Video Training: Upstream and Downstream Keys... What are they?

[@DallasKruse]

Your explanation of the UP vs DOWN stream is fantastic. Finally, someone tells it in plain English and actually knows the definitive difference. This helped me tremendously.

[@djp_video]

Thank you!

[@theampedlife]

Finally …. I get it. Thank you for integrating simplicity, logic and language.

[@durwoodhibbard9312]

Cannot express enough how much this has helped me understand how the switch we just got works.

[@sandycollins7508]

This is fantastic - I was just saying to someone yesterday that it's so hard to find this kind of basic production run-down. Most people just assume you know things out of hand.

[@AlexKnightVancouver]

Really appreciate your wealth of knowledge and ability to explain complex technical topics in an easy to understand manner.

[@davidjcrone]

Really helpful. Clear, concise, and no fluff or hype. Love it! Subtle tip I picked up that I didn't see in the manual (ATEM Mini) is the numbering system ATEM uses for coordinates being based on 16:9. Also, the clarification that the transition buttons indicate what's going to change (turning on/off BKG and KEYs).

[@KeyboardsJR]

Marvelous video, Doug!! Like @David Crone said, clear, concise, no fluff information presented in a no-nonsense format. Exactly what I was looking for and FOUND! Definitely subscribing!!

[@marokhu]

Finally an explanation that was very clear. After this I was able to use the keys understanding what I was doing

[@jomfastre109]

Thanks. More than very helpful. Learned a lot from this training.

[@RealRickCox]

Oh wow... just realized you're right down the road from me here in Utah!! AWESOME!

[@cli23]

Great explanation. Particularly the part when you say the signal flows from left to right - really made it concrete for me.

[@JohnPapaGros]

Thanks Doug! You fixed a lot of my keying "confusements" with your great explanations. You're explanations in the fundamentals of keying solved a lot of my headaches.

[@cac2244]

I have the Atem mini and you are the first one that explains what the Yellow BKGD switch does... Thanks!

[@ryan.johnstonfemss451]

Thank you Doug. I just bought an ATEM switcher for my class, and I knew nothing about it. I feel confident now to teach it!

[@MsKeeya3]

This was extremely helpful!!! Thank you so much for making this video!

[@DentargPL]

Thanks for this excellent tutorial. The best I've seen so far.

[@neilsimmonsrealty5101]

Man, this is outstanding. Thank you, really appreciate you putting these out. You have taught me so much.

[@videodudecarl]

WOW oh WoW...great presentation. You explained the operating logic behind the ATEM product line. I have many years of production experience with GVG, Ross, TriCaster, Broadcast Pix, Sony, Panasonic, Telemation, IVCS and the list could go on. The ATEM Mini ISO Pro is a fantastic piece of LIVE gear !!!! Thanks for producing this >

[@ClearviewTeam]

This was brilliant. I am new to this so the detail and examples are very much appreciated. Thank you.

[@laurentkuhn]

thank you very much for this video, been searching a lot but othing similar in my native language. explanations are clear and very helpful. just need to go to the studio and try everything now :) thanks a lot.

[@toomanyprojectstx]

Super informative video. im sure everyone appreciates this one. THANK YOU!!!!!

[@RichEmery1]

Great Video Doug it really clears up the difference of the USK and DSK!

[@vernalgreen9613]

Thank you Doug! This has taught me so much. I appreciate the time you've put into this work.

[@oltots]

Currently working with the Studio HD ..... this was very useful!

[@stephendverner]

Great video. Very easy to follow. Great descriptions and examples.

[@djp_video]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579]

Excellent explanation and demo, thanks. My ATEM Mini Pro is going to be a bit limited in some of these settings, but what I'm after should be easy enough to get. AND I now know where I will want the bug, the DSK.

[@apntv]

Thanks Doug, I've used these switchers for years and I still get confused sometimes between upstream and downstream keys :-)

[@satinderdhindsa835]

24 minute DJP video 😍

[@QuicksilverSG]

Four years later and BMD's ATEM Software Control is still full of pitfalls. @10:00 "Even though the DSK is not technically part of the transition, you can actually have it brought on or off screen while you're doing a transition." Not sure what you mean by "technically" or "just a convenience feature", but if I understand correctly, the functionality of the TIE button is that it ties a particular DSK into subsequent transitions? So when TIE is ON, the DSK will change state on each transition, reversing the current state of the DSK ON AIR button? Doesn't that mean that turning on the TIE button makes that DSK act like a USK?

