The NewTek TriCaster TC MINI
By Adam Noyes
Digiteksys.com recently posted a great detailed look at the new NewTek TriCaster TC Mini. This device has been a very popular choice at Broadfield, and one of our most recent in house favorites.
NewTek has released a new TriCaster, the TriCaster TC Mini . . . the latest information and more!
While the product name may be a little confusing (it really should be called the TriCaster Mini NDI or the Mini 4K) this new system is a game changer for doing live portable and studio video production. All of the features that you love about the TriCaster that makes it the ultimate system for doing live video switching, recording and streaming … easily switching between multiple video cameras, graphics, video clips and other media, the ability to record multiple files plus two separate streams and upload to social media. ISO-recording, controlling PTZ video cameras … are found in the new Mini. What’s missing are the traditional HDMI, SDI or analog video inputs and outputs for connecting your video cameras, playback devices or video confidence monitors.
Ok . . . I’m sure you’re thinking, how do I connect my video cameras to do a live show?
Answer . . . either use a video camera that has an NDI port like the Panasonic AG-CX350 or use NDI encoders from NewTek, BirdDog or other developers for bringing in HDMI or SDI and converting it to an NDI/IP video source. The new TriCaster Mini has four plug-n-play NDI ports that allow you to directly connect an NDI camera like the Panasonic AG-CX350 to the new Mini using a standard CAT-6 cable. If your camera doesn’t have an NDI port built into it, then you take the HDMI (or SDI) video output from your video camera, plug that signal into the NDI encoder and run a CAT-6 cable from the NDI encoder to the TriCaster. Because it is plug-n-play you don’t have to be an IT wizard and set up a computer network with IP addresses for your video cameras and other sources. This new TriCaster Mini really is a leap forward for using IP video.
Panasonic just announced a series of new 4K cameras to be released March 2020 that includes the AG-CX10. The CX10 has a 24x fixed Leica Dicomar zoom lens offering up to a 600mm angle of view, NDI HX support and 10-bit 4K internal recording. Price is reportedly $2,795.00, substantially less than the $3,995.00 AG-CX350. Reportedly, 4K is not yet supported thru NDI-HX on these cameras. Reportedly, 4K is not yet supported through NDI-HX on these cameras.
So . . . why would I want to do that?
Answer: Because it is the future of doing video production. It isn’t about using video and audio anymore, it’s about using data. More and more companies are developing cutting-edge products for the NDI marketplace including portable video cameras, graphics software and storage devices. Another reason … you can run a CAT-6 cable a lot longer than you can run an HDMI cable, say 300 feet versus 100 feet. And the CAT-6 cable connectors lock into place unlike an HDMI cable. All while carrying a 4K signal.
Did we mention that the new TriCaster Mini supports 4K resolutions up to 2160p60? This means you can take the 4K HDMI output from your video camera, plug it into a NewTek NDI encoder and send a 4K signal into the TriCaster Mini. NewTek gives you two of their 4K NDI encoders with each TriCaster Mini. If you have a camera like the Panasonic AG-AC350 you can go directly from the NDI port on the camera to an NDI port on the TriCaster Mini and bring in a 4K signal.
What is another cool feature of the new TriCaster Mini?
The NDI|HX Camera Application for Mobile Devices! Which is available as a download from the Apple store. This allows 4K UHD video from an iOS device to be transmitted over Wi-Fi as an NDI source and connect with the new TriCaster Mini. This means you can bring in live video from your iPhone. Enough said!
How much does the new TriCaster Mini cost?
Answer: $8,995.00 … and that includes two NDI encoders that work with 4K HDMI video sources. Bundles are available that include the TriCaster Mini along with either a TriCaster Mini control surface or the larger TC1SP control surface, a custom travel case for the Mini plus two NDI encoders.
NewTek is also including a free six-month subscription to their Premium Access software with your new TriCaster Mini purchase. Premium Access includes a number of additional capabilities (LiveGraphics, LivePanel, NDI KVM, Advanced Audio, Virtual PTZ and access to special LiveSet content) that greatly add to your TriCaster Mini’s capabilities. Optionally, you can purchase the ProTek warranty for your TriCaster Mini and receive two years of the comprehensive ProTek warranty and a two-year Premium Access subscription at a greatly reduced cost.
Have more questions? Need more info? Fill out the form below or call Matt Drabick with DigiTek Systems at 919 810 9457.
http://www.digiteksys.com/