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This ATEM (mini) Tips” series of short video tutorials for your Blackmagic ATEM hardware includes tips for all users, from beginner to advanced. Scroll down to see more in the series!

This is a collection of all PhotoJoseph LIVE shows, from the PhotoJoseph YouTube channel. Additional episodes are listed below!

How to add 3 HDMI Ports to your ATEM Mini, Mini Pro or Pro ISO!

Photo Moment - February 19, 2021

The ATEM Mini Extreme is here — but you don't want to spend $1,000 to buy one! If you already have any ATEM Mini, I'll show you how to add three more inputs for just $100 each — and how to control them all together!

Products Mentioned

The Story…

The ATEM Mini is an incredible switcher, and with four HDMI inputs, it's a serious bargain way to get FOUR cameras or other HDMI sources into your computer to act as a webcam, whether you're on a Zoom call, hosting a webinar, gaming, or just chatting with friends. But sometimes you want more!!

People have asked me dozens of times if you can simply plug one ATEM into another, to give it more ports. The simple answer is YES, you can! However there's a significant issue with switching when you do it this way. First of all, know that you'll be getting SEVEN HDMI inputs, not eight. But 4+4=8, right? In this case… no! Because you have to plug the output of one ATEM into the input on another, which means that you are losing one of those inputs for a camera. You end up with three camera-available inputs on one device, and four on the other.

OK, that's fine, so you have seven inputs! But the real problem is CONTROL. Inputs ONE, TWO and THREE are all normal. But now to switch to camera FOUR, you have to switch the first ATEM (in my case, an ATEM Mini Pro ISO) to input FOUR, and simultaneously switch the second ATEM (in my case, a $295 ATEM Mini) to input ONE. That gives you “camera 4”. Then, “camera 5” is inputs FOUR plus TWO, and “camera 6” is inputs FOUR plus THREE, and finally “camera 7” is inputs FOUR plus FOUR. As you switch around, to go from camera 2 to camera 4 to camera 1 to camera 6 can require tapping the input buttons on both ATEM Minis simultaneously — and that's a terrible idea! It puts you at a huge risk of getting the switching out of sync, or even worse, switching to the wrong camera angle.

This is where the open source, FREE software, “Bitfocus Companion” saves the day. With some very simple setup, you can make a single button switch multiple inputs on both ATEM devices at once, giving you a one-touch button to change to any camera angle! Finally, if you want to move the switching interface off of your computer, you can run Companion from a tablet like an iPad, or even an iPhone or Android device, or if you want to spent a little money and go with a hardware interface, the El Gato Stream Deck and Stream Deck XL make fantastic physical interfaces with LED buttons that you can push! It's even possible to provide RED feedback on the buttons so you know which camera angle you have loaded. Wow!! Learn all this and more in this detailed video tutorial.

Chapters

00:00 - Introductions
00:23 - Do you need the ATEM Mini Extreme?
00:55 - How to add three more ATEM HDMI inputs!
01:17 - It’s more than just the hardware…
02:08 - Why you can’t do this with ATEM macros
02:32 - Introducing Bitfocus Companion
02:58 - Downloading Companion
03:32 - Adding the ATEM hardware to Companion
03:56 - Find your ATEM’s IP address
05:11 - Set up the first button
05:48 - Renaming your ATEM buttons
07:07 - Testing button 1
07:25 - Making buttons 2 and 3
07:52 - Making buttons 4 through 7 (controlling dual ATEMs!)
09:06 - Testing buttons 2 through 7
09:40 - Accessing the Companion buttons on a web or mobile interface
10:26 - Adding ATEM status lights to Companion

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    📄 Full Video Transcript

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    Did you enjoy, or learn anything? Please consider subscribing!! Just click here… https://youtube.com/c/photojoseph?sub_confirmation=1
    Thanks for the detailed info on setting up Companion. I have the same ATEMs and you just simplified my switching for an upcoming gig.
    @@politikilter6446 I would politely request that you re-watch the video :-)
    @@OutstandingLife thanks Jason!
    Very helpful... though I do have one question: if you click the button on the ATEM Mini, will it change the button color status in Companion?
    I have an Iso and a mini but wasn’t sure the best way HOW to set up companion in a dual Atem production. I wasn’t sure where to get started but this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you 🙏!!
    Will this work old atem hardware and software....e.g. those first old ATEM AND ATEM1
    Yes
    I want to do this with my ATEM Television Studio - original and an ATEM Mini. Will it work?
    Yes!
    Great lesson, thankyou Joseph
    I’m not sure if I missed it but if I’m using two Pro ISOs, would I lose the ability to have it recorded on an SSD drive as one project for Davinci Resolve? Thanks.
    Yes you would
    so wait... where's the tutorial on how to use this with the stream deck?
    @@photojoseph you said that was a topic for another video.
    Didnt i cover that in this video?
    is there a way to add security / PIN to Web Buttons and Mobile Buttons?
    You can add a password to access the Companion system, yes. Not to individual pages though.
    !QUESTION!:

    Is there a way to give the Atem Mini the same features as the ISO?

