What Are Live Production Switchers?

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Live production switchers play a major role in video production, and you might need one for your job.

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High-quality videos have become the standard when it comes to production. Combining footage, animation and music, top-notch material is essential for good marketing. Especially now that technology makes it easier for producers to make something nice-looking and stand out.

Live production switchers are one of the trump cards of video production. And your choice of video switcher can make or break the viewer’s experience. Thus, it is worth investing in one, especially if you want to achieve a successful live production.

Today, we are going to cover the basics of high-quality video production. We will also dig into why investing in live production switchers is worth it. Plus, the features to look for—in more detail—for outstanding live productions.

High-Quality Video Production Explained

Beautiful storytelling lies behind high-quality video production. This calls for innovative and creative producers to come up with such content.

From the perspective of a video production company, high-quality video production includes:

• Picture quality
• Clean audio
• Creativity
• Clarity of the message or intent

Lacking in any of these aspects can weaken the effectiveness of others. This is particularly true when you are filming live or live streaming.

Using video messages as a marketing tool is also a clever concept. But any production team must, therefore, consider quality content a priority.

What Do You Need?

Behind a high-quality video are the professionals who write, film, and edit the project. But regardless of how talented the team is, a high standard of content is not achievable, most likely, without the right equipment.

There are a few keys to high-quality filmmaking, no matter what camera you use. These will help increase the production value of your work in an instant.

• Good lighting
• Adding depth to your image
• Good composition and framing
• Using an external mic instead of your on-camera mic
• Hiding edits with B-roll

These are only a couple of suggestions, but they work well and can make a difference. Other resources can help add value to your films and videos.

For instance, adding dynamics and energy to the viewing experience. Whether for live streaming or post-production editing, a live production switch comes in handy.

Live production switchers are important components used in the following:

• Video production
• Displaying of videos
• Live streaming

What Are Live Production Switchers?

Simply put, a video switcher is used to switch between different video or audio sources. It is also ideal for setting compositions and adding graphics to a secondary source.

A live production switch can also be used in attaching special effects or mixing videos. It is an essential part of video production and live streaming.

Thus, it makes a valuable tool for videographers, bloggers, and online content creators. A live production switcher is also known as a video switcher or video mixer.

How do they work?

A video switcher can select between multiple incoming video signals from various sources. This could be a presentation or a PowerPoint feed, or a video camera.

Then, it directs one of those signals to a single output, such as a streaming or display device, e.g. monitors. Live production switchers are also capable of creating different visual effects.

This can include simple mixes and transitions, i.e. dissolve, to create special effects. A director typically controls the switcher.

While shooting, they can control the switcher to analyse incoming camera angles. This enables them to choose the best view to output.

The Key Features & Functionality

There are three core components in a live production switch, and these are:

• Inputs
• Assets
• Outputs

1. Inputs

Inputs are any live source that can be connected and displayed in real-time. This includes cameras, screens, remote guests, and switcher casts.

iPhones and iPads, for instance, can be used as remote cameras in Switcher Studio. Once cameras are connected, they can switch camera angles with ease.

The Remote Guest allows someone with a webcam and Internet to join your live production anywhere. This is a great feature for call-ins, interviews, or general dialogue.

In contrast, the Switcher Cast is an application for Mac and PC. It allows computers to be used as input in your production.

2. Assets

These are the pre-prepared content that can be used in live productions. This includes texts, images, videos, audio, multiview, cards, and switcher clouds.

Text assets are great for introducing guests. Or giving a title to the live stream and preparing to go live.

Using image assets can also be a game-changer. For one, selling products and personalising the stream with your brand logo.

Video assets are show openers, product showcases, and highlight reels. Pre-recorded audio can be imported into Switcher Studio sound effects and BG music.

Multiviews allow you to display multiple camera angles, guests, or videos and images. Meanwhile cards are a full-screen display. They combine camera angles, text, graphics, and a stylised background.

Finally, a Switcher Cloud stores any of your assets for access on any device with the Internet.

3. Outputs

Outputs are any platform or destination that the production will be sent to. Great examples of this are Twitch, YouTube, multistreaming, and recording.

Twitch, Facebook and YouTube have direct integration with a switcher for live streaming. This lets you connect your account within the switcher app and begin streaming.

