16 minute read
The new Hyperdeck Mini
The new TV switching, recording and streaming suite of products announced today by Blackmagic are both an evolution and a significant upgrade — and there's one brand new category of product altogether. David Shapton reports.
Evolution can be as powerful a force as revolution. And with technology, sometimes you get both at the same time.
Today Blackmagic has taken the wrappers off a new generation of its TV switching, recording and streaming products that evolve them and upgrade them significantly. In combination, the two factors point towards revolution.
The new ATEM Television Studio HD live switcher
First off is the new ATEM Television Studio HD live switcher. It’s one rack unit high, but it’s two thirds of a rack’s width. If you’re wondering what goes in that empty third, then we have got some interesting news for you.
The ATEM Television Studio HD is a fundamentally new design, that pays homage to all the features of the original unit (which, remarkably has been in production for around six years).
It has more inputs. It’s ten-bit. Remarkably, it has all the controls you need to use it as a fully-fledged live video switcher, in miniature, on the front panel. It's absolutely tiny. You can put it in your bag. It's truly portable.
The front panel also sports a confidence monitor. At the rear there’s SDI and HDMI in and — this is a high-end feature — each SDI in has a corresponding SDI out which can be configured as a mix-minus feed, so you can, for example, send a presenter’s feed without an audio signal.
What fits into that remaining 1/3rd rack space? Two very intriguing new products.
HyperDeck Studio Mini
The first is an evolved HyperDeck called the HyperDeck Studio Mini and it’s a third of a rack space wide. It records to SD cards. It’s still able to record to ProRes. With this in the rack it becomes a recorder (with several of them it can be an ISO recorder, taking an individual feed from each of multiple cameras). It’s also a playback deck that you can use as a source for the ATEM Studio HD switcher. It’s simply staggering to think that something that is being sold for $695 can arguably perform better than a Digital Betacam deck costing thirty times the price. Even more astonishing is that SD cards are probably cheaper to buy now than Digital Betacam tapes were back in their day.
The Hyperdeck Mini isn’t confined to a rack. It’s also able to be used as a stand-alone recorder player. It can play 4K and is small enough to be hidden behind a TV screen. If you want to see 4K video material in the best practical quality this is an ideal player. There’s another feature that makes the Mini significantly more versatile: an Ethernet socket. This is not for video over IP but so that files can be uploaded to the Mini for playback. There’s an extra bonus too, which is that it’s a Power Over Ethernet connection, so the unit doesn’t need a separate power cable.
This is a set-up that says “digital signage” and “digital advertising” all over it. It’s fascinating to see how close Blackmagic has positioned itself to enter this market if it chooses to do so.
Blackmagic Web Presenter
The final candidate for the remaining rackspace (you’ll have to put one of them in the next space down if you want all three!) is the Blackmagic Web Presenter. This is a streaming device with some very handy talents.
It’s $495 and comes with SDI and HDMI inputs, with a USB output for connection to a computer - Mac or PC. This is clever: the Web Presenter looks to the computer like a webcam. It doesn’t need any drivers: it’s “class compliant”. So, for example, you could plug a DSLR or Mirrorless camera into the Web Presenter and use it for Skype - or any other application, including, of course, connecting it to a streaming service like Livestream or Facebook Live
It even has RCA inputs so you can connect a CD player for background music during a live broadcast, or you could add a separate audio commentary.
The Web Presenter has a single output format: 720p at 25fps. According to Blackmagic, this is the most commonly streamed format. If you want, say, a 1080p output, you’ll have to use something else; but, to me this is a good compromise between cost and versatility. It’s probably an example of the 80:20 law: it’s going to be absolutely fine for 80% of people and the other 20% have other options (which are almost certainly more expensive).
So who is going to use these new devices? They’re certainly very versatile and very well priced.
