How to Fix ATEM Mini problem that only HDMI 1 input works or no input from cameras

On this video you will find how to Fix Blackmagic Design ATEM Switchers that don't detect or display a camera on an HDMI port
Recently I bought ATEM Mini Blackmagic Design video mixer, I was rather happy about the price and what you can get out of it, but I didnt have things to test it fully out.
When I tested it for the first time, with one handycamera and one dslr, it worked rather good and I was really happy, but since my dslr wasnt made for this, I decided to get some cameras, so I got some old and not taht old sony handy cameras, like Sony HDR-CX160, Sony HDR-XR155 and Sony HDR-CX-405 cameras.
And there I had some problem, although all of them where set at same resolution, for some reason only hdmi 1 input on my Blackmagic Design ATEM mini worked, after a bit of thinking I swapped input 1 hdmi camera with hdmi 2 camera, and hdmi 2 camera worked in input 1, but in input 2 I saw black picture, so I tried same thing with third camera, but nothing happened..
I had 2x 15m long high speed cables, which worked just fine a few days ago with different cameras and 1 5m hdmi cable + one cheapest hdmi cable on ebay..
After doing a bit of research I started to switch cables and inputs and in the end I found out that each camera worked, but only with specific cable and not very logical, since one worked with most thickest and most cheapest, but now with middle class cable, but other camera worked just with that hdmi, where third worked just with the biggest cable...
So my suggestion before you think that your ATEM MINI has some problem or cameras does not support live view, just check out these cameras with different cables and try hdmi 1 port, since it is in some way better than other, I dont know why..
Any way I hope I can help someone to figure out how to make ATEM mini video switcher to work with all cameras, because there is a chance it is not working properly , just because of hdmi cables..

[@larryellingson2435]

I'm using a couple of color security cameras that don't have switchable output resolutions. I tried a shorter cable and it worked. Thanks for this info. You did a great job of troubleshooting so I didn't have to. I am very grateful.

[@AWBored]

Had a similar issue, exact same camera, exact same cables. What fixed it was setting all cameras to 1080i. Adding this here for other people to find it.

[@SpinaciMusica]

Hi! I’m using the Atem Mini pro with 3 Sony a6500. At the beginning I had this same trouble. Only Hdmi 1 worked. I tried replacing the hdmi cables and some of them worked, but then I realized the real problem was other. I fixed it, Changing the HDMI output setup from my cameras. Turning it from 1080p to 1080i. Hope it helps someone!

[@benlawrence22]

Spinaci Thanks! Turning our Sony A6000 to 1080i helped get it working in input 2 :)

[@humasunmermalang6662]

this worked! thank you very much.

[@EffectiveLivingForToday]

@@humasunmermalang6662 THANK YOU; MY PROBLEM FIXED!!!!!!

[@HarryAdee]

@@benlawrence22 Hi. How you deal with overheat on A6000 if doing live stream for more than 30 minutes?

[@watchse7057]

Thank you so much my friend. Your comment worked and it saved me a lot of frustration.

[@KelDubb21]

Thanks for the video. Had the same problem. 2 Sony ax43a cams. 1 cam didn’t work read. 1 Sony is Auto hdmi resolution. Changed the other to 1080i. Worked.

[@AlShahbazSound]

I also have ATEM Mini and I had the same problem. when i converted all camera output at 1080p then I had the same problem. but when i converted to 1080i all cameras works fine. i uses 20m long cable hdmi 2.0

[@JUrtanschannel]

Thanks for your feedback, maybe this will help someone as well :)

[@AlShahbazSound]

@@JUrtanschannel Thanks

[@josecoronelborda1248]

@@AlShahbazSound i have sony pxw x70 and a100, all in 1080 i dont work... this is crazy!!

[@AlShahbazSound]

@@josecoronelborda1248 i have panasonic ux90 cameras. my all 4 cameras are works on 1080i. But if i convet first camera into dhmi 1 in 1080p and others are at 1080i it also works fine

[@AlShahbazSound]

only hdmi 1 is support 1080p and others supports 1080i.

[@bryantfalk7021]

Have to say thanks. I moved my HDMI to port 2 and it worked! Don't know why HDMI port one is not working with my Sony PTZ1.

