I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into with this new Chinese switcher. Let me say that I am not the kind of person who likes reading user manuals and I didn't start by opening the manual that comes with the Osee GoStream Deck either. But after ten hours of testing I am very impressed. Osee has a reputation for a line of very good field video monitors but this is their first venture into production switchers.
What's so good you ask…First of all the very low price…Second, when I hooked up my cameras and a laptop for inputs and a couple of monitors for program and multiview outputs, it's surprisingly stable…plugging and unplugging cameras and computers and switching resolutions did not phase it when streaming and recording. Second, it's very accommodating and much more flexible than other compact video switchers I have used. The microphone inputs are actually switchable as either mic or line inputs. There are four dedicated HDMI inputs and one USB input which can be used for a USB camera or phone or practically anything that has a USB output.
It has a streaming ready USB output as well as two HDMI outputs that are programable and can be used for program out, preview out or the built in multiview out. The built-in multiviewer is well designed and also has graphic audio meters…
The switcher is comprehensive…it has a linear keyer, downstream keyer and chroma keyer….and these keyers look great. These are not the typical inexpensive keyers often found in budget switchers.
It has a built in recorder with three levels of H.264 recording quality. Honestly…it's about time somebody handed us a video switcher that has built in recording capability. Thank you!
If you don't want to record, you can use the SD card recorder as a media player for your production.
Physically the switcher is compact and conveniently laid out with groupings of buttons for keyers and audio switches just where you'd expect them to be.
The menu system is straight forward but also wildly extensive, as you would expect, with a device that can be programmed to meet so many needs.
So what's the downside…the only rough element I find worth mentioning is the "feel" of the main switcher buttons. They have a "cheap" feel…the result of a crunchy membrane cover over a physical switch. That's the most objectionable element of this device I can point out…Perhaps not a very big deal…
In my opinion this switcher is phenomenal. I'm looking forward to taking it out on the road very soon.
Report