Intro

Are yous hosting a alive-streamed consequence that will require multiple camera angles? Maybe you're an fine art live streamer who needs more than i photographic camera to show off their skills. Using multiple cameras for your broadcast tin better the quality of your stream, making it more than informative and engaging for viewers. Not to mention, it makes your stream appear more professional.

The easiest way to pull off a multi-camera stream is with a video switcher. If you've never heard of one or aren't certain which switcher to become, we've got a buying guide for yous.

💬 What is a video switcher and why do you demand one?

A video switcher is a device or software that allows you lot to switch betwixt multiple cameras while live streaming. They also let you switch between scenes, launch different types of media, and adjust audio levels. When you have a multi-camera setup for your live circulate, you desire to be able to switch between each camera feed in real time and have more control over your broadcast. To do so, you need a switcher.

Using more 1 camera for your live stream helps brand information technology look more professional, specially if y'all have more one person on your stream or you lot're broadcasting a live event. Examples of live streams that utilise multiple cameras include:

  • Church services
  • Talk shows
  • Concerts and shows
  • Hands-on tutorials
  • Webinars and conferences
  • Unboxing and product launches
  • Fitness sessions

How does a switcher fit with your existing live streaming equipment? You still need cameras, mics, an internet connection, and an encoder to ship your video signal to your live streaming platform. Some switchers have encoders congenital in, merely others do video switching but.

⚙️ Software switchers vs. hardware switchers

Switchers can be physical devices or software. Both options have pros and cons, and the type you apply volition depend on your preferences and budget.

A hardware switcher is a freestanding device with buttons you tin can push to switch betwixt video signals and input and output jacks to connect it to your video sources and PC. You plug your photographic camera into your hardware switcher, with the almost common types of cables being HDMI or SDI. Then, you plug your switcher into your streaming PC. Yous typically don't accept to install or configure any software with a physical video switcher, which makes them easier to use than software. A hardware video switcher solution tends to be more expensive than a software ane, however.

Software video switchers are cost-effective because yous likely already have a PC for streaming — all you accept to exercise is install switcher software on that PC. Encoding software such as OBS Studio and vMix have video switching options built in, so if you're already using them to stream, configuring multiple cameras is easy. These pop encoding software options are too free to install and download. The downside to software switchers is that the learning curve is a flake steeper.

In this commodity, we'll focus on hardware switchers because they're a popular choice for all kinds of live streamers and because there are plenty of options available on the marketplace.

🤓 How to cull a video switcher

When you're looking for a video switcher, you should keep certain parameters in mind. You'll need to know what kind of input and output it uses, the power source, ease of use, and of grade, the quality of the video. Let'due south look at these features in more detail.

Input

How many cameras or video input devices do you use? That'southward how many inputs your switcher needs. If y'all find a switcher you like, but it doesn't have enough ports to suit your camera setup, y'all tin always rethink your angles to go far fit your switcher.

Output

Just equally important as your video inputs are your switcher's outputs. With more outputs, you can transport your signals to more than destinations — something that comes in handy at big events rather than for a single streamer broadcasting from their home estimator.

Ease of utilize

Video switchers are easy to learn how to employ, although some are more circuitous than others. If you're the only ane using your switcher, and then you simply have to worry about learning it yourself. If you have a whole team who will be using it at a large event, then y'all may want to ensure information technology's user-friendly.

Video quality

Video quality commonly refers to the resolution and latency of the video. You want a switcher that can stream in at least 720p, although 1080p is preferable. Look for a switcher with low latency also, so that the switch in betwixt video sources isn't sluggish.

Effects

Many of the effects that come up with switchers are geared toward musicians and DJs. A beats-per-minute function can sync upwardly video transitions to your music, for example. Another useful i is the MIDI-input, which lets you switch inputs using electronic musical instruments. Other common furnishings geared toward general users are transitions, Motion-picture show-in-Picture (PIP), chroma primal, and explanation overlays.

Power source

Some switchers run on batteries, and others y'all accept to plug in. Battery-powered switchers are more portable, but they need recharging and could die in the centre of your stream. Corded switchers are more than reliable, just y'all have another string to fence with.

Price

The cost of video switchers varies depending on the number of input ports, video quality, and furnishings it has. Every bit an independent streamer, a minor theater, or church building, you tin probably become away with a switcher on the lower stop of the cost spectrum. Consider your budget and needs, however, before deciding whether a particular switcher is the right one for you.

🔥 Best video switchers for live streaming (hardware)

1. Roland 5-8HD

Roland has been producing high-quality video equipment for a long time, and the V-8HD lives up to the name. The V-8HD is flexible too, allowing up to eight video sources, including a game panel, camcorder, smart device, and PC.

Roland V-8HD

Features

  • 8 inputs
  • Total Hard disk support
  • 3 outputs
  • All HDMI workflow

Pros

  • Five-layer furnishings
  • xviii-channel digital audio mixer
  • Lightweight and portable

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Steep learning bend

2. ATEM Mini Pro

The ATEM Mini Pro is pocket-size, lightweight, and like shooting fish in a barrel to use. With iv inputs and a built-in encoder, it'due south ideal for independent streamers or smaller productions.

ATEM Mini Pro

Features

  • four HDMI inputs
  • 2 USB Blazon-C 3.1 outputs
  • Supports 1080p

Pros

  • Encoder included
  • Easy to learn
  • Compatible with Mac and PC

Cons

  • No ISO to edit recording afterward

3. Elgato Stream Deck

A stream deck lets y'all control elements similar lighting and mics in addition to your media and video sources. The Elgato Stream Deck is pop amidst live streamers considering it integrates seamlessly with other Elgato streaming products and has video switching capabilities.

