How to make the ATEM Mini Pro Better with vMix, SDI and NDI

[@DocMicrowave]

Really nice mobile setup! I have used vMix and ATEM switchers for 10+ years now. The two work very well together. Currently my personal mobile setup is in a rack case (older ATEM 1 m/e 4k). With this setup I use vMix to capture video from the ATEM for recording and/or live streaming. Simultaneously, I have vMix send back graphics to the ATEM for overlays, presentations, and video clips. vMix is very good at isolating those functions on the same computer. I have even used vMixCall to bring in a virtual caller to input on the ATEM. Bottom line, the two platforms are great together. I also use an ATEM 1 m/e at my church with vMix as the primary recorder and live stream system. I actually use two vMix computers for live streaming to 3 platforms. I send live video from the main vMix computer to the second computer using NDI. Putting NDI and SRT capability into vMix has been a dream. No more having to run HDMI or SDI cables between capture cards. Video passes over the local network with less than .5 sec latency at the highest quality. I was even able to run an SRT stream from my vMix setup at the church to my house setup to conduct the video production when I could not make it down to the church during the middle of the pandemic. vMix is truly an amazing program.

[@NKS_2]

Thanks for watching and replying. I aslo use vMix with an older ATEM TV feeding an UltraStudio HD Mini which is the source for vMix, in a rack case I custom built. I have only been using vMix since the start of the pandemic but I've been using ATEMs for about 6 years. I have used a number of streaming softwares in the past that work well but vMix is so much easier to use and learn. I agree NDI is special, it made me take another look at an oldie but good, Skype. It has NDI capabilities natively and it works well. Like vMix call it allows me to bring in each call as a separate feed. I found it because I don't have either top tear version of vMix and I needed more than one connection. The "in" software doesn't allow me to separate the participants into separate feed as easily as Skype because of the NDI and the way it connects to the calls. Thanks again for watching and responding. Your insights will be helpful to future watchers and readers.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@NKS_2 Interesting! I didn't realize Skype now supports NDI. Yeah, sadly vMixCall access starts at the HD tier level. And you only get one call capability. I had been using the $60 basic HD version for many years as the back end recorder, streaming system (no vMixCall). It is only this year I was able to convince my church to get the top tier level (Pro) which got me up to 8 vMix call connections for use in my productions from home. (The pandemic had something to do with that decision making.) One of the three vMix computers at the church is also running the 4k version which gets you 4 vMixCall connections. But all levels give you access to NDI and SRT protocols. I don't use them for virtual links to callers. Only for direct links between production systems or equipment. NDI for local links, SRT for links over the internet. Even at home I use NDI to traffic video between two computers running vMix for multi platform streaming. (Two KZbin channels and a Facebook channel.) The reason being, my computers are a bit under powered (Gen4 i7 CPU's), and tend to choke if I run to many operations on one computer. (ie. taking in multiple vMixCalls, while streaming to 3 platforms, while recording, while playing video clips, overlays, animations, graphics). I found splitting the loaded between more than one computer works out very well. Hopefully at some point, i'll be able to afford getting one of the Gen11 i7 or i9 machines with an nVidia RTX or better video card. Something like that could probably handled my entire operation alone. But I do like the idea of redundancy. Having two computers configured the same makes for a nice backup system if one fails at a critical time.

[@DNKSLegacyProductions]

@@DocMicrowave Go into Skype Settings, Calling, Advanced and Allow NDI usage. Then you just add as NDI source in vMix. Each individual Skype connection will show up as a separate NDI source.

[@DocMicrowave]

@@DNKSLegacyProductions I'll check that out, thanks.

[@AshleySaidItBest]

I love these videos! Very informative. I'm new to streaming... thats why I love watching.

[@DNKSLegacyProductions]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@brajeri2555]

Hello, What is the configuration of your computer (Processor - RAM - Graphics card) to use the Atem Switcher on vMix, because at home I have the message "Resources are insufficient to add a camera connected to the Atem"? Cordially.

[@DNKSLegacyProductions]

All of the computers I use it on, are at least 6th generation Intel i7 processors, with a minimum of 16G of RAM. I do recommend a dedicated graphics card; however, the ATEM really eliminates the need for it because the ATEM handles the multiple camera feeds. vMix only sees one camera and should be able to handle that without a graphics card. I do use it on a system without a dedicated graphics card. That system is an i7 with 24G of RAM. If you don't have at least 16G of RAM I would try upgrading because that is the least amount, I have in any of my systems and it is the least amount vMix recommends on their site.

[@brajeri2555]

@@DNKSLegacyProductions Hello, Thanks a lot for your advices.

[@rubinfilms9401]

Can you tell us what kind of case you used and what monitor?

[@DNKSLegacyProductions]

The box is a RIGID tool box from Home Depot. In another video with more detail, I used another box but I switched to this one because it was sturdier. It also had the depth to provide good ventilation and still be portable. The monitor is a ZSCMALLS Portable 15.6" Monitor.

[@rubinfilms9401]

@@DNKSLegacyProductions thanks

[@orlandoc1694]

what is the equipment name for the graphic control (out of the case)?

[@DNKSLegacyProductions]

It is the Behringer x Touch Mini, I prefer it but any midi controller will work. I prefer this more because of the ATEMs it is setup like a traditional Audio/Video production controller. I have an ATEM TV switcher as well, which is why I got the xTouch. I have actually changed how I use it which you will see in my next video I'm editing now. It is very versatile and I would recommend it but any midi controller would work with vMix because of the shortcut function. I even use an external number pad at my church to control the graphics.

[@clarkmans2047]

how to connect atem switcher in vmix?

[@islamiconasheed]

Surprise, you commented 40mins ago lol

[@NKS_2]

You connect the ATEM going from the USB C on the back of the computer to USB C or USB3 A on the computer. Then in vMix, add a camera input and choose the Blackmagic Design device in the drop down list. It will show up as a single camera. You switch the cameras with the ATEM and everything else is done through vMix.

[@bobbybrooks4550]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I wonder, since you are not using any of the streaming functions of the ATEM Mini Pro, wouldn't it have been more cost effective to purchase the ATEM Mini and save the $300 of buying the Pro?

[@DNKSLegacyProductions]

Maybe but the intro mini doesn't have the multi view output. This in my home studio but it is not my main use. I put it in a case with a monitor and added SDI converters to make it mobile for doing events. When working with remote cameras and camera people, having multi view and preview/program on the screen is important. It allows yo to see everything that is going on. If this was my only use it might not be necessary. But I would still probably pay the extra to be able to see what every camera is looking at anyway because it is what I'm used to. I'm a KZbinr but I mostly do events and build these systems.

[@MichaelMcPhersonJr]

Where did you get your custom panel done for the ATEM Mini Pro? I'm looking to build a streaming case and I like that design with the brackets for support. Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge with us.

[@DNKSLegacyProductions]

I cut it out of PVC board, I traced the bottom of the ATEM which actually smaller on the bottom. I used a jigsaw to cut it out along with files and a sharp knife to refine the fit. The clips are mirror clips I got from Amazon.

[@MichaelMcPhersonJr]

@@DNKSLegacyProductions Thank you for getting back to me. I was looking into using Lauan Plywood but I will checkout the PVC board as another option. Great tip for the mirror clips. Clean set up!

[@n5iln]

@@MichaelMcPhersonJr Don't forget that the ATEM will need good cooling air flow.