Following on from their surprise entry into the live switcher market in September last year with the Studio HD500 ($8,500) and Studio Software ($1,999) Livestream today expanded their range with three new live production switchers from $6,999 to $24,999.
All three are available for pre-order today (US only) with expected shipping at the end of April.
Livestream Studio™ HD50: Affordable, semi-portable, 5 input model; featuring digital HD – $6,999
Livestream Studio™ HD900: 9 input rackmount model; ideal for studios, facilities and live production trucks – $14,999
Livestream Studio™ HD1700: 17 input rackmount model; ideal for studios, facilities and live production trucks – $24,999
HD1700 rear panel: 
Livestream Studio™ features include:
- HD Live Inputs: HD-SDI, HDMI, Analog and AES EBU Audio
- HD Live Output: HD-SDI, HDMI, Analog and AES EBU Audio
- Multi-view: Full field-rate multi-view to preview your cameras in real-time with audio level overlays
- Live transitions: Fade, SMPTE Wipes
- Live audio mixing and monitoring: with support for embedded audio
- Two Graphics & DVE: Overlay, transparency, dynamic text titling, live countdown, picture in picture
- Two downstream keys (DSKs)
- Record to full resolution Blackmagic Design® MJPEG AVI (100Mbps)
- Two media players: Playback video clip files with automatic transition; built-in transcoder to import other formats such as MP4, QuickTime and more
- Built-in live streaming encoder: Enables one-click live streaming in HD multi-bitrate to the award- winning, ad-free Livestream Platform or any platform of your choice, including YouTube™ Live, Ustream™, Akamai™, Wowza™ Media Server and any CDN or server that supports RTMP
- Support: Includes two months of the industry’s only 7 day a week phone support with knowledgeable customer service and technical support
These announcements give Livestream a range of live production switchers, with an attractive entry point including SDI inputs, starting at $6,999. The lack of features such as chroma keying, network input sources and virtual sets while not a problem for on the road live work may be an issue for those predominantly studio based.
If you live outside of the US then don’t get too excited as the new hardware switchers, like the HD500, will not be available elsewhere.
We are looking forward to getting our hands on the HD50 in the next month so look out for our video review around the end of April.
Technical Specification overview:
| Feature | Studio HD50 | Studio HD500 | Studio HD900 | Studio HD1700 | Studio Software |
| Announced | March 2013 | March 2013 | Sep 2012 | March 2013 | Sep 2012 |
| Price (MSRP) | $6,999 | $8,500 | $14,999 | $24,999 | $1,999 |
| Ships Outside US | NO | NO | NO | NO | YES |
| HD-SDI Inputs (Streaming Only) | 5 | 5 | 9 | 17 | Depends on Configuration |
| HD-SDI Inputs (w/SDI or HDMI Out) | 4 | 4 | 8 | 16 | Depends on Configuration |
| Embedded Audio Input | 5 Stereo or 40 Mono Inputs | 5 Stereo or 40 Mono Inputs | 9 Stereo or 72 Mono Inputs | 17 Stereo or 136 Mono Inputs | Depends on Configuration |
| Audio Monitoring (1/8″) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Depends on Configuration |
| HDMI Inputs | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Depends on Configuration |
| HDMI Output | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Depends on Configuration |
| Standard Definition SDI Output | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Depends on Configuration |
| Composite Input (BNC) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Depends on Configuration |
| Composite Output (BNC) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Depends on Configuration |
| S-VIDEO Input | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Depends on Configuration |
| S-VIDEO Output | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Depends on Configuration |
| Component Input | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Depends on Configuration |
| Component Output | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Depends on Configuration |
| Analog Audio (1/4″) Input | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | Depends on Configuration |
| Analog Audio (1/4″) Output | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Depends on Configuration |
| AES/EBU Input | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Depends on Configuration |
| AES/EBU Output | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Depends on Configuration |
| Additional AES/EBU OR Analog Audio Output | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Depends on Configuration |
| Custom Bag Included | NO | YES | NO | NO | NO |
| Custom Keyboard | NO (Standard) | NO (Standard) | YES | YES | NO |
| Media Sources | 6 integrated digital media sources for video & graphics playback. 2 DDRs (video clip playback with builtin transcoder), 2 GFX (graphics), 2 Color Bars / Background Color | ||||
| Built-in Multiview | On-screen full field rate multiview of all live inputs, Preview, Program Out, 2 GFX and 2 DDR, Audio PPM overlay with peak hold feature on all inputs and outputs. Resizable layout allowing hiding of all controls to maximize multiview screens. | ||||
| Video Switcher/Mixer | 1 x Mixer & Effects Bank (M/E) with no upstream keyer. Transitions : SMPTE Wipe, Cut & Fade (Auto transition with adjustable duration in frames, manual via on-screen T-BAR or keyboard shortcuts) | ||||
