GEAR REVIEW
BMD ATEM TV STUDIO 4K8 SWITCHER | Kent Morris
BMD ( Blackmagic Designs ) began life as a strong value play within the live video production world . While initial efforts were modest , the company has grown exponentially and is now the brand to consider in mid-range production environments within the church tech community . Their new 4K8 switcher is a case in point . While its $ 4,595 price point is significant for smaller ministries to consider , it is an outright bargain compared to anything else in its class and with the same capabilities of switchers costing five times as much .
For example , the 4K8 contains eight 12G-SDI inputs with embed audio and ten 12G-SDI outputs plus two additional SDI outputs for monitors and projectors . Combining both a switcher and a control panel , the 4K8 offers SDI and HDMI multiview outs plus main SDI program outs for simplified recording and plenty of audio connections of various types along with Clear-Com and RTS compatible expansion ports for coms use . Add in MADI for audio expansion , mobile phone connection for streaming , USB direct recording , fourport Ethernet internet connectivity and simple timecode lay-in and there isn ’ t much this box cannot do in a production environment .
The 4K8 has a useful three-axis joystick for control plus a numeric keypad for direct entry of duration times , a straightforward visual display , plenty of tactile control via the T-bar and even a Fairlight audio mixer with extensive audiofollow-video functionality .
In use the 4K8 takes what could be a complex operating platform and brings it down to a level anyone familiar with a Roland V-8HD can command with ease . From dedicated grid controls for green screens and graphics to auto setting of inputs tied to keyers and DVEs when a bus selection is made , the 4K8 is designed to bridge the gap between simple 1M / E units and large-scale Ross and For-A switchers without sacrificing the ease of the former or the performance of the latter .
There is a new king of the mid-grade video suite , and it is the BMD 4K8 . For less than $ 5000 , it delivers everything a church needs and then some .
$ 4,595 www . blackmagicdesign . com
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Kent Morris Kent Morris is a 44-year veteran of the AVL arena driven by passion for excellence tempered by the knowledge all technology is in a temporal state .
100 January 2024 Subscribe for Free ...