Which Capture Card Is Best for Streaming? ATEM Mini vs. Elgato Cam Link

[@kirkstate]

I noticed when I use the ATEM with OBS it was major delay, but when I use ATEM with ECAMM there was zero delay

[@tombuck]

Each application has its own method of processing the signals, and will end up with difference amounts of delay.

[@trohh]

was looking all over for a good comparison of these two as I'm about to start using the BMPCC 4k for streaming. this video blew all the others out of the water, thanks so much!

[@trohh]

going with the camlink for the record :p

[@tombuck]

I really appreciate this! I tried to cover them as best as possible, so I'm glad the video is helpful!

[@tw1tch09]

that opening pun was legendary. I really like my cam link it's so small and easy to use.

[@NasivateLifestyle]

I think that intro bar, was really under appriciated!

[@lucas_92]

The image quality between this and the review you did 2 years ago is noticeable! Great progress, Tom. Thank you for this review!

[@tombuck]

Thank you! It's tough to notice progress from one video to the next, but I guess going back in time a ways makes it more obivous!

[@pavelpereverzev5951]

It’s probably fair to mention, that for less then 100$ you can create DIY Multiview for Atem Mini base version. Cabling is a bit messy, but you can still see all sources - I had that setup for a whole year, before I upgraded to Atem Extreme for its ISO version.

[@tombuck]

That's brilliant!

[@ehurban1]

I cant imagine how you would not be adding points of failure

[@GenealogyTV]

Have you had any sync issues with the Atem? I had audio sync issues with the cam link connecting to my Canon M50.

[@jeremyclimbs]

Do you have a video showing how to sync up the audio/video when streaming using a separate audio source (like you mentioned in the video)?

[@dufd11]

+1 interested in this too.

[@HeatherMajors]

Thank you for another well-thought-out review. I like that you look at multiple factors without "bashing" on any one product. It is really up to the user which is best for them. Watching a review that is fairly neutral is helpful.

[@tombuck]

Thanks Heather! Both of these are great, but like you said, it's all about personal needs.

[@theancientvoice9272]

Right. Dr Franckenstein here. What about get multiple cam links now cheap, a usb-c hub with a switch button, and usb to usb-c adapters ? Plus OBS and a stream deck . You’ve built your own maybe

[@tombuck]

It's totally possible, but a lot depends on your computer and its processing power. Elgato does make a "CamLink Pro" which is a 4 input capture card where each input shows up as a separate source. But it either needs to be installed directly into a PC tower or in its own external enclosure (this is really the only way to use it with a Mac). I think I saw Elgato is going to announce new capture card stuff tomorrow, so it's probably worth seeing what they have up their sleeves.

[@weaselinjeans1]

I have been using the Camlink for the last 2 years for Twitch streaming. It’s never let me down to date. Love your work.

[@tombuck]

It’s so reliable! Definitely a great choice.

[@frankfengzhu]

Hi Tom, congrats on another great video on streaming gears!! YoloBox Pro will soon also work as a capture card when the USBC Webcam Output feature is released!! Very soon!!

[@tombuck]

Can’t wait for that! I’ve been seeing YoloBox pop up in more and more setups lately and it makes me happy.

[@FitLabb]

Great video, have always learned a lot from your content! Actually bought these based on your past content, & have the ATEM Mini Pro, Elgato Cam Link, & the Elgato HD60S, & I feel they all serve a different purpose. I use my HD60S as my always connected daily driver to use my Sony A7RIII for Zoom calls, the Cam Link is mainly for travel or when I have a Zoom call with a client using my laptop in a different location, & the ATEM Mini is for live-streaming, video podcasts, & presentations using multiple video sources. Each is great for their own reasons, & can be interchangeably used in my opinion, but I’ve found those uses to work best for each for me.

[@mj6962]

Tom? From CNN?

[@FitLabb]

@@mj6962 Are you asking if I’m Tom from CNN? No idea who that is, definitely not me…..

[@mj6962]

@@FitLabb Yea was asking. Worked at CNN years ago with someone with the last name Labbs. Or it might have actually been Laabs. Kind of looked similar to your profile pic…. Sorry. Lol

[@FitLabb]

@@mj6962 No worries at all, I get people telling me all the time that I look like someone they know. 😂 I’m sure working at CNN was a lot of fun & interesting. FitLabb is just the name of my YT channel & my business as well. LABB is actually an acronym for the first letter of each member of my family (both my sons, my wife, & myself) as I aimed to create a “family friendly” fitness channel & business. Thankfully it actually works quite well for the name of a science-based fitness channel & platform. 💪

[@tombuck]

That's awesome setup! I'm glad my videos could help, even if you're not working for CNN 😁

[@UltramaticOrange]

tl;dr: On a laptop, you probably want to use a CamLink 4k on a usb hub with supplemental power. Just a heads up to folks considering the CamLink 4k: It can be a power hog. When I run mine through the USB-C hub that I also use for power input on my 2019 MacBook Pro, the Mac will switch over to using battery. I haven't experimented too much with plugging it into different ports/hubs/etc, but I will note that using it on the same hub that I use for charging the Mac has given me the most reliable setup.

