Workflow
If you’re a video professional, broadcaster, blogger or organization looking to expand your live production, stream programs online, or enhance your web presence, you're not alone. You need to stand out—and look outstanding too.
TriCaster 450 live production systems are the affordable way to produce your professional four-camera, 14-channel HD live show, anywhere. Designed for mobility or an enclosed booth, each is an integrated solution that provides complete live production capabilities.
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Intuitive interface.

- LIVE DESKTOP MONITORS with integrated multi-view monitoring, let you arrange and select shots with confidence. View all switcher sources at full field rate with advanced alpha channel preview in the TriCaster 450 EXTREME model―and audio level overlays.
- NETWORK INPUTS let you go wireless with breakthrough Apple® AirPlay® support. Deliver video and audio from iOS devices, such as iPad®, iPod®, or iPhone®, into your live production. Or bring in displays from your PC or Mac®, using NewTek iVGA™ technology.
- LOOK-AHEAD PREVIEW MONITOR displays your upcoming video output. Prepare multi-layered effects, preview the output as it will appear live, and then switch with confidence.
- PROGRAM MONITOR shows the current video output of your live production, and lets you see what your audience sees. Access controls for record and stream functions, configure your video output, and more.
- ONE-BUTTON RECORDING captures content from your live production at full resolution (up to 1080p). TriCaster 450 EXTREME records up to four individual sources, simultaneously, in formats of your choosing, including QuickTime®, H.264, AVI and MPEG-2, using NewTek IsoCorder™ multi-track, multi-format video recording technology.
- ONE-BUTTON INTERNET STREAMING allows you to use Adobe® Flash® or Microsoft® Windows Media® to deliver a full, HD live stream directly to the Web, with simultaneous archive for later viewing, and support for multi-bitrate streaming profiles. The Streaming Profile Manager includes an integrated browser to make configuration, import and previewing of your Web streams quicker and easier than you thought possible. Save and manage all of your settings for instant access at a later date.
- LIVE PRODUCTION SWITCHER gives you control over all 14 channels, including four external video sources, four virtual mix/effect-style channels, two DDRs, two external network inputs, graphics channel, frame buffer and black. Custom names can be added to switcher sources.
- UTILITY ROW makes it easy to assign sources to the Effects (FX) bus, downstream key (DSK) channels, and auxiliary (AUX) output. Utility Delegate controls let you use the Utility Row to apply selections to individual or multiple delegates, simultaneously.
- UTILITY DELEGATE lets you set the Utility Row to send video and graphics to the FX bus, DSKs and/or AUX output. Delegates currently affected by Utility Row selections are highlighted, while sources currently assigned are displayed for easy reference.
- VIRTUAL INPUTS are powerful virtual mix/effect-style channels that let you assign complex switcher effects to one button. Each TriCaster 450 series system includes four, fully customizable Virtual Inputs, each with multiple presets.
- TRANSITION CONTROLS let you transition individual or multiple video layers on and off screen. Select the Transition Delegate button of the desired video layer(s), then use manual or auto controls to perform single-source transitions, or switch from one multi-source composition to another.
- TRANSITIONS allow you to use more than 200 broadcast-quality effects to add interest and impact to your live production. TriCaster 450 EXTREME also supports full-color, animation store transitions with embedded audio. Create your own custom animation store transitions from up to 32-bit image sequences, using the integrated Animation Store Creator 2.0.
- HD LIVE VIRTUAL SETS let you achieve the look of a network-style studio in a limited space, using innovative NewTek LiveSet™ technology. Instantly select close-up, medium, medium-wide and wide angle shots, or perform smooth, animated zooms - without moving the camera. Sets include double-box effects and options for seated or standing presentations.
- VIRTUAL INPUT CONTROLS let you select two primary switcher sources, create a mix/effect-style composition, and use an additional source as an overlay. Configure virtual sets, layer live elements, set upstream picture-in-picture effects, and more.