The ATEM Studio Mini has the same broadcast-quality specifications as the original unit. The Hyperdeck Mini is tiny, uses cheap media and can even be used as a portable 4K player. The Web Presenter plugs into almost any computer and when connected to a streaming service can broadcast virtually any camera to the globe.
With the world increasingly moving online and live, it’s more difficult to see who wouldn’t want to use them at some point in the near future.
You can watch the recording of the live stream presentation Grant Petty from Blackmagic made of the new products below. And if you want the full tech specs, the press releases are over the page.
BLACKMAGIC DESIGN ANNOUNCES NEW ATEM TELEVISION STUDIO HD
Miniaturized live production switcher with 8 inputs, built in control panel, 2 still stores, DVE, audio mixer,camera control unit, multi view, upstream and downstream keyers, and more.
Fremont, CA - February 6, 2017 - Blackmagic Design today announced ATEM Television Studio HD, a broadcast quality live production switcher designed for both broadcast and professional AV users. ATEM Television Studio HD features 8 inputs, multi view, aux, and program outputs, analog audio inputs, built in talkback, two flash based media players, incredible creative transitions, a DVE for effects and more.
ATEM Television Studio HD is available now for $995 from Blackmagic Design Resellers worldwide.
The new ATEM Television Studio HD replaces the original and extremely popular ATEM Television Studio. It features four 3G-SDI and four HDMI inputs so customers can connect a total of up to 8 different sources such as professional SDI broadcast cameras, consumer HDMI cameras, computers and even video game consoles. ATEM Television Studio HD is compatible with all SD and HD formats up to 1080p60. There are two channels of analog audio in, RS-422, Ethernet and a built in IEC power supply, along with program and auxiliary outputs. Customers also get both SDI and HDMI multi view outputs so they can monitor all sources, preview and program outputs, along with labels, audio meters and more, all on a single big screen television or broadcast monitor.
ATEM Television Studio HD is perfect for everything from professional broadcast studio shows and broadcast sports, to customers working on video blogs, gaming videos, internet talk shows, weddings, concerts, seminars and more. It also features resynchronization on every input so switching is completely glitch free. That means customers can even use it as a front end controller for AV systems and cleanly switch between sources with the press of a button.
Featuring an extremely portable design, ATEM Television Studio HD is the world’s smallest all in one broadcast switcher. It’s only ⅔ of a rack space wide and is packed with high end broadcast features that make it possible to create an entire live switched program, complete with effects and transitions, right from the front panel. The front panel features 8 large buttons for switching between sources, along with corresponding audio buttons, down stream keyer, fade to black, media player and cut buttons. There’s also a built in LCD screen, spin knob and additional buttons for menus and to adjust settings like transition and effect parameters. Customers simply press the button for the source that they want to see next in the program, then hit the cut or auto button to switch sources, add effects, or even key in graphics.
For complete creative control, ATEM Television Studio HD also includes a free software control panel for Mac and Windows. The software control panel features an intuitive interface with different pages for switching, managing media, mixing audio, and remote controlling and color correcting cameras. The Switcher page is modeled after a physical hardware control panel making it fast and easy for customers to switch between sources, adjust transitions, add upstream and downstream keyers, and more. The Media page lets customers drag and drop up to 20 RGBA graphics into the media pool and automatically upload them to the switcher’s flash memory so they can be recalled and used in realtime during a live program. The software control also features a 20 channel audio mixer that can used to adjust and balance levels from all inputs, including the analog audio inputs. The audio mixer displays meters, has sliders for adjusting levels, and controls for turning channels on or off, using the audio follows video feature and more.
The ATEM Television Studio HD software control also has a complete camera control section for remotely controlling cameras over the SDI program return feed. Blackmagic Studio, Micro and URSA Mini cameras are all compatible with the SDI control protocol. These cameras also feature built in DaVinci Resolve primary color correct that can be remote controlled, making it possible to balanced camera color and create unique looks, all from the switcher. In addition, customers can adjust focus and iris on compatible lenses, change camera settings, and even remote control PTZ heads.
