A Baltimore-based live streaming company, Event Stream Team, has enhanced its services by incorporating a variety of new products from Blackmagic Design into its production kit. The upgrade includes the ATEM 2 M/E Constellation HD switcher, which is at the core of their improved workflow.
Improved Workflow with Blackmagic Gear
The company, which has over 120 active clients ranging from nonprofits and museums to government agencies, recently integrated several Blackmagic Design products to better serve its diverse clientele. Event Stream Team’s Chief Technology Officer, Jimmy Reid, highlights the ATEM 2 M/E Constellation HD switcher as a key component of their new setup.
Reid notes that the switcher's twenty inputs and built-in Fairlight audio mixer have significantly improved their production capabilities. “The dynamics and EQ in the Fairlight audio mixer are essential for ensuring consistent audio quality across different venues,” he explains. This has allowed Event Stream Team to streamline its equipment, eliminating the need for a separate full-size mixer.
Recent Project Highlights
The company recently used their new setup during a four-hour live streamed court hearing in Baltimore County. The production included two Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pros with attached Zoom and Focus Demands, as well as three ATEM Studio Converters. Reid emphasizes the importance of having quiet and reliable equipment for such sensitive settings.
Another notable project was the live streaming of a historic painting unveiling at the Banneker-Douglass Museum in Annapolis, MD. Event Stream Team used one camera to focus on the artwork and another to capture the ASL interpreter. The dual native ISO feature of the Blackmagic Studio Camera 4K Pros ensured high-quality images regardless of lighting conditions.
Portable Solutions for Smaller Events
For smaller events or when space is limited, Event Stream Team has developed a portable production kit featuring an ATEM Mini Pro ISO, HyperDeck Shuttle HD, and HyperDeck Studio Mini for live graphics. They also use a HyperDeck Studio HD Plus for video playback and four HyperDeck Studio 4K Pros for backup recordings.
Reid recently transitioned to DaVinci Resolve Studio 18 for editing, grading, visual effects, and audio post-production. “Editing takes up a lot of my time, so I’m really looking forward to outsourcing that with Blackmagic Cloud,” he says.
Building a Reputation
The integration of these high-quality tools from Blackmagic Design has given Event Stream Team the confidence to tackle any production challenge. “Blackmagic Design has given us the gear to deliver top quality, and as a result, we’ve built a reputation for excellence in live streaming,” Reid concludes.