Comparison of the Blackmagic Design ATEM 1 M/E Production Switcher versus the NewTek TCXD850 high-definition TriCaster

Updated on Monday, July 18th, 2011: NewTek introduced the first affordable video switcher back in 1990 with the release of the Amiga Video Toaster. Over the years, NewTek developed the still-affordable Windows-based VT[2] through VT[5] products and the original standard-definition, three-input TriCaster. With the advent of their TriCaster 300, three-input high-definition TriCaster at $15,000 and the subsequent TriCaster 850/ TriCaster 850 EXTREME eight-input TriCasters at $25,000 and $40,000, respectively, NewTek is still offering revolutionary technology but at a higher price point.

To be fair, the NewTek high-definition TriCasters offer an incredible amount of capability and performance for the money. With the $25,000.00 TriCaster 850 you can switch between eight live-sources of different resolutions (mix 1080i, 720p and 480i video sources) with transitions and effects, playback two video clips of nearly-unlimited length at the same time, work with two networked-computer feeds as sources, along with two independent DSKs or overlay channels plus professional-looking chroma-keying and virtual sets, input and output both analog and digital audio AND record the live-switch to hard drive as an MPEG-2 I-frame file AND stream live to the internet AND record the stream to hard drive, all at the same time. The host PC and the video/audio switching technology are all housed in a single rackmount case. While a programmable multi-viewer is available, you can use a single monitor to view the control software along with all of your video sources plus preview and program busses, allowing for a relatively compact and tidy package either in the studio or the field.

(For $15,000, the TriCaster 300 basically does everything that the TriCaster 850 does but offers only three live video inputs instead of eight, has one DDR for playing back video clips and only one networked computer feed.)

Given the importance of live video-switching and internet streaming to the production industry, other equipment manufacturers certainly noticed the success of NewTek’s TriCaster family and started to develop their own products that attempt to rival what a TriCaster can do. At NAB 2011, Blackmagic Design showcased their three new ATEM Production Switchers and associated peripherals. Starting at only $1,000.00 for the six-input Television Studio and only $4,995.00 for the sixteen-input 2 M/E Production Switcher, Blackmagic Design has raised a lot of interest in their highly-affordable yet feature-rich ATEM switchers.

The ATEM 1 M/E Production Switcher is currently shipping, with a promised release for the Television Studio in July and the 2 M/E Production Switcher in August. I built an ATEM 1 M/E dealer demo system and have spent the past few weeks checking out what the 1 M/E can do. As a NewTek dealer for the past 10 years, I have worked with and sold each and every model in the TriCaster family including the TCXD850. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I believe I am qualified to compare and contrast the two products against each other.

At only $2,495.00, the ATEM 1 M/E Production Switcher is an incredible bargain and a very capable piece of equipment. To have a fully-functioning system, you only need a $1,000 host PC and a pair of affordable LCD monitors to view the ATEM Software Control Panel and Multi-viewer display. About $4,000.00 will pay for a system that lets you switch between four HD-SDI and four HDMI video cameras or other video sources along with four independent upstream keyers capable of choma-keying and PIP effects, two independent downstream keyers for overlaying titles and other graphics, plus a pair of Media Players for playing back titles, graphics and (short, very short) video clips.

Compared to the hi-def TriCaster 850, in its current form the 1 M/E Production Switcher can’t produce a live internet stream. It can’t playback long video clips at the switcher. It doesn’t do virtual sets. The 1 M/E requires that the feeds from the live video cameras be at the same resolution . . . no mixing of 1080i, 720p and 480i sources coming in at the same time and being switched together. While the TriCaster offers multiple analog and digital video inputs, the 1 M/E only has one analog video input (composite, Y/C or component). Because the 1 M/E strips away any embedded audio coming in via an SDI or HDMI feed you must bring in audio via a pair of XLR analog audio inputs.