[@peterr9795]

We had a similar problem. If we plugged the HDMI lead from a camera direct into a TV it worked fine. But if we plugged the same lead into the ATEM Mini's HDMI 1 input, it did not work. But using the same lead from a PC worked fine. Swapping all the leads and changing the HDMI inputs did not help. Nor did changing any of the settings. The camera had a small Micro-HDMI to HDMI adapter cable and when we changed the adapter, it all started working. The conclusion is that our TV had a better decoder of the signal it was receiving than the ATEM Mini, in other words the ATEM Mini is more sensitive to signal noise from the HDMI lead than our TV.

[@gracefellowshipchurchhyder8714]

Thank you. This helped a lot

[@soundofthegardenwatc]

Dont know why so many thumbs down. this problem is still going on. i thought the Atem Mini had atuo mode to format any input source.

[@gen-amb]

ATEM input 1 by default assumes YUV not RGB input to prevent color format conversion latency for gaming application. If camera output is RGB and doesn’t switch to YUV, ATEM may not sync on input 1. Some cameras (basically) output interlaced as YUV by default. None of this tends to be well documented. It has absolutely nothing to do with any cables because cables can’t convert RGB/YUV color formats they are literally just wires. The issue is mismatch between assumed YUV color format to ATEM input 1 and RGB color format from (typically) a camera. If you can force the camera to output YUV (less likely possible on cheaper cameras) this may solve the problem. Setting some cameras to output interlaced may effectively output YUV. “Shy” progressive PfS format output (even not documented by JVC IMx) may also complicate this. Most graphics cards output YUV by default which will sync on ATEM input 1. Also HDMI cables longer than HDMI reliability spec can cause all kinds of weirdness. Basically outside HDMI 8’ spec all bets are off. It may work ok with super shielded thick expensive HDMI cable, but maybe not - depends on RFI situation at any moment. That’s why there’s SDI.

[@JUrtanschannel]

Well I can comment only what I have figured out form using atem mini and cables matter a lot, I have tested more than 15 different cables by brands/lenghts, and cables matter, same settings, same camera, same input can work e.g. on input 3 and not work with different cables, so neverless what you say about inputs/cameras, cables matter a lot! Ive found out that easiest solution is to fix problems with repeaters (super cheap, super easy to use, probably does what you says atem input 1 does, idk) and even cheap optical/copper cables, 30m long, work good!

[@RosanoCallao]

if you're using long hdmi cables, plug it to a powered device (e.g. a splitter) before going in atem mini. It needs some signal boost somehow.

[@vapaaherra5047]

Thx this worked 4 me

[@JUrtanschannel]

Since I made this video I have been using hdmi booster, u can get them from ebay for less than $10 and they does not require any power, but they make miracles, I can easily use 15M+ cables, I can connect two cables together and I dont have any issues with cameras, e.g. picture time to time go black :)

[@lavozdelpater]

The use of Splitter Worked!!

[@JohnM89S]

Had the same issues and tested everything with a single camera. In PAL, the Atem supports 50fps 1080i. If you want 60fps 1080p, you have to be in NTSC mode. Otherwise, it will glitch badly. Learned it the hard way..

[@darkozivanovic8310]

Hi everyone. Nice to se its a global problem and not some local thing. We use 3 Canon c200 cameras with 15 or 20m hdmi cables. They all have same settings Pal 1080p 1/50 Often happens that input 2 doesnt work. Cabble is ok but just doesnt work in input 2...luckie for us we have 2 additional atem mini and we connect them so we can have 3 cameras working. Still it is hige problem. I wrote to black magic design support and the sent me email that I should update my software but also me prepared to roll back my software if that doesnt help... Also on some days everything works just fine :D but it is randome

[@ImakuNams]

Hi! There is a bit more to it, read about HDMI EDID - basically it is a handshake system where the camera and connected device agrees on format the both can work - sadly BMD not always does this well, just a FW update can fix it. Other note - even tough long HDMI might work, I newer use them longer than 10m unless it is a really high quality (read expensive) for a static installation. Given that HDMI to SDI converters are rather cheep - i would use those. Also on most (not all) BMD ATEM switchers - inputs must match resolution, frame rate and color space, and not all resolutions are supporter by all ATEMs, The safe way for streaming is to stick with 720p50 and YUV colors pace - that works on all of them, 1080i should not be used for streaming as it producers nasty artifacts unless it is not deinterlaced in software (that it self also creates artifacts or loss of resolution). Long story short - it is not as straight forward as it might seam, and you should really identify the cause, not just make it work - as then you are not guarantied to have the same result again... good luck tough!