[@djp_video]

To some degree, yes... in terms that a layer can be added/removed on top of your main video sources during a transition. But the DSKs on ATEMs are more limited, in that they only support Luma keying (no Chroma key, for example), and there's no DVE on the DSKs either -- so you can't move or resize the DSK source as part of the DSK itself. But you're right that it's the Tie button that is used to cause the DSKs to dissolve on/off whenever you use the Cut or Auto button to perform a transition. As a general rule, DSKs are usually meant to stay on screen while video sources underneath them are changing. USKs are often (but not always) brought on/off with transitions. But the DSK does have one trick that the USKs don't -- that's Clean Feeds. I have another video on the channel that covers them, but you can extract the 'clean' video from the switcher wihout the DSKs, before the DSKs are added to it, by routing the clean feed to one of the outputs on the switcher, separate from the Program output. So if you needed a copy of your video without a bug, or a score overlay, or another graphic, you can use the DSKs to apply it, and record a clean feed from the switcher without those elements.

[@ians.4284]

Yep, very counterintuitive. I still get confused at whether something is going to be on or not. I am always checking my preview monitor to make sure my transition is right.

[@djp_video]

That's why it's there. :)

[@christianhannah1213]

Thank you so much for your research and time. God bless.

[@Iris-rq8nz]

Please explain the IMAG and MP1 and MP2 buttons and what they do. In the ATEM software control switcher.

[@djp_video]

MP1 and MP2 are the media players, usually used for displaying still images. Some models of ATEMs can display image sequences with the media players as well. There's no IMAG button.

[@enregistreur]

I stumbled upon your channel while searching info on the upcoming ATEM mini, and I instantly subscribed! Thank you for sharing your knowledge so clearly, it's very motivating to get into the live video field. :)

[@MrLeomike]

Hey Doug love this video, but will you do this same type of video for the Atem mini pro or ISO. explaining the up & down stream key for this model switcher. Go through all the buttons

[@djp_video]

The principles, terminology, and even methodology are identical, you just have fewer keys -- one each upstream and downstream. The biggest difference is that the Minis have Blackmagic's Advanced Chroma Keyer, so they're actually capable of higher quality chroma keys than their more expensive siblings.

[@makharacinesy]

This is a great video on how to use the ATEM Mini Control software. Thanks ! Are you going to make a video on macros ? It would be welcome.

[@djp_video]

I haven't made specific plans for macro training, but I can put it on my list of video ideas.

[@leslieseto]

Thanks for this video! It was really helpful.

[@helton1460]

your videos are top I'm from Brazil and I work at a broadcaster here and I would really like to see a video of you explaining how to use flayer kay using point A and then point B doing effects with DVE and Luma.

[@emenikepaulogali9393]

Hello Doug, thank you for all the videos. Can you do a review on Atem 4 M/E advanced panel 40?

[@djp_video]

Start with this video about the 2 M/E version... and then ask me any questions you might have. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGHQeGZnqqp_mM0

[@konni9587]

Thanks a lot Doug perfect walkthrough, very understandable

[@GoodNewsTVAZ]

Hi Doug. I have watched a couple of your videos like this one. Very helpful and clear. I have a very quick question and not sure where to ask it. So, will ask here, but not sure how i will ever see the answer. But here goes... Is there an ATEM or similar switcher that will pass closed captioning from a video source and allow you to add key/fill like you demonstrated here? Thank you.

[@djp_video]

I don't have a definitive answer for you -- I don't have much experience with captioning. You might consider reaching out on my Discord server to see if anyone else there can help. djp.li/discord

[@JonathanSebastian407]

Thank you for sharing

[@ziyanwilliams1678]

This is awesome! Thank you, I have one quick question... how does this apply to overlaying (keying) pro-presenter feed over my camera feeds?

[@djp_video]

You could use either an Upstream or Downstream key to perform that overlay. They both behave the same in terms of how you set them up. The best way to do it is to have it output separate Fill and Key channels so you can preserve the transparency data created within ProPresenter and use that to create the cleanest overlays in your ATEM. That requires a DeckLink or UltraStudio device with separate outputs for Fill and Key, like the UltraStudio Mini 4K, old UltraStudio 4K, or upcoming Media Player 10G (as Thunderbolt devices), or Decklink Duo/Quad/Extreme/8K Pro. I haven't done a video explicitly about using that technique from a computer, but the technique is similar to what is demonstrated in kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGW1i4J3rp6dadU and kzbin.info/www/bejne/qH3VnoWkn7ydirs using HyperDecks instead. You'd setup your Upstream or Downstream key in your ATEM to use the two channels from your UltraStudio/Decklink independently, and this would give you the best result possible. It allows not only gives the cleanest looking graphics, it also allows you to do things like partial transparency, where graphical objects allow some of the background to show through. That's impossible, or at least extremely difficult and limited, with other techniques. This works because your software is providing both the image that you want to see (Fill), and the transparency information (Key) separately. So any pixel on the screen can be fully opaque, fully transparent, or anywhere in between, regardless of what that pixel represents. You could also do it using a single output channel from ProPresenter using a Chroma or Luma key and an UltraStudio or DeckLink, or even a computer's built-in HDMI output. Each has its own disadvantages. A Chroma key is where you have a particular color in the image that you make transparent, like a green screen. The two biggest disadvantages are that (1) the edges on transitions between transparent and opaque are often ugly, being much too blocky or not separating cleanly from the key color (green-tinted edges). This is particularly true because ATEM (and nearly all other) switchers work in 4:2:2 video which essentially means that adjacent pixels share common color data, so a red pixel next to a green one, for example, will never key as cleanly as you might like. (2) None of the objects that you intend to show on-screen can have that transparency color present, or that part becomes transparent too. It can also be time consuming and frustrating to get setup correctly. On the ATEM switchers, the Downstream Keyers do not support Chroma key so if you go this route you have to do it using the Upstream key instead. A Luma key lets you make everything that is black transparent. White text on a black background would be a classic example of that. You can get clean edges with a Luma key, at the expense of not being able to have anything black in your image be opaque. Blacks do tend to appear quite commonly in most graphics and video sources, so this could be problematic to deal with. It's also tricky to make anything partially transparent when using a Luma key with a single channel of video.

