Blackmagic Design Announces New Blackmagic Web Presenter HD

New broadcast transmitter for the streaming age includes powerfulH.264 encoder for live streaming to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and more!

Fremont, CA, USA – Wednesday, 17 February 2021 – Blackmagic Design today announced the new Blackmagic Web Presenter HD, a self-contained streaming solution that includes a broadcast-quality H.264 processor for direct streaming to platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and more. The new Web Presenter HD is a compact design that includes a 12G-SDI input with down converter, so customers can connect to HD or Ultra HD equipment and stream in full 1080p video. Also included is a built-in front panel with LCD and menus, USB webcam features, plus a unique monitoring output with audio meters, streaming status and full SDI and embedded audio technical details.

Blackmagic Web Presenter HD is available immediately from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide for US$495.

Blackmagic Web Presenter is a complete streaming solution that includes a professional hardware streaming engine for direct streaming via Ethernet to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and more. It’s just like a modern broadcast television transmitter for a new global streaming audience. Plus the built-in USB connections work like a webcam, so customers can connect a computer and use any streaming software, or even Skype or Zoom. For redundancy, customers can stream to the internet via Ethernet or connect a 5G or 4G phone to use mobile data. Web Presenter also includes a technical monitoring output that includes video, audio meters, trend graphs and even SDI technical data.

Blackmagic Web Presenter supports the most popular streaming platforms. Plus the built-in hardware streaming engine has been designed for live streaming at professional broadcast quality. That means customers get a self-contained solution for live streaming that works without dropped frames. Customers only need to connect it to the internet. Setup is easy, as the Web Presenter Utility software lets customers select the streaming platform and update the streaming key.

Blackmagic Web Presenter is a self-contained solution that includes a powerful hardware encoder, software for connecting to streaming platforms, and network connections. That means customers don’t need to buy an expensive computer or use complicated streaming software. Simply connect an SDI video source such as a live production switcher or a camera, then connect to the internet using the built-in Ethernet connection. Or plug in a mobile phone to use mobile data. With settings built-in for popular streaming platforms, customers simply need to enter a streaming key and press on air. Plus customers can simultaneously use the USB webcam output to connect to a computer, allowing other video software to be used.

If users are streaming from a remote location, or customers need a backup for the main Ethernet connection, customers can plug in an Apple or Android phone to connect to the internet via mobile data. For convenience, there are USB connections on both the front and rear panel that can be used for tethering phones. Plus it works with the latest high-speed 5G phones, as well as 4G phones. Blackmagic Web Presenter will auto-detect when a phone is connected and switch its internet connection to use it. Customers can select Ethernet or phone priority, which makes phone internet backup fully automatic.

For increased compatibility, Blackmagic Web Presenter also features two USB connections that operate as a simple webcam source. That means customers can plug into any computer and work with any video software. The software is tricked into thinking the web presenter is a common webcam, but it’s really a broadcast quality SDI video source. That guarantees full compatibility with any video software and in full resolution 1080 HD quality. Web Presenter works with any video software including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Skype, Open Broadcaster, XSplit Broadcaster and more.

Traditional broadcast transmitters are critical equipment in a television station, however now the streaming server is just as critical because millions of viewers can be watching globally. To help, Blackmagic Web Presenter includes a feature-rich technical monitoring output. The graphics-based monitoring output includes a video view, audio meters with accurate ballistics, trend graphs for codec data rates and cache fill, plus a summary of the streaming settings and detailed SDI technical information. Plus the technical monitoring output works in full 1080 HD and outputs to both SDI and HDMI. That means customers can use an SDI router for monitoring multiple units, or connect a simple HDMI TV.

The Blackmagic Web Presenter Utility software provides a single place to manage multiple web presenters and to update the settings and software. Simply plug directly into the front of the web presenter’s USB connection, or connect using Ethernet so customers can configure remotely, which is important when users are managing multiple remote sites. The familiar menus and controls make it very easy to set up a live event, so customers can get started fast. Plus the front panel LCD menus have the same settings and controls. The Blackmagic Web Presenter Utility software is included free and runs on both Mac and Windows platforms.

Blackmagic Web Presenter includes a 12G-SDI input with support for all HD and Ultra HD formats up to 2160p60. A 12G-SDI loop output is included enabling customers to loop video through more than one web presenter, so customers can stream to multiple services. Blackmagic Web Presenter features Teranex conversion technology on the SDI input for incredibly clean-looking video. Blackmagic Web Presenter takes the incoming HD or Ultra HD input signal and automatically converts it to high quality, low data rate 1080p HD, which is sent to the hardware H.264 encoder for streaming and to the computer when using the USB webcam outputs.

Blackmagic Web Presenter includes redundant features to help ensure customers stay online. Customers get dual internet connections, so customers connect to the internet using the built-in Ethernet or a tethered phone for 5G or 4G mobile data. Plus the internet automatically switches in case of an outage. Or customers can use 2 separate units to stream to both the primary and secondary YouTube servers. With both AC and DC inputs, customers can use a broadcast battery pack for redundant power.

While Blackmagic Web Presenter can send video to a wide range of streaming services, it can also be used as a private broadcast SDI video link between studios. The ATEM Streaming Bridge is a video converter that lets customers receive the H.264 stream from Blackmagic Web Presenter and then convert it back to SDI video. This means customers can send video between remote locations across their local Ethernet network, or via the internet globally. That’s all possible due to the built-in H.264 hardware codec that decodes the Web Presenter stream.

Blackmagic Web Presenter is based on the modular Teranex Mini design allowing desktop or rack use. The extremely portable design is only 5.5 inches wide, which means customers can mount 3 in a single rack unit, perfect when customers need to stream to multiple independent services all at the same time. Plus customers can combine Blackmagic Web Presenter with other products such as the ATEM Television Studio HD switcher for a live production and streaming solution in a single rack unit.

“We are so excited to have this new model of Web Presenter that now has all the streaming features built-in,” said Grant Petty, CEO, Blackmagic Design. “This means you don’t need any streaming software because it will stream direct to services such as YouTube, but because it still retains the USB webcam feature, you can use it with any computer software, such as Zoom and Skype. Imagine live streaming, while conferencing with Zoom, all at the same time. Plus it has an amazing monitoring output with lots of technical information I think broadcasters will love. It’s an exciting update for live streaming.”

Blackmagic Web Presenter HD Features

• Complete streaming solution for YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and more.
• Supports streaming via Ethernet or tethered phones via USB.
• Built-in broadcast quality hardware H.264 encoder.
• Tethers to 5G or 4G phones for mobile remote streaming.
• USB looks like a webcam allowing support for all video software.
• Monitoring output includes meters, trend graphs and SDI technical data.
• Includes Web Presenter Utility software for Mac and Windows.
• 12G-SDI input with down conversion for any HD or Ultra HD source.
• Both AC and DC connections allows redundant power.
• 1/3rd rack width design allows 3 streams in a single rack unit.