The most exciting thing about the free software control panel is that multiple users can be connected at the same time. That means customers can have one person switching the program while another mixes the audio, and another uploads or changes graphics, while another person remotely color balances and controls the cameras.
ATEM Television Studio HD gives customers true broadcast quality transitions, effects and graphics. Using transitions such as mixes, wipes and dips are done by simply pressing a button on the front panel. There 18 included transitions give customers massive creative options because they can customize things such as border, border color and width, position, direction and more. In addition, there’s a built in 2D DVE for adding digital video effects that can position, resize and scale live video, all in realtime. That means customers can create professional picture-in-picture effects, use DVE powered transitions like squeeze and swoosh between sources, or create graphic wipe transitions with their own graphics.
ATEM Television Studio HD has a built in media pool that can store 20 graphics that can be used with the two built in media players. The media pool uses flash memory, so images are saved even after the power is turned off. That means customers can create completely custom graphics to use in their own programs. In addition, there is an upstream keyer with full chroma keying for green screen shots so customers can add weather maps, graphics, or even virtual sets. The upstream keyer works with chroma, patterns, shapes and linear keys.
ATEM Television Studio HD also features 2 downstream keyers for adding graphics, logos and bugs to video. Customers can even install a HyperDeck Studio Mini in the rack right next to ATEM Television Studio HD and use it as a source for ProRes 4:4:4:4 motion graphics files with alpha channels. That means customers can get fill and key graphics composited over live video, or they can use motion graphics with alpha as transitions between sources, all in real time.
ATEM Television Studio HD also includes a built in talkback converter for SDI cameras. The talkback information is sent back to the camera via the SDI program return feed on the rarely used SDI audio channels 15 and 16. When working live with a reporter in the field, there can be a slight delay that causes them to hear themselves as an echo in their headset. ATEM Television Studio HD includes a new mix minus feature that sends back all the program audio except their own voice, so they don’t hear a distracting echo of themselves while reporting.
“The original ATEM Television Studio has been a huge hit and is extremely popular with our customers,” said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. “The exciting thing about new ATEM Television Studio HD is that it has even more inputs and more features than before, but now makes it possible for customers to create an entire HD program right from the front panel! When it comes to creating HD programs from live events, there simply is no faster, simpler or more affordable way to do it!”
ATEM TELEVISION STUDIO HD FEATURES
* 4 x 3G-SDI and 4 x HDMI inputs for a total of 8 inputs, all with auto re‑sync.
* Supports all video formats from SD to 720p, 1080i and 1080p HD up to 60fps.
* 1 x built in multi view for 8 sources, as well as preview and program.
* Built in media pool graphics storage for 20 RGBA stills.
* Built in DVE with 3D borders and drop shadow.
* Transitions include cut, mix, dip, SMPTE wipes and more.
* 1 upstream keyer including chroma keyer plus 2 downstream keyers.
* 1 auxiliary output with front panel aux switching buttons and LCD screen for viewing.
* Built in audio mixer live mixes embedded audio from all video inputs and independent audio inputs.
* Balanced XLR stereo analog audio inputs .
* Internal sources include black, color bars, two color generators and 2 media player outputs.
* Ethernet connection for computer connection. Mac and Windows control panel software included.
* Compatible with all ATEM Broadcast Panel control panels when hardware panel is required.
* Black Burst and HD-Tri-Sync genlock input for integration into large systems.
* Compact ⅔ rack unit size is perfect for when in a portable solution is required.
* Desktop or rack mountable using the optional Teranex Mini Rack Shelf.
