TriCaster Mini Go
Affordable state-of-the-art video switching, streaming and recording for the Digital Era
TriCaster Mini Go
Affordable state-of-the-art video switching, streaming and recording for the Digital Era
Overview of the new Vizrt TriCaster Mini Go
The TriCaster Mini Go is the way to go!
At first glance, the new Vizrt TriCaster Mini Go may seem strange . . . there aren’t any traditional SDI or HDMI video ports to connect video cameras and other sources with. There aren’t any SDI or HDMI video program outputs, either. Nor are there any analogue audio inputs or outputs other than a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack from the system's motherboard.
What you do have is an abundance of USB ports . . . two USB 3.2 Type-C, six USB 3.2 Type-A port and two USB 2.0 ports, well-suited for connecting webcams, PTZ cameras, audio mixers, headphones and other devices equipped with a USB connector.
Having worked with TriCasters since 2005, this took a little getting used to. We soon realized it didn’t matter. The Mini Go is a TriCaster just like any other TriCaster . . . you can easily switch between external and internal video and audio sources, add graphics and titles, roll video clips, record multiple files and stream to the internet using a well-designed software user interface that is easy to work with.
Taking that a step further, you can also work with NDI sources . . . simply connect the Mini Go to a 1GB network and the system can work with PTZ cameras and other NDI devices on the same network.
The Mini Go works with four external (USB or NDI) video sources, has two DDRs for playing back video clips and graphics, two independent graphics players for titles and graphics, one sound player for music, voiceovers and other audio sources, multiple buffers, and two M/Es for virtual sets and double-box effects, etc. The two DSKs work with overlaying titles and graphics over live video. And each M/E has two upstream keyers.
The Mini Go can record one or two files to its internal hard drive (or an external drive). Those files can be the program output or any of the sources coming into the TriCaster. You can also send out two independent streams to the internet. The Mini Go has two 2.5GB network ports and runs on Windows 11.
Resolutions up to 1080p/60 are supported for both input and output including the pair of NDI outputs. Up to two computer monitors can be connected for viewing the user interface and multiviewer. You can configure the multiviewer to send the full screen program video output with embedded audio as an HDMI signal.
Vizrt (formerly NewTek) priced the Mini Go at $4,995.00 MSRP. This includes the Mini Go and its external power supply plus a keyboard and mouse. For $7,495.00 MSRP you can purchase the Mini Go along with the Mini CS external control surface plus a custom carrying case. Vizrt is finally addressing what has been missing from the TriCaster family for a long time . . . an affordable TriCaster.
Working with USB video sources is extremely cost effective. For our testing purposes, we worked with a Huddlecam HC3XA USB 2.0 PTZ camera, HuddlecamHD Go Conference camera and a PTZOptics Webcam. All three were recognized by the Mini Go and available as video sources to switch with. We used a Mackie ProFX6v3 audio mixer to feed audio into the TriCaster via USB. And we used a Peavey USB-P USB adapter to send the Mini Go’s program audio output as two XLR outputs.
We discovered that affordable HDMI to USB adapters from Connectronics (see below) allow you to connect HDMI sources to the TriCaster Mini Go. This is important because it allows HDMI camcorders and PTZ cameras to be used with the new TriCaster. It also offers a method for longer cable runs to the TriCaster Mini Go.
The Mini Go lacks the ¼ inch headphone connector found on other TriCasters. Happily, the 3.5mm green connector on the Mini Go’s computer motherboard worked with our headphones to monitor audio with. You can also connect a USB headphone to monitor sound with.
We discovered that the Mini Go doesn’t control PTZ cameras using the USB connector. While you can bring in the camera’s video signal via USB, you can’t make the camera pan, tilt or zoom. This is an advantage of NDI over USB work working with PTZ cameras. NDI allows you to operate the camera’s pan, tilt and zoom functions using the TriCaster software interface plus bring in the camera’s video signal. PTZ cameras are available with both USB video output and VISCA support for control using an external controller such as the HuddleCamHD HC-JOY-G4.
Another advantage of NDI is the ability to send Youtube videos from a laptop. This requires installing the NDI tools on the laptop, specifically the Screen Capture tool.
With the quality USB devices on the market today, the TriCaster’s proven formula in video switching, and the addition of expansive features added through NDI, the Mini Go packs quite the punch and will surprise you with its effectiveness.
Don’t let its small form factor and low price tag fool you - it is a powerful little machine, and it brings the spirit of the classic Video Toaster’s boast of “a TV station in a box” to our digital era. It is a wonderful machine for those who wish to deliver professional and comprehensive internet programs and services with a compact and capable setup.
DigiTek Systems is an authorized Vizrt Platinum reseller and can provide you with technical information and/or a quote for the TriCaster Mini Go and other Vizrt products. All of the accessories listed below have been tested by DigiTek Systems to work with the TriCaster Mini Go and are available for sale from us.
Annie, our shop dog, says hello!
TriCaster Mini Go accessories
The Vizrt TriCaster Mini Control Surface provides a tactile control surface environment for working with the TriCaster Mini Go. It connects via USB. MSRP is $2,595.00 if purchased separately.
ProTek is Vizrt's premium yearly warranty for the TriCaster, control surface and other products. Two categories exist, Prime and Ultra. Prime for the Mini Go is $245.00, Ultra is $595.00. Prime for the Mini Control Surface is $145.00, Prime is $305.00
The Vizrt Spark Plus I/O 4K converter allows 4K HDMI sources to be connected to the TriCaster Mini Go via NDI. The device encodes and decodes to and from HDMI and NDI. MSRP is $995.00
The HuddlecamHD HC-JOY-G4 Joystick Controller works with USB PTZ video cameras with a VISCA port, allowing you to remotely zoom, pan and tilt the camera. MSRP is $329.00.
The Marshall CV605-US is an affordable PTZ camera with USB connectivity, a 5X zoom lens and VISCA support. MSRP is $599.99.
Mackie ProFX6v3 6 Channel Professional Effects Audio Mixer with USB . MSRP is $189.99.
Peavey USB-P Standard USB Audio Device. Brings out two XLR audio outputs from the TriCaster Mini Go. MSRP is $79.99.
CAD US USB Stereo Headphones with Microphone for monitoring the TriCaster Mini Go audio.
MSRP is $79.00.
BirdDog Mini NDI encoder/decoder. Converts HDMI to NDI or NDI to HDMI up to 1080p60. MSRP is $529.00.
PTZOptics USB 2.0 Webcam with wide-angle lens. MSRP is $42.00.
Marshall Controller Cable Connector RS232 to CAT5/6 (RJ45) cable, allows Marshall PTZ camera to work with Huddlecam HC-JOY-G4 Joystick Camera Controller, MSRP is $39.99
Aida Imaging 18X NDI PTZ camera up to 1080p60. One of the most affordable NDI PTZ video cameras MSRP is $795.00.
More TriCaster Mini Go accessories
Connectronics HDMI to USB 2.0 Video Capture with Audio Insertion & Extraction, HDMI video pass through, external AC power, MRSP is $24.95
