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This ATEM (mini) Tips” series of short video tutorials for your Blackmagic ATEM hardware includes tips for all users, from beginner to advanced. Scroll down to see more in the series!

This is a collection of all PhotoJoseph LIVE shows, from the PhotoJoseph YouTube channel. Additional episodes are listed below!

Custom Picture in Picture in the ATEM Mini

Photo Moment - April 01, 2021

Taking control and customizing your Picture in Picture, or PiP, on the ATEM Mini, ATEM Mini Pro, ATEM Mini Pro ISO, or ATEM Mini Extreme (wow this list is getting long!) is easy to do — but if you're not careful, all of your hard work can be wiped away in an instant! Learn how to customize — and protect — your custom Picture in Picture layouts.

Need an ATEM Mini?

What this tip is about…

Your ATEM Mini has a set of buttons called PICTURE IN PICTURE. When you enable it, a small box appears in the top right corner with another input in it. Press one of the four preset corner buttons next the on/off buttons, and the PiP (abbreviation for “Picture in Picture”) moves to that corner. Neat!

While useful in its own sense, the real power is in positioning, scaling, and cropping those PiP layouts wherever you want. The Picture in Picture is actually something called an “upstream key”, or a USK. That Upstream Key can be created four different ways — Luma, Chroma, Pattern, or DVE. I'll cover Luma and Chroma in other videos, as those are quite advanced, however the Pattern and DVE ones are simpler to use and are what are covered in this video.

The “DVE” option — or “Digital Video Effect” — is what the default Picture in Picture is made from. It is quite simply an “overlay” of another source being fed into the ATEM, which you can scale, crop, and position anywhere you want. Think of it like a layer in Photoshop, where you just put the top layer anywhere you like.

The problem with modifying the DVE effects is that if you accidentally press one of those four Picture in Picture preset buttons, not only will it move your DVE Upstream Key layout to that position, but there's no “undo” — no way to get back to where you were! (We'll solve that with a macro though; don't worry!)

The “Pattern” option is another way to build your Picture in Picture, using a shape like a circle, diamond, triangle, or even multiple squares and rectangles to “crop” or “mask” your Upstream Key! While some of these shapes are seemingly useless, they do allow you to easily do things like create a circle mask — quite a cool option. So, in this video I'll give you a tour of those.

Finally we get to the complicated job of saving these Upstream Key positions so we can recall them later. You guessed it — time for a macro! I'll remind you how to build a macro, and create one to save (and then restore) a circle Picture in Picture. It's pretty cool!

📄 Full Video Transcript

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Sir I am from India
Thank you for this video. So, after having created this macro, how do we activate it? It can not be triggered by those PiP knobs?
Hi I have the mini pro with 2 inputs, input 2 is my PC showing my presentation, I would like to do side by side so that you see the PC presentation and the camera (half and half) is this possible and is there a video to show me how? Thank you so much
Nope, you need “supersource” for that kind of layout control, sorry. That’s in the Extreme models only (and higher).
Is it possible to assign macros to the built in DVE keys?
​@@photojoseph I discovered some interesting ways to control it with midi and also with Companion... Would be interesting to do a demo of those.
Sadly, no. All the buttons are hard coded.
Can you add any source as the background of the PIP? Would I be able to to design a backdrop with company branding, then overlay with content which is being shared on screen, as well as the camera of the presenter?

