16-Channel Switcher Is Designed for Simplicity, Featuring HDMI I/O, Optional Attached Display

NewTek says it's close to shipping the TriCaster Mini, an HDMI-based multicamera 16-channel switcher supporting four simultaneous video sources over HDMI plus two more live inputs via Gigabit Ethernet, six output connections, and four standard M/E channels. 

Update 10/22/14: An earlier version of this story indicated that the Mini had begun shipping. NewTek tells us that it's not out yet, but that it will ship by the end of October.

Designed as an "ultraportable" system that can turn novice users into producers of slick live video, the Mini emphasizes quick set-up for a single operator, with an optional video monitor placed on the side of the system. Its aimed at marketers, corporate staff, small business managers, educators, and church workers, NewTek said. Live streaming, publishing to social media, and uploading to the web are all supported. 

Back panel of the Tricaster Mini. Click image to load a larger version.

"Our goal is to dispel the myth that it’s too technologically difficult or expensive to produce engaging multimedia content, and we’ve achieved that with TriCaster Mini," said NewTek President and CTO Andrew Cross in a prepared statement.

The TriCaster Mini has per-input scaling (including 3:2 pulldown) and synchronization, color correction, cropping and LiveMatte keying controls. Up to four robotic cameras are supported via standard protocols with control over orientation, zoom, focus and iris. It's worth noting that the six output connections—two HDMI, one video-only HDMI and one DVI display port (for displays or projectors), one network (live streaming) output, and an AV to another local, network-connected TriCaster—are in addition to the "case display" output, which is optional.

The Mini HD-4i sells for $7,995 with the optional integrated display and enough storage to record 45 hours of footage; the more stripped-down HD-4, with no screen and about 15 hours' worth of storage, is $5,995. The TriCaster Mini Control Surface is a $2,495 option, and a TriCaster Mini "cable kit" with four 100-foot HDMI cables runs $495. NewTek has posted a chart showing how the Mini compares, feature-by-feature, with the rest of the TriCaster line-up.