Long HDMI Solutions For The ATEM Mini
The ATEM Mini changed the game in broadcast and streaming
The ATEM Mini
Blackmagic Design’s ATEM switchers, specifically the minis, are a game changer in the world of broadcast and streaming. Before the ATEM Mini, basic multicam switching functionality might have cost thousands of dollars. Now, you can get the bare minimum four camera switching and basic keying features for about $300, with higher tiered versions such as the Pro and Extreme being reasonably prices being just at or under $1000.
While the ATEM Mini is a very functional switcher, it is built with videographers in mind who are presumably going to be using equipment they already have such as DSLRs, prosumer camcorders, and laptops which usually only feature HDMI video output. Due to this, the ATEM Mini uses exclusively HDMI inputs and outputs.
The biggest drawback here is that HDMI is only functional up to about 25 feet. This is totally fine for small conference rooms or other events where the video sources are close to the switcher setup, but one quickly runs into problems for larger events such as sports or concerts.
The only solution for this is to deal with other signal and cable types and convert them to HDMI.
What To Do
The Inexpensive Option: SDI Converters
SDI (Serial Digital Interface) is a professional digital video and audio signal standard created by SMPTE and is used by many manufacturers for almost any type of piece of equipment. One of the biggest upsides to SDI is the signal length. HD signals over SDI rated coax will get you about 300 feet of stable signal (about the length of 3 basketball courts).
If you have cameras that have SDI output, you just need an SDI coax cable, SDI to HDMI converter, and an HDMI cable to feed into your ATEM Mini. If your camera only has an HDMI output, then you will need an HDMI to SDI converter along with the previously mentioned equipment. Many of the converters use USB power, so you can usually pretty reliably power them through standard phone battery banks if you can’t power them with a power cable.
Suggested Equipment:
The Expensive Option: ATEM Fiber Converters
Converting to fiber optic is a lot like converting to SDI, but it allows you to go much farther distances. A good solution for this is the Fiber Converter system by Blackmagic Design. There are two parts of this system, the Camera Converter that converts the signal to fiber and the Studio Converter that converts the fiber back to SDI for the switcher. The Camera Converters are about $600 each and the studio converter is about $2000. This system can also handle comms and program return, features usually reserved for much higher cost equipment.
The biggest upside to this system is the fiber cables themselves. Fiber can carry signals at over 20 miles. This system uses standard single mode fiber, which is inexpensive to get even at long lengths due to its use in the computer networking world.
These devices are clever, because it just converts the SDI or HDMI signal to fiber and back to SDI. It then receives SDI back for comms and program return. It uses two strands of fiber, one for sending from the camera to the control room and then one from the control room to the camera.
They aren’t reinventing the wheel here, even for the comms. SDI always is sending 16 channels of audio, though channels 3 through 16 are barely used when it comes to cameras. These converters use channel 15 and 16 to send and receive comms, then the converters separate them out. The camera converters also use standard computer headphone jacks for comms, eliminating the need for expensive 5 pin comm headsets. The comms audio from these units tend to sound higher quality than even expensive Clear Com or RTS systems due to the high quality SDI audio signals.
Make sure you do research on how to handle fiber optic cable if you go this route, as it is more fragile and isn’t the same as copper cable.
Equipment:
Camera Converter
Studio Converter
What Not To Do
Fiber HDMI
While searching Amazon or forums, you may find mention of Fiber HDMI, which is an HDMI cable that has fiber converters inside of them. This sounds awesome in theory, but these things are the bane of my existence. These cables are expensive and break easily. The use case for these are usually for permanent or semi permanent home theater installs, not for rugged live production. If one of these cables dies on you, that’s it. They aren’t even functional as paperweights at that point, so don’t even mess with it.
See the ATEM Fiber Converter section above if you want to mess with fiber.
CAT6 Extenders
You may also come across online mentions of CAT6 or “Ethernet” extenders. These are similar to SDI converters, where they send an HDMI signal over a CAT6 cable. Despite people calling them Ethernet extenders, they do not send network data. It just uses the copper in the CAT6 cable to send an HDMI signal longer.
These are not terrible for the most part, but most of them that you come across are cheaply built and can die easily. Not a good look when you are at a client and you can’t get your cameras on air. These also have compatibility issues with the ATEMs sometimes. Again, get something stable like Fiber or SDI.
ATTENTION: If You Haven’t Bought the Mini Yet
Most of you reading this already have a mini and probably have a project coming up that needs a longer cable run, but some of you may be looking into investing in your first switcher and the inexpensive nature of the minis are enticing you, but HDMI’s limits are worrying you (and it should).
That inexpensive price tag is deceiving. If you need longer cable runs or more advanced features off the bat (converting HDMI to SDI and back for four sources will cost about $500 in itself, not including cable) refrain from buying the Mini series. Instead, look into picking up one of Blackmagic’s newly released ATEM Constellation HD series of switchers. These were released to be mid range switchers between the ATEM Mini and Blackmagic’s 4K line of switchers.
The 10 SDI input, 1 M/E version is available for under $1000 and the 20 SDI input, 2 M/E version is about $1700.
These are fully featured rack mounted broadcast switchers for prosumer prices and have some of the Mini’s best features, such as frame syncs and the USB webcam output. The 2 M/E and higher switchers also have Blackmagic’s Supersource, which is a powerful tool.
The main drawback of these is that this is a rack mounted unit, so either you’ll have to buy the super expensive ATEM Advanced Panels, use an app such as MixEffect, or buy an XKeys keyboard to control the switcher. You could use the front panel on the rack unit, but it’s not as intuitive as having some sort of panel (even if it’s a touch screen).
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About Ozdyck Productions LLC
Ozdyck Productions LLC. is a live production company based out of Valparaiso, Indiana (about an hour from Chicago) owned by Logan Ozdyck. They specialize in producing live productions and building custom software/hardware solutions to push the limits of what can be done with budget conscious equipment. With a background in IT, programming, and marketing - Logan Ozdyck wanted to start a company that could produce shows along with helping other production companies by creating budget conscious solutions and educational content to expand the world of streaming/broadcast to more businesses, clients, and leagues.
