NewTek TriCaster Professional Studio in a Box Live Production System Review (page 2)
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