[@tombuck]

Thanks for sharing this info and tips!

[@kylelesage6726]

Great video! One thing that you cannot do (on a MacBook anyways) is connect multiple cam link’s. They need to be on separate USB buses in order to work. Other than that great overview of the products! They are both great to have for different reasons but you are right, physical buttons are the best for switching!

[@tombuck]

Physical buttons and switches can never be overrated!

[@kiwifilm8589]

Actually I have found that the limit is 2 Cam Links (or other similar so called 4K capture dongles) per bus (using active powered usb hubs). I have managed 5 inputs on a MacBook Pro M1 Max but with so many powered hubs there we so many points of failure this proved to be unreliable. In the end I settled on 3 cam links, 1 per thunderbolt port and 1 iPhone using NDI for a wide shot cover. I have a 4TB SSD so I could forget the USB hubs and improved reliability. This was on a 2 month tour with 3 live stream events each week, and so getting rid of the unreliable hubs was a blessing. (I still needed one good quality docking hub for ethernet and to bring in audio and a second HDMI output for an IMAG feed.)

[@ThisIsLeeBird]

I can confirm the elgato cam link pro does NOT work with an external EGPU like the sonnet echo express SE III on Mac OSX. Just sent one back. Got the BMD decklink 8k pro and I FREAKING LOVE IT!!! Plus I love that it has reference in.

[@tombuck]

Glad you got something that works! The Decklinks are pretty awesome. I used them at my old job and really liked 'em!

[@ThisIsLeeBird]

@@tombuck they are! A lot more options than the elgato pro. And really I’m sure elgato needs to do is make softwear for Mac. But the decklink you just plug in and go.

[@PatrickBoberg]

I have an ATEM Mini Pro and a Atomos 4k Connect. Use both A LOT and glad I own both. I always push people to the ATEM Mini Pro due to the local record functionality. I use it every single time I run the thing. Eventually I might pick up a Atomos AtomX CAST as I use an Atomos Ninja on pretty much every other shoot, but even before buying it I know I wouldn't recommend it because multi-stage purchases recommendations aren't very friendly. Cam Links/Atomos 4k Connect are great for quick connections, always carry mine in my gear bag.

[@tombuck]

The Ninja has been on my list too! I had one at my old job and really liked it, but haven't wanted to go through the process of getting one for myself yet. Oh! And I don't remember if I talked to you about this, but I added an FX3 to my setup and it's phenomenal.

[@PatrickBoberg]

Oh I've seen the Fx3 mentions here and there, and there's at least one shot of it in this video. Glad you are digging it, I haven't regretted mine for a second.

[@DanCBearded]

Love ATEM mini to run the multiple cameras in my livestream

[@tombuck]

You're streams are really looking and sounding incredible these days!

[@nikilragav]

Tom do you ever screenshare on your stream? If so, how do you handle that, and do you find any weird artifacts for 4:2:2

[@tombuck]

I screenshare a lot with Ecamm. I'm honestly not sure, but I don't think they're 4:2:2. I haven't had any issues mixing screen captures and 4:2:2 footage in regular videos though.

[@billfox3761]

Hi Tom. I remember when you first reviewed the ATEM Mini. Have you moved on to the ATEM Mini Pro?

[@tombuck]

I have the original Mini and the Extreme ISO (because I wanted more inputs). They're both awesome, but I think the 4 input ATEM Mini Pro is the best value overall.

[@MonteWeaverofficial]

4K Question - Because the ATEM is only 1080p , when you record YT videos do you just record 4K to your camera's cards and sync the all your camera angles in the editing process?

[@tombuck]

Yes! I do everything in Final Cut. I'm too much of a control freak to automate the process any more than that anyway 😬

[@SparaCash]

Exstreamly great comparison and explanation

[@tombuck]

I'm super glad it was helpful! They're both great, just in different ways.

[@BillsBayou]

Elvid HDMI Switcher is my recommendation. I bought it to do my own recording of someone else's live event. They had an ATEM Mini which flaked out just before broadcast. They had to use my audio and one of my video feeds to get their broadcast out. The Elvid is a generic base unit that goes under other names like AVMatrix HVS0402U, and BZB Gear. I use Blackmagic's Video Assist to do the recording and final feed.

[@tombuck]

Awesome, thanks for sharing another option!

[@PlayGameToday]

Elvide already discontinued product

[@ehurban1]

Honestly, That was a great and honest review. I do live events which these days involve streaming I have been looking for rainy day solutions,

[@tombuck]

I'm really happy to hear that! Thanks for the kind words Ed and good luck with your streams!

[@eecorr]

Are there many differences with the Atem mini and the pro ?

[@tombuck]

I believe Blackmagic discontinued the Mini now and the Pro is the base model, which is a great deal. Multiview output really does make a difference.

