no SDI connection but HDMI there will be a cable length restriction. Although the Long HDMI (Up to 100m) is now available, the steep price point may escalate the cost. Alternatively you may convert the HDMI to SDI for longer cable run, eg BMD Micro Converter or Mini Converter. It will be ideas if they could provide at least 2 SDI port for more secured and reliable video transportation.

Multiview
Unlike most of the switcher, the AtemMini does not support Multiview function, thus at any one time you can view only what is selected out from its 1 xHDMI output. This may deter those who need Multiview in order to select what is best for the program out.

Conclusion

Despite the Con’ points, for feature it offers and at the advertised price point, we are good to go. This will encourage the popularity of Switcher usage.

However there is a potential threat to the rental company which may drive their rental rate now in order to compete, since it is so economical and make sense to own one rather than renting.

Last but no least if you are familiar with BlackMagic Web Presenter, you will realise that Atem mini has similar function , except that Web presenter supports only 720P and it accepts both HDMI and SDI one each, and this I/O can be activated based on hard switch. Comparing the price point, Atem Mini will replace the Web presenter in no time