Test Bench:
NewTek TriCaster STUDIO Live Production System (page 2)
The layout
If you've ever used a video switcher before, or even laid your hands on a Video Toaster, the STUDIO's layout will be familiar. Below the tabs for Capture, Edit, and CG panels, at the upper left you have four preview windows. Two that show you what's cued up in your two VCRs, one for the connected external computer, and one that is a waveform/vectorscope. Using a 20" LCD monitor we found ourselves leaning in to see any detail on the waveform/vectorscope. The other windows are the same small size but they give you an adequate idea of what's cued up. To the right are larger preview and program windows.
Three rows of input buttons are nested below the monitors, one for Effects, Live and Preview. A mouse driven T-bar and Auto and Take buttons sit to the right. You can select from dozens of high quality transitions and load your favorites into five tabbed banks that you can quickly access during a production. The Overlay window shows you what is ready to key over your program monitor but the window is very small and if your text is also small, forget about catching spelling errors.
The lower third of the layout gives you access to the VCRs, Text, Background generation, Input Setup, VGA , Record/Stream and audio.
Virtual and Beyond
The Virtual Sets are nested in the Input Setup and with just a little experimenting with the Tolerance and Smooth adjustments, we were able to produce a reasonably good key. Keying compressed video always presents challenges, but the addition of Edge, Spill, and Garbage Matte adjustments makes getting one that is acceptable for most situations fairly easy. The sets do an excellent job of making the subject look integrated into the environment by simulating reflections off shiny surfaces like desks and floors, refraction, and even shadows that map onto the set background. Close-ups feature realistic background blur and each live input can be assigned its own LiveSet. Additionally, you can squeeze as many as four different shots from just one camera by having the TriCaster digitally reduce your keyed subject in perfect sync with the LiveSet.
Other features include easily outputting a live stream to the web. After setting up the details of your streaming provider, you can encode on the fly and either push or pull your feed in dozens of different resolution and bitrate profiles. You can also record an .AVI file simultaneously to your hard disk; a feature lacking in the original TriCaster. The TriCaster is primarily for live productions but it also includes a very capable editor and character generator that were both improved in the latest update.
The TriCaster STUDIO is truly an amazing production tool. Beyond having features no other turnkey system can match, it also appears built to take the rigors of the road. All front panel connections feel solid and the two metal handles on the front also protect the protruding BNC connectors from a careless whack or bump.
The TriCaster STUDIO; a production van in a backpack? Absolutely!
TECH SPECS
Video Inputs: (6) Component, Y/C or Composite
Video Outputs: Component (2) Y/C (2), Composite (2), XGA, live web-stream output
Video Outputs: Component (2) Y/C (2), Composite (2), XGA, live web-stream output
Virtual Set Support: Yes (Virtual sets included)
16:9 Video Support: Yes
Projector Output: Yes 4:3 and 16:9 aspect
Projector Resolutions: XGA; SXGA; QSXGA and higher
Camera Auto-Calibration: Yes
Live Internet Streaming: Yes; Push/Pull Windows Media with VC1 Streaming support
16:9 Streaming: Yes
Recorder: Simultaneous AVI & WMV
Hard drive: 500GB Seagate Barracuda
Recording Capacity: 20 hours AVI
DDR Playback 2 DDRs, alpha channel assignable to downstream key
Mic Inputs: 4 Balanced (XLR or Phone)
Line Outputs: Balanced Phone Stereo; RCA Stereo
Headphone Out: Yes
Vectorscope: Yes
Waveform Monitor: Yes
Phantom Power: Yes
Nonlinear Editor: Yes
Upstream Effects: Yes
Render Outputs: AVI, DV, MPEG-2, DVD, QuickTime, MP4 (iPod and PSP)
Weight: 16 lbs.
Dimensions: 15.5"D x 8.5"H x 10.4"W
Strengths
- Plenty of inputs, high quality virtual sets.
Weaknesses
- Small/lacking preview monitors
- No live HD support
- Layout cannot be customized
SUMMARY
A powerful, stable and comprehensive live production tool that has no equal.
Contributing editor Brian Peterson is a video production consultant, trainer, and lecturer.
Newtek, Inc
5131 Beckwith Blvd
San Antonio, TX 78249
www.newtek.com
$10,995
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