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Here’s a brief overview of just some of TriCaster’s key features:
Rugged rack-mount cases (except for TriCaster Mini, which comes in a unique, durable yet extremely compact format).
Redundant power supplies (TriCaster 8000 and 860 only) ensure robust, reliable and quiet performance in fixed or mobile installations.
Massive storage capacity.
All audio and video, monitoring and network connectors are easily accessible from the rear for convenient installation in industry standard 19” rack-mount configurations.
Audio and video connectors are industry standard (XLR, ¼” audio jack or BNC as appropriate), ensuring broad compatibility and secure, locked connections. Headphone output uses a standard 1/4” stereo jack.
TriCaster’s ‘Always on Air’ features provide multi-tiered redundant failsafe mechanisms in both hardware and software.
To name just a few:
Multiple software failsafe systems continually monitor and safeguard the live performance. Any recoverable software error conditions are quickly and unobtrusively dealt with.
Video pass-through (not a TriCaster Mini feature) ensures that as long there is AC power, audio and video from Input 8 (on 8-input models) or Input 4 (4- input models) are routed to Output 1 in a case of catastrophic software condition.
If at all possible, streaming output and recording also continue even if all else fails.
TriCaster also has a comprehensive integrated system restore feature. Operators can quickly and easily restore to factory defaults, or create a custom restore image on another drive and either restore from that drive or use the backup drive to boot from if a complete hard drive failure ever occurs.
Should a ‘less than ideal’ control surface USB connection fail, TriCaster will automatically restart it without user intervention.
Live switch up to eight live video sources (8-input models).
TriCaster 460, 860 and 8000 support SDI and analog video input and output, plus internal and local or remote network video sources. TriCaster 410 offers HD-SDI input and output without analog support, while TriCaster Mini employs HDMI video input and output.
TriCaster 8000 only: connect popular video routers to greatly multiply input options.
Professional BNC video connectors provide increased durability and reliability for camera connections. (TriCaster Mini includes strain relief provisions for HDMI cabling.)
Control supported robotic (PTZ) cameras via network or serial connection.
Freely mix 16:9 or 4:3 SD formats, and output HD sessions as HD and SD (4:3 or 16:9) simultaneously from HD sessions.
Multiple Media Player modules allow you to insert pre-recorded video, music, sounds and imagery into your live presentations.
Select Microsoft Windows® or Apple Macintosh® computers on the same network as Switcher inputs for your live productions using NewTek's iVGA™ clients.
Assign one or both Network inputs on the Switcher to receive AirPlay® streams and switch live or recorded content directly from your compatible Apple® mobile device or computer.
Update still Buffers in ‘watch folders’ from networked graphic workstations, even when these are displayed live.
Transmit output to another TriCaster across the local network.
Create complex M/E effects and compositions using multiple sources and versatile virtual sets with live (virtual) camera moves.
TriCaster 8000 (only) M/Es are reentrant, allowing you to cascade unbelievable effects in endless creative ways
Use switcher row grouping to automatically harmonize video sources for multiple M/E s, etc.
Mix and route internal and external audio sources, including analog or SDI Embedded audio.
Multiple video outputs, including streaming and Network output can all supply independent feeds; designate output mixes or individual sources at various resolutions up to 1920x1080 for output.
Two additional outputs referred to as Display ports.
Send main or custom audio mixes independently to any of the primary audio outputs, HDMI and the Internet stream.
Alternate video inputs can be configured as key channels for Fill + Alpha
sources (not a TriCaster Mini feature).
Network input sources, including third-party CG applications (etc.) support embedded alpha channel (freeing up two video inputs).
Alpha channel (matte) output.
External LTC timecode support (except TriCaster 410 and TriCaster Mini).
Default Quicktime® recording format includes full ‘per frame’ time-code.
IsoCorder™ recorded clips from multiple sources are easily aligned for synchronized post show editing using embedded timecode (external timecode is not supported on TriCaster 410 or TriCaster Mini).
