Affordable Tools to Improve Your Church's Online Services
Blackmagic Design has recently released a family of video switchers that can be a game-changer for churches streaming their services. Pricing is incredibly affordable for what they offer. I will be adding additional information about these products in the weeks to come.
Kenny

ATEM Mini
Affordable live switcher with 4 standards converted HDMI inputs, USB webcam out, audio mixer with EQ and dynamics, 2D DVE, transitions, green screen chroma key, 20 stills for titles and much more!
Retail Price: $295

ATEM Mini Pro
Powerful model adds recording to USB disks in H.264 format, a built in hardware streaming engine for YouTube Live, Facebook, Twitch and more, plus multiview to see all cameras on a single monitor.
Retail Price: $595

ATEM Mini Pro ISO
This model adds recording of 5 streams including all input as clean feeds for editing, plus a DaVinci project file for fast edit turnaround and Blackmagic RAW file relinking for finishing in Ultra HD.
Retail Price: $895
ATEM Mini is a low cost, multi-camera, live producer with advanced broadcast features. ATEM Mini switchers make it easy to create professional multi-camera productions for live streaming to your streaming platforms like YouTube and Facebook! Simply connect ATEM Mini and you can switch live between 4 high-quality video camera inputs for dramatically better quality images. Or connect a computer for ProPresenter or PowerPoint slides. The built-in DVE allows exciting picture in picture effects. There are loads of video effects too. All ATEM Mini models have USB that works like a webcam so you can use any streaming software while the ATEM Mini Pro model adds live streaming and recording to USB disks.
Faster Video Production Plus Live Streaming
Live production is the fastest way to complete a finished program, plus you can stream it to a live global audience via YouTube at the same time. The USB webcam output of ATEM Mini connects to any computer and looks just like a built-in webcam, so all streaming software for social media platforms works! With up to 4 HDMI inputs you can set up multiple camera angles such as wide shots along with independent close-ups of people in the service. Or you can connect to a computer with and use the presentation software for slides and videos. All switching is in real-time so you can live stream to any social media platform such as YouTube, Facebook and many more!
Self-Contained Broadcast Quality Switcher
ATEM Mini’s compact all-in-one design includes both a control panel as well as connections. The front panel includes easy to use buttons for selecting sources, video effects and transitions. You even get buttons for audio mixing. On the ATEM Mini Pro model, you also get buttons for record and streaming control as well as output selection buttons that let you change the video output between cameras, program and multiview. On the rear panel, there are HDMI connections for cameras or computers, extra microphone inputs, USB for webcam out plus an HDMI “aux” output for program video.
Three Great ATEM Mini Models
ATEM Mini
ATEM Mini is fast to set up and easy to use. It includes 4 standards converted HDMI inputs, USB webcam out, HDMI out, Fairlight audio mixer with EQ and dynamics, DVE for picture in picture, transition effects, green screen chroma key, 20 stills media pool for titles and free ATEM Software Control.
ATEM Mini Pro
This model includes all the features found in ATEM Mini, plus more! You get recording direct to USB flash disks in H.264 plus direct streaming via the Ethernet to YouTube Live and more. There’s also a multiview with 4 cameras, media, preview and program plus status of recording, streaming and audio.
ATEM Mini Pro ISO
This model adds recording of up to 5 separate H.264 video streams in real time! That’s a clean feed of all inputs and plus the live program! A DaVinci Resolve project file is also saved so you can open your live production to adjust edits, change shots, remix audio and add color correction.
Outputs to HDMI Video and USB Webcam!
To ensure maximum compatibility, ATEM Mini features a USB connection that operates as a simple webcam source. That means you can plugin and instantly get working with any video software. The software is tricked into thinking the ATEM Mini is a common webcam, but it’s really a live production switcher. That guarantees full compatibility with any video software and in full resolution 1080HD quality. Choose any software you like for streaming. ATEM Mini works with software and platforms such as Open Broadcaster, XSplit Broadcaster, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Skype, Zoom, Twitch, Periscope, Livestream, Wirecast and more!
Live Stream via Ethernet on ATEM Mini Pro
The ATEM Mini Pro model has a built-in hardware streaming engine for live streaming via its built-in Ethernet connection. That means you can live stream to YouTube, Facebook and other platforms in better quality, without dropped frames and with much simpler settings. Just select the streaming service and enter the streaming key! There are palettes in ATEM Software Control for streaming setup and status, plus streaming status is also displayed in the multiview. Streaming status is easy to understand as the data rate indicator shows internet speed required for the video format you’re using. If you’re technically minded, you can even hack the detailed streaming profiles in the XML preference file and load new services.