[@JUrtanschannel]

Ansi, thanks for advises, I will check more about EDID on the internet. Do you know, why on this video switcher camera works with hdmi 1 input, but not with hdmi 2, is there some sort of boost in hardware in atem mini for the first hdmi input channel?

[@ImakuNams]

JUrtans channel have you checked the same input, camera and adapters but a short 1m cable?

[@ay1ism]

@ Ansis Imaks: It's very annoying. I am currently experiencing similar problem. I have currently Atem mini pro and I am thinking of selling it due to this Handshake issues. I have also tested it with long cable (15 meters) so the issue is not only on short cables. There's also problem connecting to other devices as well for instance, it doesn't work with my Atomos ninja while Blackmagic video assist works perfectly well. Another issue, your video signal is locked to 1080p with no option 720p or to set your own desire frame per second. The problem is your video will then now be upscale (expanded) and then latter compressed for your stream/recordings which result in slight loss of quality (pixellete).

[@shivnathhuncha768]

Thanks for explaining properly

[@ExpertsWho]

did you try chaning the monitor? longer cables may not work as cheaper cameras may not put out stronger signals

[@JuusoHoo]

Thank you for This post! I just receined my A M pro version and my Nikon 3300 is not recognized on a short cable. Wonder how do you know from the cables which their nature is??? Adding something after hours later: Finally got a picture to pass through Atem M Pro, but this is really worky! Hope it is easier with my GoPro. Have to get some more cables to try. Nikon seems to give 1080 30 fps out, but the audio does not seem to come through the camera in HDMI mode...

[@JUrtanschannel]

To be honest I don't know, I have bought 8 different cables. What I have found it is that first you have to check your camera settings, bcos sometimes you have to do some minor changes, like to set hdmi out 1080i or p. (make sure your camera supports live view). Speaking about cables, if you are wondering that the problem might be caused by cable version (1.4 or 2.0), I have found out that 1.4v cable will work all right, since ATEM does not support 4k any way.

[@JuusoHoo]

@@JUrtanschannel thanks. this is amystery tour. Have to pump up a lot of mental stairs to get to do things... how dont they tell about thede problems on the reviews??? Shit. getting fed up with that kind of marketing. Maybe my nikon 3300 is just not enough of a hdmi camera... Thanks for the tips!

[@shivnathhuncha768]

Even I had same problem with atem mini . How it is confirm that cable is the problem , so we need to check cable first

[@DmitryGrigoryan]

я тоже столкнулся с такой проблемой с ATEM MINI EXTREME, хотел использовать несколько камер xiaomi YI. работали только в 1 и 2 входе. нет возможности сменить кабель, но через любое сквозное HDMI устройство- работает. пробовал через плату захвата avermedia и через китайский переключаель. все успешно!

[@Jacob_Ski]

I recommend using fiber optical HDMI cables. I also have ATEM Mini and I had the same problem. The problem was solved by using active cables (fiber optical). No problem with long distances.

[@JUrtanschannel]

Thanks for feedback! To be honest right now I have 8 different brand and size hdmi cables and I have found out that even regular hdmi cables, 1.4v - 5m and 10m , works really fine, just need to do a little swapping till you find what cable works with what camera, of course if you can afford, you can go for fiber optic cable, if it is really necessary :) I have been doing a lot of live streaming now with atem mini and I havent had any issues with cables after I have found which works with what camera :)

[@ufstudios7485]

yeah,I changed the hdmi cables and it worked!

[@IguaTV]

Thanks a lot!

[@CiceroRosberg]

Obrigado, deu certo e tudo por conta do seu vídeo. Tinha conseguido um modo antes de ver esse vídeo que era no hdmi 1 cabo de 15 metros e no hdmi 2 cabos de 3 metros e deu certo. Mas o seu vídeo me ajudou muito os cabos grandes estão funcionando agora normalmente. Tenhos as mesma câmeras sony cx 405.

