The new ATEM Mini Extreme, Blackmagic's most capable 1 M/E switcher

Sunday21February2021By Nathalie Klimberg

Blackmagic Design has just unveiled a version of its ATEM Mini live production switcher with features well beyond what was currently available. The new ATEM Mini Extreme, Blackmagic's most capable 1 M/E switcher © DR >This new model, representing the most advanced Blackmagic 1 M/E switcher, features 8 inputs, 4 ATEM advanced chroma keyers, 6 total independent DVEs, 2 media players, 2 downstream keyers, 16-channel multi-view , 2 USB connections and several HDMI auxiliary outputs.

There is also an ATEM Mini Extreme ISO version that integrates these features and offers 9 recording streams thanks to a recording engine capable of recording all 8 entries as well as the program.

Both new models include a live streaming engine for instant streaming to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter…

ATEM Mini Switchers make it easy to create professional multi-camera productions for YouTube live streaming and innovative business presentations using Skype or Zoom.

ATEM Mini can mix 8 video streams, streams from computers such as PowerPoints or game consoles.

Built-in DVE enables picture-in-picture and video effects. Like all ATEM Minis it has a USB port that functions as a webcam so customers can use any streaming software.

It also has an HDMI output to send its mixed stream to the projectors.

Its rear panel has HDMI inputs for cameras or computers, additional microphone inputs, USB for webcam output and an HDMI “aux” output for program video. ATEM Mini Pro and ATEM Mini Extreme models feature a built-in hardware streaming engine for live streaming over their Ethernet connections, allowing live streaming to YouTube, Facebook and Twitch in higher quality, with no dropped frames and with simpler parameters. A data rate indicator even shows the internet speed required for the video format used by users and it is possible to update streaming profiles in an XML settings file to load new services.

These mixers support connecting an Apple or Android phone to the USB port to use mobile data. Tethering works with the latest high-speed 5G phones as well as the most popular 4G phones. The ATEM Switch automatically detects when a phone is connected and switches its internet connection to use it, eliminating the need to change settings. Once connected, the phone will be powered from the USB port. Using tethering and mobile data, ATEM Mini Pro and ATEM Mini Extreme become the perfect mobile production solutions.

ATEM Mini and Mini ISO Extreme models also support direct recording of their stream data to USB flash drives.

Multi-disc recording can also be supported via a Blackmagic MultiDock, so when one disc fills up, recording can continue to a second disc for non-stop recording.

Recording settings and disc selection are configured in ATEM Software Control and there is a recording status view in Multi View

Video files include metadata tags such as synced timecode and camera numbers which will make post production easier later (even audio sources are all recorded so customers can professionally remix their audio and ISO templates record also a DaVinci Resolve project file).

As for audio, thanks to their two independent 3.5mm stereo inputs, users can connect desktop microphones and lavalier microphones. With 2 additional stereo audio inputs, presenter and guest can both wear a lavalier microphone. All models also include a Fairlight audio mixer. The HDMI audio inputs and the two microphone inputs are connected to the audio mixer so that all audio sources can be mixed live. ATEM Mini Extreme also includes a headphone output.

ATEM Extreme ISO models make it possible to edit live events, as they can record multiple video streams, including clean feeds from all inputs and the program, all simultaneously. Images from the media library are also saved with video files. Video files include metadata, such as synchronized timecode and camera numbers. Users can reassemble their program with new calibrations, effects and graphics. In addition, the audio sources are recorded so that they can remix their sound professionally.

ISO templates can also save a DaVinci Resolve project file so users can open their live production as a video edit with a single click. All cuts, crossfades and graphics from the media library will be loaded. This makes it possible to tweak edit points and even replace shots. DaVinci Resolve's Sync Bin allows you to select new shots via a multi view, so it's very easy to use. Users can even link Blackmagic RAW files from cameras to add professional color corrections and finalize the project in Ultra HD.

ATEM Mini Extreme Features