    I would rather not spend 500 bucks on an ISO when the mini is 160 used just to be able to record each stream individually if there is a work around. Thanks
    @@photojoseph thank you for your reply. I've already spent so much money this is literally the last thing I need... But I guess I'll just have to cough up the 400 bucks and deal with it.
    You can record in-camera (assuming your cameras are capable of outputting HDMI and recording internally simultaneously), or you could insert a recorder between each camera and the ATEM, but those are about $500 each, at least. Either way you wont have the switching data recorded. And don’t forget the live streaming encoder. Stand alone ones are at least a couple hundred bucks. So you see… the ISO models are a bargain.
    Hey! A quick question: Using this setup (Atem Mini Pro + ATEM Mini Pro Iso), is it possible to record ISO and stream at the same time? I mean: record ISO using ATEM Mini Pro ISO and streaming through ATEM Mini?
    Sure but the ISO can only record what comes into the HDMI ports, so the one that captures the connected Mini Pro will only have whatever it’s currently sending.
    Do this with the EXTREME😂

    16 inputs if you use 2 usb-c to OBS
    Followed your intstructions and got the two switchers hooked up. Got to the companion section but the Atem set up software is only recognising the ISO and not the second Mini. I have the ISO connected to my Macbook Air using the USBc output on the ISO. I have nothing coming from the Mini other than the output into the ISO, any tips? Thanks for your great content.
    @@EWO_podcast start with the ATEM software. If one isn’t showing up on the network then connect it to usb so you can check the network settings. Make sure each has a unique IP address and both are visible in the ATEM software. Then you can add them to companion.
    @@photojoseph I tried that but companion wouldn’t connect to the mini. I had ISO and mini on same local router. It would connect to ISO but not mini.
    They both need to be on the network to be used in Companion.
    Thanks for the video. I took the easy way out and just made the direct connection though. One question though - if I don’t have a network connection on my second ATEM, will I loose the audio?
    if you're bring your audio in via the 3.5mm input from a mic or mixer, then just send it to the primary ATEM. But remember audio can come from each camera via HDMI. Just depends on what you're doing.
    Thank you. I assume I will have to have an input to both audio inputs (3.5mm).
    Network has nothing to go with audio but if you don’t have both on the network then you can’t build any chording of commands (i.e. 4+1)
    Amazing, Joseph! Thanks.
    Great video, thanks! What happens if you open the multiview output on the ATEM Mini Pro ISO? It doesn't show all 7 sources probably, or does it? What is the best way to view all sources in this setup with 2 mixers? I ordered a ATEM SDI Pro Iso recently and think an additional ATEM SDI might be an option. Maybe with additional HDMI to SDI bidirectional converters for my pockets I could use a monitor with multible HDMI inputs while I feed the SDI signals into the mixers.
    Can you do this with two of the same model? So two ISO's or two MINI's? Will the IP addresses be the same?
    Yes you can and no they won’t — unique network devices, so unique IP addresses.
    Can I do this with the SDI and HDMI?
    I'm pretty sure the new SDI models have no HDMI outputs, so you'd need an SDI to HDMI converter, but honestly I'd recommend buying an Extreme model instead, and if you still need to bring in a mix of SDI and HDMI, just use the cheap BMD 3G converters. They're only $45 each, I believe.
    Hey I remembered this video and thought it might be interesting to have the new atem extreme sdi with an extreme
    That would make a cool combo!
    What about preview?
    Do you have a segment that talks about switching inputs using "AUTO" transitions?
    I don’t… I suppose I should. But to use it load the input you want to transition to into preview, choose your transition, and press AUTO to activate it.
    Are you able to use a hdmi switch to input 3 additional cameras into the same input on the one atem mini? 🤔
    @@photojoseph Ohhhhh! I see. Your process is more seamless. My church is looking for a simple way to add two more cameras with additional switcher. We were thinking of using a generic switch. I guess it's worth a test with hdmi transmitters and receivers. Thank you for your reply! I really appreciate it.
    That's basically what I'm doing here. A common switch takes a long time to switch, because it has to resync every time you change inputs, and the image usually glitches when you do it.
    All your videos are really informative and fun (not to mention professionally done). Not everybody knows how to explain things and your way it's spot on. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
    Thank you!!
    Great, simple as that, but very effective – and now I do have an answer to my question "What to do with the 'old' ATEM Mini?" and "How could I easily use and control more than four cameras with my switchers". Great as always, Joseph – greets and thanx from Germany!
    Thank you, Kai!
    BRILLIANT! As always!