[@EmeraldAudiovisual]

The AverMedia Live Streamer Cap 4k is actually superior over Camlink 4k and costs around the same money. For one, because it doesn't cr*p itself, when the source suddenly changes the HDMI resolution, because it doesn't blast brand advertising on your screen, when your HDMI goes offline (it just says neutrally "no signal") and it can handle up to 4k60, where the Camlink 4k only can handle 4k30. The Atem Mini only will do 1080p, but it most certainly has it's advantages, for what it is, being a switcher.

[@DashWithAshinCanada]

Watching from my new channel now Tom and of course following along on this one. You'll probably see me more on this channel compared to the last one :) Cam link creates a ding in my pocket ( nearly $200 Canadian) but I agree it's way more solid. I have considered the Atem Mini Pro but will hold off since I am not streaming as much anymore. Perfect video for streamers to know some more before they start.

[@tombuck]

New channel?!?! I'm out of the loop!

[@DashWithAshinCanada]

@@tombuck It was super random and not thought of, I just started it because :)

[@Sonicrockaustralia]

OFF topic, is that drum kit a PDP , Birch Shell in Satin Black?

[@tombuck]

It's birch Mapex kit, but the color is a matte gray stripey thing. I love it!

[@PATRICKCASTILLO]

The Camlink 4K has freezed 2 times during gigs with paying clients... Not good! I had it connected to a laptop running PowerPoint. I will try the HD60s+ hoping for better luck. I use Atem Minis. Never failed.

[@tombuck]

That's unfortunate to hear. I'm happy to report that mine has never frozen, but the ATEM has also been very reliable too.

[@BensTechLab]

I have never seen this before either using daily for nearly 2 years. Is it possible the laptop/software is the part that froze and not the physical camlink dongle?

[@dufd11]

I've had my Camlink 4k freeze multiple times too, ended up using the HD60s+ and it was solid - no freezing...

[@tcmhub]

Hi Tom, I'm a total newb here and have learned a TON from your videos so thank you so much. My question is, for these tutorials, they seem to be in 4K yet it seems you are using the ATEM to control the camera sources which you have said only has a 1080p output, I'm a little confused about that? Also, what software do you record to for these tutorials is it right into Final Cut or are you using something else? Thank you so much for everything! Michael

[@tombuck]

Ahh, that's some sharp perception there! Yes, the ATEM is limited to 1080, which is fine for my streams and stuff. But for recorded videos, I record directly to the cameras' memory cards and then edit everything together in Final Cut to keep the full 4K quality 👍

[@tcmhub]

@@tombuck thank you! :)

[@dwylhq874]

We were literally just researching video capture for streaming/tutorials. Considering the *Atem Mini Pro ISO* for the recording capability. Are you recording to an external SSD or just directly to your Mac? What is your workflow? Thanks Tom you star! ⭐

[@tombuck]

For my videos, I still record everything to my camera's card and then edit in Final Cut, but when I do use the ATEM, I just record straight to my hard drive. Although there's really no reason not to use a little Samsung T5 drive connected to the ATEM.

[@dwylhq874]

@@tombuck Thanks as always for your replies. Super helpful. ❤️ Hope you have a great weekend! ☀️

[@CharlieAgain]

Great video, as always! The Cam Link Pro maxes out at 1080p60 for each of its inputs though.

[@CharlieAgain]

@@ThisIsLeeBird I like it, but it's very hardware dependent.

[@tombuck]

Ahh! Good to know! I haven't used it, it's just been on my wish list for a while.

[@ThisIsLeeBird]

@@tombuck go with the BMD cards 👍

[@nata.sasmita]

Dear Tom. In your frank opinion, which one is better camlink or ATEM Mini (in image quality & durability aspect)? I plan to buy one of them. Thanks in advance.

[@tombuck]

Camlink goes to 4K, so it wins in terms of image quality and simplicity. ATEM wins if you need more than one input 👍

[@nata.sasmita]

@@tombuck Thanks for the response, Tom.

[@misbaahshatiri7842]

Hi ! Thank you for this video which is very interesting. And my question is to know if Elgado cam link is good for streaming a football match

[@mikt]

Again - very cool and professional video!

[@tombuck]

Thanks so much! 🙏

[@MichaelW.1980]

I currently run two Elgato Facecams. For now, the image quality is really all, I’d need for live streaming. In case I’d upgrade to actual cameras, I’d need separate feeds on my PC. So for me, it’s either several Cam Link or a PCIe capture card. With multiple connections, like the Camlink Pro is something else with multiple HDMI inputs.

[@tombuck]

The Facecams are super nice! Definitely just about the best webcam out there.

[@aroncontinuousconversation]

Maybe next year, we get the Atem mini 4k. Thanks Tom!

[@tombuck]

I'm sure that'll be in the next update whenever they do one!

[@Oaksguy1978]

Great video but if you can afford both, then you can plug the Atem mini into the camlink and even though the Atem will only output 1080 the camlink will upscale it and it will look better on your stream or recording!

