Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro ISO Review: The Live Switcher That Records Every Input
If most users are buying a small HDMI switcher, they likely have similar needs. They need to be able to plug in multiple cameras, switch among those cameras live and send the output directly to YouTube or Zoom so they can easily capture their video live. In addition, many will also use this device to record their switched video and create a "clean" recording.
This is exactly what the Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro ISO allows you to do. Why the Mini Pro ISO costs more money than the standard Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro boils down to just two letters. ISO.
Those two letters stand for isolated recording. When we say isolated recording, we mean it provides you additional options for how you use your recorded files when the live streaming session has ended.
When using the standard Mini Pro, you get a record of the single switched program (the switched feed). With the ISO version of the Mini Pro, in addition to being able to record the switched program, it will provide an isolated recording of every single HDMI input as individual files (each with their respective audio), along with a DaVinci Resolve project which ties everything together into a single timeline.
So if there was a problem with a cut made during the live event, you could go back and correct it by using the clean feed from the specific camera used to make that portion of the cut. Whether or not the ability to isolate each source is important to you is a major factor in deciding whether to buy the Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro ISO versus the standard Mini Pro.
What ISO Recording Actually Gets You
An ISO record can serve as both a safety net and a post production starting point. It records all the video, up to five streams, along with the video feed from each input. It will also capture the audio from each HDMI input, the embedded audio, and the audio from the analog microphone inputs.
What might surprise some users is how easy it is to create a timeline with DaVinci Resolve. Using DaVinci Resolve you are able to import the recordings created during the live event, and automatically build a new timeline based upon what cuts you did and transitions you made, while referencing separate files for each segment. So when you begin editing your recordings in DaVinci Resolve, your entire live edit is already built and waiting to be refined.
The DaVinci Resolve Handoff
If you have been working in DaVinci Resolve before, this will feel like cheating. You go live, make mistakes, and then repair those mistakes frame by frame using un-compressed versions of footage that you captured in real time.
Perhaps you failed to get a great reaction shot from a particular camera angle because you didn't see the correct monitor. If you need to access the clean feed from that camera angle, it is available within the DaVinci Resolve project file. The ISO record allows for an additional layer of quality control for multi-camera users who want to maintain their own edits after they are done broadcasting live.
DaVinci Resolve is free, so the ISO workflow does not include any additional costs associated with software. If you already do color grading or cutting with DaVinci Resolve, the ATEM easily integrates into a workflow that you understand.
Streaming and Recording Workflow
The hardware configuration is the same as the standard Mini Pro. This is great news. It has all four HDMI inputs at the front of the big back-lit button area. There is an internal hardware encoding capability, and there are three dedicated buttons for stream, record, and on-air status.
Blackmagic posts the complete specification data on the official ATEM Mini product page if you're looking to do a side-by-side comparison of each model. You won't have to run OBS or any other type of streaming application on a computer. The switcher will encode H.264 directly, and send 1080p video feed directly out the Ethernet connection to the desired platform.
Several reviewers that have come from a webcam or used a software based solution state how clean the entire system appears when working properly. Users mentioned how well the switcher handled camera switching and external audio input while doing live concert streams. Another reviewer stated it was the perfect addition to their expanding live stream production with plans to easily connect additional cameras down the road.
All of the buttons are actual physical buttons. When using the multiview feature to see a preview of all sources, you will also be able to view which camera is currently being viewed live.
The Single USB-C Bottleneck
The major drawback, and one of the most frequently complained about issues for new users, is the limitation of having only one USB-C port available for recording. In other words, either you can record to a drive or you can plug into a computer via the USB-C port. Many users expect to be able to simultaneously record locally while streaming without any issues, and they run into a brick wall.
One reviewer said the single USB-C connection meant they could stream or record, and he hopes a future software update will allow him to record and stream off the same device.
So if your workflow requires both simultaneous high-quality local recording and streaming, you should plan accordingly so that you know how you will set up your drive before going live. Most owners end up choosing a fast external SSD such as the Samsung T7 Shield because slower drives will cause the record function to fail.
Who Should Actually Buy This
There are people for whom the ISO version makes sense. Those include multicam editors, podcasters using two or three cameras, and all of the churches and concert venues that want to record their event so they have a nice polished video file that can be streamed and also posted online. If you produce a multi-camera video podcast, this means you now have access to isolated recordings, which would otherwise leave you dealing with only the live switch.
