A Game-Changing Release

Just after I finished my post on a "cheap(ish)" multi-cam streaming setup, Blackmagic Design dropped the ATEM Mini Pro. During the launch, they demoed it with four Pocket Cinema Camera 4Ks, showing that you can control them just like professional Studio Cameras. If you can keep your workflow contained to just this unit without needing a mountain of extra hardware, this thing is a total game-changer.

What’s New?

• Configurable Multi-View: This is the big one. The original ATEM Mini was limited, but the Pro allows you to output a dedicated multi-view screen. Knowing exactly what you’re switching to makes a massive difference for live event production.
• Built-in Hardware Encoding: You can now stream directly from the switcher via Ethernet. While it has presets for services like YouTube, you can edit an XML file to add custom RTMP services and tweak settings to your heart’s content.
• Direct USB Recording: You can now record your program feed directly to a USB drive (or multiple drives using a hub/dock).
• Camera Integration: When paired with the built-in timecode generator, you can trigger your connected Pocket Cinema Cameras to start recording simultaneously from the switcher.

My dream feature would be for DaVinci Resolve to automatically sync the 1080p live stream recording with the 4K Blackmagic RAW files from the cameras, effectively "auto-cutting" the edit based on the live mix. A boy can dream!

The "Maths" Check

This release forced me to pull out my spreadsheet and re-evaluate my streaming setup cost projections.

Important Notes:

• My "Full 4K" setup includes a switcher, computer, flight case, and a Blackmagic SmartView 4K to simplify on-site logistics.
• The ATEM Mini Pro setup doesn't strictly require a dedicated powerful laptop—just something with a network connection to run the software. Even if you factor in a laptop, it remains significantly cheaper than a 1080p PTZ-based setup.

The Verdict

Looking at the data, the ATEM Mini Pro setup is hands-down the most cost-effective path. It’s definitely the route I’ll be taking, primarily because it allows me to capture everything in 4K Blackmagic RAW for high-quality post-production editing while simultaneously streaming the live feed.

What are your thoughts on this little box? Which setup would you go with for live events: a dedicated PTZ workflow or a hybrid setup like the ATEM Mini Pro? What would you change or add to this workflow? Let me know in the comments below!