[@koenignero]

Your reviews reveal details no one else is covering, and i have seen 50+ of Videos on the ATEM. Like the Fan noise of the Atem.

[@tombuck]

I'm happy it was helpful! It's always a tricky balance to mix personal experience with specs and stuff.

[@TechWizardSaj]

@@tombuck Hey Tom, thx for the detailed diff .. wonder if you can help here you mentioned you use atem mini for LS however how about recording your video with multicam for KZbin .. basically am a LS on tiktok so started using the atemmini pro to switch between talking head and overhead but then when it comes to recording demo videos obviously the quality is only 1080p. i know i can record in 4k by pressing the record button but wondering if theres any sol coz its hard to reach both cameras the way i have setup... was thinking of having multiple 4k camlink with stream deck instead so it does both LS on 1080 which is tiktok limit and 4k for shooting videos .. any suggestions ?

[@DoggoDogPack]

I tend to run my atem mini pro into my Elgato game capture 4k60 pro mk.2 to take advantage of Elgato's better video encoding for performance. Especially when dealing with OBS which eats up so much resources itself.

[@movieking1997]

Great work Tom... Do a video with the new feelworld livepro l2 plus...

[@tombuck]

That looks nifty! I like that it has a t-bar. 👍

[@Zoran1899]

I'm doing live basketball streams using Atem Mini with the Elgato Camlink 4k (and OBS Studio), since the Atem's USB output only transfer the video signal without sound. Both device works well, love to use them. However I am planning to replace the Atem Mini to a Mini Pro ISO so I can record all the camera sources independetly.

[@tombuck]

Recording all the sources, especially for sports and events like that, is incredibly helpful 👍

[@chrisquigley]

The ATEM Mini cuts between several sources and outputs one video stream. Is that right? What if you want to stream several sources but keep them separate for later editing....as with your "Multicam Editing with Final Cut Pro" video? Do you use 4 different Camlinks (if not Sony), 4 different USB cables (Sony), or just port over each camera's SD card after the shoot?

[@TheNotoriousExperience]

Wow just stumbled accross your content and it's soooo helpful!! thank you!! Can you pls make a video about audio drifting in post production? I use rodecaster pro and canon eos m50 and when i edit my podcast, generally over 30min the audio drifts and is faster than video... soooo annoying have to adjust it every 2 min !!

[@tombuck]

Audio drift is tricky! I've thought about making videos on it, but since there are so many variables, I worry that it might raise more questions that it answers. Generally speaking though, recording at 24fps should help keep your audio in sync. If not, you cna experiment by slowing down/speeding up the audio track by .01% (roughly). It won't be enough to change the pitch of the audio, but it should get the timing sorted out.

[@TheNotoriousExperience]

@@tombuck thanks for the reply! My canon can only change to 25fps. Can you change rodecaster? In Final Cut Pro I do a custom change of my audio to 96%and that gets me closest to being synced but still have to reposition every now and then

[@BGeorgeVideo]

Is it possible to go from the ATEM straight into FB or YT live without the software?

[@tombuck]

I THINK so, but I'm not 100% sure. I definitely recommend checking out Aaron Parecki's channel, as he dives in to all of the possibilities with the ATEM.

[@lancomtre]

Hey, I would love to get a Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera G2. Can I use it just with the Cam Link?

[@timpolster]

Thanks for your video Tom. I am an Atem owner that would like to add a single source capture for some shoots like youth football. Do you have any opinions about end image quality of the Cam Link? I know these devices add a step of encoding along the way to ease the burden of the USB bandwidth and can kill footage etc... I think the Atem uses MJPEG and does a pretty good job of retaining image quality. Thanks!!

[@tombuck]

The CamLink is excellent. It's obviously higher resolution than the ATEM, but even with 1080 signals I do think the quality is maybe even a bit better. I love 'em both though.

[@KayCinho]

Love your work Tom! Question: I saw a big difference with the Camlink 4K when I switched from Intel Macs to M1 Macs. A lot of dropped frames :/ Have you experienced this? I tested on different setups.

[@tombuck]

I haven't had that issue at all. I'm not sure what could be causing it, but if you're using OBS it's always a good idea to double check your canvas/output resolutions since those settings seems to get switched randomly from time to time.

[@KayCinho]

@@tombuck Thx I forgot to mention I'm on Ecamm Live. Strange. Tested with different Mac Minis M1 & Sony Cameras

[@ПонятиеБиблии]

Hey Tom thanks for the video! You say that you can connect two camlinks to one computer and technically you can but there will be some problems, if you do not have two different root hubs for USB. For example I have on my 21.5 inch 2017 Mac four USB plugs but unfortunately there is only one USB root hub. What problems does this cause? Well everything works great at first, but after a while the cameras start to black out, begins with one, then both begin the have problems. El Gato warns about this in the article titled -Two-Cam-Links-on-One-Computer-Two-USB-3-0-Root-Hubs-Needed Hopefully this info will help people to make the decision, thanks!

