TriCaster™ F.A.Q.

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What is TriCaster™?

A: NewTek TriCaster™ is an award-winning, turnkey, portable, live production system, designed for broadcasters and others who want to get their message across in the most powerful way possible - video. TriCaster brings the production and distribution capabilities of broadcast television with everything found in a television live truck into a backpack-sized appliance. It has a very easy interface using plain language instead of video jargon so churches, schools, stadiums and broadcasters can jump right in and start producing and distributing broadcast quality live events and presentations. It’s also perfect for local access channels or anyone wanting to communicate live events via video, closed-circuit TV or live stream. The combination of TriCaster's benefits makes it the solution of choice for live production.

Connect up to 6 cameras, and then use any 3 – Y/C or Composite. Add to that a Virtual VCR for hard disk playback of video and titles. TriCaster provides simultaneous live output, to video, projector and Windows Media Streams. All this in one box.

What is TriCaster PRO™?

A: TriCaster PRO brings the amazing power and efficiency of virtual live sets to a more affordable 3-camera production. Extend the excitement of live broadcast production via projector, television and Internet with more power and capabilities than ever before. The result is an advanced production studio powerful enough to be utilized in network environments, yet still portable and small enough to fit in a backpack. TriCaster PRO offers everything within TriCaster, with the following additions:

  • NewTek LiveSet™ Live Virtual Sets
  • Ten hours of internal video storage
  • Virtual Set Support (numerous sets included)
  • Multiple upstream effects
  • Virtual VCR motion graphics
  • Playback and render support for AVI, DV, MPEG-2, DVD, QuickTime®, MP4 and more
  • Live web streaming in Flash® or Windows Media

What is TriCaster STUDIO™?

A: TriCaster STUDIO™ is a portable live production system that extends the excitement of live broadcast production via projector, television and live stream with more power and capabilities than ever before. The result is an advanced production studio powerful enough to be utilized in network environments, yet still portable and small enough to fit in a backpack. TriCaster STUDIO offers everything within TriCaster PRO, but adds the following features:

  • 6 video inputs (component, Y/C, composite)
  • 4 balanced audio inputs (mic or line; XLR or phone)
  • 20 hours of internal video storage
  • Virtual Live Set Support (numerous sets included)
  • 4:3 or 16:9 aspect for video, web stream and projector
  • Multiple upstream effects
  • Dual DDR playback
  • Both DDRs assignable to downstream key for motion graphics
  • Playback and render support for AVI, DV, MPEG-2, DVD, QuickTime®, MP4 and more

How much is TriCaster™?

A: There is a TriCaster for every price point and capability:

Are there accessories?

A: TriCaster now supports production teams, by spreading the fast-paced duties among several people with TriCaster VM™ and LiveControl™ switcher surfaces and TimeWarp™, a slo-mo and replay controller. Optional software further enhances your live productions with external titles, add-on graphics packs, new live virtual sets and more. See the Accessories page for complete details.

Why do I need TriCaster™?

A: TriCaster™ is the perfect device to handle any live production, from mixing live cameras and video playback, to high-resolution projection of graphics and animations directly to a projector, video or live web stream. TriCaster can ingest full-screen graphics, spreadsheets, video and live web pages from another person across the local network. This is mixed with cameras, streaming your live presentation while recording it all as digital video. TriCaster™ is easy enough for elementary school newscasts, yet versatile enough for major sports production.

What makes TriCaster™ so different?

A: TriCaster™ brings several revolutionary technologies to portable live production:

  • LiveSet™ lets you use a modest green screen space, yet broadcast as if you owned a large sound stage.
  • Cue up video clips, and the moment they’re selected, they begin playing, allowing you to produce the most polished and professional presentation imaginable.
  • iVGA™ allows you to import full-screen presentations, video and graphics from a PC or MAC computer across the network and mix seamlessly into your live production.
  • Send your high-quality graphics and images to a projector without compromising quality. Video is also scaled up to the projector’s resolution; something that would cost thousands if you were using hardware video scalers.

What can I input to TriCaster™?

A: The flexibility of TriCaster™ allows you to seamlessly add all of the following into your production:

  • Component, Composite, Y/C video sources
  • Up to 6 connected cameras
  • Video roll-ins
  • Full-Screen Text
  • Titles over live cameras
  • PowerPoint™
  • Spreadsheets
  • Live web pages

What does TriCaster™ output?

A: TriCaster™ allows you to output the following types of files:

  • Component, Composite, Y/C video
  • Digital Video DV files
  • XGA computer graphics for projector or LCD displays
  • Flash or Windows Media or Flash live web streams
  • Archive Windows Media and Flash web streams for on-demand viewing

Does TriCaster™ work in PAL mode?

A: Yes. TriCaster is sold in North America as an NTSC video device, and is sold Internationally as a multi-standard, PAL, NTSC, and Japanese NTSC device.

Does TriCaster™ accept webcams?

A: As a broadcast device, TriCaster™ does not input USB-based webcams, since they are not full resolution video.

If I open the case, does it void the warranty?

A: Yes, it does. TriCaster must be serviced by NewTek.

Who will provide Technical Support?

A: The first line of support for TriCaster™ is your local NewTek reseller. NewTek also provides technical support by e-mailing tech@newtek.com or calling 210-341-8444

Can TriCaster™ software be upgraded?

A: NewTek provides occasional updates for TriCaster via web downloads. On the Admin Panel, simply check for software updates.

May I install other programs on TriCaster™?

A: Although the Operating System can be accessed from the Administrator Mode, NewTek discourages installation of additional software on TriCaster™ as it may degrade the performance of the system.

Can I purchase a model with more storage or memory?

A: Yes, there are several possibilities, ranging from 10 to 20 hours online storage and recording to external USB or FireWire drives will provide limitless capabilities.

You said Award-Winning.

A: That's not a question

What has TriCaster™ been awarded?

A: Glad you asked. TriCaster has won numerous awards, including: Radio World’s Cool Stuff Award 2007; TV Technology Magazine’s Star 2007 Superior Technology Award; Australian PC User Magazine’s “Best Buy”; eventDV Magazine’s Editor’s Picks – Best of 2006; Byte Media Labs’ “Cold, Dead Fingers Award”; Studio/monthly magazine’s “Hot” Rating; eventDV Magazine’s Best of 2005; Computer Graphics World Magazine’s Editor’s Pick NAB 2005; Government Video Magazine’s Salute 2005; NAB AIM Award 2006; NAB AIM Award 2005; Demo@15 Producer’s Pick

Does TriCaster™ come in different colors?

A: Yes. TriCaster™ is available in black, or a darker version of black. Both accessorize well with any presentation.