PlayOn! Producer supports a variety of capture cards to livestream your event. We have tested the following devices and can guarantee their full compatibility with the latest versions of PlayOn! Producer starting with version 8.17.
Please note that PlayOn! Producer only supports resolutions up to 1080p at 60fps. Some devices mentioned below support resolutions beyond this. Before beginning your livestream, be sure to check that your cameras do not exceed this resolution.
Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro
Overview
The ATEM Mini Pro is an entry-level HD video switcher with features including 4 HDMI inputs, multiviewer or program out, audio mixing, audio equalizers and filters, transitions, picture-in-picture, recording, still image graphics overlays, and video capture via a USB-C cable.
Streaming directly from the ATEM Mini Pro to the NFHS network requires a custom XML configuration. At this time, a laptop running PlayOn! Producer is still required. Streaming directly from an ATEM device is a feature we hope to add in the near future.
While there are multiple models of ATEM switchers, we have only tested the ATEM Mini Pro. There currently is no indication that the other switchers won't work with PlayOn! Producer, but we cannot guarantee their compatibility at this moment.
Installation
We've tested this device with the latest builds of PlayOn! Producer (as well as older builds) and it does not require any dedicated software to work properly. However, installing the ATEM Software Control does give you additional functionality and features during live streams. To get the ATEM Mini Pro to show up in producer, you must:
- Connect your video and audio inputs to the ATEM Mini Pro and power the device using the included power adapter.
- Connect the switcher to your PlayOn! Producer computer using a USB-C to USB-A cable (not included with the device).
- Launch PlayOn! Producer using the "Start Production" button in the NFHS console.
- Select "Blackmagic Device" from the video drop down menu.
- Select "Blackmagic Device" from the audio drop down menu.
- Verify that you are receiving a video and audio signal from the switcher, then click "Continue" to begin your live stream.
Purchase Links
Magewell USB Capture HDMI Plus
Overview
The Magewell USB Capture HDMI Plus is a small footprint HDMI capture device with features including HDMI pass through for monitoring, audio input using a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack, and audio output monitoring. While the device supports resolutions up to 4K at 60fps, PlayOn! Producer is only capable of streaming at max resolutions of 1080p. This device requires drivers to be installed to function properly.
Installation
This capture card was tested using the latest build of producer (2023-03-14). In order to properly function, please download and install the Magewell Utility Software. To get it working with PlayOn! Producer, follow these steps:
- Install the Magewell Utility Software onto your Producer laptop and restart once installation is complete
- Connect your audio and video inputs to the capture device. Be sure to plug the video feed into the "Video Input" port and not the "Video Passthrough" port.
- Connect the capture card to your computer using the included USB cable.
- If you want to use the 3.5mm audio input as your primary source of audio and not use the embedded HDMI audio, you will need to do some configuration inside of Windows 10 before launching PlayOn! Producer:
- Go to Windows 10 settings > System > Sound
- Under “Input” select “Device Properties,” then select “Additional device properties.”
- A new window should pop-up. Go to the “Listen” tab, check the “Listen to this device” checkbox, and select “Headphones (USB Capture HDMI+)” under the “Playback through this device:” drop down menu.
- Audio levels out of the box may be a little loud. You may need to adjust the input gain/volume to make sure your audio isn't distorted.
- Launch PlayOn! Producer using the "Start Production" button in the NFHS console.
- In the Video Input drop down, select the HDMI Capture+ device.
- In the audio input drop down, select the HDMI Capture+ line-in.
- Verify that you are receiving both audio and video from the capture device and then click "continue" to begin your live stream.
Purchase Links
Elgato Cam Link 4K
Overview
The Elgato Cam Link 4K is an inexpensive and ultra-compact HDMI capture card that is useful for on-the-go remote productions. It features a single HDMI input with embedded audio and connects to a computer using the integrated USB3 connection. A USB3 extension cable is also included in the box.
If you want to utilize external audio in your livestream, you'll have to connect the audio source directly into your camera. Just be sure that your camera has a microphone or line-in port and that your audio is duplicated in both the left and right channels before streaming. Refer to your camera's manual for more information.
Installation
The Cam Link 4K has compatibility with PlayOn! Producer starting with the 2023-03-14 release. This device does require dedicated software and drivers to function properly with Producer.
- Install the Elgato Camera Hub Software.
- Connect your camera to the HDMI port on the Cam Link 4K.
- Plug the Cam Link 4K into a USB3 port on your streaming computer.
- Launch PlayOn! Producer using the "Start Production" button in the NFHS console.
- Select "Cam Link 4K" from the video drop down menu.
- Select "Cam Link 4K" from the audio drop down menu.
- Verify that you are receiving both audio and video from the capture device and then click "continue" to begin your live stream.