[@ericd.1615]

Our church has a Panasonic BGH1 that we use for live streaming with an ATEM 2 M/E Constellation. We always apply a letterbox (top & bottom bars) to the BGH1 output and this causes problems when using macros. My work around has been to turn the key at the beginning of each macro opposite of my desired state and then I transition the key at the end of that same macro to my desired state on or off. Example of problem: When I use two macros back-to-back that include the same command to turn on upstream key 1 - well the first macro turns key 1 on, the second macro turns key 1 off. This is because the yellow “Key 1” cycles the state (See 6:45 in your video) instead of being a true on or off button. Is there some way we can apply a LUT letterbox or PNG letterbox all the time to the 1920 x 1080 SDI output of our BGH1? Some reasonably priced hardware device installed between our BGH1 and our ATEM? I know of no way to install a letterbox in our BGH1. We have a 3 camera setup so the order we apply our macros varies greatly depending upon the songs, order of service, wedding, funeral, etc. Thank you.

[@ericd.1615]

Or feed one of our M/E's into the second M/E?

[@djp_video]

I'm not aware of any simple devices which can add the letterbox. You could always go with an ATEM Mini or SDI to do that, though.

[@BerlinerDom]

Thank you for this video. I've been working with a ROLAND V-8HD before and the chroma key stays active regardless of transitions. While it can be very useful to switch of a lower third with a transition automatically it would be really helpful to be able to keep it. And the DSK doesn't provide Chroma Key which is very useful since we use powerpoint for the lower thirds. Any recommendations?

[@fphudson]

Hi Doug, I have an ATEM MIni. Extreme and I am trying to include a lower third graphic on a video feed that is shown in a PIP window. I thought I could set the feed and graphic using a downstream key then put that feed through the upstream/ DVE key. When I turn on the PIP the graphic does not show in the PIP window. What is the right way to make the graphic show in the PIP window? Thanks for this and all your work making educational videos for us!

[@djp_video]

This is the type of thing that requires a 2 M/E switcher, or a second switcher fed into your main switcher, to do.

[@mattmcpeek4829]

Hey Doug, thank you for this video! extremely helpful! Could you possibly do a video showing how to do Squeeze and reveal effects with the ATEM switchers?

[@rlajos]

Can you explain please the B&W method with the Keyer?

[@djp_video]

Do you mean like this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZabYYeNlKaArs0

[@jackrandallsound5404]

Fantastic explanations. I'm a sound engineer who's invested in the ATEM mini for my AV work and this has helped me get a fuller grasp of Keying. I've been wondering about overlaying live subtitles, I'm figuring it's a DSK Luma thing with a Laptop source/key combination running the subs white on a black background...

[@djp_video]

That's a pretty good start.

[@p8mediateam811]

why ATEM Mini no audio coming in or going out.

[@roychanneltv]

Thank You Doug

[@Graeme_Gtrain]

Great video Doug. Love your work. I noticed you have Key 1 and Key 2. There appears to be more room for more keys. My Studio 2 only shows Key 1 and I would like to do lower thirds on Key 1 and Picture in Picture with Key 2. I also need a Key 3 for a graphic overlay at different times. How do I get Key 2 and Key 3?

[@djp_video]

It varies by model of switcher. The software enables the buttons for whichever keys your switcher supports.

[@tednarcotic8437]

Does a green screen always mean a big piece of cloth that is green or is it sometimes a computer generated green screen?

[@djp_video]

It can be anything that creates a solid color background that can be replaced in editing. Green cloth or painted surfaces are common because they're easy. It actually doesn't have to be green. Any color can be used as long as it doesn't appear anywhere else. But green and blue tend to work well.

[@HajongLee]

Thank you for this excellent video. I'm using a program called ProPresenter to display lower thirds and I've been looking for a way to connect it directly to my ATEM Mini Pro directly as a video source.

