Full and complete video production

The Rodecast series of podcast miners has become a staple among audio retailers. Last year, the company expanded the line with its first multimedia model – the Rodecaster video. It was a niche proposition, aimed at attention, video podcasters and live producers, and, at $1,200, people with deep pockets. Today, rode returns with rodecaster video s (RCV-S), a guided version that offers the same performance for less than half of the original cost ($ 499).

If you currently use ECAMMEL2 Live, eOBS, Rodecaster Pro / Duo, a video capture card or a BlackMagic Atem atem switchmer, then there is something RCV-s do, or many things, that can be used for you. Maybe it can replace all those products, some of them even improve your workflow. It’s a little complicated, but within that problem is a lot of different conversions.

With three HDMI inputs, one for webcam / mics and up to an NDI / wireless Camera input, video is clearly the focus here. But there are also two XLR / combo ports for studio microphones and instruments and the option to connect up to wireless lav mics (such as wireless go) directly without the need for a receiver. RCV-S, like Atem mini popular Atem mini, HDMI output in 1080p / 60 (NO 4K) or can be used over USB as a virtual camera just as you can find in zoom or groups.

Unlike the Rodecaster Pro or the Duo, there are no downsides; Instead, there are two rows of pads to switch between video sources and scenes. There is 20GB of onboard storage for media – such as ports, graphics and audio / video clips – and you can record shows directly to the USB Hard There is a lot going on, and how you want to use it is all up to you. While the RCV-S goes above and beyond for “live” productions like broadcasts or podcasts, you can use it for YouTube-tyle-style video production, depending on your workflow or video preferences.

Rodecaster Video Versus Rodecaster Video S

The huge price difference between the original Rodecaster video and the new model would lead you to expect some serious serious quality on this one, but the Rode Garden Shomes have been kind enough. Most notably, the number of sources you can connect has been reduced from six to four. Meanwhile, the number of “scenes” you can create is now five, up from seven. As mentioned above, there are three HDMI inputs, not four, and only USB USB web inputs, only on the bottom, from both of the originals. There are still nine audio channels with one headphone output, but the line out at the beginning is no longer here. The SD Card Slot for Media has also been removed instead of internal storage. In short, there is a little bit of communication, but not enough to feel inclined, especially for ordinary users, which is clearly what this is intended for.

What works

At its very first, the RCV-S is an All-in-one video switcher. You don’t need to connect it to a PC, just connect it to your video and audio sources and you can jump between real with a selection of transitions. More creative production You can create “scenes” through a menu with a choice of multi-camera layouts, picture-in-picture and more. That could be two heads talking about a podcast, enhance your web cam on top of your gameplay or a top camera mixed with a different view of cooking or different presentations of cooking tutorials or presentations.

You can create scenes directly on the device ahead of time or live with templates, but things get a lot easier and more creative when using the Rodecaster companion app. Here, you will find the “Scene Dreader” tool that is intuitive and intuitive, and has the option to customize layouts where you can freely increase the size and place all your media wherever you want.

While the pads are primarily for switching between sources and scenes, they can also trigger media – pre-made video clips, animations and drawings, for example. You can give them their sources without reducing the number of sources / scenes available to switch between, just tap the Media / Overlay button to temporarily change the functionality of the packages. You can also set the chromakey / green settings directly on the device or through the Rodecaster app, too.

Once you’re set up, you can record directly from the USB SSD, too, without the need for a PC. There is also an option to record only the top output (“program”) or a Multi-Tracker version that will output the recording of all inputs as a separate file that you can edit as you see fit. This is useful if you use applications such as Adobe Premier or Davinci Sermo. If you shoot multi-camera dance tutorials, for example, you can jump between your main and wide camera and close up without having to hunt down each file you wrote on different memory cards.

Ride recently updated the rodcaster video firmware to add support for four “NDI” wireless cameras as additional sources. Usually these are Remote or security cameras, but Rode’s Captuale Mobile app also supports NDI streaming, which means you can use your phone without another camera to switch to, which is especially useful. Also note, the video rodecaster will need to hard-wire your router to the same network as your phone in order to work.

The audio

While the rcv Instead, you have to access the different channels through the menu in the small display and dyeing – in a lot of hunting and bending. When connected to a PC, the Rodecaster operating system offers a software mixer with small people though, which makes adjusting the levels on the fly very easy.

The good news is that other voice enhancement tools, such as depth, shine and punch, are carried over from the Rodecaster Pro / Duo, giving you good control over how you or your guests sound.

There is a slight drawback when using the RCV-S as a portable unit, because you need to physically press the buttons to change the recording position or try to make the console open or not sitting close to the console. Fortunately, Rode has a solution to the “auto” switch. I’m talking here, in the audio section, as the RCV-S can change cameras according to one’s strength or based on user-defined values. Usually, that would be whoever is talking about the podcast, but it could also be the sound of a game or when you switch to playing an instrument.

Automatic switching works well, but it is not very reliable enough to rely on full automation in the right place – Say while recording a panel at a conference – but it solves the problem if you are alone, and at least you can save some time in the case of a podcast.

Things to consider

It’s clear that the rcv-s, while having fewer inputs than the original Rodecaster video, are still a sophisticated, open-ended instrument. If you already have a broadcast setup you like and the software and facilities you need, then the appeal of the RCV-S will be down to whether it can do what you need it to do effectively. Live video production, easy sales, because not many devices have in-one to compete with it can be used Standalone.

For example, the Atem series by Blackmagic is incredibly popular, and until now, it had a good price with the Mini Pro costing only $330. Even the Mini Pro ISO ($550) that exports Multi-Track VIDE was a fraction of the price of the Rodecaster video. The RCV-S now offers comparable connectivity, ONLOBODE recording, more audio features and more export for $50 less.

For regular content creators it’s a little trickier. As someone who makes YouTube videos, the appeal to me is the ability to combine several devices into one and remove some of the clutter from my recordings. Right now, I have a rodcaster duo carrying my sound, a capture card for my main camera and swapping out that little camera when I’m shooting top-down. That means I have a lot of different devices on my desk, and I’m always doing a dance of importing things and juggling media or different recordings before getting everything ready to edit.

With the RCV-S I’D NEED MY LAST CARD TO PURCHASE AND THE MOST COMFORTABLE HOME CARD Connects to the Rodecaster so it’s ready to go at any time. I can even remove the Rodecaster Duo and bring it back and occasionally need quick control over multiple audio sources (sometimes, but not often). The appeal in my situation is a few devices on my desk, and the ability to record video from various cameras without setting up all the shots, every time, which saves valuable time that I can use to get more done work.

Of course, there are some limitations. At least everything lacks 4K. I still tend to record with a camera with my basic shots to make sure I still have a 4K copy of YouTube and use rodecaster video s for everything, but being a small maker is very interesting. For Streamers and live video production, the Rodecaster Video S is a very capable tool that offers a wide range of functions at an affordable price that will not be a hub for many creators.

The real kicker here is the price. Let’s be clear, $500 still counts. But at less than half the price of the original Rodecaster with great connectivity and basically the same performance, it’s an easy recommendation for those holding out based on price alone. Likewise, if you’re just starting to create content and need something with solid video credentials and audio chops, Rode does a good job of itself with rodecaster video s.