Potential Buyer Questions
Hi all..i'm looking at either a Blackmagic ATEM with Hyperdecks OR Wirecast Gear. I need to ask a number of questions (I'm using a demo right now)
* If I create keyboard shortcuts to use on an XKeys (H1, H2), if I power down the system, do I have to reload them everytime, or should I be saving it as a setup then reloading it on a reboot/new start ?
* The DisplayPorts out on the 400 series - can I send individual auxiliary feeds to all of them or any 1 of them individually ? Can I use a DisplayPort to HDMI converter ? thinking of sending 1 of the outputs to a HDMI wireless transmitter
* I've got Skype NDI going, and able to send Wirecast out as a virtual camera to it (vision), however I can't seem to get any audio from it to Skype on the Mac and hence sent out to the other side (in this case an iPhone, the call was initiated on the Mac, and I've tried the virtual microphone but nothing feeds).
Also on Skype, are you limited to just the one call showing as an input, or can you join multiple people into the Skype chat and then show their inputs separately ?
* Do any of the Gear boxes have Wifi capability or would I need to insert a router in the mix (thinking of using a switcher to add anything extra in) ?
* If I wanted to run a music bed underneath the production, can I put that on a layer as audio only and fire it off ? Do I have control over it stopping by clearing a layer ?|
* Regards to audio - if I have 2 presenters (audio coming via XLR) and cut to a video, does Wirecast cut their audio or fade it out to bring in the next item ? And if I fade between video back to them, does it fade the video audio ? Any way of controlling the fade time, or keeping the video audio live (ie I fade back before the video is finished but it was just a music tail) ?
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Paul!
Yes, if you create a shortcut on the X-Keys or any shortcut, Wirecast will recall that shortcut without having to save your project.
The 400 series has an HD-SDI program out, I'd use this over a Display Port output.
ah, you may have a T2 chip, my MB Pro does as well. I have to use Rogue Amoeba Loopback and redirect Skype back to my System Audio. They have a trial available, I bet it's the patch for that workflow.
Skype should allow for multiple guests. If there is a way to pin each guest to a fixed position in the Skype window, pin them in case a guest has to leave or disconnects. In Wirecast, create duplicate Screen Captures for each guest and crop / scale in to each guest.
Gear units will need to be connected directly to your available internet. I've used both a direct connection and using a router to connect other devices. Each Gear unit has two dedicated giganet ports, you could do both!
Yes! That is how I configure my audio sources. Basic composition for me is logo's 1st layer, lower 3rds 2nd layer, video sources and other media 3rd layer, guest's / presenters audio 4th layer and music sources 5th layer. That was the audio always plays through and can't accidentally be switched to / from.
If you had two presenters with embedded audio in that source, you would switch to / from their sources. A work around would be to add their source again on a Master Layer below and add the 2nd guest to that layer, a layer within a layer (available in the Shot Properties Panel). That way you'll have one source containing both guest's audio to play through while switching video sources!
I would keep the audio / video sources separate allowing you total control / configuration.
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Shane Scrimager Thanks for your answers, a couple more in regards:
* What would you use the Display Port (the 4 above the SDI's) for if not for outputting as auxiliary ? Can you assign those DP's individually to anything out ?
* I worked out to use the Virtual Cam microphone output to get it sending to Skype/Zoom, etc, so that's easy.
* Skype, multiple callers - haven't tried it because I don't have enough people to contact (or that I can't bug to test !)
* I think if I was at a remote gig I'd have an Ethernet switcher in the rack unit and plug that into either the venue's ethernet (if that's available) or have a 4G/5G portable unit that I can plug into (can't really tether a phone !)
* Regards the audio/music playout - I had my music on the lowest layer, so are you saying on the highest gives it precedence ? I want to be able to fire it anytime, not just on a Go switch (or if it's in AutoLive, which is not always the preference). And I assume the only way for the levels to be changed dynamically is purely via the interface (is there a way to bond a controller to it, I have a Presonus Faderport (MIDI controller).
Is there a way of controlling if the music fades out slower than the vision fades ? When I clear the layer of music and use cut, it just abruptly disappears, and the smooth fade fades it but it's still not pretty.
* I've done test setups with Twofers (two box) and then on the same channel next to it are the full screen versions, so I can cut back between them all if need be while a discussion goes on.
The more I look at WC, the more I like it. -
Hope to hear more replies soon !
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Apologies for the late reply!
The Display Ports are for connecting monitors, they weren't intended for a program out. The four output's paired with Wirecast's Multi-Viewer configuration provide great flexibility in assigning your visual real estate! Using Wirecast’s Multi-Viewer you may assign individual camera feeds, preview and live output as well as divide your monitors to up to 17 slots. I like having an extra monitor for screen captures and outside communication as well.
Have you seen Liveu’s products? LiveU.tv great resource for bonded cellular units.
On the audio / music playout. Layers would take precedence visually but not higher and lower audio levels, unless you set them that way. The audio will simply play through the other layers. You got it, changing levels may be done in the interface. Unless you have an external mixer. All the work could be done there and Wirecast is pulling the mix. Have you tried connecting the Presonus? This would be a great workflow for audio specifics. You’ll need to confirm your computer is picking up the source / select it in your system configurations before Wirecast will recognize it.
Smooth Transition has adjustments but not that would work well with your music files. It sounds like your music files could us a lead and tail so the smooth transition has a little more time to fade in and out without cutting in to the audio?
Again, sorry for the late reply. Please feel free to contact us over at Sales as well! Desktopsales@telestream.net
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Shane, another question or two..
What operating system does this work on ? Does it need activation, and if there's updates, does it qualify for them ?
Also, being custom built, does this system work better for outputting encodes for live-streaming ? -
One more - can you mix and match resolutions/frame rates on the 420 ? Or any of the Gear ?
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Paul said:
What operating system does this work on ?Windows 10.
Paul said:
Does it need activation, and if there's updates, does it qualify for them ?Activation and, with support (renewed annually) includes software updates and software upgrades.
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Paul said:
One more - can you mix and match resolutions/frame ratesGenerally yes but keep in mind it will be scaled to your Canvas and then Encoder settings. Ideally, you'd want to avoid scaling for the best quality but, if you had to, you could use diverse sources by necessity.
Please you the email address Shane posted for much more detailed personal and direct responses