FIGURE 3
TriCaster’s Live Desktop includes a large monitoring pane with numerous multiple easily customized Workspaces. By default, this area includes Program output and Look Ahead Preview monitors with associated controls, along with all inputs.
Configurable desktop monitor array allows you to keep an eye on all live and internal video sources, including Media Players and Network sources.
Waveform and Vectorscope monitors help you calibrate your signal to ensure your output meets broadcast standards and looks great.
External Multiview Workspaces offer many alternatives, including numerous multi-bridge layouts, overlays and Event Clocks.
Monitor sources on both Live Desktop and Multiview are user-configurable, and include Media Player clip timecode counters, and custom logo display.
Full 4:4:4:4 32-bit floating point internal processing of all video sources.
Proc Amps and White Balance controls for every source preserve pristine image and color fidelity.
TriCaster’s powerful 24-channel (8-input models)) or 15-channel switcher with native support for popular professional video routers puts countless video sources at your fingertips.
FIGURE 4
VIDEO LAYERS AND TRANSITIONS
The Transition section of TriCaster’s Live Desktop provides powerful tools for arranging and displaying the numerous video and graphic layers contributing to TriCaster’s ultimate program output.
FIGURE 5
Freely hot-punch or transition between external sources (Cameras or
Network 1 or 2), internal sources (Media Players) and M/E effects.
Latch selected Switcher and M/E source rows together in color groups to synchronize switching operations.
TriCaster 8000 provides 4 DSK (Downstream Key) channels for the Switcher and four independent Key channels for each M/E provide scores of creative possibilities. (Other models have two DSK and one M/E Key channel).
Use any of the hundreds of transitions supplied to reveal either Background or DSK/Key channels with animated wipes, trajectories and dissolves, or select colorful and dynamic Animation Store transitions with overlays, sound and TransWarp™ effects.
Create an unlimited number of custom transition effects with embedded sounds, dynamic cloth effects, and full color overlays using the integrated Animation Store Creator application.
Create eye-popping animated graphics using your favorite software (such as Adobe After Effects®), and convert them to colorful *animated Buffer effects that you can display on demand – without tying up a Media Player. (*Not a TriCaster 410 or TriCaster Mini feature).
Reveal combinations of video layers with a single operation of the T-bar or single-click Take and Auto buttons.
Local Transition controls for BKGD (Background) and DSK layers provide flexible, independent layout and display of all layers and their transitions.
Select individual transition effects for every layer; adjust Transition Speed, Reverse and Ping Pong options.
DSK CHANNELS
FIGURE 6
TriCaster’s DSK layers support downstream overlays (not to mention M/E Key channels, which can serve as upstream overlays – that is ahead of the main Switcher). Some TriCaster models offer two DSKs, while TriCaster 8000 has four.
Display DSK channels independently, and swap them during a switch with custom transitions for each.
Use TriCaster’s numerous Media Players to overlay title pages, including scrolls, crawls and lower-thirds, or assign a Camera feed or Network source to an overlay channel.
Alternatively, use the Buffer channels to assign a specific title, still image or animation effect to any overlay channel.
Independent Crop, Position, 3D Rotation, and Scale controls for each DSK channel permit you (for example) to configure multiple sources as ‘Picture in Picture’ elements, revealing them with individual custom effects).
FIGURE 7 (TRICASTER 8000 SHOWN)
TriCaster’s color-coded M/E (Mix/Effect) banks provide stunning effects.
These include secondary video mixing capabilities, switching (with traditional wipes or Animation Store transitions with TransWarp capabilities), full alpha channel support and
LiveMatte™ realtime keying technology for
FIGURE 8 (TRICASTER 8000)
green/blue screen effects, and jaw-dropping dynamic virtual sets, and much more. Each M/E bank composition supports:
Multiple video sources (four for TriCaster 8000 only, or two).
One or more Key (overlay) channels, with individual transition capabilities.
Mix mode provides sub-mix functionality, with individual transitions for A/B
Background layers and Key channel(s).
Full keyers and discreet transition effects for every M/E channel.