If you only do live streams and never re-edit, the standard Mini Pro will save you money and do the exact same job. The ISO recording is simply dead weight if you have no intention of opening up a Resolve project to use those source files. Be truthful with yourself, because the majority of the value of these extra files evaporates once you admit that you will probably never look at them.
As far as a full production set-up goes, most people who buy the switcher will also buy additional equipment for live streaming such as an audio mixer for live streaming. The two analog microphone inputs get clogged quickly. Others may run their computers or consoles into the switcher via a capture card for streaming to bring in slide presentations or gameplay footage as a fourth source.
What Reviewers Say
The Praise
There are several hundred reviewers, and they have rated this product at 4.6 stars on average. Most people say Blackmagic Design has done something right because reviewers were impressed with how simple the unit is to operate. People stated that it was incredibly plug and play, and even non-technical volunteers can easily use the unit, while there are still plenty of advanced features available by using the ATEM software or by creating your own app with their open API.
Those who used the standard version of the ATEM Mini liked the fact that Blackmagic did not change the layout of the new version, so people could simply continue to use the same buttons that they had become accustomed to.
Many reviewers praised the chroma keyer, saying it pulled a clean green screen key without a computer in the loop, which is handy if you already own a decent green screen setup. Reviewers also said they enjoyed the ability to create picture-in-picture, and they liked the various transition options that come pre-programmed into the unit.
Where It Falls Short
Reviews aren't always going to be great, and there are two general criticisms that could be taken seriously. First is hardware reliability.
In one case a customer stated that both of his units failed after approximately two years of use due to the exact same HDMI output failure. Blackmagic also told him that repairs would likely cost more than a brand new unit. He was very candid and suggested buying the extended warranty.
Although this is just one example, it fits into what many people feel about Blackmagic's products. They work incredibly well when everything is right, and fail frustratingly when something isn't. Outlets we've referenced such as Fstoppers have mentioned the same combination of capabilities and quirks.
Second is the amount of friction involved in setting up your equipment and how much help you can get from Blackmagic if you're having issues. One reviewer had problems connecting to an SSD to record footage from two different cameras. When he pressed record, the light turned orange, a color the user guide didn't mention, and he couldn't get any help from the person answering the phone at Blackmagic.
Another reviewer mentioned that since configuration is spread out over two applications rather than one, you might find certain settings in places where you don't normally look. While neither of these issues will prevent most buyers from making their purchase, they do help explain why there are some negative reviews under the mountain of positive ones.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If your budget is tight and you never re-edit, and streaming live is your only goal, the ATEM Mini Pro is essentially the same and costs less. Same buttons, same streaming encoder, same four inputs, minus the isolated recording and the Resolve project file.
Going the other direction, the ATEM Mini Extreme ISO doubles inputs to eight and adds more keyers along with a second USB port and a larger control surface. That would be the choice if you need more than four cameras or if you want to stream and record without juggling just one port. You can also compare the Pro ISO at B&H against Amazon availability if you want to check stock there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the ATEM Mini Pro and the Pro ISO?
The Pro ISO records your switched live program plus every HDMI input separately and generates a project in DaVinci Resolve so you can later re-edit the whole show. If you never edit, the Pro does essentially the same job cheaper.
Do I need a computer to stream with the ATEM Mini Pro ISO?
No, it has built in hardware H.264 encoding and streams 1080p directly over the Ethernet port, so you can go live without OBS or any software running on a machine. You only need a computer if you want to use the Software Control panel for more configuration.
What kind of drive do I need for ISO recording?
Recording ISO streams requires fast USB drives, and most users go with external SSDs rather than spinning drives or cheap flash drives. Recording five streams at the same time is quite demanding and slower drives will cause recording to stop. Common and safe SSDs like the Samsung T7 Shield are popular.
Can it stream and record at the same time?
Ethernet handles streaming and the USB-C drive handles recording, so program streaming and recording can run together. Confusion arises because there is only one USB-C port, and some users expect that port to handle both a computer connection and a drive at the same time. Plan your connections before showtime to avoid any surprises.
Is the ATEM Mini Pro ISO good for a video podcast?
Yes, it's one of the most popular switchers for multicam podcasts. Recording each camera isolated means you get clean footage that you can edit freely without being locked into live cuts. Pair it with a strong audio chain and it comfortably handles a two or three camera podcast setup.
How reliable is it long term?
Most reviewers report years of trouble free use, but some report HDMI output failures, and Blackmagic repair costs can exceed replacement costs. If you rely on it for paid work an extended warranty is worth considering, and having a backup switcher for mission critical work is smart.