[@kaiqueoliveirafoto]

Amigo, como fez para resolver? Estou tendo o mesmo problema. Será que poderíamos conversar? Se sim, te passo meu email. Muito obrigado.

[@CiceroRosberg]

@@kaiqueoliveirafoto claro, me segue no instagram @cicerorosberg você tem as mesmas câmeras que eu tenho SONY CX 405?

[@csbonito]

I got hdmi output problems, it doesn’t show image on any monitor, only the ones that have hdmi/dvi port. I have change every setting/ cable and nothing. I wanted to use a atomos to preview the image and no luck.

[@babsjohnson8882]

HDMI don't work well if the length is more that six meters, to achieve long runs means you have to use an active HDMI cable. Plus I notice you're using adapters on the ends of the cable on the camera side. Why don't you get a moulded HDMI to mini/micro cable so you wouldn't have to use the adapters? Try to keep the length to maximum of 6m or buy an active cable if you want it longer.

[@JuusoHoo]

interesting...My cable is a factory done HDMI big->mid connector. You have small adapters there switched to bigger cable heads...? Why is the hdmi not a standard as they market it to be...? or do I just assume too much?

[@JUrtanschannel]

I think it is just because they want to save space on cameras as hdmi connector is out for many years and it's size is rather big. But I must say that hdmi micro is just crazy, easy to break and easy to lose connection with even small movements of camera.

[@mrmcrobbkdc4001]

The HDMI Output on my ATEM MINI doesn't work as it should. In the ATEM Software Control, the 'Camera 1 Direct' option works, but none of the others do. I'd like to have the HDMI output as 'Preview' mode, so I can see the camera I am about to switch to. Have tried every available combination of different cameras, different HDMI cables, have tried two different output screens(projector and computer monitor), even tried putting a powered HDMI splitter between the HDMI Output and the screens. I saw on the BM forum that others have experienced this too, but I didn't see a fix - surely they have sorted this out!?! The ATEM Mini Firmware is at 8.6.1 It is the original, most basic ATEM Mini Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, thankyou.

[@Jcrjonathan13]

Hdmi Booster Or hdmi splitter

[@DocMario]

It kind of seems that the cameras need to be outputting 1080i if they’re not in hdmi 1?? That’s what happening to me currently, a camera that can’t output 1080i has to be on 1 and the rest need to be outputting 1080i so I don’t get any fuzz, anyone else having a similar experience? ATEM mini pro ISO

[@life-is-excellent8861]

What is the solution? You spend too long saying that it does not work, but you show no anwer that I can see

[@JUrtanschannel]

Answer is different hdmi cables and if you got different model cameras, try to swap them in places. As well hdmi booster helps a lot, I have been using them a lot for cables that are not optical fiber (i ve opted out for them since they are no more that expensive)

[@tsechee]

My black magic mini only work on hdmi in 1. All other three doesn’t work. Try cables already. Can any one have solution?

[@JUrtanschannel]

maybe you can give more info, like what you have tried out, e.g. have you tried to use only 2nd port with same setup, have you checked ur camera setup, have you tried different cameras, if you put something in 2nd port, and turn on ATEM control, maybe you dont see the picture, but you see the audio bars moving? There is of course a chance that ur controller is defective. Many people dont know that, but it is very easy to destroy hdmi ports(probably not ur case :D), if the ground connection between devices is intermittent while plugging the HDMI cable, it might blow up either one of the devices HDMI chips. I have heared from one technician who saw me swinging connected cable at one end, that it can end up badly, he had one burnout on one camera hdmi port, where one end wasn't plugged in, but other was connected via hdmi port to camera and then boom, port just burnt and it was very expensive camera so it was a huge loss, so you never. Well there is still a chance that even your both cables arent good enough for port 2nd and rest of them and for your camera :) As well what sort of adapter are you using, mini or micro? Bcos with micro adapters there can be a lot of problems, if you don't buy the one who works with ATEM

[@jelapangonline9367]

Is it need adapter or converter to connect camcorder to atem mini ?

[@JUrtanschannel]

Yeah , but it is cheap, usually hdmi mini for older cameras and hdmi micro for newer. As well not all hdmi - hdmi micro adapters will work, cheapest adapters may be useless, especially those with extra cable, if they are from the unbranded companies. So you never know befor u try them if they are good enough for ur atem mini

[@p8mediateam811]

why ATEM Mini no audio coming in or going out.