Individual Scale, Position, Crop and Rotation controls for all channels
Buffer support in every channel.
TriCaster 8000 provides powerful realtime motion Tracker support as well.
Convenient MEM slots allow instant access to pre-configured M/E setups.
Achieve the look of large, sophisticated studio sets in a very small space with NewTek’s astonishing LiveSet™ virtual set technology.
Virtual sets support up to *4 keyable video sources (*TriCaster 8000).
Zoom and pan the virtual ‘camera’ during live production (without touching the physical camera).
Or use a Holographic LiveSet to freely rotate and zoom the camera view.
Set up custom virtual set animation targets even while live.
Record your live-switched production at full resolution to multi-platform, application friendly QuickTime® formats, and more.
IsoCorder™ technology lets you record up to eight a/v sources (8-input models) at once, including all camera inputs and both main outputs.
Grab still images from Output 1 or all inputs plus both main outputs.
Optional capture formats include MPEG-2, AVI, and H.264 (m4v).
Quicktime and MPEG-2 files include embedded timecode (on supporting models).
Simultaneous output for broadcast, projector and live web stream to in- house and remote audiences.
Stream using Windows Media® or RTMP, and archive your stream locally.
Connect to content delivery networks easily using the powerful Configure Stream Connection panel or dedicated third-party TriCaster plugins.
Use NewTek’s TimeWarp™ instant replay control surface to mark and replay highlights without interrupting capture.
Publish support makes it easy to distribute content to multiple targets in one pass. TriCaster stores credentials for social media and upload sites, and provides a queue for uploading and file conversion.
FIGURE 9
Clips and stills from live sessions can easily be added to the queue without interrupting production, and then be distributed to multiple hosting and social media sites (including Twitter®, Facebook®, YouTube®, and more) all with a single click – even when live production recording is still underway.
This is great for concerts, galas, sport events, game shows and more. The Publish feature directly addresses FTP sites and network locations too; transfer media to multiple locations at the same time to meet post-production needs or other collaborative and archival requirements.
Record and play back macros, whether a simple operation or more involved series of events at the touch of a button. Assign shortcut keys to macros, and assign macros to be triggered by onscreen events using Hotspots.
2.5.14 HOTSPOTS, TRIGGERS AND TRACKERS
Define multiple onscreen Hotspots for different (chromakeyed) sources, and trigger macros whenever something enters the hotspot. This live interactivity opens up countless creative applications.
Trackers provide motion data from defined color regions as they move about in the frame in realtime. Lock other video sources to Tracker output using Position tools in M/Es banks and DSKs and they will follow obediently.
IMPORT MEDIA
The integrated Import Media module provides a convenient one-stop approach to gathering productions assets.
Batch import media files for use in TriCaster’s Media Players.
Imported files are automatically categorized and sent to the correct locations, making them easy to find and use during live productions.
Optionally transcode selected files to formats ensuring smooth playback.
EXPORTING CONTENT
TriCaster’s default Quicktime® video capture format makes cross-platform workflows simple, and alternate recoding formats are available too. Sometimes, though, you may still a different output format. TriCaster’s dedicated Export Media function allows you to create a batch list of files for export, and additional file format options for the exported media.
TriCaster provides extensive multi-channel audio control and management.
Adjust individual audio sources (internal and external) and introduce them into your program manually or automatically.
Control output levels for program, headphones, auxiliary outputs, recording, and stream separately.
Convenient mixer MEM slots allow single-click access to prepared setups.
Powerful and flexible audio follow video options.
Exclusive or latched Solo controls, including the ability to monitor audio captured by the IsoCorder™ module.
Independent 7-band EQ and compressor/limiter for each source and output.
Multi-bus routing options.
Configurable VU meter calibration: Show VU meter calibration using digital (dBFS) or analog (dBVU or dBu) scales (digital sources, SDI and AES/EBU, Streaming output and Record controls default to dBFS).
TriCaster’s Audio Mixer can be controlled by a companion Apple iPad® application that controls Volume, Pan, Mic Gain for every input and output. Alternatively, an Avid® Artist Mix control surface connected to TriCaster offers professional level tactile control over the Audio Mixer.