Compared to the hi-def TriCaster 850, you need two computer-type monitors to operate the 1 M/E, one for the ATEM Software Control Panel to operate the switcher and the second to view your video inputs plus preview and program busses. And the TriCaster is easier to operate in terms of loading up video clips, titles and other graphics and actually using them during a live switch. Finally, the switcher hardware and host-PC are two separate items, unlike the TriCaster which combines the two into a single unit for better portability.

Despite those glaring limitations, the ATEM 1 M/E Production Switcher and its two siblings are potaential competitors for the hi-def TriCasters, if not now then later as the ATEM switchers are improved via software updates or by adding other pieces of Blackmagic Design hardware to the mix. To produce a live internet stream only requires adding a streaming media appliance such as a Viewcast Osprey or Niagara card or box downstream of the 1 M/E. Or simply wait for Blackmagic Design to release a software method for producing a live stream from the 1 M/E via the included USB 3.0 port.

I don’t know if the inability to mix video sources of different resolutions is a hardware or software issue. If hardware, then adding an upconverter or downconverter would be the answer. Certainly not desirable, but definitely a viable workaround. Having only one analog video input with the 1 M/E is not going to be suitable for someone still working with multiple analog video cameras and other analog equipment. But again, converters are available from Blackmagic Design and other companies that change analog video into HDMI or SDI. Or perhaps it’s simply time to finally go digital and buy some new hi-def cameras?

Audiowise, the 1 M/E only inputs analog audio via a pair of XLR connectors. Any audio coming in via SDI or HDMI is stripped away. The analog audio input is embedded and sent out via the HD/SD-SDI and HDMI program outputs as well as coming out as analog audio output via a pair of XLR connectors. Because no audio mixer is included with the 1 M/E Software Control Panel you will need to use an outboard audio mixer if you want to ride any audio levels. The included UltraScope software, once the 1 M/E works with it, includes a pair of VU meters to monitor the audio levels passing through the 1 M/E. The UltraScope software also includes waveform and vectorscope displays for monitoring your video signals.

While the 1 M/E has a very limited ability to playback video clips on its own, it does have an RS-422 port. Along with the ATEM 1 M/E, Blackmagic Design showed their new HyperDeck Studio at NAB 2011. The $995.00 HyperDeck Studio is a rackmount video recorder and playback device that uses two SSD devices and inputs and outputs both HDMI and SDI, has a built-in monitor for viewing what’s being recorded or played back, and also has an RS-422 port. Down the road, I can easily see the 1 M/E controlling the HyperDeck Studio as both an extended-length playback and recording device during a live switch.

Other issues such as virtual sets and the ability to easily work with video clips, titles and other graphics are probably just a software issue that can be addressed by Blackmagic Design in a future software update for the 1 M/E and other ATEM switchers. While the  TriCaster 850 includes an audio mixer within its surface control interface, you can only ride one level at a time via the mouse. The TriCaster TCXD850 still wins on the monitor issue because you only need one monitor to operate the unit, but the TCXD850 weighs about 65 pounds. The 1 M/E weighs only 5.2 pounds. Even when you add a separate host-PC and another monitor, it doesn’t add up to 65 pounds. The  TriCaster 850 ends up being fewer pieces of gear absolutely required to make the system work as a live video switcher, but it does weigh a lot more.

I like the hi-definition NewTek TriCasters, I really do. Currently, for the money nothing can touch what the  TriCaster 300, TriCaster 850 or TriCaster 850 EXTREME can do. But there is definitely a market for a professional, high-definition video switcher that costs less, has as many or more video inputs (the $5,000.00 ATEM 2 M/E works with 16 video inputs), has great upstream and downstream keying capabilities, and can, in theory, be easily enhanced to provide live-streaming via third-party software or provide extended video playback by adding a $995.00 HyperDeck Studio to the mix. It's up to NewTek to decide how to respond to this potential rival to their hi-def TriCaster line-up. I'm sure they're up to the challenge.

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Matt Drabick, DigiTek Systems