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Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini vs Epiphan AV.io HD: Comparison

Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini vs Epiphan AV.io HD latency compared

Latency is where these two genuinely part company, Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini 20 ms against Epiphan AV.io HD 16 ms, a 25% lead for Epiphan AV.io HD. Connection type is not the same on both, USB-C / Thunderbolt on the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini versus USB 3.0 / 3.2 Gen 1 on the Epiphan AV.io HD.

Which should you buy, Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini or Epiphan AV.io HD?

The Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini is the one to take for multi-camera productions needing live hardware switching, not just capture and podcasters and interview shows cutting between multiple camera angles live, though it is not built for single-camera setups, a plain capture card is cheaper and simpler. It is equally the pick for streamers who want scene switching handled before the signal reaches OBS. Avoid it for anyone needing 4K capture, the ATEM Mini's USB output caps at 1080p60. Buy the Epiphan AV.io HD for professionals prioritizing low latency over 4K resolution for live production, though it is the wrong buy for 4K capture needs, this device tops out at 1080p60 and gaming-oriented streamers wanting bundled overlay software, none is included. The same goes for live event, education, and corporate AV production needing reliable single-source capture. It is the wrong buy for multi-camera live switching, that's a job for the ATEM Mini instead. Our rating of the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini (9/10): the standard choice for live multi-camera switching that plays nicely with any capture software as a single UVC source. Our rating of the Epiphan AV.io HD (8/10): dependable, low-latency 1080p60 capture built for professional live production where reliability matters more than resolution.

What Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini and Epiphan AV.io HD have in common

Where they agree, they agree completely, form factor, max recording resolution, passthrough resolution and hdr support included, so the decision does not turn on any of those.

Specs and benchmarks

  • Form Factor

    Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
    External USB
    Epiphan AV.io HD
    External USB
  • Brand

    Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
    Blackmagic Design
    Epiphan AV.io HD
    Epiphan
  • Model Number

    Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
    ATEM Mini
    Epiphan AV.io HD
    AV.io HD
  • Connection Type

    Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
    USB-C / Thunderbolt
    Epiphan AV.io HD
    USB 3.0 / 3.2 Gen 1
  • Max Recording Resolution

    Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
    1080p60
    Epiphan AV.io HD
    1080p60
  • Passthrough Resolution

    Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
    1080p60
    Epiphan AV.io HD
    1080p60
  • HDR Support

    Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
    No
    Epiphan AV.io HD
    No
  • Latency

    Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini
    20 ms-25%
    Epiphan AV.io HD
    16 msBest

    Which one should you pick?

    Choose Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini if you already have it on hand or find it at a lower price.

    Choose Epiphan AV.io HD if you want the lower latency (16 ms vs 20 ms).

    Price comparison

    RetailerBlackmagic Design ATEM MiniEpiphan AV.io HD
    AmazonView on AmazonView on Amazon
    NeweggView on Newegg

    Disclaimer: The price and specification of the given product may differ from the actual product. Please confirm on the retailer's website before buying.

    Verdict

    Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini

    9 / 10 Expert Rating

    The standard choice for live multi-camera switching that plays nicely with any capture software as a single UVC source.

    Epiphan AV.io HD

    8 / 10 Expert Rating

    Dependable, low-latency 1080p60 capture built for professional live production where reliability matters more than resolution.

    More comparisons in Capture Cards