[@ckjjclan]

Good golly! THANK YOU! This was VERY helpful! Much appreciated :-)

[@Shah_Voice9]

Sir please tell me how to activate joy stick & how to make windows more than one cropping scaling etc & background if we are working on chroma

[@djp_video]

If you need a chroma keyed source to be displayed in a window you'll need a 2 M/E switcher. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5vEgmqBi7Fjf7c

[@scutube4317]

Hi Doug, I have problem with white text being transparent when I put it on top of the video. I used the live video as the background, then computer generated lower third for lyric on top of solid blue color. The computer generated the graphic with green screen as background. I used the upstream key with the computer generated image. I made fine adjustment to get the color looked good but the white text seems to be transparent. What am I doing wrong here? From watching your video may be I should use downstream key instead. Thanks

[@dayyule9435]

Great video. This helped clear up the difference between the streams and different keys. Could you not also do the transitions for the graphic via the hard transition buttons on the ATEM switcher?

[@djp_video]

If you're wanting to do a transition between full-screen graphics, I'd look at setting them as your source, then doing normal transitions between them. If you want to do transitions between overlays (like lower thirds), the Upstream keys are the way to go.

[@rhettmcdanielmusic]

I'm curious how you have two banks of switcher buttons on the software control. I see the Mix Effect 1 bank, but what is the bank at the top for?

[@djp_video]

I have a whole video about that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5vEgmqBi7Fjf7c

[@gracecovenantpresbyterianc3393]

You da man doug

[@mavericks12]

So Doug there is no way to see all 4 m/e's even if you have 2 monitors?

[@djp_video]

See what about the 4 M/Es? The Control Panel? You'd have to run multiple copies of ATEM Software Control, but that's not something that Blackmagic supports so you have to engage a workaround of some kind to allow it. And even then, you'd only be adding one additional M/E to each display. If you're referring to multiviews for each of the 4 M/Es, the 4 M/E switchers do have four multiviewers so you can see whatever sources you want on each of those four outputs.

[@mavericks12]

How are you seeing two m/e (s) on the monitor? Blackmagic says its cannot be done . I have the 4 m/e switcher

[@djp_video]

I've got several things going on here: 1. I'm recording the output of the 2nd M/E. That's what you're seeing here. I'm doing it on the 2nd M/E so you can watch what I'm doing on the 1st M/E without affecting the recorded video. 2. I'm feeding the MultiView 1 into a Teranex Express to upconvert its 1080i output to 2160p29.97, and sending that back into one of the switcher's inputs. 3. I'm using the SuperSource in the switcher to put the three video sources in windows. One source is my camera (obviously), the 2nd is the computer running ATEM Software Control, and the third is the up-converted MultiView output. I very often include the Program output of both M/Es and the two Multiviewers on monitors around the trailer. This is done using a MultiView 4. Using the MV4 in 2160p29.97 mode, the 4K monitors in the trailer are showing four sources at 1080p resolution, so they look really good. I'm not showing that in this video, though.

[@AndrewDy]

Hi Sir! we have atem 2me production switcher 4k in our organization, just wanted to know if ME2 can also support downstream keys? as of now, downstream keys are only available in ME1.

[@djp_video]

The DSKs are limited to the first ME

[@mickeymanuel535]

I have a question about alfa channels; I have a Hyperdeck mini and an ATEM mini so will the extreme do they work over HDMI?

[@djp_video]

The HDMI output on the HyperDeck Studio Mini doesn't have the alpha channel. It is only available on the "B" SDI output. So you'll need to get an SDI-to-HDMI converter. I actually have a video coming out on Monday where I demonstrate this.

[@bearprod]

Very good video....I have a question. I currently use an ATEM Mini Pro ISO. I have, on camera 1, a green screen with my talent. On camera 2 I have Powerpoint videos. If I attempt to do a PIP of camera 1 the green screen does not work. It looks like I could do it if I get an ATEM Extreme??

[@djp_video]

Unfortunately not even the Extreme models will do this on their own. And if what you want to do is what I think you want to do, none of the ATEMs can do it on their own. The only type of key that you can use with Blackmagic switchers when using the DVE feature is Luma. Chroma key isn't supported in a DVE on any ATEM model. If you are replacing the background behind your talent with another opaque image, and that image with the talent in front of the *new* background in a PiP window is what you want to achieve, you could do this with a 2 M/E switcher, using the 2nd M/E to perform the keying and compositing to replace the background, then take the output of the 2nd M/E and use that as a source for a DVE window. This could also be done using a second switcher to build the composite, using its output as your new camera input. But that doesn't make the background behind your talent transparent -- it's still opaque, just with a different background. If you want the background in your PiP window itself to be transparent and allow the PowerPoint to show through (like many Twitch gamers do for their live streams), the only way with Blackmagic equipment to pull that off is to use an Ultimatte to split the talent feed into separate fill and key signals, and then use those two signals as the Fill and Key for your PiP window . Unfortunately the base Ultimatte Mini model doesn't have a separate Key (Matte) output, so you have to step up to the Ultimatte HD model. No ATEM can do this trick entirely on its own, as Blackmagic doesn't let you apply a chroma key to a DVE window... so you have to convert it to a Luma key instead. A poor-man's solution to this would be to put your talent in front of pure black rather than green, make sure your talent is well-lit without spilling that light onto the background, and then use the Luma key on the DVE to make the black background transparent. And hope that nothing the talent is wearing or holding ever dips to black. It's not pretty, but in a pinch it can be made to work.