    If you allow few questions please. Can this be done with 2 ATEM Mini Extreme ISO in order to have 15 inputs? Would you be able to add MixEffect to use it with this fantastic idea? I understand that MixEffect just can control 1 ATEM at a time, so eventually i would need to have 2 iPads running MixEffect each one?

    Thanks in advance
    Have a Productive and Healthy Day!
    @@photojoseph AWESOME! Thank you! Have a GREAT day!
    Combing two ATEM extremes would work yes. As far as controlling through mixeffext; I’m not sure if you’d need two iPads if you also use Companion. I just scrubbed this video and he has configuration for multiple ATEMs set up. Watch this and see if you can do what you want: https://youtu.be/otkEDN7mO-c
    hello, connecting atem mini with atem mini pro does not have audio delay different from one to the other? or the two work perfectly without delay with each other, can I adjust the audio in the Obs and there will be no difference between them?
    Piggybacking doesn’t introduce any noticeable delay, although I didnt measure it. Not sure where OBS comes in in this workflow.
    Very Good Video! Have you done any work on Ross Carbonite Black Solo? Great Video and I am doing this now because I also have Two HyperDecks and Companion gives me complete control of all the devices. Two bad I have 8 imnpujts in my ATEM MINI PRO using 2 in and 1 out switches. Need to add an ATEM Extreme and sell my ATEM MINI PRO! Replace all thsoe Switches
    Never heard of Ross Carbonite. Looked it up. Jesus that’s expensive for a 1080p switcher.
    Thank you for making this, this is super useful to me right now!
    What happens in regards to recording. If these 2 are connected will the iso record all the inputs?
    Awesome
    Well my brother from another mother you just made my day. thank you very much. God Bless. NLG Griff Audio
    @@photojoseph Wow you keep up the great work, I watch your channel often, Stay safe
    haha that's awesome, Nigel! The funny thing is that Blackmagic released the ATEM Extreme line the same day I released this video. Oh well!!
    Thanks that's a great tip Joseph. I thought you were about to suggest plugging in an HDMI switcher to one of the inputs. This would also allow 7 inputs total (for a 4 port switcher), but it's nowhere near as elegant as this one. The only caveat is that you need to have the hardware of course. I'm not even sure if using an HDMI switcher on one of the Atem inputs would work, as perhaps it would fool the Atem into thinking the line had gone dead, when it switches. Anyone tried this? That being the case, although it's a far cheaper option, you'd always want all the inputs to the HDMI switcher to be from sources that you'd never want to switch between live. So this could be alternative views from the same location, or perhaps inputs from different video feeds (e.g. a phone containing program title slides, and a tablet with some video clips)
    It would work; the line doesn’t go “dead”. But you can’t gang actions together with Companion that way.
    How does this work with a monitor for preview?
    It really doesn’t once you move to the second ATEM. At the point… get an Extreme (which was launched the day after I released this video! 😂😂)
    Very nice and easy expansion fix.
    👍🏻
    Instead of connecting two ATEM Minis in series to a computer, I want to connect two ATEM Minis in parallel to the same computer through two separate USB ports. My computer only has 1 USB Type C port and 3 USB 3 Type A ports. In this scenario, can I use any combination of USB Type C and USB 3 Type A ports to plugin the ATEM Minis into my computer?