[@tombuck]

Thanks for adding some clarification. There are definitely a lot of variables in terms of hubs and computers. I'd recommend anyone using multiple capture sources to use the CamLink Pro. 👍

[@geoniki1]

You get what you pay for! "If you save money you will pay for it in frustration!" 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@rbbatac3604]

Have you tried using multiple Elgato cam link 4k for multiple cameras respectively at the same time on a MacBook? Specifically M1 MacBook? Thanks!

[@tombuck]

I haven’t done it myself, but I’ve got several friends who use multiple CamLinks regularly with M1 Macs 👍

[@rbbatac3604]

@@tombuck cool! Appreciate your reply. Thanks!

[@SoundSpeeds]

I wish this video had been released last week. After my ZV1 in USB streaming mode was giving me a few frames delay into Streamyard during the Epic LIVE Stream last week. Little did I know that Streamyard starts losing sync after 3 hours. Another great video Tom. Question: Can Camlinks work in a USB hub? Multiple Camlinks if we want to start with one and add more later?

[@tombuck]

Better late than never? 😬 I've used two Cam Links in my little USB hub with no issues, but other people have reported mixed results. I think there are a lot of variables at play.

[@CharlieAgain]

It depends highly on the power allotted to the hub and what connections you have from the hub to your device. The higher USB the better I've found.

[@SoundSpeeds]

@@CharlieAgain The higher USB? Do you mean higher numbered like 3 is better than 2.2 is better than 2.1...?

[@CharlieAgain]

@@SoundSpeeds yes

[@gazcottier3136]

Love your work Tom! Amazing video as always. I love the idea of both, but I have a query. Using software like Ecamm, don’t you have better control over how your scenes look, rather than using the ATEM. If I wanted a particular scene to have a particular source, will this mean I need to click the scene AND the ATEM switch, or will the scene be able to switch for me. Hope that made sense.

[@tombuck]

Yes! Ecamm gives wayyyy more versatility over scenes/graphics/etc and it's much easier to use (next week's video might elaborate on this more...). in terms of switching multiple things with the ATEM, it depends on which model you're using. I highly recommend checking out Aaron Parecki's KZbin channel since he's able to max out every bit of capability when it comes to ATEM's.

[@frankfengzhu]

Hopefully we could also make the Stream Deck integration happen in 2022 for the helpful physical buttons! Gonna push more!! haha

[@leviteapparel]

This is good information I got a few channels I start one I will need a switching feature to different cameras good stuff

[@tombuck]

Happy it was helpful!

[@nikilragav]

Tom, have you seen issues with using multiple Cam Links where they get confused with the USB address and don't show up as an option

[@tombuck]

I've never tried using a bunch all at once, since I usually stick with the ATEM. The CamLink Pro is probably the best solution if you plan to use more than 2 on a regular basis.

[@lukassiatka]

One great thing about the Pro and Pro ISO models of ATEM is the included hardware encoder - sometimes it's just more convenient to offload encoding to this device, especially if you're on a go with your laptop and ATEM and you also do something else on your device.

[@tombuck]

Very true!

[@PaulFeinberg]

Great overview.....I have been loving the a7c with the built in USB streaming! Since I only need 1 signal works great for me. If I needed more than 1 the ATEM would be the way to go. Great overview there!

[@tombuck]

Sony kind of killed it by enabling built in USB without the need for an app or anything. I saw that the a7IV does 1080/60 over USB 🤯

[@PaulFeinberg]

@@tombuck Freaking love it! I have the K3M on top of my a7c, the Rode Procaster XLR mic plugged into it and my whole streaming setup including audio goes out USB-C and shows up in my streaming software for audio and video.....so dang good!

[@jasonnuveman9865]

Hi Tom. I just watched your EOSR Video Settings episode, and I noticed in this video you were talking about frame rates. Have you changed your recommendation for the EOSR since you started using the Atems? How does 60 FPS in the Atem affect 23.98 All-I in the EOSR?

[@tombuck]

I still prefer to film in 24fps as often as possible, but the ATEM prefers 30fps, so I switch to that when running cameras through it 👍

[@PrAfranio83]

Hello Tom Thanks for your Video I have laptop and I have only one USB available that I use one camera connect through the cam link but I need one more camera so I can connect two cameras to the Atem mini pro and connect straight to laptop??or I still need to connect to the cam link or if I use the atem mini pro I don't need the cam link I use OBS pro for my stream Thanks in advance

[@fazmanicg]

I was actually never able to get multiple CamLinks to work on the same Mac. Ended up with a Black Magic LOL!

[@tombuck]

The ATEM's are so simple and reliable that I think you made a great choice.

[@wakuyanow]

On the Elgato Cam Link camera compatibility page, the s5m2 is not listed. The s5 is listed, but I'm asking about the s5m2. Anybody know it the s5m2 works with the Cam Link? How about the Atem Mini? Thank you.