[@JUrtanschannel]

I would start with ATEM Control soft. 1. have you turned on mics on controller? 2. do you want to use audio from sound controller or from cameras? 3. I have had a lot of problems with audio on obs where I have audio in ATEM mini controller, but not on OBS, so do you have audio in atem mini controller, green bars moves. e.g. you have connected camera to hdmi 1 and turned on mic in it as well on the controller it self and you see bars moving when yous speak, but you dont hear any sound on obs?

[@ay1ism]

The problem is not your HDMI cable whether short or long and uptil now, with already 2 updates, the problem is still going on. Unreliable product, no wonder it's cheap. I use Atem mini pro by the way and the way I fix mine is to use mini converter from black magic. So basically, connect the converter to my camcorder using SDi connection and then connect the converter to the Atem mini pro using HDMI cable. The coverter needs USB power to power it though.

[@olivieropontedipinoeateatr2007]

When i connect my camera to ATEM Mini, it switches off. If i switch it on, it switcehs on and it immediately switches off. What can I do?

[@JUrtanschannel]

This does not sound OK. I would suggest to start with checking if you have hdmi control on, if yes, turn it off and and try again

[@mrman2478]

If it's a DSLR camera adjust the hdmi cable carefully and properly and it'll be just fine

[@imagebypd1301]

anyone experience a problem with mic inputs of the ATAM mini pro? We had the same problem with the cable and Mic inputs. when we plugged to the mic 1 didn't work and tried 2nd input didn't work, then again we tried the 1 input then it worked.. we were really upset and feels like it is not a reliable device.

[@JUrtanschannel]

well I have some audio issues as well at the moment and I am trying to find solution, however mine are caused by OBS and probably some driver conflict, who knows. On my laptop everything worked really good, but we bought a new pc and now we have some issues with audio. On ATEM software i dont see any problems, but on OBS time to time audio just disconnect during live stream what causes a bit of stress and quality issues, since it takes around 3 sec to get audio back. Have you experimented with mic settings in ATEM software, general settings, audio, where you can change line to mic?

[@herbertlim8864]

Hi, i have similiar problem, well im using it for large hall classes, I am connecting Input 1 from Sony PXW Z150 SDI convert to HDMI into Atem Mini Pro input 1, works fine, Input 2 was just Canon XA30 2meter HDMI to Atem Mini Pro input 2 works fine, and Laptop duplicate video output via 25meter HDMI into Atem Mini Pro input 3 no video, but have sound signal , I swapped that 25meter HDMI cable with the Sony camera at Input 1, it works fine at input1 , so that eliminate the cable problem, but If I use this same 25meter HDMI cable with Input 2,3,4 with same sony camera, it won't work, my 25meter HDMI are thick cable with Ethernet capability, appreciate if anyone could help, thanks

[@JUrtanschannel]

Try hdmi repeater (hdmi booster, i have a few of them, bought from ebay each for approx. $4), and yeah cable thickness wont mean a lot, i have one 15m cable, way thicker than my 20m cable and it does not work, however 20m works good, now i have bought two cheapest 30m optical cables (each cost under $60, on the box was written active optical cable, but Im not sure about that :D), this might help a lot if you need long cables or repeaters they will work good as well with atem and solve many problems, e.g., i had one camera that used to flicker at random moments now the problem is gone and i even have extended the cable by extra 5m :)

[@steigerproductions6388]

Thanks, we do have the same issues with long hdmi cables (>20m)

[@JUrtanschannel]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJOYlK2JatKmqq8 I have been using these repeaters, helps a lot, so I dont have issues with shorter cables anymore and I can make my cables longer aprox 15-20m. I ordered 30m optical cable when I will get it I will check if it will work with atem mini

[@Tiki-Beat]

HDMI shouldn't run more than 10m! Ohms law! The edit will stop working if the cable impedance is to high. Either use HDMI-optical cables or proper extender (AMX DX-TX, etc)

[@JasonFiske]

Hello, like other commenters, I adjusted my HDMI output on my Sony A7C from Auto to 1080i and it worked. BTW, it had been working for over a year prior. I’m not sure what changed.

