In this video, we will go through SuperSource. What it is and how you can get the most out of it.
So, that is SuperSource?
In a nutshell, SuperSource is what Blackmagic Design calls complex layouts, usually seen in news shows or online conferences these days.
The SuperSource feature, which was previously only available in the large of ATEM switchers, is able to display 5 sources on screen at once; a background and 4 foreground sources like cameras or presentations.
A couple of examples are these side-by-side talkshow style layouts, multiple remote presenters giving a talk at the same time, or a panel show.
How it works
In order to get started, connect all the sources you want to add to your ATEM Mini Extreme.
I have added a camera to input 1, 2, and 3, and then added a background image to my media pool by dragging and dropping it.
Rather quickly, I can access a SuperSource by pressing the “Ssrc” button on my preview row of buttons, it’s small but it is there. This will show whatever layout was configured on your SuperSource. Then I can use that “Ssrc” button just like any other Program/Preview button in your production.
Configuring SuperSource
Over on the ATEM Software Control, I can configure how I want SuperSource to actually look by opening the SuperSource palette.
Each “Box” has a control option so I will quickly pop through and set each box to be the first four inputs on my switcher.
Then with the position, size, and crop, I can make it look the way I want.
You can imagine that playing with all these little sliders could be time-consuming, so I like to create a template instead with cutouts.
By loading it into my ATEM Media Pool, I can bring a template on-air and then build my layout around it.
H2R SuperSource Layouts
By now you might be finding it a little tedious to build your own SuperSource layouts, and I couldn’t agree more.
That’s why I have just released this online tool for graphically building your layouts for SuperSources.
Try it here: H2R SuperSource Layouts.
You can even download the free pre-built layouts or buy the multipack with loads of layouts I have designed.
Grab those here. SuperSource Big Pack.
Background animations
Another neat trick to add to the SuperSource is to skip the foreground image, and use an animated loop in the background.
The ATEM Mini Extreme only allows for images to be stored internally, so you will have to do this with an external HDMI source.
In this case, I connect up my laptop running a second display and looping a video.
Then in the Art tab of the SuperSource palette, I can change my Fill source to the laptop and set it to the background.
Works nicely!
Flying animations
The next level of SuperSource on the ATEM Mini Extreme is to transition into and out of the SuperSource layout.
So going from one guest full screen to all three side-by-side. This can all be achieved with Macros and a little bit of planning.
I didn’t have time to explore it in this video, but I will be sure to get back to it in the future!