Key/Fill pixel offset with UltraStudio HD Mini

Hi,

I have a pixel offset when using the two SDI outputs as Key & Fill, and I hope you can help me fix it.

EQUIPMENT:
Resolume Arena > UltraStudio HD MINI > 2x MicroConverter BiDirectional 3G > ATEM Mini Extreme ISO
Computer: MacBook Pro 2019 16" running macOS 10.15.7 Catalina

APPROACH:
I am playing video with Alpha Channel (QT ProRes 4:4:4:4)
In Advanced Output I select the UltraStudio as an output with the correct resolution (1080p50)
Color Range, Color Space and Alpha Type do not alter my results
I convert both SDI signals to HDMI and go into two inputs of the ATEM
In ATEM Software Control I setup the Downstream Key 1 with Pre Multiplied Key and no mask
As a background I set a orange color

EXPECTED BEHAVIOUR:
A perfect key

OBSERVED BEHAVIOUR:
Key and Fill seem to be offset by a couple of pixels horizontally. Threre doesn't seem to be a time offset. When I change some settings in Resolume (Keyer External vs. Internal) the offset shifts, but it's never perfect.

Some images here, the last one is a reference (how it's supposed to look like):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5R5p2NeCgsYqsMve8

Thanks!

Let me know if you learn anything on this. I'm having a similar issue. When I play a video from my hyperdeck mini (Prores 4444 w/ Alpha), and use the Key and Fill outputs, the key is slightly offset as well, giving me an ugly black halo.

I'll make sure to reply here. I've filed a support ticket with Blackmagic, but so far there has been radio silence.

Hey Florian,

In my case, I noticed that the offset between key and kill was actually getting worse (on the same files in the same configuration), which led me to try rebooting my Hyperdeck. In my case, that seemed to bring the Fill & Key back in sync, and the key is (for now) perfect. I'll be watching over time to see if it drifts again.

I'm Using a HyperDeck Mini -> SDI2HDMI -> Atem Mini Extreme Pro so not the same chain as you, but I wonder if you're having a similar issue.

Im using Ultrastudio HD MIni with CASPAR CG and getting perfect sync between KEY and FILL

@floriandobler I have the same setup and the same issue from time to time. The simple yet awkward solution is to plug the HDMI cable out and in again. Then the issue is gone most of the time.
I also get this with my camera inputs sometimes.

@poehlerstreet You are absolutely right! I have to replug both HDMI cables and the key becomes perfect. Unfortunately I have to to this everytime I turn off the system, so it's not-so-great as a permanent solution, but for now it works. thanks!

BTW, unfortunately I have yet to receive any reply from Blackmagic on the issue despite reaching out to them multiple times in the last two weeks.

@floriandobler That might be a timing issue. There may be a perfect order to turn on all the devices in the chain. But this shouldn't be the case. Sounds like a problem that can be fixed via software.
Thanks for reaching out to BM. You can send them a link to this thread so they know that there are at least two people with the problem .

Might be, and I'm starting to suspect the converters instead of the UltraStudio. Further testing gave these results:

replugging both HDMI cables REMOVES the offset
power cycling the converters CREATES the offset
power cycling the ATEM Switcher REMOVES the offset
power cycling the UltraStudio neither removes nor introduces the offset
changing the output format in Resolume CREATES the offset
using different software does NOT remove the offset

Check the settings in Desktop Video. At least for the Decklink cards there's a setting for pixel offset.

Thanks, but if you read the posts above, you see that the offset is fluctuating and that there is a way to achieve zero offset, so it's definitely not something you would want to correct by setting another offset.

Right. Didn't take that into consideration. Sounds like a really strange bug. But just to be sure, did you test it, or at least check that the value there doesn't change?

Thank you for posting this! Same issue here.

I'm not sure if it's related, but in addition, the picture coming from the UltraStudio HD to the SDI / HDMI converters and into the ATEM Min Pro is offset. and I have a "gap" in the picture on the left side.

Does anyone know where/if I can adjust the picture position? At present, I've made my key fly to cover the gap which works when I'm keying content but not when I'm cutting to full screen.

Thank you for posting this! Same issue here.

I'm not sure if it's related, but in addition, the picture coming from the UltraStudio HD to the SDI / HDMI converters and into the ATEM Min Pro is offset. and I have a "gap" in the picture on the left side.

Does anyone know where/if I can adjust the picture position? At present, I've made my key fly to cover the gap which works when I'm keying content but not when I'm cutting to full screen.

In case anyone else has this issue in the future - once I took the HDMI out for the key and fill and plugged them back in, the issue seemed to correct itself - happy days.

Aaron Parecki has found the exact same issue:

my suspicion is this is a bug in the frame synchronizers on the atem mini

I had the same issue with the ATEM Mini Extreme, solved it by testing several frame rates from my output program (Mitti), making use of the scalers in the ATEM Mini. Not a nice fix, but it solved it for me.

My long term solution (at least for now) is to reconnect the HDMI cables for key and fill at the ATEM Mini each time I turn it on. It seems to work better if I connect Key before Fill. This gives me perfect horizontal sync almost every time.

Is there any update on this?
Does this only happen with BMD converters or will converters of a nother brand fix this?

Same problem too.

I get the offset on video and lower 3rds. It did improve slightly when I unplugged the HDMIs from the SDI 3Gs.

BMD need to shed some light on this, especially if we're all using the same BMD kit and all getting the same problems.

It doesn't seem quite right that the Forum Posts get moderated but not answered.

Hoping a resolution is provided soon.