Just seems like a big spend to get four SDI's converted to HDMI. So many things that make me frustrated with the Extreme SDI model. I do love the idea of four ouputs. BUt thqanks for the lead on the convertor. I actualy saw it on sale around Christmas time or just after...

I just talked to Blackmagic about this the other day.

Yeah if the SuperSource is active on the program feed then it's recorded, but as soon as you switch away you won't have a copy of it. Kind of defeats the purpose of the ISO recording, especially since the SuperSource layout isn't recorded in the Resolve project either, so you'd have to reconstruct it manually from the actual ISO files.

@@aaronpk that’s correct!

Yeah but it's not exactly something you can fit neatly into a rack

yes!

It should be basically nothing, maybe a frame. I will try to measure it though.

@@aaronpk that would be great. I do livestreaming and the latency is important, like every frame counts. The video signal will pass the switcher and introduces delays. But I didn't find any info in the spec regarding the delay. What is the best solution doing livestreaming source 260Hz > switcher in > switcher out > Monitor 260Hz. That refresh rate should be still available after mirror / switch device. Do you have any advice how to achieve this setup? Is there a pass-through mode?

There's no changes to the USB features on the SDI versions compared to the HDMI, so it works just fine into OBS and such. One thing to note though is that the color space is slightly different over USB and the picture ends up looking more contrasty compared to the HDMI/SDI picture. I personally don't really mind it but it bothers some people.

They're still a super awkward form factor. Seems like someone should make one that can be rack mounted nicely!

@@aaronpk Oh definitely, I would buy a rack mounted one in a heart beat! There’s only multi view rack mounts from what I can find.

Yes I thought I mentioned it briefly, it's the same as the HDMI versions, the base model does not have multiview but the two ISO versions do.

@@aaronpk I don't understand this Blackmagic people. Why on earth do you add 1 USB output, 2 SDI Output and No SDI Multiview option.

Unfortunately this is the big limit with the ATEMs, there is only one program audio mix. Most of the time I don't actually use the ISO audio from the different inputs anyway, so I don't mind running a few SDI outputs into a separate ATEM SDI to record ISO video feeds, knowing that I will only be recording a single audio mix. If ISO recordings of the audio is important to you, then you'll definitely want to stick with the ATEM Mini ISO series.

No, the base model doesn't have multiview

@@aaronpk thank you for the info.

The big benefit of the Constellation is the 12 aux outputs!

I'm not sure what you mean, the USB output of all the ATEM Minis works the same and hasn't changed

@@aaronpk I wanted to be sure. Because a French retailer tells me that with the SDI PRO and EXTREME models it is impossible to use them as a webcam.

I have no idea why they'd say that, it says it right on the website! www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/atemsdi

@@aaronpk he made a reading error. the manual implies that the SDI pro and extreme only have the ethernet option to broadcast. ;) thank you for your time and tutorial i wait ultimate12 ;)

The Extreme does save the media on power cycles. I'm pretty sure it always has. The Mini got that feature in an update a couple years ago

@@aaronpk the SDI Iso 8 model im speaking of thanks n advance

I don't have that particular model but I'm 99% sure it should store the media pool when it's powered down. I know the HDMI 8-input version does.

You'll need an HDMI to SDI converter, but yes!

Yep definitely!

@@aaronpk awesome. I’m buying one for a small church install.

There is no alpha channel in the video, but you can overlay video with transparency by using two SDI inputs, known as "key/fill". One input has the video and the other has the alpha channel, and you can use the upstream or downstream key to overlay this onto your main video.

Not sure what you mean, if you want key/fill graphics from a Hyperdeck you'd use two of the inputs for it

@@aaronpk yeah! My bad! I meant inputs.

If you don't have a multi-room setup, there is not really a benefit using SDI. More detailed description in my comment below.

That is a good advice, thanks

My strongest argument going with HDMI is the automatic video up- and downscaling of the HDMI switcher inputs. The switcher converts all input signals to the program output video signal format. Update: the SDI switcher also converts formats and framerates. Audio Encoding/Decoding: The switcher with SDI input, forces you to input always the same video format e.g. 1080p@30fps. It can be tricky force all sources output that format. Sometimes you need a cross converter. SDI converter This setup adds one more converter to the workflow: source > hdmi > SDI > SDI format converter > video switcher. With the SDI converter scenario, you introduce converters. Every device introduces a point of failure. The possible error in event of device fail, is higher. Regarding Audio: There is SDI Analog and SDI digital. Digital can carry up to 12 cannels of audio at the same time with the Video. Converter can be used to embedded and de-embedded the audio signal. SDI as control signal: SDI digital is great if your camera support that signal. It can steer cameras from remote through the SDI output on the video switcher. In environments which have a video control room with the hardware, and the scene in a different room. The camera can be controlled in the live scene room through ethernet, ipad and an app. My conclusion is, use SDI if you need long distances >30m or need to connect campus buildings with fibre optics. I would say in room size setups, HDMI is a better choice - more flexible reg. video encoding, takes less space (nr. of converter, amount of cable, has smaller error rate and less devices). I wish you a great day. I hope this information will help you making a decision.

Minor correction: the ATEM SDI does also have a frame rate converter on the inputs! So you don't need to match all the sources like the older ATEM switchers. This is also true with the Constellation HD models now too!

@@aaronpk ok thank you for clarification 👍 Is the video format conversion also included?

2 of each on the extreme

Two USB ports are very useful!