RØDE announces Rodecaster Video production console – our first look

Having revolutionised the podcasting industry with the Rodecaster Pro six years ago Aussie company RØDE is at it again with a new Video Production console the Rodecaster Video set to shake up the live video production industry.

Suitable for video podcasting, live video events and even pre-recorded multi-camera productions and much more, the Rodecaster Video is a combination of all the technologies RØDE know and own, plus a vast range of new video capabilities.

RØDE CEO Damien Wilson says “For decades, our mission has been to empower creators with professional yet accessible audio equipment, “

“Groundbreaking innovations like the RØDECaster Pro and Wireless GO have changed the way that people approach creating content across multiple categories, placing studio-grade audio solutions within the reach of today’s creators.

With the RØDECaster Video, we are doing the same for video production. With its intuitive interface, scene based architecture and seamless combination of professional video and audio in one compact device, it delivers unprecedented power and versatility to the next generation of content creators. The RØDECaster Video marks a huge step in the evolution of RØDE, and a massive milestone for creator technology.”

We’ve got our hands on the new Rodecaster Video and have begun putting it through its paces.

Key features include:

• Four HDMI inputs
• Two HDMI Outputs
• Five USB-C
• Two Headphone
• L/R Audio Out
• Two Combo/XLR inputs
• Ethernet & WiFi
• Micro SD

Two of the USB-C ports can be used for Webcam inputs allowing for a total of six video feeds to switch to, while your RodeCaster Pro II can be connected through the USB-C (port 4) to allow for a vast additional array of audio inputs

Rode Central software controls and configures the device with ease, allowing you to operate the unit from your laptop if you choose.

Using the software you can also configure stored Media and Overlay. Media refers to video content, overlay still images and these can be programmed to the seven alphabetically labelled buttons on the device.

At it’s core, this is a fantastic video switcher, but you can buy those for far less. Rodcaster Video will retail for $1,799, an ATEM Mini Pro is half that. But, with ISO recording, and high quality audio mixing this adds far more value.

The ability to run media clips during production is huge, along with graphic overlays.

Like all of Rode’s great products, software updates will improve this quickly and over time.

I need to spend far more time with it, but for now my feedback is that Media files should be played “over” vision – If you have a transition or intro you like to play, you can’t trigger it with transparency, you need to fire it cold. Likewise video animated graphics like lower thirds can’t be shown over your live program.

My favourite feature took me a while to work out. Auto Switching. By linking cameras to microphones you can have your show switched automatically. At first I couldn’t get this working, but it was described to me by the Rode guru’s as being like “Cruise control in a car”. So you have to push and hold AUTO to enable it.

If you take another action like roll some media, it switches off and you have to re-enable it. Once you get that in your head, it all makes sense!

Loading media and graphics is pretty easy. You need a MicroSD card on the device, and then on the Software simply drag and drop across to the Media or Graphics buttons.

Unfortunately the device want’s files fit for purpose, so it won’t take a 4K clip and play it in HD, or a larger or off format image, you need to make it 1920×1080.

With Two HDMI outputs you also have the ability to have a full Program Monitor along with a Multiview monitor, choose which is which or if both should be one or the other.

Critically, the device is only HD.

This is a disappointment given I know that Rode have been working on this for almost 4 years or more. It’s the same problem with Blackmagic’s ATEM and even the Yolobox, and we assume that’s power, performance and thermal related given the bandwidth required. But, I’d love to see a Rodecaster Video Pro switch it up to 4K.

Overall, this is impressive. It’s a far more than just what I’ve described, but it really depends on your use-case.

For us, in a video podcast studio, it will be a downgrade to HD in terms of production, but it will save hours in post production thanks to auto switching.

We’re linking the Rodecaster Pro II to the Rodecaster Video to allow us to still use stings and hotkey audio from the Pro II along with a Bluetooth linked phone for talk-back calls.

I get the feeling this is just the start of Rode’s move into the Video production space. They have a vast network, and strong credentials, including audio technology that’s built into the Rodecaster Video.

Worth a look for sure!