    I may need the ATEM Control Software to control the audio. Will the ATEM Control Software freak out at the presence of two ATEM Minis being plugged into the same PC? If this scenario can work, will the OBS Software recognize the two ATEM Minis as separate video inputs and have reasonable video quality for streaming?
    Very informative! Just wondering, wii it work on atem mini extreme + the old atem mini? Just to have additional 3 more hdmi?? Thx in advance
    You are the goat!
    Haha thank you!
    Can I use a scenario when two ATEM Minis controlled simultaneously to have two different HDMI outputs? They would have same inputs, each through a HDMI splitter.
    Sure, that’d work
    Can still get iso record from my mini using this trick ?
    Thanks for the very pro explanation on this, all straight to the point and no BS, I like everything on my hardware so I sold one and bought the other, but I learn a lot on this, VERY NICE!!
    Awesome, thanks!
    Thanks for saving me a grand, was looking at getting rid of them for the extreme. But after this I am making it work. Great work!
    Thank you Joseph, before I didn't really know what companion was really for and how powerful it is. As I saw that you can bring back a status to a mobile device it raises a question for me. Is it possible to send send the status of something to multiple mobile phones in an "read only" mode? I mean can I build a tally system with it and send the information which cam is in preview and which on program to another smart phone? I have a few old Android phones and could mount one on each camera, would that work?
    Hey Joseph, my HDMI out put and two inputs and enthernet are not working, is there a way we can fix this using the software?
    Sounds like a hardware problem. Email blackmagic support!
    ISO is NOT ISO! Please help us as a community. The ISO recordings are only Video ISOs!! The audio is totally corrupted, as all ISO recordings have Program mixed audio tracks. What you have to do is go into the Audio ISO folder to find the, let's say CAM 3 audio. The problem is is that there is no easy way to re-sync the ISO audio with the ISO video clip because as the audio track on the ISO video recording does not have the same waveform to referent to, because it is corrupted as a program audio mix. What's up with that? and can you tell us all how to fix this terrible oversight by Black Magic?
    aha, I get what you're saying now… and I agree with you, that seems like an unnecessary step. And, thank you for the offer!
    @@photojoseph I did just get off the phone with BM support and what I said is true. The ISO video files do not have discreet audio. They all have mixed program audio where as the "Audio Source Files" folder does have discreet audio tracks for each input. Where I was wrong was my panic of syncing them. They are of course perfectly trimmed to the timeline length so re-syncing them was not the issue that I thought it was. That said, unless I am missing something it does seem like an unnecessary step as posed to just having each ISO video file have it's own discreet audio. Anyway, I wanted to circle back and clarify since you took the time to reply. I also neglected to thank you for your countless hours of amazing content. Your videos have helped make me a better professional. If you ever find yourself in the upstate Albany NY area, let me know, I'll buy you a lunch!!! Until then...
    I have not seen this problem. Please make sure both the ATEM and Resolve are up to date, and report back.
    😂😎🥳🤠
    Haha thanks
    Nice video. Thanks .
    How about latency ? Going thru 2 boxes will add latency to your signal .
    Negligible and not noticeable. The latency is coming from the camera not the switcher.
    Hi Joseph, I am new on your channel. Greetings from Poland ;-) . Very useful tips, appreciate that! Thanks! Just setting up my home studio and a bit struggling with proper Frame. 
    I have a question
    What lens (in full frame measurements) you have used for that video?
    Welcome, Artur! I'm pretty sure this lens was shot on a 24-105 zoom, so I really couldn't ell you the exact focal length. Probably somewhere between 50 and 80mm though.
    This is a great video
    Thank you sir!
    Great explanation! Thank you!
    Glad it was helpful!
    Love it!

    I might be incorrect but wouldn’t you want to switch the order of the MINI and ISO companion commands so that in the case of packet loss you don’t accidentally select whatever was last sent to 4-7? Also is there a visible couple of frames during the pre-switch between actions in the current layout you exemplified?
    @@photojoseph got it! Thanks for the explanation!
    I set the order the way I’d do it manually. You could add a slight delay in between commands (I’d add a full frame delay, so if 30fps then 1/30s or 33+ ms delay) to be safe, and I almost did that in the demo, but in testing I never saw a glitch so left it out.
    Can you connect to five together to make a 16 output switcher?
    Yes you could
    Biggest issue with this is the cameras on the sub-switcher will be out of sync with the other 3 because you're going through two scalers/switchers. I did this years ago with two original Television Studio models and it just isn't practical. You also can't do dissolves, you'd need some logic between the buttons and Minis to make that work, and even then it's not ideal. There's no proper multi view as well, so again, usability drops. If you need more inputs, just get a bigger switcher, you won't regret it.
    @@photojoseph And all I'm saying is there are some pitfalls to be aware of that you didn't mention in the video. Your post is a great demo of Companion and that's the real value. Thanks for taking the time to make it and posting.
    @@multicamzilla4669 fair enough. I assume you’ve done this test on two ATEM Mini models? Anyway this video isn’t suggesting this is better than buying a bigger switcher. It’s offering a solution to more cheaply get more inputs.
    @@photojoseph There is more delay on the camera outputs, yes, but the switchers introduce at least a frame or 2 as well. If anything it'll be worse with the Minis than the older models since they have full scalers and not just frame syncs. Anyway, if you don't see the sync issues then you don't see them, but they are there. Do a clap test with two identical monitors, one on the first ATEM and one on the second, you'll see it.
    There’s no appreciable additional delay when stacking switchers. Someone pointed out that the input from the second AREM should be on input 1 as it has a “direct” mode for low latency productions but I’ve never detected a difference between the modes. Anyway the HDMI delay hit is taken in the camera. There really should be no noticeable delay. The old TV Studio model is very old and quite different tech.
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