ATEM Mini Pro (ISO) RTMP Webcam

Use the RTMP stream of the ATEM Mini Pro (ISO) as webcam thus allowing to record using the USB port.

Prerequisites

The following software is needed:

• ATEM Software Control (https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support/family/atem-live-production-switchers)
• RTMP Server
  • ffmpeg (https://ffmpeg.org/) or
  • nginx with RTMP module (https://www.nginx.com/products/nginx/modules/rtmp-media-streaming/) or
  • ...
• VLC Media Player (https://www.videolan.org/)
• NDI Tools (https://ndi.tv/tools/)

Install the software

Install the aforementioned software and make sure to select at least these options when installing the NDI Tools:

• Webcam Input
• WLC Media Player Plugin
• NDI | HX v1 Drivers
• (optional) Studio Monitor for debugging purposes

Add the custom streaming settings

In order to stream to a local server you need to add a custom streaming config to your ATEM. An example is given here: LocalRtmpServer.xml Make sure to set the correct IP address.

• Open ATEM Software Control
• Go to "Stream", select "Load Streaming Settings" and import your prepared custom streaming settings XML file
• Click on "Output" and select your imported Platform

Configure VLC

In order to send the video stream received by VLC to NDI you need to configure the audio and video output module:

• Open VLC
• Open Preferences (CTRL + P or Tools -> Preferences)
• Select "Audio" and change the "Output module" from "Automatic" to "NDI audio output"
• Select "Video" and change the "Output" from "Automatic" to "NDI video output"
• Restart VLC

Start the RTMP server

ffmpeg

Start ffmpeg from the command line to server two RTMP servers (one for the incoming and one for the outgoing video):

ffmpeg -f flv -listen 1 -i rtmp://<IP of your RTMP Server>:1935/live -c copy -f flv -listen 1 rtmp://<IP of your RTMP Server>:8889/live

Set the correct IP Addresses. RTMP Server is this device. Here port 1935 (default RTMP) will accept the input of the ATEM and port 8889 will serve VLC. Make sure to allow ffmpeg to accept connections from the ATEM if using a local firewall.
! ATTENTION !
If either video stream (from ATEM or to VLC) crashes you will have to restart ffmpeg. This problem can be worked around by making ffmpeg and VLC restart by themselves or by using another RTMP server like nginx.

nginx

TBD

Go "ON AIR"

Start the stream on the ATEM. After a few seconds the "ON AIR" LED should stop blinking and turn solid red, showing the stream is being processed by your local RTMP server.

Connect VLC

Start VLC and go to "Media -> Open Network Stream" (CTRL + N). Enter the URL you set earlier, as example:

rtmp://<IP of your RTMP Server>:8889/live

Click Play. You will not see any video or hear any audio.

Optional: Check your stream using Studio Monitor

You can check the video and audio stream by using the NDI Studio Monitor. Click on the hamburger button (top left corner) and select your NDI Server and the VLC stream.

Start the virtual webcam

Start the NDI Tools "Virtual Webcam". Right-click the tray icon and select your NDI Server and the VLC stream. If you do not see the virtual webcam or any video in the desired application make sure to restart it.

Footnote

This is just a memory log of my adventure trying to record a works meeting on my ATEM Mini Pro ISO being held via Microsoft Teams. Feel free to suggest enhancements.

Sources

https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=110566
https://video.stackexchange.com/questions/26257/rtmp-server-using-ffmpeg
https://www.newtek.com/blog/tips/vlc-media-player-and-newtek-ndi-vlc-plugin/
https://aaronparecki.com/2020/09/07/7/raspberry-pi-streaming-server