Blackmagic ATEM Mini User Manual Additional Features on ATEM Mini Pro and ATEM Mini Extreme
ATEM Mini Pro and Extreme model switchers have additional features that give you more options for your broadcast and even more ability to control your production directly from the unit without the need for a computer.
Dedicated buttons on the control panel let you switch sources to the HDMI output, start/stop streaming and start/stop recording.
ATEM Mini Pro and Extreme model switchers provide more features so you have more control from their built in control panels plus additional streaming options
You also have the choice of streaming via the webcam output or direct streaming via Ethernet. At any time, you can record your broadcast to an external disk via USB-C and use the dedicated record buttons on ATEM Mini Pro to start and stop recording.
One of the most exciting additional features is the multiview. This powerful feature displays a multiview on the HDMI video output that shows a comprehensive overview of your production. All HDMI input sources, the program and preview outputs, plus important recording, streaming and audio status information is presented on one screen so you always know exactly what is happening during your broadcast!
This section describes all the additional features and how to use them.
Stream Buttons
Streaming is built into all ATEM Mini Pro and Extreme model switchers, so you don’t need to use any complicated software to get started. Just use the included ATEM Software Control to select what streaming service you intend to use and then enter in the streaming key. Once you have completed this setup, you can simply press On Air to go live! There is more information in the live streaming section of this manual.
The stream buttons labeled ‘on air’ and ‘off’ let you start and stop streaming directly
When your broadcast has finished, all you need to do is press the ‘off’ stream button and your stream is stopped. This means once you are set up and streaming, the switcher is completely independent and you don’t need to go back to your computer to stop and close your stream.
📘TIP: After your streaming details are entered into the ‘output’ palette in ATEM Software Control, your streaming setup is now stored in your ATEM Mini Pro or Extreme so you can start streaming again immediately, even after a power cycle. This makes it easy to stream a new broadcast without having to reset your streaming software every time.
On ATEM Mini Pro and ATEM Mini Extreme, it is actually easier and faster to stream via Ethernet. This lets you stream immediately via any internet connection on a computer or internet router, while simultaneously giving you the additional benefits of ATEM Software Control over the same connection.
For information on setting up streaming and control via Ethernet, refer to ‘direct streaming and switcher control via Ethernet’ later in this section.
Recording using the Record Buttons
ATEM Mini Pro and Extreme switchers let you record your stream via USB-C using an external disk or flash drive. For example, you can connect a Blackmagic MultiDock 10G and record directly to an SSD. When the disk indicator above your switcher’s record button illuminates green, press the record button and you are now recording your broadcast to disk. To stop recording, press the ‘stop’ button.
ATEM Software Control records your stream using H.264 compression with an optimized compression ratio to provide high quality video without large file sizes.
Press the record button, marked ‘rec’, to record your broadcast to an external drive or flash disk via USB-C
Disk Status Indicator
The disk status LED indicator lets you know the status of the recording media. For example, the indicator illuminates green if the current drive is formatted and ready to record and red while recording.
Indicators include:
Green | Formatted disk is detected and ready to record. |
Red | Disk is recording. |
The record button will also indicate the performance of the drive. When the record button is slowly flashing red, this indicates there is low disk space. When the record button flashes red rapidly, the disk performance is poor causing skipped frames.
📘NOTE: To record to an external drive, you first need to format the disk.
Refer to the ‘preparing media for recording’ section for more information.
Setting the HDMI Output using the Video Out Buttons
The video out buttons on the right side of the switcher are used to switch sources to the HDMI output on ATEM Mini Pro and HDMI out 1 on ATEM Mini Extreme. The default output source for ATEM Mini Pro is the multiview and you can read more about this powerful feature later in this section. ATEM Mini Extreme’s default output is program for output 1 and multiview for output 2.
Press the video out buttons to switch a source to the HDMI output
To change the HDMI output source, press any of the video out buttons. For example you can select the HDMI inputs for isolated camera recordings, or select the program output or multiview. Compared to ATEM Mini, having the buttons built into ATEM Mini Pro and Extreme means you can change the HDMI output directly from the unit itself! In addition to the 8 HDMI inputs, program and multiview, ATEM Mini Extreme lets you select a clean feed or the preview output.
📘NOTE: If you want to switch camera 1 direct or preview to the HDMI output, these sources are available from the ‘output’ menu in ATEM Software Control.
Direct Streaming via Ethernet
ATEM Mini Pro and Extreme switcher’s Ethernet connector lets you stream directly while simultaneously providing the added benefits of ATEM Software Control. You can learn more about this powerful control software in the ‘using ATEM Software Control’ section.
Plug into your internet router via Ethernet to stream directly
You can select which platform you want to use in ATEM Software Control and set all the relevant settings for your stream. If you are setting up a broadcast on your channel that you will regularly use, these settings will be stored in your switcher and you can then plug into any internet connection at any time and broadcast directly from the unit.
This section includes how to configure settings for YouTube Studio and Twitch.
📘TIP: As you’re setting up your broadcast, it’s worth loading a standby graphic into ATEM Software Control’s media player and switching it to the program output so you can perform a quick test broadcast before actually going live.
To configure your settings for YouTube Studio:
Log into your YouTube account. Click the ‘go live’ icon.