| Graphics Downstream Key | 2 x Graphics DSK (downstream key) channels. One channel for GFX1 and one channel for GFX2. Independent or locked transition controls (fade/cut). Preview on multiview | ||||
| Graphics & Titling | Load JPG or PNG files (full transparency support with PNG files). Add text (set position/font/size/color) over any loaded image file within the GFX1 or GFX2 | ||||
| Video Clip Playback (2 Media Players) | Eject/Load clip. PlayPause/stop. Audio/Video Scrubber. Timecode indicator. Seek to timecode. Mark In/Mark Out. Loop. Auto-play on transition | ||||
| Recording | AVI MJPEG with uncompressed audio.Interlacing and timecode support. Full compatibility with Blackmagic Design Media Express and Adobe Premiere. | ||||
| Recording Capacity | ~20 hours at 1080i (Using 1 TB built in Hard Drive with recorder set to record at 100Mbps MJPEG AVI). | ~10 hours at 1080i (Using 500Gb built in Hard Drive with recorder set to record at 100Mbps MJPEG AVI). | ~40 hours at 1080i (Using 2TB built in Hard Drive with recorder set to record at 100Mbps MJPEG AVI). | ~40 hours at 1080i (Using 2TB built in Hard Drive with recorder set to record at 100Mbps MJPEG AVI). | Depends on Configuration |
| Live Streaming | HD live streaming via Gigabit/100/10 built-in Ethernet. Presets in up to HD 720p. Multiple simulateous bit-rates. Including mobile quality for playback over 3G on mobile devices (iPhone/Android). Integrated live streaming to Livestream or any other RTMP compatible service including Ustream, YouTube Live, Akamai, Wowza Media Server. | ||||
| Audio Mixing | Integrated multi-channel audio mixer for internal and external audio sources, outputs, stream and headphones. Incorporated video switcher follow feature with audio crossfade support when fading two video sources. | ||||
| Supported Formats | HD: 720p50, 720p59.94, 720p60, 1080PsF23.98, 1080p23.98, 1080PsF24, 1080p24, 1080PsF25, 1080p25, 1080PsF29.97, 1080p29.97, 1080PsF30, 1080p30, 1080i50, 1080i59.94 and 1080i60SD: 625/25 PAL, 525/29.97 NTSC, 525/23.98 NTSC |
||||
| Playback Media Formats | GFX: JPEG or PNG image files with transparency supportDDR: AVI MJPEG with uncompressed audio, DV Video, WMV (7/8/9), H.264 (.mov &.avi), MPEG4 Part 2 (.mov & .avi), MPEG4 V1/V2 (.mov & .avi), AAC, MP3 | ||||
| Record Media Formats | AVI MJPEG with uncompressed audio | ||||
| Operating System | Windows 7 Professional (64 bit) | Windows 7 Professional (64 bit) | Windows 7 Professional (64 bit) | Windows 7 Professional (64 bit) | Windows 7 Professional (64 bit) |
| Built-in Display | None | Integrated 17” WUXGA+ (1920X1200) HD Display | None | None | Depends on Configuration |
| CPU | Intel “Sandy Bridge-E” Core i7 3930K 3.2 GHz Six-Core processor, 12MB L3 cache, 130W, Socket LGA 2011 | Depends on Configuration | |||
| Graphics Card | EVGA GeForce 210 PCI Express Graphics Card | Nvidia GeForce GT 520 Commercial Series PCI Express graphics card | Depends on Configuration | ||
| Storage | 1 TB/ 5400 RPM/ SATA 3.5″ Internal Hard Drive | 500 GB/ 5400 RPM/ SATA 3.5″ Internal Hard Drive | 2 TB/ 5400 RPM/ SATA 3.5″ Internal Hard Drive | 2 TB/ 5400 RPM/ SATA 3.5″ Internal Hard Drive | Depends on Configuration |
| RAM | 8GB4 total DDR3 1333 MHz RAM (non-ECC) (2GB x 4 DIMM triple-channel configuration) | Depends on Configuration | |||
| Processing | Video: 4:2:2, 10 bit Color (REC 601, REC 709)Audio: 48 kHz, 24-bitREF IN/Genlock (Requires genlocking the two Blackmagic Design cards via two separate connectors) | ||||
| Built-in Video Input/Output Cards | Blackmagic Design DeckLink Quad (PCI) Blackmagic Design DeckLink Studio (PCI) | Blackmagic Design DeckLink Quad (PCI) Blackmagic Design DeckLink Studio (PCI) | 2 Blackmagic Design DeckLink Quad (PCI) Blackmagic Design DeckLink Studio (PCI) | 4 Blackmagic Design DeckLink Quad (PCI) Blackmagic Design DeckLink Studio (PCI) | None |
| Included in the Box | Power cord | 4 BNC Female to DIN 1.0/2.3 RG-59 SDI Cable (for SDI inputs on Blackmagic Quad card) | Keyboard | Mouse | Blackmagic Design DeckLink Studio Breakout Cable | Blackmagic Design cards documentation and driver CD. Warranty. | Carry-on bag. Protective screen cover panel (screw on). Keyboard. Mouse. Power cord. 4 BNC Female to DIN 1.0/2.3 RG-59 SDI Cable (for SDI inputs on Blackmagic Design Quad card). Blackmagic DeckLink Studio Breakout Cable. Blackmagic Design cards documentation and driver CD. Warranty. | Power cord | 8 BNC Female to DIN 1.0/2.3 RG-59 SDI Cable (for SDI inputs on Blackmagic Design Quad card) | Custom Livestream Keyboard | Mouse | Blackmagic DeckLink Studio Breakout Cable | Blackmagic Design cards documentation and driver CD. Warranty. | Power cord | 16 BNC Female to DIN 1.0/2.3 RG-59 SDI Cable (for SDI inputs on Blackmagic Design Quad card) | Custom Livestream Keyboard | Mouse | Blackmagic DeckLink Studio Breakout Cable | Blackmagic Design cards documentation and driver CD. Warranty. | Software Dongle |
| System Physical | 14.7″ (D) x 11.2″ (W) x 9″ (H) ~11 lbs | 5.8” (D) x 12.40” (H) x 16.75” (W)~ 15 lbs | 20″ (D) x 5.25″ (H) x 16.5″ (W-not including side rails) ~42 lbs | 20″ (D) x 5.25″ (H) x 16.5″ (W-not including side rails) ~42 lbs | Depends on Configuration |
