Video Mixers

Video Mixers: The Heart of Your Production at Avacab

At Avacab, we know that the key to a dynamic and engaging audiovisual production lies in the ability to control and combine multiple video sources in real-time. Professional and broadcast video mixers are the essential tools that allow you to do just that: orchestrate your camera feeds, graphics, pre-recorded videos, and other inputs to create a cohesive and professional program output.
 
From live streaming and live events, to studio productions, news broadcasts, or interactive digital signage, a video mixer is the brain that brings your creative vision to life. They allow you to transition smoothly between scenes, add visual effects, overlay graphics, and ultimately, tell your story in the most impactful way.
 

What are Video Mixers?

A video mixer (also known as a switcher or vision mixer) is an electronic device that allows you to select, combine, and manipulate different video signals in real-time. It acts as a control center where multiple video inputs converge, to then be mixed, edited with transitions and effects, and finally output as a single program signal.
   
They are indispensable for:

Live Productions: Concerts, sporting events, shows.
Broadcasting: News programs, television shows, studio interviews.
Live Streaming: Webinars, online conferences, game streaming.
Corporate and Educational Events: Presentations, seminars, hybrid classrooms.
Churches and Houses of Worship: Services with multiple cameras and graphics.
 

Types of Video Mixers Available at Avacab:

At Avacab, we offer a selection of mixers tailored to different production scales and budgets:
   
Live Production Switchers:

Features: Designed for live event environments, whether concerts, conferences, or sports events. They typically have a moderate number of inputs and outputs, with essential features for fast transitions and basic effects.
Interface: Often with intuitive control panels based on buttons and levers (T-bar) for agile live operation.
Connectivity: Predominantly HDMI and SDI, for compatibility with a wide range of cameras and sources.
Use: Ideal for event production companies, schools, churches, small to medium-sized studios.
 

Broadcast Switchers:

Features: Robust and high-end, designed for the demands of professional broadcasting (television, news). They offer a large number of inputs and outputs, auxiliary buses, multiple layers of keyers (chroma key, luma key), DVEs (Digital Video Effects), and advanced integration with automation systems.
Interface: Large, highly configurable control panels, with direct access to numerous functions.
Connectivity: Primarily SDI (3G-SDI, 6G-SDI, 12G-SDI) for reliability and compatibility with broadcast infrastructure, and increasingly IP options (SMPTE 2110).
Use: Television channels, large production studios, OB (Outside Broadcast) mobile units.
 

Hybrid and IP-Enabled Mixers:

Features: The current trend integrates IP connectivity (NDI, SMPTE 2110) alongside traditional physical inputs (HDMI, SDI). This offers immense flexibility for working with networked video sources and complex distributions.
Advantages: Allow for more efficient workflows, access to a greater number of virtual sources, and greater scalability in distributed systems.
 

Compact and Portable Mixers:

Features: Designed for maximum portability, ideal for live streaming or productions where space is limited. They often integrate the mixer, streaming encoder, and even a display into one compact unit.
Use: Vloggers, streamers, small production teams, mobile events.
 

How to Choose the Right Video Mixer for Your Project?

Selecting the ideal video mixer is crucial for the success of your production. Consider the following key factors when exploring our offer at Avacab:
 

Number and Type of Inputs and Outputs:

How many cameras and video sources (computers, players, graphics) will you need to connect simultaneously?
What type of connection do your cameras and sources use (HDMI, SDI, NDI, USB)? Ensure the mixer has enough inputs of the correct type.
How many program, preview, auxiliary monitor, or streaming outputs do you need?
 

Resolution and Frame Rate:

What resolution will you be producing in (Full HD 1080p, 4K UHD)?
What frame rate (25p, 30p, 50p, 60p) does your production require?
Ensure the mixer is compatible with your workflow specifications.
 

Transition and Effects Capabilities:

Transitions: Do you need clean cuts, smooth fades, or more elaborate transitions like wipes or pushes?
Keyers: Will you use Chroma Key (green/blue screen) to remove backgrounds, or Luma Key to overlay graphics? How many keyer layers do you need simultaneously?
DVE (Digital Video Effects): Do you require Picture-in-Picture (PiP) effects, or video resizing and repositioning?
Graphics/Title Generators: Some mixers integrate basic functions for adding text and graphics.
 

Streaming and Recording Capabilities:

Do you need to stream your live production to platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook Live? Many modern mixers include built-in streaming encoders.
Do you want to record your program output for post-production or archive? Check if the mixer offers internal recording or output to external recorders.
 

Integrated Audio:

How will you manage the audio? Some mixers include integrated multi-channel audio mixers, allowing control over the audio from each video source, plus microphone or line inputs.
 

Control Panel and Usability:

Do you prefer a dedicated hardware panel with physical buttons and a T-bar for fast, tactile live control?
Or a software interface for control from a PC/Mac or tablet, which is more economical and flexible for less demanding environments?
The choice depends on the complexity of your productions and the experience of your operators.
 

Budget and Scalability:

Define your budget, but also think about the future. Might you need more inputs or advanced functionalities later on? Some mixers offer expansion options or are part of modular ecosystems.
 

At Avacab, we are committed to offering you the best tools to make your audiovisual productions stand out. Explore our range of professional and broadcast video mixers, and do not hesitate to contact our expert team for personalized advice. Together, we will bring your most ambitious projects to life!