One of the best switcher / streamer: YoloBox Professional vs Feelworld L2 vs ATEM mini

At this time we’re evaluating The BlackMagic ATEM mini vs. the Feelworld L2 vs. the Yololiv YoloBox Professional. There’s a comparability cheat sheet proper after the soar, however for the complete submit, preserve studying.

When Covid hit, all of us began streaming from residence. Actually, I recall when webcams had been in such excessive demand that you just couldn’t even get them for his or her weight in gold.

Now, a webcast is simply the bottom, and if you wish to play within the large league, you’re in all probability out there for a switcher/streamer sort of machine.

I might say that there are three sorts of switchers on the market: The BlackMagic ATEM mini sort, with a whole lot of buttons and issues to press; the Feelworld L2 sort, with a small monitor and a conventional T bar; and the Yololiv YoloBox Professional sort that kinda appear to be an outsized pill. However which one do you have to select? Let’s break it down.

These might look like three utterly totally different gadgets. However in the long run, they’re all used for a similar goal, switching, streaming, and recordings. And so let the preventing start

Streaming

The L2 has a USB output that makes it appear to be a webcam to any laptop computer, so you should use it to stream utilizing software program like OBS, vMix, or really any software program that allows you to stream a webcam. Even youtube dwell.

Commercials

The Atem is analogous as a result of it has a webcam output, however you probably have an ethernet connection and preconfigure the unit, you possibly can stream instantly from it. You’d want a cable and a wall jack for this, however you probably have them, not needing a laptop computer is an enormous benefit, and it might be good for a small studio.

Lastly, the Yolo can mimic a webcam, but it surely streams instantly from the unit over ethernet, Wifi, or 4G utilizing a sim card. Which means that it could possibly stream in the identical method as the opposite two packing containers, but it surely doesn’t want pre-configuration and doesn’t want a cable. Actually, it’s a 100% autonomous unit.

Inputs

Each the Atem and the L2 have 4 HDMI ports for 4 gadgets like cameras or laptops. The Yolo solely has 3 HDMI ports, but it surely additionally options two USB ports for webcams. All three gadgets can deal with a number of 1080 streams.

The Yolo has two 3.5 mm jacks for audio, and so does the ATEM. Each additionally enable mixing and delay management of the sources. The L2 solely has one jack, so it is advisable pre-mix your inputs. The Yolo and the Atem are undoubtedly higher on this entrance

Commercials

Outputs

The L2 has a headphone jack and an HDMI port. Truly, all of them have an HDMI port. The L2 additionally has a USB-A to USB-A webcam port. Not a fan of this bizarre cable. It’s certain to get misplaced, and it’s sort of arduous to come back by. On the nice aspect, you possibly can choose if the HDMI port sends Program or Preview, and you can also make the identical choice for the USB.

The Yolo has two video ports: a USB-c and an HDMI. For audio, it has the identical headphone port.

Weirdly, Black Magic didn’t put a headphones jack on the ATEM, so that you’ll have to observe your audio by way of one of many video outputs. That could be a win for the YOLO.

Codecs

All three gadgets can stream as much as 1080p at 60 FPS. We didn’t actually see any important distinction that might impression everyday use.

Locations

All gadgets help streaming wherever if you’re prepared to undergo the difficulty of bringing a laptop computer. Youtube, Fb, you identify it. However the YOLO really has one other vacation spot, the YOLO forged. This function means that you can ship your stream to a number of locations with a single upstream. Sadly, a month-to-month value is related, however it is a nice resolution if it is advisable stream to a number of platforms.

Recording and Submit

There’s a clear winner on this class, and that is the YOLO. Not solely it information the ultimate stream, but it surely additionally does this to an SD card. With the newest replace, you may also document to an SSD, however having the choice to go low profile is nice

The ATEM information the ultimate stream to an exterior drive, however this takes away the USB port so that you cant use the unit as a webcam. It’s good, however not AS good. For those who actually care about recording, you possibly can go for the ATEM mini professional ISO mannequin, and it’ll document all inputs + the stream for straightforward modifying. The price is greater, although – $795.00.

And the final of the bunch right here, the L2, properly, it doesn’t document in any respect.

Management

In the long run, a switcher must… swap. It’s as much as you, although, to inform it what to change to. And there’s a lot of private choice right here.

For those who like “old style”  switchers with plenty of buttons to grasp, and a devoted button for every motion, then go along with the ATEM. There’s a little bit of a studying curve right here, however having devoted controls and haptic suggestions actually goes a good distance. If I used to be not avoiding being pretentious, I might in all probability say which you can “play” the ATEM – that is how good it feels and how briskly an skilled person can go.

For those who like a elaborate T-bar for easy fades, go along with the L2. The LCD on the L2 is definitely a contact display screen, however… it’s almost not responsive sufficient to truly be used for something.