AVAILABILITY AND PRICE
The ATEM Television Studio HD is available now for US$995 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
BLACKMAGIC DESIGN ANNOUNCES NEW HYPERDECK STUDIO MINI
The world’s first miniaturized broadcast deck with non-stop recording to dual SD card recorders in all SD, HD and Ultra HD formats up to 2160p30
Fremont, California - February 6, 2017 - Blackmagic Design today announced HyperDeck Studio Mini, a miniaturized professional deck that records and plays back broadcast quality 10-bit video using commonly available SD and UHS-II cards. HyperDeck Studio Mini features 6G-SDI for working with all SD, HD and Ultra HD formats up to 2160p30. HyperDeck Studio Mini is unique because it includes HDMI for monitoring, a built in sync generator and ethernet for uploading media via FTP so it also becomes an ideal solution for digital signage tasks.
HyperDeck Studio Mini is available now for US$695 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
The advanced miniaturized design of HyperDeck Studio Mini puts the powerful features of a professional grade deck into a compact size that’s only 5.5 inches wide and 1.5 inches tall. This incredible miniaturization is made possible because HyperDeck Studio Mini records onto inexpensive, commonly available SD cards, which are a fraction of the size of SSD’s and other professional media. The design is based on the Teranex Mini form factor, making it modular so customers can mount HyperDeck Studio Mini using the optional Teranex Mini Rack Shelf and combine it with other products to create a completely customized deck based on their workflow.
For example, customers working with analog material can combine it with a Teranex Mini Analog to SDI converter on the input and a Teranex Mini SDI to Analog converter on the output to create an analog deck in a single rack space. HyperDeck Studio Mini can be used with ATEM Television Studio HD, Blackmagic Web Presenter, URSA Mini, Blackmagic MultiView 4 in any combination. This design means customers can mix and match modules to build custom solutions.
HyperDeck Studio Mini’s small size means customers can use it for ISO recording at multi camera events, as playback decks for massive multi screen digital signs, in client suites and theaters for review and approval, in post production with an editing system, or even as a fill and key source for sending animated broadcast graphics to a live production switcher. With HyperDeck Studio Mini, the combinations and possibilities are virtually endless.
HyperDeck Studio Mini features the highest quality 6G-SDI connections so it’s compatible with all SD, HD and Ultra HD equipment and formats up to 2160p30. It also includes reference input as well as a reference output with a built in sync generator, and an HDMI output for connecting to big screen televisions and projectors. The Dual Link SDI outputs can be used to output separate fill and key when operating in HD formats and playing back RGBA ProRes files that include an alpha channel. Fill and key output are designed to let customers send graphics with alpha channel out to a switcher for downstream keying over live video. HyperDeck Studio Mini also has an RS-422 connection for deck control, Ethernet for uploading files to the deck via FTP, and a built in 100V - 240V AC international power supply with standard IEC connector so it can be used anywhere in the world.
The built in reference connections and sync generator let customers connect and lock multiple HyperDeck Studio Mini’s together so they can all play back in perfect synchronization. That means customers can use HyperDeck Studio Mini to drive massive 8K, 16K or higher resolution multi screen digital signs by combining multiple HyperDeck Studio Mini’s to playback in sync on multiple Ultra HD displays. The decks can be remote controlled using the HyperDeck Ethernet control protocol and new content can even be uploaded to them via FTP. In addition, because the media files are stored locally on the SD cards, customers never have to worry about losing video playback on their digital signs if the internet connection goes down.
HyperDeck Studio Mini features traditional deck style transport controls, including a jog button and shuttle wheel. The integrated high resolution LCD shows timecode and transport information, plus a full color thumbnail preview of the current clip being recorded or played back. It also displays information about each card’s recording status, along with the video format, frame rate information and audio levels, all on the same display.
HyperDeck Studio Mini includes dual SD card recorders that work with both regular SD cards and high performance UHS-II cards. SD cards are commonly available, inexpensive and extremely reliable, which makes them perfect for use as professional broadcast video storage. Standard SD cards can be used for SD and HD video, and UHS-II cards can be used for Ultra HD. Because SD cards don’t deteriorate over time and are incredibly tiny, customers can create an entire archival library that takes up a fraction of the space required by other types of media.
