TriCaster that works with USB and NDI video sources new tricaster mini

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The TriCaster Mini Go uses both USB inputs and NDI to bring in its sources.  Both work well, and have their own unique advantages.

Using USB cameras is nice in that they are cost effective - there are plenty of high performing USB PTZ and web cameras that can bring in a high definition picture at an affordable price.  With USB, you also don’t have to worry about any potential networking problems - not that networking problems are common, but with a USB camera you have a direct physical input straight into the machine.  One simply plugs in a cable and the TriCaster immediately reads it.  

A limitation to using USB sources is that you are limited to the number of physical inputs on the machine.  With six USB 3.2 Type A ports, two USB 2.0 ports, and two USB 3.2 Type C ports, there are plenty of options and inputs for USB devices, but once they are filled, they are filled.  One also cannot hot swap, or change the physical device plugged into a specific USB input, while the TriCaster software is running.  The usable sources are limited to those already plugged in at the time the software is launched.

With NDI, there are a great many features and functionalities that open up for your production.  NDI enables you to connect many devices and stream high definition low latency video over a local network using standard ethernet cables and switches.  On a gigabit network, your number of NDI cameras and devices can number in the double digits, and your video will still be seamless and smooth, with every input accessible in the TriCaster software.  All devices on the network can see and talk to one another.  PTZ Cameras connected through NDI can be controlled through the TriCaster software with a digital PTZ interface, whereas USB connected PTZ cameras cannot and would require a physical controller.

With an installation of the free NDI Tools suite, you also gain plenty of extremely useful functionalities.  Any laptop or workstation on the network can be used to bring in screen captures of desktop video or audio with the NDI Screen Capture tool.  NDI sources can even be brought in remotely from anywhere in the world through the internet to then be routed through your local network to your TriCaster using the NDI Remote tool.  With the NDI Studio Monitor tool, you can use a local laptop or workstation as a monitor to display one or more NDI sources, with PTZ control, and even the ability to record multiple recordings simultaneously of different sources during your production.  In effect, the NDI functionality of the Mini Go is like a force multiplier, allowing you to supercharge your production capabilities.

Of course, USB and NDI are not mutually exclusive - the two can be used together.  Say you are streaming a discussion between you and another person seated at a table.  You can have a couple of microphones at the table plugged into a USB audio mixer that is plugged into the TriCaster.  You can also have a couple of cameras on the table and plenty more around the room for different angles all connected through NDI.  Someone switching on the TriCaster can also have a laptop running NDI Tools on it, and can seamlessly switch between all of the different cameras, and even bring in a remote contributor’s video feed through the internet with NDI Connect to add in to the discussion.