Blackmagic ATEM Mini Extreme ISO

Product Information

All the pandemic has done is make more of us aware of streaming technology and what it can do. After the initial madness of ropey single-camera Zoom conference calls, video streaming has evolved and the art of switching has grown in popularity. You have the base function of switching between multiple video inputs, be that camera or media player. I found that even when using the ATEM Mini Extreme in this way, having the multiview output monitor was essential, just so you know what’s live and what’s not. Switching to the network While ATEM Mini is easy to use, it's also hiding very powerful broadcast features! If you're interested in a career in the television industry, then ATEM Mini is perfect for training as it has the same features as switchers in high end broadcast studios. You get an ATEM Advanced Chroma Key, Fairlight audio mixer, DVE, still store for graphics and much more! Simply run the free ATEM Software Control app on Mac or Windows while connected via USB or Ethernet to access the extended features of the ATEM Mini. With a little experimentation you can learn how to produce broadcast quality live production. Only ATEM Mini is a true broadcast switcher hidden in a tiny and affordable design! The workflow was seamless and easy to understand, the only errors being when I switched to the wrong camera.

Atem Mini Extreme ISO is a great switcher for the price. You definitely get your money’s worth. I am using it in a church environment and and I find it very impressive; especially being able to plug in any HDMI camera and get reliable results and the opportunity of being able to connect your mobile and share the internet takes Atem switchers to another level. The dual HDMI outputs are great for churches...allowing you to choose a different feed for the church display without affecting the program out and still keep the multi view out! I love the ability ability to record individual cameras for editing. This model adds all the features of ATEM Mini Pro plus it records 5 H.264 video streams in real time! That's a clean feed of all inputs plus the live program! A DaVinci Resolve project is also saved so you can open your live production to adjust edits, remix audio and add color correction! ATEM Mini’s compact all in one design includes both a control panel as well as connections. The front panel includes easy to use buttons for selecting sources, video effects and transitions. The source buttons are large so it’s possible to use it by feel, letting the presenter do the switching! You even get buttons for audio mixing! On the ATEM Mini Pro and Extreme models you also get buttons for record and streaming control, as well as output selection buttons that let you change the video output between cameras, program and multiview. On the rear panel there are HDMI connections for cameras or computers, extra microphone inputs, USB for webcam out plus an HDMI "aux" output for program video. Getting started with the ATEM Mini Extreme is easy, plugin, and off you go. At least, that’s how easy it can be if used as a straight webcam connection through your chosen streaming app.

ATEM Mini Extreme ISO

The only difference between the two is that the ISO enables you to record down the separate feeds from each camera, along with audio and transitions individually. Not only does it save down all the individual components of the stream, but it also compiles them into a DaVinci Resolve project file. Each of the HDMI inputs feature their own dedicated standards converter. The ATEM Mini will automatically convert 1080p, 1080i and 720p sources to the switcher video standard. The HDMI outputs are a true “aux” output so you can clean switch each HDMI input to the output. Plus the ATEM Mini Extreme models support 2 low latency direct loops. On the more powerful ATEM Mini Pro and ATEM Mini Extreme models, the HDMI output can be selected to display a full multiview. The number of Aux outputs varies between the Mini and SDI lines on similar models. The Mini has a single HDMI output, and the Mini Extreme has two HDMI outputs. The SDI line has twice as many Aux outputs, with the SDI and SDI Pro ISO both having two and the SDI Extreme ISO having four. All models have at least one USB-C webcam program output, while the Extreme models have two USB-C outputs that can be used for external drive recording, webcam program out, connection to a computer for the Software Control panel, and cellphone tethering while streaming. ATEM SDI Extreme ISO and ATEM Mini Extreme ISO Although almost everything can be handled directly through the hardware, you need to access the ATEM Software control when it comes to loading graphic.

I found it took some time to watch through tutorials and ask daft questions to get to grips with all the functions and features I needed. ATEM Mini Extreme ISO includes all the features of ATEM Mini Extreme, plus also records 9separate H.264 video streams in real time, allowing capture of all 8clean feed inputs as well as the program video. ADaVinci Resolve project file is also saved allowing the project to be recreated andeditedlater! ATEM Software Control Panel included free for Mac 10.14 Mojave, Mac 10.15 Catalina, Mac 11 Big Sur or later and Windows 10 64 bit only.

ATEM Camera Control Panel

However, as a complete and expandable version, the ATEM Mini Extreme is an incredible piece of kit. The ATEM Mini range was already a powerful broadcast tool that has brought professional multi-camera productions within reach of anyone who wants. ATEM Mini Pro and ATEM Mini Extreme models have a built in hardware streaming engine for live streaming via their ethernet connections. That means you can live stream to YouTube, Facebook and Twitch in better quality, without dropped frames and with simpler settings.

x 2 channel audio inputs recorded as separate 24‑bit 48KHz .wav files. Including 2 x analog 2 channel audio inputs and 8 x HDMI 2 channel embedded audio inputs. Another point that takes a little working through is the graphic overlays. These are essentially graphics loaded into the Media Manager area of the software that can then be assigned and placed over the live stream video. Here you can assign the graphic to buttons and switch them on and off as you need. I ran several live tutorials using four cameras and two media devices, one media device to show the end product and a computer used to run through file organisation and behind the scenes content.Phone tethering works with the latest high speed 5G phones plus the more common 4G phones. The ATEM switcher will automatically detect when a phone is connected and switch its internet connection to use it, eliminating the need for changing settings. When connected, the phone will power from the USB port so it remains charged from the switcher. DaVinci Resolve project file

Ethernet: Ethernet supports 10/100/1000BaseT for live streaming, software control, software updates and to connect a control panel directly or via a network connection The problem is that the use of small switchers like the ATEM Mini is relatively new and users are hungry for more features and functions. Ethernet supports 10/100/1000 BaseT. Ethernet used for direct connection between panel and chassis or via network. ATEM Mini Extreme ISO also supports direct USB‑C connection. Ethernet or USB‑C used for updating the software. On the ATEM Mini Pro and Extreme models you also get buttons for record and streaming control, as well as output selection buttons that let customers change the video output between cameras, program and multiview. Recording video: 1 programme output to record an H.264 MP4 file in the set streaming quality and according to ATEM video standard with AAC audioIt standardises all the video inputs ready to be mixed in real-time with effects ready to be output as a live video stream. ATEM Software control is a little daunting to use on the first run, but once you work out that there is no live stream view in the interface and make yourself familiar with the different screens, it all starts to make sense. As there are two compared with the small ATEM Mini’s on you have the choice of how you use the two ports.