Unlike traditional decks, HyperDeck Studio Mini has instant playback ballistics so customers never have to wait for video to cue. Any frame of video can be played back instantly from any card at any time. The dual recorders also allow non-stop recording, which is perfect for recording longer events. When the first card is full, recording automatically continues onto the next card. The cards are also hot swappable, so an empty card can be swapped for a full card while recording continues in the other slot.
HyperDeck Studio Mini records 10-bit YUV or 10-bit RGB video as ProRes, which is the most widely accepted professional video file format in the world. The ProRes files are compatible with software such as DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X and more, so customers can simply insert the card into a computer and start editing, all without having to convert the files. HyperDeck Studio Mini can also playback ProRes 4:4:4:4 files with an alpha channel in all formats up to 1080p60 via the SDI fill and key outputs. This allows playback of custom animated broadcast graphics to a live production switcher for keying over live video in real time.
“HyperDeck Studio Mini is a revolutionary new professional deck that’s smaller and more versatile than any other deck in the world,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “It’s so exciting because it has the same powerful features as a full size broadcast deck, it records to incredibly small and affordable SD cards, and it has a modular design that lets customers create their own custom deck based on their needs! There is simply no other deck this small and with this many professional grade features!”
HYPERDECK STUDIO MINI KEY FEATURES
* SD, HD and Ultra HD recorder and player
* 1 x 6G-SDI input, 2 x 6G-SDI outputs, 1 x HDMI output
* Two SD card slots for continuous recording to regular SD cards or UHS-II cards
* ProRes and DNx codec support
* ProRes 4444 playback with fill and key
* LCD for monitoring, status information and menu settings
* FTP over ethernet
* Remote control via ethernet or RS-422 connection
* Internal sync generator
* Power over ethernet, PoE+
* Built in power supply
AVAILABILITY AND PRICE
HyperDeck Studio Mini is available now for US$695 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
BLACKMAGIC DESIGN ANNOUNCES NEW BLACKMAGIC WEB PRESENTER
Now it’s possible to make any SDI and HDMI video source appear as a USB webcam for high quality streaming on the internet.
Fremont, California - February 6, 2017 - Blackmagic Design today announced the new Blackmagic Web Presenter, which allows customers to use their professional SDI and HDMI video sources with streaming software and services such as YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and more.
Featuring 12G-SDI and HDMI connections, Blackmagic Web Presenter will down convert any SD, HD and Ultra HD sources and make them look like a 720p USB webcam. As all streaming software works with webcams, Blackmagic Web Presenter also makes it easy to work with any streaming software, but with dramatically higher quality. Streaming in 720p ensures customers get the quality of HD and a 16:9 aspect ratio, but with very low data rates so uplinking streams to the internet is easy from any computer.
Blackmagic Web Presenter can also live switch programs using its built in 2 input production switcher when the optional Teranex Mini Smart Panel is installed, making it a full live production solution for location broadcast.
Blackmagic Web Presenter is available now for US$495 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
Blackmagic Web Presenter is the fastest and easiest way to get high quality video directly on the web for a new generation of web broadcasting. It replaces expensive and hard to set up dedicated streaming encoders and lets customers or broadcasters use professional cameras to stream high quality video through their favorite software and websites. Because Blackmagic Web Presenter looks like a simple webcam, any webcam compatible software will be able to capture this USB video and audio from any broadcast quality source without the need for additional drivers.
Blackmagic Web Presenter is designed for both the high end broadcaster as well as a new generation of web broadcasters. Traditional broadcasters can use Blackmagic Web Presenter to get content online quickly to a global audience from any location. AV professionals can create high quality live streams of seminars and conferences, educators can stream school performances and recitals to family members around the world, and gamers can share their gameplay with massive online communities of players.
Blackmagic Web Presenter also completely revolutionizes online webinars because customers can use it as a full featured, professional live production switcher simply by adding the optional Teranex Mini Smart Panel. That means they can create webinars using multiple sources so the finished program looks better and is far more dynamic than ever before.
