Compact and complete video manufacturing

[ad_1] The Rodecaster collection of podcast mixers have turn into a mainstay amongst audio creatives. Final yr, the corporate expanded the road with its first multimedia mannequin — the Rodecaster Video. It was a extra area of interest proposition, aimed toward streamers, video podcasters and reside producers, and, at $1,200, individuals with deeper pockets. Right now, Rode returns with the Rodecaster Video S (RCV-S), a streamlined model that provides a lot of the identical performance for lower than half the price of the unique ($499).

Should you at present use Ecamm Reside, OBS, a Stream Deck, a Rodecaster Professional/Duo, a video seize card or Blackmagic Atem sort switcher, then there’s probability the RCV-S does one thing, or many issues, helpful to you. Perhaps it may substitute all these merchandise, a few of them or improve your workflow. It’s a little bit sophisticated, however inside that complication is a number of versatility.

<img alt="Image for the large product module" class="mx-auto my-0 size-full bg-white object-contain @xl/p:transition-transform @xl/p:duration-300 @xl/p:ease-in-out @xl/p:group-hover:scale-110 @xl/p:motion-reduce:group-hover:transition-none" src="https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/0QBK7x_zhcilrC5TIOfzsw--~B/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://d29szjachogqwa.cloudfront.net/images/user-uploaded/rode-rec.jpg" loading="lazy" height="720" width="1280"/> Rode/Engadget

li]:list-decimal [&_ol]:space-y-6 [&_ul>li]:list-disc [&_ul]:space-y-6"> Rode’s second video-focused Rodecaster presents complete manufacturing instruments that nearly rival the older, costlier authentic Rodecaster Video in a smaller bundle. The dearth of 4K will frustrate some, however the versatility and have set will make it a compelling bundle for creators of every type.

Execs First rate connectivity Standalone manufacturing capabilitiesWireless digital camera compatibleOnboard storage for media Cons No 4KPhysical audio controls are missing $499 at Rode With three HDMI inputs, one USB webcam/mic enter and as much as 4 NDI/wi-fi digital camera inputs, video is clearly the main focus right here. However there are additionally two XLR/Combo ports for studio microphones and devices and the choice to attach as much as two of Rode’s wi-fi lav mics (such because the Wi-fi Go) immediately with out the necessity for a receiver. The RCV-S, like Blackmagic’s well-liked Atem Mini, outputs over HDMI at 1080p/60 (no 4K) or can be utilized over USB as a digital digital camera similar to you’d discover in Zoom or Groups.

Not like the Rodecaster Professional or Duo, there are not any faders; as an alternative, there are two rows of pads for switching between video sources and scenes. There’s 20GB of onboard storage for media — corresponding to overlays, graphics and audio/video clips — and you'll report exhibits immediately onto USB hard-drives or stream natively to Twitch, YouTube and different platforms by way of RTMP/S. There’s rather a lot happening, and the way you need to use all of it is essentially as much as you. Whereas the RCV-S leans extra towards “reside” productions corresponding to streaming or podcasts, you need to use it for typical YouTube-style video manufacturing, relying in your workflow or video preferences.

Rodecaster Video versus Rodecaster Video S The massive value distinction between the unique Rodecaster Video and the brand new S mannequin would possibly lead you to count on some critical function trimming this time round, however Rode’s backyard shears have been pretty variety. Most notably, the variety of sources you possibly can join has been lowered from six to 4. In the meantime, the variety of “scenes” you possibly can create is now 5, down from seven. As talked about above, there are three HDMI inputs, not 4, and just one USB webcam/mic enter, down from two on the unique. There are nonetheless 9 channels of audio with two headphone outputs, however the line outputs on the unique are not right here. The SD card slot for media has additionally been eliminated in favor of inside storage. In brief, there’s a little bit bit much less connectivity, however not sufficient for it to really feel hobbled, particularly for the extra informal customers that is clearly aimed toward.

In-use At its most elementary, the RCV-S is an all-in-one video switcher. You don’t want to attach it to a PC, simply plug in your video and audio sources and you'll bounce between them in actual time with a selection of transitions. For a extra polished manufacturing you possibly can create “scenes” by way of the menu with a collection of layouts for a number of cameras, picture-in-picture and so forth. That may very well be two speaking heads for a podcast, overlaying your internet digital camera on high of your gameplay or a top-down digital camera combined with a unique perspective for cooking tutorials or shows.

You may create scenes immediately on the gadget upfront or reside by way of templates, however issues get rather a lot simpler and extra inventive once you use Rode’s companion Rodecaster app. Right here, you’ll discover a “scene creator” instrument that’s each visible and intuitive, plus it has the choice to make customized layouts the place you possibly can freely resize and place all of your completely different media wherever you need, add borders or rounded corners and so forth.

Whereas the principle pads are primarily for switching between sources and scenes, they'll additionally set off media — pre-made video clips, overlays and graphics, for instance. You may assign media to them with out lowering the variety of sources/scenes which might be out there to change between, simply faucet the Media/Overlay button to briefly change the performance of the pads. You may also arrange chromakey/inexperienced screening immediately on the gadget or by way of the Rodecaster App, too.