[@DocMario]

So do they absolutely have to be outputting 1080i?

[@kamileqone]

so what is the conclusion - how to fix it? just by finding a right camera? ... strange

[@JUrtanschannel]

4 solutions 1- find right cables, mix brands 2- try different cameras 3 - use hdmi booster/repeater, they are cheap aprox, $5usd and effective, I use them now and they really change the game + u can extend cable lenght 4 - more expensive , active optocal hdmi cables, even cheaper ones with mixed copper / optical fiber inside, they work as well good, I use 30m cable on port 3 and all is fine! :) and there are some solutions how to boost signal by powered splitters, but I dont see why to use them if u can get same result with cheap and easy to use hdmi boosters.

[@kamileqone]

@@JUrtanschannel but as I understand the input 1 has a problem with YUV / RGB convention. I use on my ATEM MINI PRO and for example cannot connect properly the STB via HDMI input 1 but on 2,3,4 works fine. In settings cannot change the RGB or YUV output colours. But what about when we have such 4 devices and cannot use it… I think that hdmi splitters, boosters, repeaters, extenders do not help for that - tested with HDMI lan RJ45 cat.6 extenders

[@bppdrdkotabalikpapan1118]

Bro how to fix no input audio atem..

[@JUrtanschannel]

What do you mean, you have no audio input?Do You have no input via camera, mic1,2-external audio input or no input in OBS?

[@bppdrdkotabalikpapan1118]

I mean when i put my microphone on mic 1 on the atem... master level indicator (pgm)not work....everything about audio input and output on atem not work..

[@scottmason7346]

Nothing wrong with the ATEM your cables are too long You cant guarantee any length over 6m, because input 1 is the reference it can handle longer lengths

[@JUrtanschannel]

not exactly true in my case, but bcso you sound very confident in your opinion, maybe you can share some resource where I can learn more about ATEM, mini like why input 1 is reference and why ATEM haven 't built all inputs same or where they have said, that they are different? :) Why I can't agree about your 6m theory, well I have been using ATEM mini for half of year and I have tried out 20m, 15m, 10m, 5m and 3m cables, what I can say, that you can't guarantee even that 3m cable will work, so here is the problem, why to make claims that we can use 4 inputs, but not giving any information about lengths? What I have learnt from experience using this device for long time, well, first- if you wanna use hdmi adapters, like from hdmi to hdmi micro, you have to buy more than one brand, bcos even branded adapters always wont work, for hdmi to hdmi mini, well most of adapters will work. What else I have learnt, no point of buying hdmi extenders, none of regular will work with atem mini. Speaking about cables, I have been using for hdmi input 1 -15 m, for input 2 - 10m cable, for input 3 and 4 - 5m cables, and I have marked each cable with camera name with which I can use the cable, because not with every cable, every camera will work. And here we come to ATEM mini and all is fine with it, well, if all would be fine with it, there would not be problem, that only certain cable works with certain camera, there should be information out, that you have to take in to the account that ATEM mini works only with right hdmi cable for specific camera(I dont know why how to tell with what sort of cable). And to add some more stuff I have noticed some problems with 4 cameras setup, but this is another topic, but it is connected with signal stability what I had never seen when I was using same cable and same camera, so it is something connected with how ATEM mini process all the info it gets.. For the future I will test how SDI cables work with atem mini with adapters to HDMI and HDMi micro/mini and if this will help to solve distance problems for all ports :)

[@jstyle3]

@@JUrtanschannel I totally agree with you... I have multiple sources, all of which have clean HDMI outputs, but it seems that Atem MINI is very flaky... it did recognise my Sony A6300 straight away but it does not work with either my GoPro7 or Canon R800 camcorder or Nikon D7100 connected to other three HDMI inputs, sometimes it can decet the signal when you go to settings or menu on those devices, but as soon as you go back to LIVE view it goes black. With Nikon is even more strange as I can have video live feed when in "on screen info" mode, but as soon as I turn any on screen info off it goes blank again.... I tried multiple high-quality cables, updating firmware on all devices, swapping HDMI inputs on ATEM Mini, and even praying... I want to love BMD devices but for crying out loud - it just doesnt work, I am going to call their support tomorrow morning and see if they have any solution. If they do I will share it here, or even make KZbin video on this subject. So dissapointed :(