External Camera Support
Last updated
Last updated
External cameras can now be used with MixEffect 2.1.0 and higher on macOS 14 and iPadOS 17. Add a USB View switcher panel to your Switcher section to view the Program or Multiview output from your ATEM switcher directly in MixEffect. With the Multiview Overlay feature, you can even touch the video tiles to change inputs, switch SuperSource layouts, and more.
External camera support is not built-into iOS 17 and before, so iPhones are unable to use this feature.
Most ATEM switchers can output the Multiview from one of three ports. We need to convert the signal into UVC (USB video class) that MixEffect can understand.
HDMI
SDI
USB
ATEM models such as the ATEM Mini Pro, ATEM Mini Pro ISO, ATEM Mini Extreme, and ATEM Mini Extreme ISO have an HDMI port that functions as an Auxiliary port. You can configure this Aux port to send out the Multiview from the ATEM. We'll just need an HDMI to USB adapter to get the signal into the MixEffect device.
Here is the recommended signal path needed to output the Multiview from an ATEM Mini Extreme ISO into an iPad Pro:
ATEM -> Aux Output set to Multiview -> HDMI to USB adapter -> USB-C Hub -> iPad Pro
ATEM switchers such as the ATEM Constellation lineup have dedicated SDI Multiview outputs. These outputs need to be converted into UVC using either an SDI-to-UVC adapter (expensive) or via an SDI-to-HDMI adapter, which is then plugged into an HDMI-to-USB adapter.
Blackmagic Design Micro Converter SDI to HDMI 3G
Blackmagic Design BiDirectional SDI/HDMI Micro Converter 3G
Blackmagic Design Micro Converter SDI to HDMI 12G
Here is the recommended signal path needed to output Multiview 1 from an ATEM 2 M/E Constellation HD into an iPad Pro.
ATEM -> Multiview 1 SDI -> Multiview to SDI to HDMI converter -> HDMI to USB adapter -> USB-C Hub -> iPad Pro
At NAB 2024, Blackmagic Design announced that some ATEM switchers will be able to send the Multiview through the USB-C port. This port was previously only able to send the Program signal out. These instructions will be updated once the new firmware is available. It is unknown at the time which ATEM switchers will have this feature, aside from the Extreme lineup.
With this output option, you can plug a USB-C cable directly from the ATEM into the MixEffect device.
Here is the signal flow needed to output the Multiview from an ATEM Mini Extreme ISO into an iPad Pro over USB.
The section below details equipment that you can purchase to get USB View up and running.
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There is a public, open source listing of HDMI to USB/UVC adapters that users have tried with the USB View on MixEffect running on iPads and Macs. The ones marked with a ✅ are known to work and those marked with an ❌ have had problems or do not work.
Help us create a comprehensive list of compatible adapters by contributing to repo.
The signal flow diagrams all show the iPad connected to a USB-C hub. This is highly recommended, because the hub will allow you to connect to the following peripherals that will make for an ideal MixEffect user experience:
Power: Being connected to power means the iPad will not run out of batteries during a long event.
Ethernet: MixEffect's connection to an ATEM is best with a hardline Ethernet connection.
USB Ports: Multiple USB ports means you can connect the HDMI to USB adapter, along with mice, keyboards, and other USB accessories.
Here are links to a recommended USB-C hub and cable combination:
What's good about the UNI hub is that it comes with a detachable cable, meaning it can be placed at comfortable distance away from the iPad.
Refer to the documentation on the USB View switcher panel for information on how to add and use the USB View panel to your Switcher section.