[@randychavez9049]

I got the Camlink 4k a couple of weeks ago and I spent all last week trying to make it work with my M1 mac mini and M! macbook pro, for some reason it did not work for me. I tried several different ways and with two different camera, sony a6600 and a nikon 7200, got new cables and nothing. I finally gave up and returned it, I really want it to work. I'll give the ATEM a try.

[@tombuck]

I'm sorry to hear that, it should work really well with either of those computers. 🤔

[@randychavez9049]

@@tombuck Yeah, not sure what happened. Maybe it was defective one but I think the ATEM will work better for my needs. Lets hope it works.

[@ARUTECHALI]

wich atem model Recording 4k ?

[@tombuck]

None of them do currently. Blackmagic makes some higher end switcher that do 4K, but they're more geared towards pro broadcast settings.

[@RyanWebber]

Does the cam link also capture the audio from your camera?

[@tombuck]

Yes! It does handle audio through HDMI.

[@RyanWebber]

@@tombuck Ahh nice. Thanks for the info. Going to scoop up one of these when I don't need multi cams. Having an FX3 makes the audio simple to use from camera.

[@jerrycanjesse]

The ATEM is awesome. But it would be SUPER awesome if the sources could be read individually in OBS. =(

[@tombuck]

I would LOVE that.

[@LouisLuzuka]

Your puns are happily welcomed in 2022 happy new year 🙏🏽🔥

[@tombuck]

Happy New Year Louis!

[@MarriedGames]

Just a heads up, you cant have many camlinks as you have USB ports, you are limited to USB BUS, not ports.

[@BensTechLab]

I actually run the HDMI output from my atem into the Camlink 4k! Camlink 4k has slightly better color than the usb on the atem and as you said is *super* reliable. Best of both worlds. (I use the atem mini extreme iso for recorded KZbin videos).

[@tombuck]

Oooh, see this is why you're so brilliant with these things!

[@tortohare2803]

Would you explain how that works please? What does it achieve/deliver? Thank you 🙏

[@BensTechLab]

@@tortohare2803 besides the techbical reasons I mentioned above, I also bought the camlink first when I had 1 camera, then bought an atem later when I got more cameras for my KZbin studio. This is also a great plan for people starting out! Start with 1 camera + camlink, then later graduate to 2+ cameras with an atem added to the mix.

[@tortohare2803]

@@BensTechLab thanks for the reply but I’m still not clear on what you’re doing. My current understanding is that, normally, hdmi out on the atem would go to a monitor and usb-c on the atem would go to the computer as input to eccam or obs. Yes? Are you taking hdmi out on the atem into the cam link, and cam link into hdmi on the computer? Thank you

[@BensTechLab]

@@tortohare2803 yes, sounds like you've understood it.

[@thebiblicaldigest]

My camera A7iv has a HDMI port, can I not do an HDMI-(Camera)to USB-C (Computer) and achieve the 4k streaming capabilities? Or would I have to run USB to capture card? 🤔 Excuse my ignorance. Just starting the understanding of streaming 4k just recently.

[@tombuck]

With the A7IV you can do 4K via HDMI (you can do it over USB too, but it’s limited to 15fps which won’t look too great).

[@thebiblicaldigest]

@Tom Buck Thank you for the quick response!

[@unquestionabletv]

What’s the best capture card that can take three HDMI sources and plug into one Thunderbolt 4 port on my M1 Max MacBook Pro to show up as three separate camera sources on Ecamm? I don’t. Want to use a physical switcher, as I have different Ecamm scenes each with a different camera source and use Stream Deck to switch between the scenes.

[@tombuck]

I would say the Elgato Cam Link Pro. It has 4 HDMI inputs that show up separately. It can fit in a regular card slot on a PC or will need a separate external enclosure for a Mac.

[@PatrickRambles]

Another super informative one! I use both the Camlink and the Atem Mini Pro and I didn't know about the frame rates issue. This is why your channel rocks! 👌. (Plus the dad jokes 😁)

[@tombuck]

Thanks Patrick! The frame rate thing on the ATEM is weird because I swear it was find with 24fps when I got it, but then after some firmware updates it started only liking 30fps (both my regular Mini and the Extreme ISO).

[@JorgeLG]

Hey… I don’t show up on the list from patrion jajajaj

[@tombuck]

Don’t worry, this video was made I think the week before you joined? My production order vs upload order are usually a little different.

[@JorgeLG]

@@tombuck no worries Tom… It is more regsiant to know that I can support your career than to be on the list.

[@CoffeeScribe]

I missed you! And then all of a sudden, in my feed, there you are again :) Thank you for your great videos and bad dad jokes. Love you man.

[@tombuck]

Glad you're here! Haven't missed a weekly upload in almost 5 years, so not sure why KZbin wasn't pushing them out to you!

[@CoffeeScribe]

@@tombuck It was all me, not you.

[@gregjonesdfw]

Great video. What supports are you using to clamp ATEM to stand?