2.5.18 INTEGRATED MEDIA PLAYERS
TriCaster’s numerous Media Players and title system serve up graphics, titles, video clips and audio files quickly and easily during your live productions.
FIGURE 10
Add a/v clips, sound files or still image files to Media Player playlists.
Trim and re-order playlist entries.
Store playlists MEM slots for easy recall.
Flexible playback controls include variable Speed and Loop options.
Each Media Player has corresponding volume and other advanced audio controls in the Audio Mixer.
Convenient ‘per clip’ level control is provided right in the playlist.
Autoplay feature starts and stops playback automatically based on Switcher
activity.
Control Media Players with macros triggered by other events.
Assign titles, graphics, clips or buffers to multiple DSK or M/E Key channels.
Edit titles live, even while ‘on air’.
The Buffers module provides quick review and management of TriCaster’s internal media buffer system, and is in reality a combined multiview, player and asset management tool fully supported by TriCaster’s Macro system.
FIGURE 11 (TRICASTER 8000 SHOWN)
Buffers can be applied in any video channel, including all main Switcher and M/E rows, or as overlays in the numerous DSK and Key channels. Buffer ‘slots’ can contain *animated effects (compiled from your own clips using the supplied Animation Store Creator application), still graphics or title pages, all with full alpha channel support (the number of buffer slots supporting animation varies by model).
Animated buffers (TriCaster 460, 860 and 8000) come in *two types, and either loop endlessly (perfect for bugs, station IDs, etc.) or ‘auto-run’ once when displayed. These effects are resident in reserved Switcher Memory, making it possible to use them all at once without tying up Media Players. Thus Buffers can effectively take the place of many additional DDRs. In addition, each Buffer slot has its own set of convenient presets.
TriCaster includes an extensive set of live-editable title pages in various theme packs, all ready for immediate use in your productions. Also part of TriCaster’s integrated software suite is LiveText™, NewTek’s professional titling and graphics application. LiveText allows you to create your own great looking custom title pages and motion graphics, including scrolls and crawls.
The full version of NewTek’s popular and versatile non-linear video editing program SpeedEDIT™ is available as a downloadable Add-On at no extra cost for TriCaster 410, 460, 860 and 8000. SpeedEDIT provides powerful, professional tools to let you prepare movies for insertion into your live productions, or perform broadcast quality post production work on recorded programs.
Edit, import and export in full HD resolution.
Realtime external hardware project preview in HD or SD.
Import and export file format support includes MPEG2 and QuickTime® for versatility in program delivery.
2.5.22 OPTIONAL CONTROL SURFACES
Most TriCaster bundles include a control surface designed as the perfect complement to your switcher, making your live production operations even more convenient. Once you get your hands on one you’ll never want to let go. Beyond this primary control surface, NewTek offers an optional instant replay control surface called TimeWarp. Talk to your local reseller for a demonstration of this powerful add-on for your TriCaster.
In summary, TriCaster gives you the combined power of both a network control room and a complete post-production facility in one simple to use broadcast appliance. Let’s jump in now. First, we’ll get you connected; following that, we’ll explore TriCaster’s most important features.
This chapter explains how to connect power, monitors and audio visual sources, and external control devices to your NewTek TriCaster™ system.
It also reviews the registration process. After completing this short section, you’ll be all set to continue into the Live Production Walkthrough chapter that follows it.
To begin, let’s review ‘what came in the box’:
NewTek TriCaster™
TriCaster 8000 only – package of three (3) 2TB hard drives
Keys to front panel of case (Rack-mount models)
Four attachable rubber feet (for desktop use)
A/C power cabling (external PSU with cable for TriCaster Mini)
BNC removal tool (to assist with cable connection and removal, rack-mount units only)
DVI to VGA adapter
NewTek mouse and keyboard
Quick Start Guide
NewTek 3PLAY™ brochure
NewTek TriCaster registration reminder card
New product letter