[@bearprod]

@@djp_video Thank you very much for your detailed reply.

[@MrLeomike]

Doug may I asked one more question? In the video I noticed you demo both up & down stream keys each but not a up & down stream at the same time . My question is can I do a up & down stream at the same time. is it one or the other. I want my Logo to stay on screen with all my transitions or up streams

[@djp_video]

Leo Blakely Yes. All keys can be used simultaneously.

[@SliwkaProductions]

Fantastic explanation 😀 Thanks a lot!

[@PhilTaylorPhotog]

Fantastic help. Thankyou very much. I'm new to video production and after doing a lot with webinars lately, I am playing with doing 3D anaglyph live production. Is it possible to adjust my BG as a mono-chromatic live image (e.g. cyan) whilst using the second view at 50% opacity (upstream key) with a red mono-chromatic image? A third and fourth input as standard (non-stereo) views would be useful too but not absolutely required. I'm using the ATEM mini so I am very aware this might be asking too much.

[@djp_video]

There are two easy ways to do this... the first would be to create a 50% solid gray image that you use for the key portion of an upstream key while using the second, red image. The second would be to put your two video sources into two different inputs, then use the T-bar to do a 50% dissolve between the two.

[@PhilTaylorPhotog]

@@djp_video Thanks Doug. I'll have a play and see what I can make work. The 50% dissolve is the most logical and it had totally passed my mind.

[@dist-dev]

Very informative video, I do have 1 question though. Is it possible to tie a key to always be on for one or more inputs? For example, if I have a graphic I always want shown over inputs 1 and 2, is it possible to have that USK or DSK transition in whenever I go to inputs 1 or 2 from any other input, and if I switch between shots 1 and 2 it just stays there and only transition out if I go to an input other than 1 or 2?

[@djp_video]

Not built-in. But you could do something like that with macros for sure.

[@digitalimpactvideo821]

07:20 This is how all pro switchers operate. You only had BKG selected with two keyers already on air. Your transition area was setup so you were only affecting the BKG (preview) bus which is why the two keys still showed up on your preview monitor. This is proper and called an under cut or dissolve. Preview will always show the effect of the next trans area. This is why it's important to know that the next transition area will always flip flop the state of each selected keyer (layer) depending on its current state. This gets especially tricky on switchers where you have 6+ keyers to work with. This is why TD's make one of the highest wages in the truck...

[@djp_video]

As one example, the Broadcast Pix switcher I operated tonight handles this very differently than the Blackmagic Design switchers. On the Broadcast Pix, you press a Key button to enable that upstream key for the next transition, and the button turns red. Perform the transition, and the button changes color to orange to let you know that the key is live. If you want the key to stay live with the next transition, you press the button again, and it changes color back to red so you can tell by looking at it that that key will stay live with the transition. Red=it will be live after transition, orange or off=it won't. That's pretty clear. The Blackmagic switchers are very different. You press USK Next to enable the key for the transition, and the button turns yellow. Perform the transition, and it stays yellow even though the key won't be live after the next transition. If you the key to stay live after the next transition, you press the button again, which turns the light off. So it is included in the transition even though the light is off, which can be very confusing. Especially considering that the Bknd button does, in fact, indicate that the preview source will be part of the transition when lit. No ambiguity there. It would make more sense for the light to be lit when the key will be included as part of the transition, like the red color on the Broadcast Pix I used tonight. Red=key will be on screen after the transition -- pretty simple. The way the BMD works is counter-intuitive: yellow only means it will be live after transition, but if it isn't currently live. If it's yellow and the key is live, it means it will be removed after the transition. If the button is unlit but the key is live, the key will stay on air. If it's unlit but the key isn't live, it will be live after transition. You can't tell at a glance on the console if the key is going to be live or not -- you have to look at the state of both the On Air button as well as the Next button to be able to tell. It's especially confusing if you've got an animated key that isn't visible until it goes live.

[@digitalimpactvideo821]

@@djp_video Yep, the last time I used a broadcast pix switcher (i think it was a slate?) it defaulted to the type of transition logic you described. It drove me crazy as a traditional TD.. I quickly found that there is a setting under Panel options to change this logic and I believe it was actually labeled "pro mode".

[@digitalimpactvideo821]

I should also note that broadcast pix switchers are IMO the worst bottom of the barrel "all in one" solution if you can even call them that. I've only seen them in use once, thankfully.

[@djp_video]

I don't care for Broadcast Pix either. But that's what the company who hired me has.