Blackmagic Web Presenter features Teranex conversions that provide high quality image scaling for incredible looking web video. Incoming SD, HD and Ultra HD sources are automatically converted to 720p and output via USB to the computer for streaming on the internet. Converting sources to 720p is ideal for streaming because it delivers HD resolution and incredible quality at the lowest possible data rate. If the streaming software detects a slow internet connection, it can command Blackmagic Web Presenter to reduce the frame rate to 20, 15, 10 or even 5 frames per second.
Customers using Blackmagic Web Presenter don’t need to install any additional drivers because it is a standard UVC and UAC compatible USB video device. That means Mac, Windows, Linux and even Chromebook computers will automatically recognize Blackmagic Web Presenter as a standard webcam. This allows customers to use professional cameras to get far superior video quality, while maintaining compatibility with all of their existing software because the computer sees it as a simple webcam. Blackmagic Web Presenter works with software such as Open Broadcaster and XSplit Broadcaster, as well as popular sites like YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Skype, Twitch.TV, Periscope and more.
When used with the optional Teranex Mini Smart Panel, Blackmagic Web Presenter can be used as a broadcast quality, 2 input live production switcher. The panel adds push button controls, an LCD screen and spin knob for quickly cutting between sources. Blackmagic Web Presenter features re-synchronization on the HDMI input, so cutting between sources is always smooth and glitch free. For example, customers can connect an SDI camera and an HDMI laptop, and then use the front panel to switch between them while broadcasting live on the internet, complete with smooth, professional looking dissolves.
Blackmagic Web Presenter features 12G-SDI and HDMI 2.0 connections for working with all formats up to 2160p60, loop out to send the input signals back out to other devices such as a projector, and a program output to send full resolution SDI to a recorder or monitor. It also has XLR and RCA HiFi inputs for connecting microphones and other audio devices, along with a built in 90V - 240V AC power supply so customers don’t have to carry around extra power bricks or cables.
Blackmagic Web Presenter is portable enough to take anywhere so customers can broadcast wherever there’s an internet connection. The compact 1/3 rack unit size is perfect for equipment racks and can be placed alongside other equipment such as Teranex Mini Converters, HyperDeck Studio recorders and even ATEM Television Studio HD.
“Blackmagic Web Presenter lets customers create incredible looking online broadcasts using their professional SDI equipment and HDMI sources such as cameras, laptops and gaming consoles,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “The exciting part about it is that there are no drivers, it just works with all of the most popular webcam software and sites such as Open Broadcaster, XSplit Broadcaster, YouTube Live, Twitch.TV, Facebook Live and more. Plus, it can be turned into a full featured live production switcher simply by adding a Teranex Mini Smart Panel. Blackmagic Web Presenter is revolutionary because it makes global broadcasting available to anyone, which has been our dream for a long, long time!”
BLACKMAGIC WEB PRESENTER KEY FEATURES
* Converts any SDI or HDMI source to USB webcam video in 720p HD format.
* No drivers required, works with popular streaming software such as Open Broadcaster, XSplit Broadcaster, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Periscope, Twitch.TV and more.
* Supports all SD, HD and Ultra HD input sources up to 2160p60.
* 12G-SDI input with 12G-SDI loop output.
* 12G-SDI program output, ideal for recording masters when doing live switching.
* HDMI 2.0 input with independent HDMI loop output.
* HDMI video input re-sync for live switching.
* XLR balanced mic/line level audio input.
* Consumer HiFi connections for 2 channels of audio input.
* Teranex quality down converter.
* Built in 2 input switcher when used with optional Teranex Mini Smart Panel.
* Desktop design or can be rack mounted using the Teranex Mini Rack Shelf.
AVAILABILITY AND PRICE
Blackmagic Web Presenter is available now for US$495 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
Tags: Studio & Broadcast
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