Thanks in advance!
A still graphic, yes. If you want to incorporate video (i.e. animation) you’ll have to play that from an external player into an HDMI input.
thank u again!! you helped twice in differents moments, once 2 years ago, and now.
Glad I could help!
Great video. How do you change the colour of the border in the hardware?
@photojoseph  thank you. I will try this out.
In the border control there’s a color picker. That’s it!
Well done! I'm grateful for your videos and have subscribed.
Great video but still confused about pip
Which part?
Hi. Can't seem to find this info anywhere, but can the ATEM device do a 3 source output, similar to the screen in this video about 1:15 in? Looking for a solution to Livestream 3 cameras at once. Thanks!
It depends on the model. The Extreme models have SuperSource, which allows up to four inputs at once.
Link for live streaming from cellphone
Is that a question?
I love how you explain all the minute details. give a liked right away as soon as I noticed this 🎈🙂🎈
Much appreciated!
Is there a way to change the default hardware keys in the Atem for PIP and the Supersouce? I use a macros like you but it would easier if we could repurpose the default buttons instead of wasting the macros. Any idea?
Can’t be done.
Thanks really useful and well done
Thanks for the excellent explanation. I wonder how many others find the required use of macros (and the ATEM Software Control) simply to resize the PiP to a useful size to be a design flaw. I have an ATEM Mini Pro SDI and a simple use case to include either a text screen feed or an ASL interpreter inset as a PiP with a single push of a button. The fact that the PiP buttons reset to the default (too small) size is annoying. In attempting to create a simple turnkey system with a minimum number of components, I don't want to have to add an extra computer to run macros. Being able to save PiP configuration and associate it with the 4 PiP buttons tops my list of feature requests. Being able to associate an audio file with a still image is next. At this point, my ATEM serves as nothing more than a video source switcher. OBS continues to do the heavy lifting.
I know it’s not ideal. Remember though that as long as you don’t hit the PiP preset button, the positioning of the key will stay put as you toggle it off and on.
So is there no way to actually reprogram the hardware PIP/PBP buttons to follow our custom macro? I don't want to have to always have a computer connected and ATEM Software Control software running, I'd like to actually customize the PIP layout that is triggered by the PIP hardware button...
Unfortunately no. The only “programmable” buttons are the six macro buttons on the Extreme models, and I put “programmable” in quotes because you can’t change what the buttons do, but you can change the macro itself.
Joseph, I have not heard a reasonable explanation why I can't split the HDMI output to a regular spitter? Some work and some do not. Any ideas on this?
Thank you so much!
Usually it has to do with security embedded in the HDMI (HDCP) but not always; ATEMs have always had issues with some monitors for no good know reason, so the same would apply to splitters. It could also be CEC (Consumer Electronic Control) messing things up. Fortunately you can buy a $15 CEC blocker which might help: https://amzn.to/42AAoxb
Thanks for your excellent presentation. Can help me: Atem Mini Pro pic in pic works from input one on Atem, as soon as I cut or dissolve to the other cameras (inputs 2, 3 & 4) the pic in picture disappears, I want the picture and picture show on all the inputs?
There’s a setting in the setup app to keep or drop the PiP on transition. I thought i covered that in this video, sorry!
Can Macros be triggered with keyboard shortcuts?
No. There might be third party solution. The best add-on is Companion from bitfocus.io
Thanks for this video (and the rest of themaswell). Im just investing in a atem mini pro iso. Is there a way to scale the video in this case aswell? Like having a talking head that does not cover the video. Is it posible to have a background image, a video/presentation and talking head?
Yes, you can scale the upstream keys.
Thanks Dude! Learning this one step at a time and your video is perfect.
@photojoseph - Can those custom macros be faded in and out nicely? or is it a hard cut on and off?
Thank you for a great video! Nicely done!
Thanks Joseph, great tutorial. Do you have one on animating a pip please, just got the Atem for use on a live stage gameshow in a bar in Spain. Steep learning curve!
Super helpful, thank you! I was wondering if there's a way to load up a picture-in-picture into the preview just using the hardware buttons. Thanks so much!
Not with the Mini, I don't think. With the Mini Extreme, I believe you can.
It would be good if BlackMagic put a option on their software to say 'write this current tab into a macro' and it could 'click away then click back' to save doing it manually,.. but your solution works great so thankyou for your lessons
Once you really get into Macros you start to understand why it doesn't (and really can't) work that way, so I'm glad my video helped!
Great video. Wondering if I can use StreamDeck to initiate a atem macro?
Yes, absolutely. Look up https://bitfocus.io Companion
Would love to know how to fade in / out that PIP instead of just snapping it in there like that.
Load the PiP into preview, then AUTO (transition)
Is it possible to change the background image/feed's mask or position and size or just the overlay image/feed?
Everything
Once you've saved this macro, is there a way to export it? Just that one macro?
You can export all macros, but not a single one. You can modify the exported xml file with a text editor to extract a single macro though.
Is there any way to overwrite the hardware PiP presets? Or assign those buttons to a Macro instead of the defaults? Great video as always.
Not possible, sorry. And thank you, Steve!
Will this macro be saved all through your other or new streams or only for the stream in which it was designed for?