[@SICKSIDEFILMZ]

with your supersource could you swap between two shots live? for example take ur two bigger boxes and you just want to go back and forth between those two but leaving the smaller box to the right completely alone?

[@djp_video]

With a little macro programming, yes. See an example here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/el7WgaJvgbydeKs

[@tvm5315]

Great video, how did you add the closed captioning to the video? i.e what equipment did you use?

[@djp_video]

KZbin adds any captioning seen on my channel automatically

[@MrLeomike]

I didn"t mention I was using an Atem mini pro . Dose that make a difference?

[@zingerpro]

Another great video, thanks. I recently did a gig with constant logo on screen, except when VTR is running, and multiple lower thirds, and it was really annoying to get everything working properly. The facc that there are only 2 media player slots really frustrated me on that show. In any case, I have a completely different question - I've been wondering how do you configue and control your x-keys panel. i currently use JustMacros which is unfortunately discontinued, and isn't that intuitive to begin with in my not-a-programer opinion... Any other reliable cost effective simple solutions out there?

[@djp_video]

I often use a computer for doing the graphics because of the media player limitation. I'm still using JustMacros, until I have a chance to write my own software. I'm hearing a lot of buzz around Bitfocus Companion, which works with the Streamdeck, and there's another one whose name escapes me at the moment. Take a look at some of the video production forums around, especially the one on Blackmagic's site.

[@zingerpro]

@@djp_video Thanks for the reply, I use Companion with a Streamdeck for macros and integration with vMix and such. Still the xKeys is more convenient for the natural all around switching. As far as i understand, if I'll update my ATEM to the latest firmware then Justmacros won't recognize it rendering the xKeys useless. Do you know anything about that? Do you have a video about setting up and using Justmacros and xKeys? I find it very hard to find anything that doesn't involve some kind of programming that is beyond my capabilities...

[@djp_video]

I've upgraded my ATEM several times since the last JustMacros update and it continues to work (as well as it ever has). I don't have a video training on JustMacros configuration. For most switcher functions no actual "programming" is necessary -- it's just assigning the buttons to switcher functions one at a time.

[@zingerpro]

@@djp_video That's true for the most common commands that are just a press of a button, but if ,let's say, I want to assign different inputs to the USK, which is something i use alot to change the camera showing inside a PiP shot, i couldn't figure out how to do that. Or even just a simple macro is something i could'nt quite get how to do, so that leaves a lot of the capabilities out of my reach. In any case, if you feel like doing a video on it, it would be much appreciated, and I'm sure that not only by me 😃 Thanks for great videos. Offtopic- do you have any experience with Canare L-5CFW SDI cables?

[@SpaceHarp]

i have BM ATEM television studio HD with macbook pro OSX. why is key2 always greyed out? when is that available?

[@djp_video]

Different models of switchers have different capabilities. In this case, your model doesn't have that feature.

[@audioworkbench]

Hello! So if I wanted to lower third some song lyrics from ProPresenter using a ATEM mini I would set that up as a luma downstream key sourced from whatever HDMI input ProPresenter is in?

[@djp_video]

Generally for that application a Downstream key would work better, as it allows you to switch cameras while the graphic is live.

[@judywhite6559]

How can I lock me 1 and me 2 together. Me 1 we use for media and me2 we use on imag on our church sanctuary . Thanks.

[@djp_video]

There's no built-in way to do it. But if you were to use your own custom control panel (X-Keys with JustMacros or Central Control, a Stream Deck with Companion, or something from Skaarhoj) you could program a single button on those panels to control both M/Es. Or you could setup Companion to automatically fire off an event on the 2nd M/E whenever the source on the first M/E is changed.

[@ashrafislam5793]

How to make DVE SQZ work on blackmagic 4k switcher

[@djp_video]

For the models that have a DVE: from within ATEM Software control, open the Transition palette, click DVE to set the transition type, then click the right arrow (>) to go to the second page of DVE effects types and choose the direction you want. Not all of the ATEMs have a DVE. And most models that do are limited to one DVE per Mix/Effect bus. (The DVEs aren't necessarily linked to a particular M/E, but the number of each usually matches.) So for the 1 M/E models (the majority) if the DVE is in use somewhere else (like an upstream key) it won't be available for a transition.

[@jaimuthu3358]

How to make Two box 2me advance panel

[@naananetty6225]

Please how do you create multiple PIP

[@djp_video]

You’ll need a video switcher that has multiple DVE units, or software that has the same capability. In my case I’m using the SuperSource feature of my Blackmagic Design ATEM 2 M/E Production Studio 4K switcher in this video. I just published a video a few days ago showing how to do this using the new ATEM Mini Extreme video, which is far less expensive.

[@naananetty6225]

@@djp_video thanks so much Your video was really helpful

[@robertadams4937]

Can I use DSK on ME2 or is it just to be used on ME1?

[@djp_video]

On Blackmagic switchers, DSKs are only available on M/E 1.

