- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2019 5:07 pm
- Real Name: James Bauckman
Hi James,
I hope someone can help. I feel your pain as I had the same intial set up problems as you. It was almost 2 years ago and I have to admit I am not entirely sure what was the final solution (I tried quite a few) but here are some things to start you off:
Firstly, get a good quality ethernet switch / router, and configure it using what I would consider a standard subnet and IP address range. For example:
IP address 192.168.1.1
Subnet 255.255.255.0
Then PLUG IN your laptop via an ethernet cable to switch. Forget about WiFi or you are in for a very frustrating few weeks. Even with the best recommended switches / routers, I find the connection constantly (every 5-10 seconds) drops over WiFi (except my iPad which drops every 5 mins) but is absolutely rock steady for 5-6 hours at a time over an ethernet connection.
Set your laptop's IP address to something like 192.168.1.90
(and subnet to 255.255.255.0 to match the switch)
Set your ATEM IP address to something like 192.168.1.100
(I'm not sure you can set your ATEM subnet, but if you can then do!)
I had to make sure there was no internet connection to the switch / router. As soon as I connected it to the internet (so that the laptop controlling the ATEM could also access the web) the ATEM controller software disconnected and it wasn't until 48 hours later that I inadvertently disconnected the internet from the switch, that the ATEM contoller software immediately reconnected! I tried it again - plugged in the internet connection - ATEM controller dropped out; unplugged the internet connection - ATEM controller immediately reconnected. Maybe others have had more luck, but for me it was no good. I usually have my laptop connected to WiFi to the internet and as long as the IP addresses don't overlap then it works ok.
You might just find that everything suddenly starts working.
If that doesn't work, one other thing to make sure is that you have the same software version of the BMD ATEM firmware on both your laptop and ATEM.
Once you do have it all working - and I hope you will soon:
1. Take screenshots of your ethernet switch settings
2. Take screenshots of your laptop IP address settings
3. Take screenshots of your ATEM settings
If you are every tempted to update your ATEM firmware, make sure you DO NOT do it when you have an imminent broadcast coming up! Wait until you have a few days or a week in case you have the same problems again. Hopefully it will all go smoothly, but if it doesn't you need some time to fault find.
If you are still stuck tomorrow, then let me know. We have a Facebook Live broadcast tomorrow evening, and our gear is all set up over at the location, so I can have a look at some settings for you and send you screenshots if that helps.
I went (2 years ago) from wishing I had never heard of BMD and incredulous that they would have no physical plug-and-play connection between ATEM hardware and laptop/controller (which I still think is very odd) to loving the products so much that we have racks of the stuff! Having said that, I've still never managed to get the ATEM to talk to the HyperDecks!
Good luck - and let me know.
Cheers,
Tim