> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://captivatehelp.newbluelive.com/reference-knowledge/connect-to-video-switchers.md). # Connecting Captivate to video switchers Captivate is a graphics source. Almost any video switcher — hardware or software — can take its graphics through one of three connections. Pick the one your switcher supports; the device list further down maps common switchers to the right method. ## Two directions: feed the switcher, or key downstream of it Captivate connects to a switcher in one of two directions. Either you **feed graphics into the switcher** and let it key them, or you put **Captivate downstream of the switcher** — bring the switcher’s finished program into Captivate, lay your graphics on top, and send the result out. ### Feed graphics into the switcher **SDI key and fill** — the broadcast-standard method. Captivate sends two SDI signals: the **fill** (the graphic) and the **key** (the alpha/cut). The switcher combines them in a keyer, so graphics stay crisp with clean edges and real transparency. Needs an SDI card (Blackmagic DeckLink or AJA) and a switcher with an external-key or fill/key input. Best quality; more cabling. See [Output graphics with SDI](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index/output-graphics-with-sdi.md). **NDI** — video, audio, and transparency over the network in a single stream. If your switcher accepts NDI (most software switchers and many newer hardware ones), this is the simplest high-quality path: one network cable, alpha included, no capture card. See [Output graphics with NDI](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index/output-graphics-with-ndi.md). **HDMI with a color key** — for compact switchers that have no key + fill or NDI input but can chroma-key an HDMI source. Captivate draws the graphics over a solid **color key** background (black, blue, or green) and the switcher keys that color out. The simplest path, but the switcher does the keying, so edges depend on its chroma keyer. See [Output graphics to a display](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index/output-graphics-to-a-display.md). ### Or make Captivate the downstream keyer When key + fill isn’t available — or when you want to add media clips, video, or images of people on top of the program — Captivate can be the downstream keyer itself: take the switcher’s program **in** as a live source, composite your graphics on top, and send the finished picture out. This works in every input format — SDI, NDI, Display (via a USB-HDMI capture device), and OMT — and is generally preferable to the HDMI color-key method. Over SDI there are two variants: * **Hardware internal key** — on a DeckLink or AJA card, Captivate composites its graphics over the card’s SDI input, on the card itself (the **Downstream Key** setting). A robust SDI DSK workflow. * **Live-source composite** — bring the program in as a live video source, composite over it, and send out. This is also the only approach when you want to **modify** the incoming video — for example, squeeze it. Downstream keying depends on your Captivate license. See [Choose how Captivate fits your production](/set-up-your-production/how-it-fits-your-production.md). **💡 TIP**\ Not sure which direction? If the switcher has a **fill/key** or **external key** input, feed it SDI key + fill. If it has **NDI**, feed it NDI. If it only has HDMI, prefer bringing its program into Captivate and keying downstream — falling back to the HDMI color-key method only when you can’t capture the program. ## Tally and control Some switchers exchange more than video with Captivate. With a Blackmagic ATEM, Captivate can tie its titles to ATEM transitions and exchange tally so a title fires when the operator takes the switch. See [Preparing your Blackmagic ATEM switcher to communicate with Captivate](/solution-recipes/chapter-index/atem-integration.md). ## Common switchers and how to feed them Where a switcher isn’t listed, match its input to a method above: a **fill/key** or **external key** input means SDI key + fill; an **NDI** input means NDI; an **HDMI-only** input means the HDMI color-key method. | Switcher | Also known as | How Captivate feeds it | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Blackmagic ATEM (Mini, Constellation, Television Studio, 1 M/E–4 M/E) | ATEM Mini / ATEM switcher | Larger ATEMs: SDI key + fill into a keyer, with tally and transition tie-in. Or bring the ATEM’s program into Captivate over USB-C and overlay media and graphics — an easy, powerful downstream-key setup. ATEM Mini (HDMI): HDMI color-key method. See [Use Captivate with ATEM](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index-7/use-with-atem.md). | | NewTek / Vizrt TriCaster | TriCaster | NDI (native) — the usual path. Or SDI key + fill on SDI-equipped models. See [Output graphics to a TriCaster](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index/output-graphics-to-tricaster.md). | | vMix | vMix software switcher | NDI (with alpha) is the common path; vMix also takes SDI key + fill via a capture card. See [Use Captivate with vMix](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index-7/use-with-vmix.md). | | Roland V-60HD / V-160HD / V-series | Roland switcher | SDI (or HDMI) key + fill into the DSK in **EXTERNAL KEY** mode. See [Use Captivate with an SDI broadcast switcher](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index-7/use-with-an-sdi-broadcast-switcher.md). | | Ross Carbonite / Graphite / Ultrix | Ross switcher | SDI key + fill into an upstream or downstream keyer. Use the SDI output. See [Output graphics with SDI](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index/output-graphics-with-sdi.md). | | Panasonic AV-HS / AV-UHS | Panasonic switcher | SDI key + fill into a keyer. Use the SDI output. | | OBS Studio | OBS | NDI (via the OBS NDI plugin) or the Virtual Webcam. See [Output graphics to OBS Studio](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index/output-graphics-to-obs.md). | | Wirecast | Telestream Wirecast | NDI, or a capture card for SDI. Add Captivate as an NDI source. | | Compact HDMI switcher (Roland V-1HD, Blackmagic ATEM Mini, YoloBox, etc.) | HDMI switcher / mini switcher | HDMI color-key method — draw graphics over a color key and chroma-key on the switcher. See [Use Captivate with an HDMI switcher](/set-up-your-production/chapter-index-7/use-with-an-hdmi-switcher.md). | {% hint style="info" %} SDI key + fill and downstream keying are Captivate Broadcast features; check [Feature availability by edition](/reference/entitlements-sku-matrix.md) for what your edition includes. {% endhint %} ## See also * [Choose how Captivate fits your production](/set-up-your-production/how-it-fits-your-production.md) — the decision hub for outputs and alpha. * [Broadcast and live-production glossary](/reference-knowledge/broadcast-glossary.md) — key + fill, DSK, NDI, and other terms. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. 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