[@reydisse9861]

Great stuff here Wanna know how to add lyrics to my program Please help me out

[@djp_video]

You'd essentially just need to prepare some graphics using whatever application you'd like containing the lyrics -- white text on a black background is a good start. From there, feed the output of your computer into one of your switcher inputs, then set one of your keys (upstream or downstream, depending on the need) to use the computer as its source. Set it for luma-key and adjust its parameters until the video looks good. Many of the steps are outlined in this video.

[@runningwl2071]

@@djp_video Any recommendations on which would work better - upstream or downstream - for showing song lyrics during a church service? Using multiple cameras for the background.

[@djp_video]

I use a downstream key for that. It makes it easy to switch cameras while the lyrics are on-screen.

[@Automagskb]

Hi Doug Thanks for sharing knowledge .. What is the this 2ME, 3ME, 4ME switcher means ? could you explain in detail ?

[@djp_video]

M/E is short for Mix/Effects (engine). Most budget friendly switchers are single M/E. This essentially means that it can produce one program feed. 2 M/E and larger switchers have multiple switching engines in them. They can create multiple program feeds, and each will have its own Preview and Program busses. So one M/E could be used to produce the program feed going to an Internet stream, while a second M/E could produce a separate feed for a projector inside of a venue. All the M/Es in a switcher have basically the same sources available, with one exception - the Program output of one M/E can usually be used as a source for other M/Es (with some restrictions) effectively creating multiple layers that can be placed on top of one another, or used as sources for keyers, to build a more complicated final product. For example, M/E 2 could switch between video sources to be used in a Picture-in-Picture window, and do all of the normal transitions between them. Having multiple M/Es is a lot like having multiple separate switchers that happen to have the same video sources going into them, with the ability to feed the output of one into another.

[@Automagskb]

@@djp_video Thanks Doug for clarifying the concept :) a big like and share

[@mdsaleh4902]

And pls tell how could we create windows through 4 different keys

[@djp_video]

Use SuperSource if your switcher has it.

[@fa2k3]

Hey Doug, Have you done a video on stingers/transitions?

[@djp_video]

Not really. It's on my to-do list, though.

[@vecraztezajci]

+1, I would like to see a video about DVE transitions

[@chuntoon1]

Thnx!!

[@bryansheehy2000]

Thank you for this video! Very helpful! I was wondering if you know of or can recommend any graphics programs for a dedicated graphics computer. Something that can possibly send a graphics channel with transparency to an ATEM switcher. Not sure what the ideal setup would be there. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[@djp_video]

I'm probably not the right person to answer that question. As a software developer, I created my own software to meet my own needs, so I've never really researched the various other options that are out there. Perhaps others in the community can weigh in.

[@bryansheehy2000]

Doug Johnson Productions I should have known that lol been watching your channel for a couple years now. Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge!

[@tedz2000]

Can u,do this video using the mini interface

[@djp_video]

The Mini works almost exactly the same; the big difference is that it only has one upstream and one downstream key.

[@gareengareen2737]

Hi, doug, I use the BMD atem television studio HD switcher, I often encounter, after receiving multiple SDI signals, some SDI signal screens flash. This situation does not happen all the time. The SDI line I use is 50 meters to 100 meters. This situation is really bothering me. Can you tell me how to find out the cause and solve my problem.

[@djp_video]

Sounds like it may be a marginal signal, especially at those distances. Start by moving cables away from sources of interference, if possible... and avoid putting coiling up excess cable. You might even try running the cameras on battery instead of being plugged in to minimize potential ground loops. If none of those work, try switching to a higher quality cable, or shorter cables with some kind of device to regenerate the signal part way down the line. (The BMD SDI-to-HDMI Micro Converter works well for this). Switching to fiber would be the ideal solution, though.

[@gareengareen2737]

@@djp_video great appreciate。I will try it out with your method.。The fiber is really good, but it is easy to break. It is not safe in professional multi-camera live broadcast. If it is not a long distance, I still don't want to use it .

[@djp_video]

That's a common misconception. Armored fiber is very resilient, and is much cheaper than quality SDI cable. We use fiber almost exclusively in our (multicamera) productions. It has a lot of advantages over copper, like distance limitations measured in kilometers instead of feet/meters, no signal interference, and it's much smaller and lighter than coax. I have a video comparing interconnects here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2jTaIKYpL2NiLM

[@mdsaleh4902]

How could we create 5 windows in this atem switcher

[@djp_video]

If you have an ATEM model with SuperSource, you can use it for four windows, then use an Upstream Key for the fifth.

[@tankionlinemarkos]

Good stuff.