After you have every part arrange, you possibly can immediately report output onto a USB SSD, once more, with out the necessity for a PC. There’s even the choice to report solely the principle output (“program”) or a multi-track model which can export a recording of each enter as a separate file that you could edit as you see match. That is useful if you happen to’re utilizing apps like Adobe Premier or Davinci Resolve. Should you shoot multi-camera dance tutorials, for instance, you possibly can bounce between your most important and large digital camera after which to an in depth up with out having to hunt-down the correct half from every file you recorded on completely different reminiscence playing cards.

Rode lately up to date the Rodecaster Video firmware so as to add assist for as much as 4 “NDI” wi-fi cameras as extra sources. Sometimes these are distant or security-style cameras, however Rode’s Seize cell app additionally helps NDI streaming, which means you need to use your cellphone wirelessly as one other digital camera that you could swap to, which is especially helpful. Although do observe, the Rodecaster Video will have to be hard-wired to your router on the identical community as your cellphone for this to work.

Audio The Rodecaster Video S handles audio and video with ease. (James Trew for Engadget)

Whereas the RCV-S presents 9 audio tracks, it’s honest to say it isn’t actually designed for reside audio mixing within the pure sense since there are not any faders. As a substitute, it's important to entry completely different channels by way of the menu on a small show and a dial — It’s a number of searching and pecking. Should you’re related to a PC, the Rodecaster app does supply a software program mixer with faders although, which makes adjusting ranges on the fly a lot simpler.

The excellent news is that some voice enhancement instruments, corresponding to Depth, Sparkle and Punch have been carried over from the Rodecaster Professional/Duo, supplying you with a little bit extra fine-grained management over the way you or your company sound.

There’s a slight disadvantage when utilizing the RCV-S as a standalone unit, in that it's worthwhile to bodily push the buttons to alter the scene, which could not be very best if you happen to’re attempting to make a sophisticated recording or can’t all the time be close to the console. Fortunately, Rode has an answer in “auto switching.” I’m mentioning it right here, within the audio part, because the RCV-S can swap cameras based mostly on which one has the strongest audio or based mostly on user-defined precedence. Sometimes, that will be whoever is speaking in a podcast, nevertheless it is also in-game sound or once you swap to enjoying a musical instrument.

Auto switching works nicely, nevertheless it’s not fairly reliable sufficient to depend on for full autonomy in an expert setting — say whereas recording a panel at a convention — nevertheless it solves an issue if you happen to’re by yourself, and it might a minimum of save a while in an informal podcast scenario.

Issues to contemplate The Rodecaster Video S (high) vs. The Rodecaster Video (backside) (James Trew for Engadget)

It’s clear that the RCV-S, regardless of having fewer inputs than the unique Rodecaster Video, continues to be fairly a fancy, open-ended instrument. If you have already got a streaming setup you want and the software program and interfaces you want, then the attraction of the RCV-S can be down as to whether it may do what you want extra effectively. For reside video manufacturing, it’s a neater promote, as there aren’t many all-in-one gadgets to compete with it that can be utilized standalone.

For instance, Blackmagic’s Atem collection is extremely well-liked, and till now, had the benefit on value with the Mini Professional costing simply $330. Even the Mini Professional ISO ($550) that exports multi-track video was half the value of the unique Rodecaster Video. The RCV-S now presents comparable connectivity, onboard recording, extra expansive audio options and multi-track export for $50 much less.

For common content material creators it’s a little bit trickier. As somebody that makes YouTube movies, the attraction to me is the possibility to consolidate a couple of gadgets into one and take away some friction in my recordings. Proper now, I've a Rodecaster Duo dealing with my audio, a seize card for my most important digital camera and I swap out that digital camera for a smaller one if I'm capturing top-down footage or want a second angle. Meaning I've a number of completely different gadgets on my desk, and I’m continually doing a dance of unplugging issues and juggling media or completely different recordings earlier than I get every part able to edit.

The Rodecaster Video S has a tiny show for menus and settings. (James Trew for Engadget)

With the RCV-S I can ditch my standalone seize card and completely depart a number of cameras related to the Rodecaster in order that they're able to go at any time. I may even take away the Rodecaster Duo and convey it again out once more on the events I want extra quick management over a number of sources of audio (which is typically, however not usually). The attraction in my case is fewer gadgets on my desk, and the power to report multi-camera video with out having to arrange each shot, each single time, which saves important time that I can then use to truly get extra work executed.

There are, after all, some limitations. Not least of all is the dearth of 4K. I’m nonetheless inclined to report on digital camera for my major shot to make sure I nonetheless have a 4K copy for YouTube after which use the Rodecaster Video S for every part else, however as a small creator, comfort and adaptability could be very interesting. For streamers and reside video manufacturing, the Rodecaster Video S is a really succesful instrument that provides a variety of performance for an accessible value that can little doubt turn into the central hub for a lot of creators.

The true kicker right here is the value. Let’s be clear, $500 continues to be important cash. However at lower than half the value of the unique Rodecaster with first rate connectivity and principally the identical performance, it is a straightforward suggestion to those that have been holding off based mostly on value alone. Likewise, if you happen to’re simply beginning out with content material creation and want one thing with stable video credentials and audio chops, Rode makes case for itself with the Rodecaster Video S.