The ATEM Mini Pro ISO from Blackmagic Design is a compact video mixer that offers professional-quality multi-camera production in real time and delivers an impressive price-performance ratio. It has connections for up to four HDMI inputs (e.g. for digital cameras, computers, games consoles, and more) and two audio inputs in 3.5 mm jack format, making video production uncomplicated, and its operation is highly intuitive. Users can directly switch between the connected sources on the device, add picture-in-picture, transition, and chroma keying (better known as green screen and blue screen) effects, and even integrate their own graphics. The results can then be transferred to the user’s computer – which will recognise the ATEM Mini Pro as a webcam – via the USB-C interface or via LAN cable: The ideal setup for live streaming and for innovative business presentations via video chat. With the ISO version of the ATEM Mini Pro, the USB-C connection can also be used to isolate and record each camera track in outstanding quality, and these can then be edited later on.
The ATEM Mini Pro ISO edits video signals that are sent via HDMI in a very simple manner. Cuts and effect transitions can be made between the connected video sources using keys 1 to 4 on the user interface. The audio source can be set to match the selected HDMI source or permanently assigned – to the two additional 3.5 mm jack connections, for example. All incoming signals are automatically converted thanks to the integrated encoder, while the USB-C connection can be used to transfer all of the video tracks from the camera simultaneously. Since a timecode is assigned and stored, these can then easily be synchronised and edited in a video programme. Those using Black Magic Design’s own DaVinci Resolve software can directly open the automatically generated project file, in which all of the relevant cuts are already pre-set and can be subsequently corrected.
From online tutorials, concerts, music lessons, and dance classes to conferences, religious services, webinars, and innovative business presentations, the world of live streaming is multifaceted and opens the door to a wide audience. Anyone looking to make a name for themselves here will be hard pressed to pass on the ATEM Mini Pro ISO, which offers an impressive and affordable point of entry. Viewers on YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, ZOOM, Skype, and other streaming and messenger services will appreciate the high quality of your video presentations. What is more, the ATEM Mini Pro is also extremely useful as an offline tool, since the HDMI video output can be connected to a projector, thus allowing presentations to be given to a larger audience. The USB-C connection can also be used to record all connected camera signals together in sync and with a timecode, which allows the videos to be easily edited in high quality at a later date.
Founded in 2001, the Australian company Blackmagic Design is one of the world's leading pioneers and manufacturers of creative video technology. Known for its outstanding codecs, Blackmagic offers professional technology at affordable prices. The manufacturer demonstrated this in 2002 with the release of the DeckLink capture card. This enabled the editing of uncompressed 10-bit video material on a Macintosh OS X system. The products of the ATEM Live series are used in major productions worldwide. Grant Petty, founder and CEO of the company, describes the guiding principle of his company itself as follows: "Blackmagic Design strives to make video of the highest quality affordable to everyone so that production and television can become a truly creative industry."
The ATEM Mini Pro and ATEM Mini Pro ISO may look almost identical, but there are decisive differences between them. The Mini Pro makes it easy for users to start streaming right away and record the entire stream via USB-C, but the ISO version is the better solution for those who wish to edit their videos later on, since it records not only the overall signal but each camera track individually. This eliminates the hassle of downloading data from each camera’s memory card and manually synchronising the tracks, as these can be imported directly to the user’s video programme thanks to their synchronisation with a time code. More complex editing options are also available: Cuts can be corrected, additional transitions inserted, complete sections copied out to create a “best-of”, and much, much more. Blackmagic Design’s own DaVinci Resolve editing software is particularly ideal here, for which a project file with the cuts made in real time is created and provides an immediate working basis.
ATEM Software Control
ATEM Software Control is used to control the corresponding hardware remotely. It allows settings to be adjusted, image formats selected based on the camera settings, and video sources switched directly from the computer without needing to press any buttons on the device. The programme can also be used for keying, e.g. to superimpose multiple images in “picture-in-picture” mode or to insert subtitles. Transitions between images can be selected and applied either automatically or manually. Both the audio inputs of the cameras that are transferred via the HDMI signal and the audio signals from the mini-jack sockets can be regulated via the mixing desk tool that is integrated into the software. Last but not least, users can stream directly to a selection of different platforms.