Moving away from ATEM to vMix?

Good evening!

I have a setup using a TVS PRO HD with some SDI cameras and a Hyperdeck Mini. I am struggling getting smooth graphics in, in my workflow. And I need another computer for streaming. So ...

I am thinking of getting a good spec PC to run vMix. I want vMix to handle streaming and recording and probably graphics too. Having taken that step, I am only a 1000 USD card away from retiring the switcher and running everything on vMix.

The PC I am getting will manage. I see a risk basing everything on one PC, I will have a challenge controlling my Micro Studio Camera (on the other hand, I will get some basic coloring in vMix on all cameras) and I am afraid of moving from a stable hardware solution to a PC solution. Will windows stop in the middle of a show because of an update?

You have been doing this for years - what are your advice?

Thank you!


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Windows will as stable as you treat the system. Put only what you need on the system to do what you need and don't load it up with other software (especially stuff that runs in the background). Don't treat the system as a general purpose computer, but as a tool that does the task you need it to.

As for Windows updates, they can be controlled. On older versions of Windows you can disable Windows Updates. On Windows 10, you can't turn off updates, but you can set Active Hours that you don't want the system to perform updates. Set that to cover the times the system will be in use so nothing happens while you are using it. On the second Tuesday of the month is when Microsoft will release updates, track that on your schedule to perform Windows Updates when it works well for you.

My experience is that almost all of the time there is a problem, it is usually the application you are using that cause of the problem (people seem to blame any kind of crash on Windows on Microsoft).

U can disable windows 10 update in services by disabling windows udpate service ..

My personal opinion is HW bassed setup .. From more components .. When one component crash , U can mostly continue in production ..

Keep in mind, that when the PC fails, all fails - your switching, your streaming and your local recording. I don't know, how important the stream will be, but maybe any kind of external recording would be a good idea..... (Maybe in ISO recording inside the cameras or some Hyperdecks between camera and PC)

And yes, it's no theory ;-(

System reliability is why I still use ATEM over the cool features software such as vMix can provide...


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We have any Tricaster and ATEM in the production and nothing Problems with the Tricaster Systems. The Tricaster hast Vista as Operation System and works very fine. The best way is to by a complet System - this ca do also by v-mix.

At firtst production with TRICASTER we was on live and after hour colegue smoking outside of OBVAN and looking on HDD LED on TRICASTER computer .. And come inside to car and ask me , why HDD LED not blinking , when its recording .. I was looked onto screen and buton REC was enabled .. We was try to STOP/START record button .. And HDD led was started to blink .. After end of production we was checked recorded files and we have not 20 minutes of production recorded .. It was FIRST and LAST production with TRICASTER .. We was returned it to dealer and bought Echolab ATEM .. It was year 2010 i think .. And This Echolab working well till today .. Great machine ..

In last year I was worked for local sport TV .. We was used VMIX for replays .. Its cheap , its usable .. But as all software solution , U got problems , when U not need it .. U start computer and it not boot .. Cose windows .. Or in production .. U start replays and piscure is jerky .. Or play 2 sec and start play from begining .. etc etc .. I preffer HW sollutions ..