2. How many macros can be saved over all before you have to delete in order to introduce new ones? Can you save an infinity, or only a limited amount of macros?
@@photojoseph thanks for you answer/response. I'm new to Atem, coming from Slingstudio, so I'm trying to get used to the nuances of new mechanics.
Macros are saved into the ATEM but should be backed up by saving the settings. I think it tops out at 99 but I’m actually not sure!!
Can you change the opacity of the picture in picture? I think I'm at a 1% of people who need this feature as I have stream affects appear Infront of my game through OBS, but I rather use the atem for less latency from game. Being able to change opacity from picture in picture or chroma the picture in picture would be great!
I've been trying to figure out how to do BOTH picture in picture and chroma key. Is this possible?
@@photojoseph Thanks for your response. Not everyone does that! I did figure that one out. Using the A/B buttons in the software accomplished it. Though I would have preferred a hardware solution or hotkey solution. I've created a short video on this issue if you have the time to weigh in on it: https://youtu.be/Yyx7E4jsixM
Just requires another upstream key so it depends on which model you have
Hi! Thanks for the explanation. Around 2 minutes of the video, you changed the control easily, but I couldn’t follow. I didn’t find the buttons. Could you explain better how to do this, please?
@@photojoseph Hum… Ok. Thanks for your attention!!
@@BVimagemeedicao no, the PiP is controlled by the keyer. You’ll need to make macros to do that.
@@photojoseph Thanks for your attention!! I would like to put a slideshow on background and use the cut button to change cameras on the small square of the PiP. Is it possible, please?
I don’t know what you mean by “changed the control”
Like this video.. very clear to understand
What I need is a scenarios type of set ups. For instance, if I am going to do an interview, then there’s a certain set of shots that I want available. Or, if I’m doing a commentary on a webpage that I am otherwise scrolling through that, I want my picture in the bottom right corner with the webpage as the background. And there are a bunch of these scenarios which would be much more helpful than just a broad generic way too many options type of setup.
Is there any way to have PIP fade in? I have figured out I can actually fade it out by just fading to the clean BG-source, but I haven't found a way to fade it in.
Is it possible to use the computer camera as a second or third camera. I am using two cameras:EOSM50 and my iphone. I would like to use my computer camera as a third camera but unsure if that is possible.
you mean a webcam? There’s no USB video input on the ATEMs, so no, sorry.
Hi Joseph, many thanks, good job very I'm staring with the Extrem, this video is providing the understanding of PIP execution I was expecting
Awesome
Sooo gooood👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Thanks!!
Wow thanks for this. How did you load that forest video in? I have the Atem Mini Pro and i noticed that you had a “cast” button and a “studio” button next to cam1’ and cam2. Mine only has 4 cameras. I have a video I want to have looping on my livestream before it starts. Thanks again
That video was just playing from an external HDMI video player. No ATEMs can load videos internally — not even the $10k models. Video playback has to happen from an external device. The best way is to use a Hyperdeck, because then you can trigger playback (and even which file will play back) from the ATEM, including using macros.
How do I select the input for PIP on my ATEM Mini Extreme ISO? I know how to turn it on but need help changing which input shows in PIP. Thanks in advance.
This is covered in this video. Please watch it again.
Great tutorial !
Thanks!
Thanks for the vid, really helped me.
Why did the default suddenly have a frame ?
Is there a way to have the PiP fade in rather than just popping on screen?
Thank you Sir. I'm looking for animated graphic frames. Where can I find some? And how to use them?
@@photojoseph Awesome! Thank you!
Check out these apps by John from the here2record channel https://heretorecord.com/apps
Excellent - all works perfect as described. However when I switch to the other camera and then return the PIP is off - ie I want it to stay on when I return to Cam 1.... this is my PPT with PIP presenter.... I have to press the PIP button to manually show them again....
You can set in the setup app to drop or not drop the upstream key (PiP) when you switch angles. But if you want to switch between “CAM A + PiP” and “CAM B (no PiP)” then back to “CAM A + PiP” you’ll need to build macros to do that.
Do you know if you can set a custom overlay boarder on your picture in picture?
You can set a border and you can change size and color and bevel
My PIP is transparent? How do I make it opaque so the full screen doesn't bleed through the PIP?
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