[@tombuck]

For some of the random b roll clips it’s a smallrig clamp, but typically I like using Aaron Parecki’s 3D printed stands 👍

[@gregjonesdfw]

@@tombuck just ordered one. Thanks

[@mattwruff]

Since I only install I have none of these (wait I do have the Camlink). Mainly retired but I still assist old customers and there all want 4K (don't try to use common sense with VIPS) so have moved up to the Blackmagic TVStudio 4K (retail $2995 USD) they don't run them themselves but wow I remember my first professional switcher was $500,000 bucks...When I have to hop on a Zoom Call or a stream my trusty ZV-1 just plugs right into the Mac so no capture card is needed.

[@tombuck]

All of the Blackmagic switchers blow my mind remembering how expensive these kinds of things were not all that long ago. We had the TVStudio in my old classroom and it was really great.

[@whatsyourvicepodcast]

Hey Tom, I need your help. When you switch thru the angles live on the atem mini, will the angles still show up on the saved video once the live is finished?

[@tombuck]

It depends. If you do what I do and run the ATEM through a program like Ecamm or OBS, then it'll record all your switching and stuff. If you have one of the ATEM ISO models, then you can connect an SSD and it'll create a Davinci Resolve project file with all your cuts, but you'll still have the ability to go into Resolve and adjust things if needed.

[@zurvey]

I wish I could find good videos about the RGBlink Mini Pro. What little there is out there makes it look like a very good alternative to the ATEMs.

[@tombuck]

Haven't yet heard of that one!

[@deykim4607]

I purchased the ATEM Mini Pro thinking it was 4k for my podcast, would 4 Camlinks + Streamdeck essentially emulate what the ATEM Mini Pro does? (physical switcher?) Any other advantages the ATEM Mini Pro has? Would you recommend having 4k for a podcast in the long run?

[@tombuck]

The tricky part with that is it puts a LOT of processing responsibility onto your computer, whereas the ATEM handles it all internally. There is a Cam Link Pro, which has 4 HDMI inputs. It can be used as a PCI card with a PC or put into an external enclosure to use with a Mac. That's what I would recommend rather than 4 individual CamLinks.

[@DeyRADIANCE]

@@tombuck Thank you for your reply. Is 4K something recommended to go for with a podcast? Most top podcasts record in 4K right? I’m also thinking regardless it would be nice for punch ins. Which external housing do you recommend?

[@FharishAhmedPortfolio]

Don't you think that the ATEM Mini would be a better option, if somebody was thinking of getting a Blackmagic Web Presenter 4K down the line?

[@kiwifilm8589]

CAVEAT EMPTOR! Neither of these devices pass 4K video to your computer! The ATEM mini only receives up to FHD as an input and up to FHD as output. (It can resize and change frame rates etc on the way through but only up to FHD in and out). The Elgato Cam Link can receive inputs up to 4K (60 I believe) but can only output to the computer via USB at FHD resolutions. The Cam Link will only pass through what you input at the same frame rate and scale, except it will scale down anything greater than FHD, so bad luck - the UHD input is scaled back to FHD output to your computer.

[@inSpyr]

GoXLR vs Rodecaster Pro next?

[@tombuck]

I've never used the GoXLR but it seems like lots of people love it. 👍

[@RafaelLudwig]

I've held out on the Atem for the longest time, but the Cam link 4k has crapped out multiple times during a stream, it really doesn't like being plugged into a hub. Plugged directly in it's more stable. Blackmagic's Ultra studio recorder mini 3G has been the most consistent capture card but only HD as well. As always, great video Tom!

[@tombuck]

Is funny you say this because my BM recorder was such a nightmare to use! I literally just donated it because it never worked reliably for me. 😬 I’m still blown away by the ATEM. The only downside being the 1080p limit.

[@RafaelLudwig]

@@tombuck Previous version of the mini recorder were terrible for me as well. The ATEM makes 100% sense if you need more than 2 inputs, I like controlling the inputs in Ecamm dedicated capture cards work better in that case. I feel this year we will see more 4k options enter the market including an ATEM mini 4k! Fingers crossed!

[@IleaneSmith]

Hi Tom. Happy New Year! Thanks for breaking it down. I learned a lot.

[@tombuck]

Thanks and Happy New Year!

[@onedaymp3]

Thank you so much! U have no idea

[@tombuck]

Happy it helped!

[@NickolasKusha]

I have tons of issues with camlink. It never as it should do. Sometimes it just don't start.

[@tombuck]

That's really frustrating, I'm sorry to hear it. I wonder if it's defective? I've used 3 or 4 different ones over the years and they've always just been plug and play.

[@empiricemotion]

Here's your text in English with correct grammar: "I have a lot of problems streaming on my MacBook Pro 2017. I think my internet is okay, but I can't stream anything without extreme latency and a noticeable difference between my voice and my video, like my lips and movement don't sync properly. My question is whether one of these capture cards could help me with my streaming on OBS, so I don't need to buy a new computer to solve that problem. Thanks, I would appreciate any help you can provide. Please keep in mind that my budget is a Latin American budget, not a U.S. budget."

[@Truthstillmatters2]

Would there be a problem with running multiple camlinks for three cameras?