- DIGITAL MEDIA PLAYERS include two DDRs for video playback, a graphics store, and a sound player, making it easy to add video clips, music, images, and more, including clips captured during a live event, for immediate playback. HD and SD resolutions are supported in a variety of popular file formats, with adjustable audio level settings for every clip.
- LIVE TITLES give your production a network-style finish. Bring in graphics, titles, and animated overlays to layer on your live video, lock a title or bug to a camera or Virtual Input, and set the in and out motion for each. Title pages can be edited, even when displayed live.
- MULTI-CHANNEL AUDIO MIXER gives you control over microphones, line inputs and clip playback levels, with audio-follows-video support and auxiliary routing to integrate an external audio setup. TriCaster 450 EXTREME includes the ability to group audio sources to follow video and route sub-mixes. Every audio input and output also includes a seven-band equalizer and compressor/limiter to deliver the best possible sound, with enhanced audio crossfade.
| Switcher Channels | 14 |
| Video Input | 4 simultaneous inputs HD-SDI, HD Component, SD-SDI, SD Component, Y/C (BNC) or Composite HD-SDI video conforms to SMPTE 292M and SD video conforms to SMPTE 259M and ITU-R BT.656 |
| M/E-bus-style Virtual Inputs | 4 independent mix/effect-style channels, each with presets, dedicated upsteram overlay channel with transition control, and independent source effects: positioning, scaling, cropping and 3D rotation |
| Network Inputs | 2 live sources, any combination of: - Computer displays mirrored via NewTek iVGA™ technology - iTunes and wireless iOS devices via Apple® AirPlay® from any supported app, including audio, photos and video |
| Media Players | 4 integrated digital media players with presets, alpha channel and adjustable audio levels per clip: 2 DDRs, Graphics and Sounds |
| Video Output | 2 simultaneous outputs HD-SDI, HD Component, SD-SDI, SD Component, Y/C (BNC), or Composite HDMI, DVI and VGA output for monitors and/or projector Output sources include Program and AUX (configurable for Program, Program clean, Preview, any input, Effects, any frame store, alpha out) |
| Recording | Full HD recording of Program or AUX output in all resolutions up to 1080p MPEG-2 (normal and high profile); MP3 Adjustable audio headroom |
| TriCaster 450 EXTREME ISO recording of any live input or output with IsoCorder™: -Multi-track, multi-format video recording capability -Native HD up to 4 simultaneous channels in all resolutions -Source per channel: Program output, AUX output or camera inputs -Format per channel: MPEG-2 (high and normal profiles), QuickTime® , H.264, AVI or MP3 |
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| Live Streaming | Full HD live streaming in resolutions up to 720p (16:9 aspect ratio), with simultaneous archive Streaming Profile Manager with integrated Web browser to manage or view streams, and access online CDN accounts |
| Audio Input | 4 SDI Embedded 3 x 2 Balanced 1/4" (Mic/Line) 1 x 2 Balanced XLR (Mic/Line) Analog Audio Levels conform to SMPTE RP-155 Phantom Power Support |
| TriCaster 450 EXTREME Seven-band equalizer and full stereo compressor/limiter per output Sources can be grouped and routed to multiple buses Digital audio time-base synchronizers |
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| Audio Output | 2 SDI Embedded 1 x 2 Balanced XLR 1 x 2 Balanced 1/4" (AUX) 1 Stereo 1/4” (Phones) |
| TriCaster 450 EXTREME Seven-band equalizer and full stereo compressor/limiter per output |
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| Video Processing | 4:4:4:4 32-bit Floating Point |
| Audio Processing | 4 channels, 96 kHz 32-bit Floating Point |
| Supported Formats | NTSC model: 1080/30p, 1080/24p, 1080/60i, 720/60p, 720/30p, 720/24p, 480/60i Multi-Standard model: NTSC-J; PAL 1080/25p, 1080/50i, 720/50p, 720/25p, 576/25i |
| Source Mixing | Mix HD/SD resolution and 16:9/4:3 aspect ratios |
| Recording Capacity | ~ 20 Hours 1080i (~40 hours EXTREME) 1 trayless SATA III removable drive bay with hot-swap support for unlimited storage and backup |