If prompted, choose to start your stream ‘right now’ or at a ‘later date’ and select ‘streaming software’ from the options. Otherwise, select Edit
Enter your broadcast name and details. Set the broadcast to ‘public’ so anyone can watch.
Set the child protection to the appropriate setting and press save.
An auto generated stream key will appear in the stream settings, click ‘copy’ to copy the stream key.
Now you have copied the stream key for your broadcast, you will need to paste it into the stream details in ATEM Software Control.
In ATEM Software Control’s processing palettes, click on the ‘output’ tab.
Open the ‘live stream’ palette.
Set the platform to YouTube by clicking in the menu and selecting YouTube from the menu list. Set the server to ‘primary’.
In the ‘key’ setting, paste the stream key you copied from YouTube.
Set the streaming quality to low, medium, or high. This will also set the quality for the recording output via USB-C.
With all the streaming details now set, it’s worth performing a quick test broadcast to make sure everything is working. Press the ‘on air’ button on your switcher, or click on the on air button in the live stream palette.
YouTube Studio is now ready to start broadcasting. It may take a few moments for the memory buffer to initiate. When the buffering is complete, the ‘go live’ button will appear in the YouTube Studio manager and all you need to do is click ‘go live’.
You are now broadcasting!
To test that everything is working properly, click the ‘share’ icon, copy the link and paste it into a new window or tab in your internet browser. You can now monitor your live stream just like a member of your audience.
When your production has finished, press the ‘off’ streaming button on your switcher to stop your broadcast.
To configure your settings for Twitch:
Log into your Twitch account. Click on your account avatar in the top right corner.
Click on ‘creator dashboard’.
In the stream manager preferences, select ‘channel’.
A primary stream key will be automatically generated.
Click ‘copy’.
Now you have copied the stream key for your broadcast, you will need to paste it into the stream details in ATEM Software Control.
In ATEM Software Control’s processing palettes, click on the ‘output’ tab. Open the ‘live stream’ palette.
Set the platform to Twitch by clicking in the menu and selecting Twitch from the menu list.
Click on the ‘server’ setting menu list and select the server nearest to your location.
In the ‘key’ setting, paste the stream key you copied from Twitch.
Set the streaming quality to low, medium, or high. This will also set the quality for the recording output via USB-C.
In the ‘key’ setting, paste the stream key you copied from Twitch.
With all the streaming details now set, it’s worth performing a quick test broadcast to make sure everything is working. Press the ‘on air’ button on ATEM Mini Pro or Extreme switcher, or click on the on air button in the live stream palette.
You are now on air! To check your broadcast, click on your account avatar and select ‘back to Twitch’. Once in the main Twitch window, click your avatar icon again and select ‘channel’. You will now see your broadcast on your channel and the live indicator will appear at the top of the window.
📘NOTE: If you are using additional ATEM control panels with your ATEM Mini, then you might need a dedicated IP address. For more information, refer to the ‘connecting to a network’ section.
Direct Streaming by Sharing Your Computer Internet
With ATEM Software Control now connected to your switcher, you can set up a direct stream via your computer’s internet connection.
To set up your ATEM Mini Pro or ATEM Mini Extreme for software control and direct streaming:
Plug your ATEM into your computer’s spare Ethernet port. It may take a moment for DHCP to find the unit and assign an IP address.
Launch ATEM Software Control.
You will see ATEM Mini Pro or ATEM Mini Extreme listed as a connected ATEM switcher on your network. Simply select your switcher from the list.
Click ‘connect’.
Configure your computer to share its internet connection through its Ethernet port.
Mac: in System Preferences, click ‘sharing’ then select ‘internet sharing’ from the ‘service’ list. In the ‘share your connection from’ menu, choose ‘wi-fi’ if your Mac is connected to the internet over wifi. In the ‘to computers using’ list, select ‘ethernet’. In the ‘service’ list, tick the ‘internet sharing’ checkbox. When you are asked if you are sure you want to turn on internet sharing, click ‘start’.
Windows: in the Windows search box, type ‘view network connections’ and press enter. Right click on the internet connection and select ‘properties’. On the ‘sharing’ tab, tick ‘allow other network users to connect through this computer’s internet connection’. Select a network connection in the menu then click ‘OK’.
ATEM Software Control will now appear with buttons and indicators illuminated. You can now operate your switcher the same way you would via USB-C. Your ATEM switcher is now setup for direct streaming via your computer.
Smartphone Tethering
Once you have set up your ATEM Mini Pro or ATEM Mini Pro ISO model switcher to stream to YouTube, Twitch or other platforms, you can now direct stream using your smartphone. This means you can set up fast and be streaming to the world in any location where your smartphone has a 4G or 5G cellular connection or is capable of reverse tethering your WiFi connection.
Simply connect a cable from your smartphone to the USB-C port on your ATEM Mini Pro.
Once connected, make sure your smartphone device has hotspot activated.
On your iOS device open settings> personal hotspot and make sure ‘allow others to join’ option is on.
For Android devices, swipe the screen to display the quick menu. Press and hold the hotspot icon and then turn on USB tethering.
Now you can press the On Air button on your ATEM Mini Pro switcher to go live!
📘TIP: Once you’ve finished streaming, we recommend turning off tethering connections to save battery life.
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