TriCaster TC1: Choose the Right Setup for Your Productions
By Jim Bask
From NewTek
TriCaster TC1: Choose the Right Setup for Your Productions
May 16, 2017
If you’re looking at TriCaster TC1 and are thinking about its capabilities, what configuration of equipment do you need for your productions? This guide is a resource for configuring a system for your number and type of cameras. Scan through the bold headings below to quickly find just the information you need. If you read through it all, you’ll have a thorough education in basic video configurations for TriCaster TC1. (If there’s a demand for it, we may institute a quiz and offer certificates!)
A Brief Introduction to TriCaster TC1 and NewTek NC1 Modules
The secret to TriCaster TC1: it is a fully IP-based integrated production system. However, SDI connectivity is integrated into the production system and is expandable with an ecosystem of interface modules that can provide the scope of features and needs specific to your productions.
In essence, TriCaster TC1 is not just a single production system, it’s a whole line of potential production suites distilled into a set of component parts. Pricing and capability range from the classic professional entry level 3-camera SD/HD setup to network-broadcast level 16-camera 4Kp60 live production suites, suitable for covering major global sporting events. All configurations have the same multi-camera integrated live production switcher system at the core. From there, you can build up to exactly suit any set of production needs along that range with the available add-on modules.
Despite the power and the complexity that can be achieved in assembling a customized workflow, there are just three components to consider. These are the TriCasterTC1 itself, the most complete integrated production system on the planet, and two NewTek Connect modules, the NC1 Studio Input Module, and the NC1 Studio I/O Module.
Physical video connections are as follows:
- TriCaster TC1:
- 4 BNC inputs, configurable as 4 3G/HD/SD-SDI inputs
- 4 BNC outputs, configurable as 4 3G/HD/SD-SDI outputs or one 3G-SDI quad-link output for UHD 2160p 60 frames per second (fps)
- NC1 Studio Input Module: 4 BNC connectors configured as 3G/HD/SD-SDI inputs
- NC1 Studio I/O Module: 9 mini-BNC connectors
- 1 configured as 3G/HD/SD-SDI Genlock, not yet activated
- 8 independently configurable for 3G/HD/SD-SDI inputs or outputs, or configurable in blocks of 4 as UHD 3G-SDI quad-link inputs or outputs.
Important to know is that the NC1 modules use the network to interface with the TriCaster TC1. As such, they don’t need to be physically located near the TriCaster, they just have to be on the same local network. They can be wherever the cameras are that you want to interface to the TriCaster.