Decision tool
Which one do you need?
Five boxes. Different jobs. The marketing copy makes them all sound essential. Here's a side-by-side that focuses on the differences that actually matter for the kind of show you're trying to make.
01 · Side by side
The numbers, in one table.
| RCV Core | RCV S | RCV (orig) | ATEM Mini Pro | ATEM Mini Extreme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (USD) | ~$799 | ~$799 | ~$1,199 | $325 | $1,095–$2,195 |
| HDMI inputs | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| USB-C / UVC inputs | 1 (multi-fn) | 1 | 2 | none | none |
| HDMI outputs | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2–3 |
| USB webcam OUT | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| NDI OUT | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| XLR mic inputs | 2 | 2 | 2 | no (3.5mm) | 2 |
| Physical faders | no | no | yes | no | no |
| Touchscreen | small status | yes | large + 4 buttons | no | no |
| Hardware streaming | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| ISO recording | no | no | yes | Pro ISO: yes | G2: yes |
| DaVinci EDL export | no | no | yes | no | no |
| Auto-switching by mic | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Multiview | no | no | yes | no | 16-way |
| Chroma key | yes | yes | yes | 1 keyer | 4 keyers |
| RØDECaster Sync | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Form factor | smallest | compact | full size | compact | large |
02 · Pick by job
What kind of show are you making?
Streamer / hybrid meeting
ATEM Mini Pro
Cheapest path to four-camera live streaming. The USB-C webcam output is the killer feature for Zoom/Teams. Pair with an external XLR interface if your mics need it.
Read the guide →
Solo podcaster + video
RØDECaster Video S
When the audio matters as much as the picture. Real XLR preamps, dual headphone outs for host plus guest, three HDMI cameras — one box for everything.
Read the guide →
Solo creator, hands-off show
RØDECaster Video Core
If "I just want to talk and let the box switch cameras for me" describes you. Auto-switching by mic activity is genuinely magical for one-host-one-guest interviews.
Read the guide →
Re-edit-after-the-fact producer
RØDECaster Video (original)
ISO recording and DaVinci EDL export means you can change every camera cut in post. Real faders make mid-show audio mixing actually pleasant.
Read the guide →
Multi-camera production
ATEM Mini Extreme
When four cameras isn't enough and you want a real 16-way multiview. The G2 model adds CFexpress recording and Thunderbolt for serious post workflows.
Read the guide →
Best of both worlds
ATEM Mini Pro + RØDECaster Video S
~$1,000 total. ATEM does the video switching it's best at. RØDECaster does the audio it's best at. Roughly broadcast-quality at a quarter the price.
Read the workflow →
03 · Honest opinions
The picks if you held a gun to our head.
- —Best value: ATEM Mini Pro at $325. Nothing else gets you four-camera hardware streaming for that money.
- —Best audio in one box: RØDECaster Video (original). Real faders, real XLR, ISO recording, EDL export. The full studio.
- —Best small-desk solution: RØDECaster Video Core if you'll let the auto-switching do its thing; RØDECaster Video S if you want to drive manually.
- —Best for re-editing after: RCV original or ATEM Mini Extreme ISO G2. The two boxes that capture every camera as a separate file.
- —Best for "I want it all but the budget is mortal:" the tandem — ATEM Mini Pro + RØDECaster Video S, around $1,000.