And if you’re used to touchscreen operations, you’ll discover the YOLO very intuitive and quick to grasp. Having a powerful visible indication of what’s happening is a robust instrument for a switcher, but in addition has bodily buttons.

Preview and Program

Clearly, having a display screen in your machine means that you can know precisely what’s happening together with your stream. The Atem does want an exterior monitor for that. And that monitor provides you with something from multiview, to program, to every of the linked cameras.

The L2 has a small 5.5-inch LCD display screen the place you possibly can see all 4 cameras, preview, and program. It’s fundamental but in addition an unbiased unit in that regard.

The YOLO has all of the management you want, though it both comes as a small ribbon or a break up display screen. I couldn’t get a conventional multi-view on the unit. I do know it’s a matter of choice and behavior, however an excellent multiview makes your work a lot simpler.

Transitions / Image in Image

All three items have your fundamental set of transitions, cuts, and jumps. Every unit has a barely totally different choice, however in actuality, there’s a good probability you’ll solely use the cuts, fades, and perhaps don’t or two of the extra “fancy” transitions.

All three items even have a Image in Image mode. Once more, controlling this function makes all of the distinction, and the management could be very restricted with the L2. It will get barely higher with the Atem. Although, once more, you’re restricted to solely digicam one. Largely, its arduous to manage the place and measurement of the smaller image.

With the YOLO, you get full management over location and measurement, and the touchscreen interface makes it very easy to configure and management

Chroma keying

All three items help chroma keying in a method or one other. We had been having a extremely arduous time with the L2, however the Atem and Yolo had been very simple to grasp. The Yolo field, particularly, has a extra superior set of Chroma keying management, so you possibly can tune and configure the system comparatively quick.

Overlays, titles, and decrease thirds

The Atem can retailer and use 20 overlays, decrease thirds, and logos. You might want to preconfigure these and use a controlling laptop computer to function them.

With the Feelworld L2, we solely discovered one overlay that we might use.

That is actually the place the YoloBox shines. Not solely can you utilize 4 overlays in parallel (assume brand on the highest proper whereas operating a decrease third title). But additionally you possibly can create these property instantly within the field. This makes the workflow a lot simpler as it is advisable make a last-minute repair or understand that you really want one other asset. I can’t inform you how a lot this function made our lives simpler.

Energy and Battery

Each the ATEM and L2 want a devoted 12 volts adapter. The YOLO, although has an inside battery and a typical USB-C energy jack.

The L2 and Atem Mini Professional want a 12V adapter

Type issue

Out of the three, the Atem might be probably the most strong. It feels very nice and stable and has a low footprint. There are not any mounting choices, so that is clearly a desk unit.

The L2 is a bit bulkier and feels a bit extra flimsy. And it has a 1/4 -20 within the weirdest place on the aspect. It is a desk unit as properly.

Lastly, the Yolo, which is all about portability, suffers the identical points as any pill. Glass. It has a entrance glass aspect. Fortunately we’re utilizing the YC onion cage for it. And the cage does two issues: One, it provides a ton of mounting choices for microphones, transmitters, and different utilities. But additionally has a stable cable protector for every cable to maintain these ports good and protected.
The one caveat is the worth. The YOLO is the winner right here should you don’t thoughts the additional $150.00 for the cage.

Firmware updates and group

Effectively, there may be really just one participant on this class, and that’s the YOLO. Yolo is dropping about one replace a month, including an increasing number of options like extra sources, automated switching, Cloud help, and plenty of, many extra. So so far as future-proofing, an enormous fats level to YOLO.

Worth

Simple! I’m recording this on the finish of August 2022. In keeping with B&H the L2 goes for about $540. The Atem goes for round $500, and the YOLO goes for $1,300. The cage is an additional $150.

Worth for Cash

It is a arduous one to reply. However let me have a look at it from a easy shopping for perspective.

Whenever you get the L2, you additionally want a pc. Whenever you get the Atem, you’d desire a monitor. And perhaps a laptop computer to configure the unit. So the worth to run a full setup could be extra than simply the unit worth.

The YOLO, although, is a very unbiased unit, so getting a YOLObox professional could be a single Expense. I additionally assume it gives the most effective set of options for the worth.

Conclusion

So, again to the start, which switcher is the most effective for you? Right here is our concluding desk on the backside. Inexperienced means the best choice.

Effectively, if you’re on a restricted finances and also you already personal a laptop computer, the L2 is an efficient possibility to begin with. If you’re a extra superior editor who wants extra management, a better panel to navigate, and care concerning the recording, the Atem will serve you properly. And, If you’re in search of a one-stop-shop, stream on the transfer, and in search of an intuitive resolution that may stream and not using a want for WIFI, The YOLO wins our hearts.