Record Direct to USB Flash Disks with ATEM Mini Pro
The ATEM Mini Pro model also supports direct recording of your streaming data to USB flash disks. That means you get very long recordings in the same H.264 video files with AAC audio that you streamed, so you can direct upload to any online video site, such as YouTube and Vimeo. ATEM Mini Pro supports multiple disks when used with a USB hub or Blackmagic MultiDock, so when a disk fills, recording can continue to a second disk for non-stop recording. Record settings and disk selection are set up in ATEM Software Control and there’s a record status view in the built-in multiview. You can even trigger recording on external Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras!
Edit Live Production with Separate ISO Recordings!
The ATEM Mini Pro ISO model lets you edit your live event because it can record 5 video streams, including clean feeds of all inputs and the program recording, all at the same time! Media pool images used are also saved with the video files. The video files include metadata tags such as synced timecode and camera numbers. Imagine re-editing your show with new color grades, effects and graphics! Even the audio sources are all recorded so you can professionally remix your audio!
Edit Live Production in DaVinci Resolve
The ATEM Mini Pro ISO model can also save a DaVinci Resolve project file, so with a single click, you can open your live production as a video edit. All cuts, dissolves and media pool graphics will be loaded. This means you can fine-tune edit points or even completely replace shots! The DaVinci Resolve Sync Bin lets you select new shots via a multiview, so it’s very easy to use. You can even relink to Blackmagic RAW camera files for adding professional color correction and finishing in Ultra HD! DaVinci Resolve has a very powerful free version that may do everything you need for video editing software to do.
Video Effects
One of the benefits of ATEM Mini is the professional production values that are possible using the range of built-in video effects! The cut button ensures an instant cut when switching between sources. The auto button is a professional term that’s used on large broadcast switchers to enable video effects transitions. There are duration buttons for video effects allowing 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 second settings. You can also select the type of effect you want including mix, which does a smooth transition between sources, and dip which fades via a color during the transition. Or use fun DVE effects that move the image off screen when transitioning between sources!
Advanced Broadcast Features Built In!
While ATEM Mini is easy to use, it’s also hiding very powerful broadcast features! You get an ATEM Advanced Chroma Key, Fairlight audio mixer, DVE, still store for graphics and much more! This allows you to run lower thirds from ProPresenter or other worship presentation software overlaid on your video. Simply run the free ATEM Software Control app on Mac or Windows while connected via USB or Ethernet to access the extended features of the ATEM Mini. With a little experimentation, you can learn how to produce broadcast quality live production. Only ATEM Mini is a true broadcast switcher hidden in a tiny and affordable design!
Monitor Sources and Status with ATEM Mini Pro Multiview!
When doing larger live productions with multiple cameras, it’s very useful to see all your video sources at the same time on a single monitor. The ATEM Mini Pro model includes a professional multiview that lets you see all 4 video inputs, plus preview and program on a single HDMI television or monitor! Simply select M/V on the front panel video output control buttons to select multiview! Each camera view includes tally indicators so you know when each source is on-air, and each view also has custom labels and audio meters. You can also see the media player so you know what graphic is selected. Plus multiview even includes status for recording, streaming and the Fairlight audio mixer!
Three Models to Choose From

ATEM Mini
Affordable live switcher with 4 standards converted HDMI inputs, USB webcam out, audio mixer with EQ and dynamics, 2D DVE, transitions, green screen chroma key, 20 stills for titles and much more!
Retail Price: $295

ATEM Mini Pro
Powerful model adds recording to USB disks in H.264 format, a built in hardware streaming engine for YouTube Live, Facebook, Twitch and more, plus multiview to see all cameras on a single monitor.
Retail Price: $595

ATEM Mini Pro ISO
This model adds recording of 5 streams including all input as clean feeds for editing, plus a DaVinci project file for fast edit turnaround and Blackmagic RAW file relinking for finishing in Ultra HD.
Retail Price: $895