
Last but not least, it’s impressively accessible for a professional piece of video hardware. Unlike other hardware switchers, you don’t need an equipment rack here – it’s possible to use on the desktop. This device has enough features packed into a small form factor to ensure all-in-one functionality that you can take with you. The hardware comes with free control panel software that works on Mac or Windows.Īnother huge perk of the Blackmagic ATEM Television Studio is its size. It’s perfect for anything from sporting events and gaming to speeches and concerts. Let’s compare software and hardware switchers so you can get an idea of the features and benefits of each.īlackmagic Design’s ATEM television switchers make it easy to create television-ready programs from live events. With switching, you can easily make your content a lot more exciting and engaging. Having a video switcher is like multi-camera editing in real-time. Well, one of the fundamental differences between a professional stream versus an amateur one is the use of camera angles to allow for frequent cuts from different sources. Now, imagine the exact same production, but with strategic cuts to different angles multiple times per minute – even if nothing else changed, wouldn’t this help keep your interest? Imagine watching a subject onscreen from the same exact angle for a full hour. This is just as applicable in a live stream as it is in a feature-length Hollywood film.

You probably learned about wide shots, medium shots, tight shots, and the importance of using different angles to tell a good story. Think back to that college film studies or cinematography class. A “video switcher” is a device or software application used to switch between multiple cameras and other video sources in real-time.