Elgato Stream Deck

Features

  • 15 customizable LCD keys
  • One input/output connection to Mac or PC via a USB two.0 cable

Pros

  • Beginner-friendly
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Works with major streaming services

Cons

  • Relies on PC to execute commands programmed into Stream Deck

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If you desire a foolproof video switcher without whatsoever extra bells and whistles, and so you want the RGBlink Mini. The device but has nine buttons/knobs to work with and is ane of the easiest hardware switchers to operate.

RGBlink Mini

Features

  • 4 HDMI inputs
  • 1 HDMI output and i USD 3.0 output
  • T-bar for smooth transitions between sources
  • Supports PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera

Pros

  • Large buttons for easy actions
  • Supports 1080p
  • PIP presets

Cons

  • No encoder included

5. Roland Professional 5-1HD

The Roland Professional V-1HD, while small in size, is a professional-quality switcher with a built-in sound mixer, PIP, and dark-green-screen effects. And with Preview/Program video switching, you lot can always ensure good results.

Roland Professional V-1HD

Features

  • 4 HDMI inputs
  • Supports 1080p
  • ii HDMI outputs
  • Control from iPad

Pros

  • Simple interface
  • Two automatic switching modes
  • T-fader to manipulate transitions

Cons

  • Doesn't support DSLR cameras
  • Software sold separately

half dozen. Sony MCX-500

Like the Elgato Stream Deck, the Sony MCX-500 comes with sleek LCD touchscreen controls you lot tin configure yourself. It'due south a flexible switcher, working with Mac, PC, and tablets and having eight video inputs plus ane title.

Sony MCX-500

Features

  • 3G SDI, HDMI, and composite video inputs
  • Effects similar transitions, chroma primal, championship overlay, and PIP
  • Supports 1080p
  • Record broadcast to SD retentiveness card
  • V-channel XLR sound mixing

Pros

  • Integrates with Sony camcorders and PTZ cameras
  • Like shooting fish in a barrel-to-apply LCD touchscreen
  • Manual transition option

Cons

  • Pricey

vii. ATEM Tv set Studio Hard disk drive

The ATEM Television receiver Studio Hard disk switcher past Blackmagic Design is designed for live video production. The all-in-1 functionality of the ATEM television switchers brings yous quality skillful plenty to be on Television.

ATEM Television Studio HD

Features

  • 4 SDI and iv HDMI inputs
  • Supports HD video
  • Talkback audio

Pros

  • Lightweight and portable
  • Position, scale, and resize alive video
  • Control Blackmagic Studio Camera remotely

Cons

  • No HDMI output

Read afterward: 8 best webcams for 2021

8. Lumantek ez-PRO VS10

With the Lumantek ez-PRO VS10, you get ten inputs, which is more than than nearly of the others on this list. It also has advanced multiview, PIP, and effects options so you can pull off an outstanding live circulate.

Lumantek ez-PRO VS10

Features

  • 8 SDI inputs and ii HDMI inputs
  • six SDI outputs and 2 HDMI outputs
  • Supports 1080p video

Pros

  • two PIP capabilities
  • Serenity fan
  • All SDI inputs can accept Fill & Key signals
  • Yous can configure your ain layout

Cons

  • Expensive

nine. Ross Carbonite Black Solo

On the Ross Carbonite Black Solo switcher, everything is customizable. It's a budget-friendly option for those who want to assign their ain inputs, outputs, buttons, format converters, and more.

Ross Carbonite Black Solo

Features

  • 6 3G-SDI inputs and three HDMI inputs
  • 5 3G-SDI assignable outputs and ane HDMI assignable output
  • Multiview assignable to any of the six outputs
  • Supports 1080p

Pros

  • Ships with graphics software license
  • ii Mini MEs with two keyers
  • Small-scale, portable switcher
  • Video clip playout directly from connected USB-media drive

Cons

  • Limited features compared to other switchers in the aforementioned cost range

👀 Software video switchers (if you actually need one)

As we mentioned before, switchers come equally software as well as hardware. If you think the erstwhile option would be better for you, and so two we can recommend are:

  • OBS Studio: OBS Studio is encoding software that tin can function every bit a switcher. You can add multiple cameras or video sources on your OBS dashboard when you're setting upwardly scenes for your live stream. You tin can place sources at different spots on your canvas or switch betwixt them during your broadcast. You'll have to plug all your cameras into the PC or Mac you're running OBS on, however.
  • vMix: vMix functions similarly to OBS, only it's also an Hd video mixer besides as live streaming software. You can add your camera and video sources to the software and seamlessly switch between them during your live broadcast.

👉 The ultimate live streaming solution for every content creator

If yous desire to create professional-looking live streams without whatever extra hassle, you can utilise Restream'due south range of alive streaming products and tools. Our browser-based live studio Restream Studio lets y'all go alive on multiple platforms at once and tin be used with a multi-photographic camera setup. You can also upload your own logo and graphics, play copyright-free groundwork music, play local video files, share your screen, display a chat overlay, and much more.

For those streamers who are already comfy using encoding software such as OBS, you tin still use Restream — just for multistreaming. Broadcast your stream to multiple channels at one time, such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, simply past connecting each account with Restream so integrating Restream with OBS.

Let's wrap upwardly

Using a video switcher can take the quality of your live stream from novice to professional. Well-nigh switchers are easy to set up and use and have a range of functionality that helps you pull off an engaging broadcast. If y'all're looking for a hardware switcher to take your streaming to the next level, any of the switchers on this list can aid you get in that location!