This guide will show you how to control your Blackmagic ATEM video switcher directly from your Stream Deck. By creating dedicated profiles, you can switch between camera inputs, set preview sources, and trigger actions like picture-in-picture with a single button press. To follow these steps, you will need your ATEM switcher connected to your network via Ethernet and the Bitfocus Companion app installed.
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Open the Stream Deck software on your Mac. It's recommended to create a dedicated profile for ATEM controls to keep them separate from your other shortcuts and actions.
To switch between your main profile and the ATEM profile, add a Switch Profile action to a button or knob. Configure one on each profile to allow you to toggle back and forth.
Launch the Bitfocus Companion app. In the web interface, add a new connection and select Blackmagic Design: ATEM.
Enter the IP address of your ATEM switcher in the Target IP field to establish a connection.
Navigate to the Buttons tab in Companion. Program buttons for each function you want to control, such as switching to Camera 1, setting Camera 2 as a preview source, or enabling Picture-in-Picture (PIP).
In the Stream Deck software, go to your ATEM profile. Find the Bitfocus Companion plugin on the right-hand side and drag the Companion Button action onto your layout.
Assign the buttons you created in Companion to the keys on your Stream Deck. You can now control your ATEM switcher's program and preview outputs, trigger auto-transitions, and manage picture-in-picture, all from your Stream Deck.
Using Stream Deck with Companion allows for controls not available on the physical ATEM Mini panel, such as assigning a specific source to the preview window without making it live.
This article demonstrates how to gain advanced control over an ATEM video switcher by integrating it with a Stream Deck via the Bitfocus Companion app. By creating dedicated profiles, users can program and execute complex video switching commands, manage preview and program sources, and trigger features like picture-in-picture, all from a centralized, customizable interface.
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