| Supported Stream Types | Adobe® Flash® to Flash media server connections Microsoft® Windows Media® Push/Pull Support for most common stream profiles Support for custom multi-bitrate streaming profiles |
| TriCaster 450 EXTREME Adobe Flash through browser based plug-ins |
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| Network Connection | 1 Gigabit connection for network inputs and streaming output |
| Transition Effects (EXTREME exclusive) |
TriCaster 450 EXTREME Animated transitions with full-color, embedded overlay, audio and alpha channel on all 7 effects channels Animation Store Creator 2.0 applicatioons for creating custom animation transitions, with support for image sequences up to 32-bit |
| Virtual Input Overlay | 1 per channel, upstream with keying, transitions, and independent effects: positioning, scaling, cropping and 3D rotation |
| TriCaster 450 EXTREME Animation store transitions with embedded audio and alpha channel |
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| Live Virtual Sets | 20 HD live virtual sets (24 for EXTREME), with multiple camera angles, animated zoom, real-time reflections and specular highlights |
| Overlay | Dual downstream keys (DSK) with matting, transitions, and independent effects: positioning, scaling, cropping and 3D rotation |
| TriCaster 450 EXTREME Animation store transitions with embedded audio and alpha channel |
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| Preview Monitors | Full field rate displays Program, Look-Ahead Preview, and source windows configurable for All Monitors, External Monitors, Internal Monitors, and Preview Scopes Embedded audio VU meter overlays that show/hide automatically with sound Adjustable source and switcher group monitor panes |
| TriCaster 450 EXTREME Alpha channel preview with transparency checkerboard background pattern |
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| Multi-View Monitor Output | Configurable for All Monitors, External Monitors, Internal Monitors, Program, Preview, Effects, Preview/Program, and Waveform/Vectorscope |
| Projector Output | 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio, up to 1920 x 1080 resolution |
| Integrated Character Generator | LiveText™ 2 |
| Integrated Nonlinear Editor | SpeedEDIT™ 2 |
| Playback Media Formats | Movie files: AVI, DV, DVCPro, DVCProHD, FLV, F4V, H.263, H.264, MOV, MKV, MJPEG, MPEG (1,2 in all profiles, program or transport streams), MP4, WMV, WebM, and more Image formats: PSD, PNG, TGA, BMP, JPEG, EXR, RAW, TIF, and more Audio files: AIFF, MP3, WAV and more Import media application for batch copying with optional transcoding of files (including Apple ProRes) onto TriCaster |
| Export Media Formats | Export media application for batch copying with optional transcoding of files to compatible formats for different applications and devices Media types: AVI, DV, DVCPro, DVD, H.264, MOV, MPEG-2, MJPEG, MP4, WebM and more Presets for external NLEs: Adobe Premiere®, Avid® Media Composer®, Apple Final Cut Pro®, and more Presets for mobile platforms: Android®, iPad®, iPhone®, iPod Touch® and more |
| Video Ingest | eSATA |
| Signal Monitoring | Integrated Waveform and Vectorscope Full field rate displays with color preview Support for ITU-R Rec. 601 and 709 standards |
| Timecode (EXTREME exclusive) |
TriCaster 450 EXTREME External LTC timecode input |
| Tally | DB15 connector for 4 PGM row tally lights |
| Power Supply | 430W |
| Fail-Safe |
Multi-tiered software fail-safe (audio and video) |
| TriCaster 450 EXTREME Multi-tiered hardware and software fail-safe (audio and video) |
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| Form Factor | 2U Rack Mount |
| Dimensions | 19 x 3.5 x 22.5 (in) 48.3 x 8.9 x 57.2 (cm) |
| Weight | 28 lbs (12.7 kg) |
| Accessory Options | TriCaster 450 CS TriCaster 850 TW TriCaster Virtual Set Editor (VSE) LiveText™ Also compatible with TriCaster 850 CS, TriCaster LC-11 and TriCaster TimeWarp™ |
Specifications subject to change without notice. Some restrictions on formats and bitrates might apply.