[@tombuck]

It all just depends on your computer's USB capabilities. If you think you'll be using 3-4 inputs on a regular basis, I definitely recommend checking out the CamLink Pro.

[@Truthstillmatters2]

@@tombuck I use a Mac…

[@ebenezer357]

Hello! Great video. However I NEED a 4K switcher that not only takes 4K cameras but also Outputs 4K quality through the HDMI Out port. Does anyone know? I don’t care about the price. I Just need it!

[@tombuck]

If you don't mind something expensive and huge, the Blackmagic Television Studio 4K is 4k. There's also a thing called BZBGEAR 4-Channel 4K Live Streaming HDMI/DP Switcher that I haven't used but is listed as 4K capable. I'm a bit dubious of it, but you never know...

[@ebenezer357]

@ thank you!!

[@imagenatura]

The only major problem with the ATEM Mini is that it audio goes out of sync with the USB connection. Do you know how to get past that?

[@tombuck]

I haven’t had this issue, but it could be due to your frame rate. I’ve had the best results when using 30fps through the ATEM.

[@TechAuditTV]

How long do these puns take you to write in? 😂

[@tombuck]

I force my writing staff to work around the clock before they can PUNch out.

[@TechAuditTV]

@@tombuck Absolutely brilliant.

[@lining250]

非常详细的对比介绍。谢谢。

[@tombuck]

谢谢！ 我很高兴它有帮助！

[@camjonny]

Thumbs up on that Tom, good comparison 👌 Just one quick (and stupid?) question. What are the benefits of using the Elgato instead of using my Sony a7SIII directly to the computer with usb-c?

[@tombuck]

The Cam Link will give you up to 4K. I think the a7S3’s USB is limited to 720 (but it might be 1080).

[@camjonny]

Thanks guys 🙋‍♂️

[@bradleyverde]

I sorta' get the love with Atem Mini, but for average Joe streamer, youtuber, whatever using OBS -- a decent HDMI capture card + setting up hotkeys for scene switching accomplishes the same thing.

[@tombuck]

Definitely! The ATEM’s ease of using multiple sources is awesome though.

[@bennozwanenburg9318]

Hi Tom, you say the Atem works best in 30fps but that is definately not true. I think you have set your Atem to 30fps in the settings menu, so all input framerates are converted to 30fps. You better set it to ’Auto’ so the Atem gets the framerate which is in input 1.

[@tombuck]

I think this is an issue with my ATEM specifically, because I've tried matching different frame rates and 30 is the only one that works for me. But just to experiment, I did take your advice and switch it to Auto, so we'll see how that goes 👍

[@njrivetelite]

I have a cam link but haven't messed with it yet.. was gonna start streaming but then put that on hold.. I do like the multi cam switchboard from black magic. Wish it did 4K 30 atleast. But if I stream it would be 1080 anyway so maybe Im just an idiot lmfao

[@tombuck]

Streaming in 4K is tough because of the network demands, but I am still a bit surprised that Blackmagic hasn't yet updated the ATEM Minis to be 4K capable.

[@njrivetelite]

@tombuck I think streaming multiple signals 4k via usb A would be difficult. But through USB C it would be possible The option would be nice but 1080 is still a really nice picture. I think we're at a level now that if we just stayed with 1080 & 4K for output.. that's just fine.. Other than editing or creative cropping I don't really see the need for anything above 4K.

[@EspecieUrbana]

Thanks

[@GuilDormeus]

Great video as always! I have the atem mini and a camlink and I can’t imagine using anything else. The Atem mini extreme iso will be probably be my purchase.

[@tombuck]

I love all the buttons in the ISO. No, I don’t know how to use them all, but they’re fun to press.

[@ac1320]

Notes on the Camlink‐ need to use a dock for multiple cards, even powered hubs don't play well. If having issues, need to download 4k utility & use a hidden setting to change modes. The EVGA xr1 Lite is $99, gives an hdmi out & has more codecs than the Camlink. Just make sure to use a true USB 3 cable for both!

[@tombuck]

Thanks for the tip!

[@DavidsTrading]

Great as always Tom. As a ecamm user I dont find the need for a atem, but i know you also use ecamm, is there something im missing out to use ecamm and maybe atem togehter? Do you use them together? Sorry for my english, same country as the body building mashine Peter Lindegren but from the much more beutiful capital Stockholm haha

[@tombuck]

Is Stockholm really that beautiful or do you just have Stockholm Syndrome 😬 (just kidding) The biggest benefit of the ATEM is being able to easily switch between sources. There’s a lot of overlap with some Ecamm features, and a Ecamm is easier to use, so I don’t think you’re really missing out on anything big.

[@DavidsTrading]

@@tombuck Ohh yes, much more beutiful then Göteborg haha. Yes, i sure love the ecamm and what they do with it, super smooth but sometime i find the qulity in live stream not so good. Last question, do you use 24/30/60 when live streaming in ecamm and youtube? I mean do you use both with same picture frames? Thanks for the reply buddy