Multistreaming, meanwhile, allows you to stream to two or more destinations simultaneously. You can expand your reach and have the potential to grow your audience organically.

Most importantly, you can record a video without going live. This is a remarkable feature if you plan on making post-production edits.

Features to Look For Before Investing

A premium live video switcher allows for the creation of a quality live production. In return, this attracts viewers and boosts the brand’s reputation, and who does not want that?

Below are the vital live production switchers features you should consider.

1. Reliability

This ensures worry-free operation and a satisfying experience for viewers. A reliable video switch also reduces the time for troubleshooting errors (if any).

Even better, it frees up valuable time and resources to put toward other tasks. Otherwise, you will put your live production at serious risk for technical failure.

2. Professional and top quality

A top-quality video switch can match a professional-level live and post-production. It delivers outstanding video and audio output, surpassing the audience’s expectations.

Professional standards can help to establish your brand with a good quality reputation. You will also keep an edge on the competition by delivering best-in-class capabilities.

3. Versatility

A standard live production switch contains many parts. This includes a recorder, streamer, scaler, and often multiple splitters.

In such cases, you need to manage all these separate components, adding to your overhead costs. But it does not always be that way.

A versatile unit contains everything you need to adapt to any live production scenario. This gives you the confidence to meet the demands of new and varied projects.

The versatility can also save costs by eliminating the need to buy, transport, set up and manage extra equipment.

4. Ease of use

Time, energy, and costs are valuable resources when delivering live production. The same goes for setting up post-production editing.

An easy-to-use video switcher helps to conserve these resources by streamlining the workflow. You are likely to spend less time setting up and controlling the production when live, as well.

This feature is highly advantageous as they lower the risk of human and technical errors. The more complex the live production switch, the higher the risk of errors!

5. Cost-effectiveness

A professional-quality video switcher can be versatile, reliable, and easy to use. However, those essential elements mean nothing if the hardware is out of your budget.

Cost-effective alternative solutions yield a powerful return on investment. This is especially true when combined with low training and operation costs.

The unit should have an all-in-one design to save you from the need to buy separate hardware. And it helps minimise costly technical errors with a reliable solution.

Get Your ATEM Live Production Switchers Here!

ATEM Live Production Switchers let you create stunning multi-camera live productions! ATEM switches between SD, HD, and Ultra HD video standards.

These allow you to create exciting live productions with a variety of video sources. Check out our range of ATEM Live Production Switchers!

ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel

Product code: CM8805

This advanced panel is a professional, full-featured hardware control panel. It connects via Ethernet and provides tactile control, which is essential in broadcast studios.

The compact size and durable design fits in a standard equipment rack. It is the perfect unit for shelf mounting in broadcast trucks, mobile racks, and fly-away kits.

ATEM Camera Control Panel

Product code: CM8813

The ATEM Camera Control Panel provides independent controls, including:

• 4 URSA Mini
• URSA Broadcast
• Blackmagic Studio
• Micro Studio cameras from a single control panel

Each control bank provides immediate iris control and shutter speed. They also offer white balance, master gain, pedestal, and RGB controls for white and black.

It has a durable metal chassis with the same uniform structure as other modern ATEM hardware.

ATEM Mini Pro

Product code: CM8817

The Mini Pro is a multicamera live streaming device for the internet or broadcasting. It features 4 HDMI inputs with an integrated control panel for gaming consoles, corporate computer streams, or HD cameras. Fast to set up and easy to use.

 

ATEM Television Studio Pro 4K

No longer available

Product code: CM8824

ATEM Television Studio Pro 4K is UHD 4K compatible. It features 8 independent 12G-SDI inputs that allow you to work in all popular HD and Ultra HD formats up to 2160p60.

Each input features re-sync as well as a full low latency standards converter. This means that the input is automatically adapts to the switcher’s format. You can even have 8 inputs, all running different video formats!

The Bottom Line

With the vast improvement in video production, your video will have to compete with everything that’s out there. Everything is in planning, and your shooting resources play a crucial part.

For one, mixing video, setting compositions, and adding footage, graphics and special effects. All these may sound technical, but live production switchers or video mixers can give you a hand.