[@hendersonhwysda]

kinda off topic here but I know in the past you did a video on the Vidiu from Teradek. Our church have been using the VidiuPro with their sharelink plan for a while now. With the recent changes at youtube there seem to be an issue with third party like sharelink. I'm therefore trying to bypass Sharelink and setup an RTMP stream to youtube. I've had no success so far. I've reached out to Teradek and sent them some screenshot but their only reponse was to say that I don't need to put username or password when setting up the RTMP stream. I'm still unable to get a stream to youtube using Teradek's VidiuPro. Don't if you use this teradek product with an RTMP stream but if you do a video on setting this up would help. Thanks

[@djp_video]

Henderson Highway Church I’ve used RTMP with KZbin many times. The only fields you should fill in are for the server and the stream key, as provided by KZbin. You can configure the backup server if you want, but it isn’t required. Don’t supply username or password information.

[@taylorramey809]

I am in need of using two separate alpha key sources. One will be for media over a livestream broadcast, and the other will be for media over in house IMAG. What I plan to do is switch between cameras and have DSK that is sent from Propresenter 7. With an SDI output card I am able to send the key and fill source as needed from PP7, which allows me to have two SDI lines as separate sources into the switcher. What I would like to do is create two separate PGM outs. I plan to have two separate alpha key signals for media overlays (2 separate keys and 2 separate fills). I would like to have PGM1 use DSK1 and PGM2 use DSK2, but I am not positive that this is a functionality of the ATEM 2 M/E. If this doesn't work, the only other thought I had was using a 1 M/E alongside the smaller TV Studio. 1 M/E would switch cams and have one alpha key to PGM1, and another out would be the clean feed without any keyer? Then the smaller TV Studio would simply receive the switched cameras, and then a key and fill source for the second DSK. I want to do all this on the 2 M/E. Can you help me here?

[@djp_video]

The 2nd M/E doesn’t have any DSKs. You’d have to do it with a USK and all of the headaches that come with that.

[@taylorramey809]

@@djp_video Ok. What would you recommend for making this happen? Apart from camera switching, I basically allow the DSK to be slave to whatever ProPresenter7 is sending it. No switching necessary except camera view. Is there another product that would allow for the setup I mention earlier? Or would it be easier, more cost effective, to run this setup through a 1 M/E for main camera switching and one DSK for one of the needed PGM outputs, and then run a clean feed of the switched cameras out of the 1 M/E and into a TV Studio with two additional inputs for key and fill for that units DSK (3 SDI inputs total on the TV Studio).

[@GreaterFriendshipFortWorth]

which switcher are you using

[@djp_video]

My primary switcher is the Blackmagic Design 2 M/E Production Studio 4K. I also have a Television Studio HD and ATEM Mini.

[@dutchgroundmedia]

Hi Doug! I'm using the ATEM Television Studio HD, somehow my downstream keys are greyed out... any idea / tips if this is a setting or ?

[@djp_video]

Off the top of my head, I'm not sure why those would be disabled. I can't think of any options that would make those unavailable.

[@wefailmusic]

mine too. wtf and no one have an answer to that......... HELP!

[@AgunkPerkasa]

thx dude

[@THEWEB3ASPIRANT]

How you edit/shoot this video??

[@djp_video]

It was done using the SuperSource feature of my Blackmagic Design 2 M/E Production Studio 4K switcher.

[@THEWEB3ASPIRANT]

@@djp_video sir,how we shoot that video in which background running video/PPT is another and i m dealing that situation in a corner of screen in square format 🤔

[@djp_video]

You'd either use a DVE on your switcher or something similar, then crop the sides of the video so only the portion you want to keep is shown.

[@THEWEB3ASPIRANT]

@@djp_video great thanks

[@skitzoweirdo5313]

Nice

[@jaimuthu3358]

Can you make video pls

[@djp_video]

You don't need to spam me with six messages. One was sufficient. If your model of switcher doesn't have SuperSource, it also doesn't have the required hardware to do two picture-in-picture windows. You either need SuperSource, or two DVEs, to do what you're wanting to do. All of the models with two DVEs also have SuperSource as well. These include: ATEM Mini Extreme [ISO] ATEM SDI Extreme [ISO] 2 M/E Constellation HD/4K 4 M/E Constellation HD/4K Constellation 8K Television Studio HD8 [ISO] Television Studio 4K 2 M/E Production Studio 4K (must use SuperSource; it only has one DVE) 4 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K (must use SuperSource; it only has one DVE) The following models cannot do it, as they don't have the hardware to scale two video sources. If you have one of these, you'll need to upgrade to a higher-end model... 1 M/E Constellation HD/4K (No SuperSource, only one DVE) ATEM Mini Pro [ISO] (No SuperSource, only one DVE) ATEM Mini (No SuperSource or DVE) ATEM SDI [Pro] [ISO] (No SuperSource, only one DVE) ATEM Television Studio HD [Pro] (No SuperSource, only one DVE) ATEM Television Studio 4K Pro (No SuperSource, only one DVE) Any other model not listed

[@jaimuthu3358]

Without super source

[@FAMEAcademyNY]

Who can read that TINY ass print at the top of the video??

[@djp_video]

You aren't supposed to. Everything relevant is also visible in the larger lower window.