Unlike the Rodecaster Pro or Duo, there are no faders; Instead, there are two rows of tiles to switch between video sources and scenes. There’s 20GB of built-in storage for media such as overlays, images and audio/video clips, and you can record shows directly to USB hard drives or natively stream them to Twitch, YouTube and other platforms via RTMP/S. There is a lot to do and how you want to use it is largely up to you. While the RCV-S is best suited for “live” productions such as streaming or podcasting, you can also use it for traditional YouTube-style video productions, depending on your workflow or video preferences.
Rodecaster Video compared to Rodecaster Video S
With the huge price difference between the original Video Rodecaster and the new Model S, you’d expect major feature reductions this time around, but the Rode clippers were pretty good. Strikingly, the number of sources you can connect has been reduced from six to four. At the same time, the number of “scenes” you can create has been reduced from seven to five. As mentioned above, there are three HDMI inputs instead of four, and a single webcam/micro-USB input, instead of the original’s two. There are still nine audio channels with two headphone outputs, but the original line outputs are gone. The SD card slot for media has also been removed in favor of internal storage. In short: there is a little less connectivity, but not so much that it seems like a bother, especially for casual users; this is clearly intentional.
Used
In short, the RCV-S is an all-in-one video changer. You don’t need to connect it to a PC. Simply connect your video and audio sources and switch between them in real time with a selection of transitions. For more advanced production, you can create scenes from the Scenes menu with a variety of layouts for multi-camera, picture-in-picture and more. It can be two talking heads for a podcast, put your webcam over your games, or a top-down camera combined with a different perspective for cooking classes or presentations.
You can create scenes in advance directly on the device or live via templates, but it’s much easier and more creative if you use the Rodecaster app included with Rode. Here you will find a visual and intuitive scene creation tool that also offers the ability to create custom layouts, where you can freely resize all your different media and place them wherever you want, add borders or rounded corners, etc.
Although masterpads are primarily used to switch between sources and scenes, they can also trigger multimedia content such as video clips, overlays and preset images. You can assign media to it without reducing the number of available sources/scenes to change. Simply press the Media/Overlay button to temporarily change the functionality of the pad. You can also set the Chromakey/Green filter directly on the device or via the Rodecaster app.
Once everything is configured, you can save the output directly to a USB SSD without the need for a PC. There is also the option to record just the main output (“Program”) or a multi-track version where the recording of each input is exported as a separate file that you can edit as desired. This is useful if you use programs like Adobe Premier or Davinci Resolve. For example, if you’re filming dance classes with multiple cameras, you can switch between the main camera and the wide-angle camera and then take a close-up without having to select the right part of each file stored on different memory cards.
Rode recently updated the Rodecaster Video firmware to add support for up to four “NDI” wireless cameras as additional sources. These are usually remote or security cameras, but Rode’s Capture mobile app also supports NDI streaming, which allows you to wirelessly use your phone as another camera for switching, which is particularly useful. However, keep in mind that Rodecaster Video must be connected to your router on the same network as your phone for this to work.
Audio
Although the RCV-S offers nine audio tracks, it’s fair to say that it’s not designed for live sound mixing in the true sense of the word, as there are no faders. Instead, you have to access different channels via the small screen menu and a dial; It’s a lot of searching and hacking. But when connected to a PC, the Rodecaster app offers a software mixer with faders that make it much easier to adjust levels on the fly.
The good news is that some vocal enhancement tools, such as Depth, Sparkle and Punch, have been carried over from the Rodecaster Pro/Duo, giving you a bit more detailed control over how you or your guests sound.
If you’re using the RCV-S as a stand-alone unit, there’s a slight downside: you have to physically press the buttons to change scenes. This may not be ideal if you want to do advanced recording or if you can’t always be close to the console. Fortunately, Rode offers an automatic shifting solution. I talk about this here in the sound section because the RCV-S can switch cameras based on which camera has the loudest sound or based on a custom priority. Usually this is the person speaking in a podcast, but it can also be the sound of the game or switching to a musical instrument.
Automatic switching works well but isn’t reliable enough to ensure full battery life in a professional environment, like recording a panel at a conference, but it solves a problem when you’re alone and can at least save some time in a casual podcast situation.
Things to think about
It’s clear that despite having fewer inputs compared to the original Rodecaster Video, the RCV-S is still an open and quite complex instrument. If you already have a streaming setup you like and the software and interfaces you need, the RCV-S’s appeal lies in its ability to do what you need more efficiently. For live video production, this is an easier sell as there aren’t many competing all-in-ones that can be used independently.
For example, Blackmagic’s Atem range is incredibly popular and previously had a price advantage, with the Mini Pro only costing $330. Even the Mini Pro ISO ($550), which exports multitrack video, costs half the price of the original Rodecaster Video. The RCV-S now offers similar connectivity, integrated recording, richer audio capabilities and multi-track exporting for $50 less.
For content creators in general, it’s a little more difficult. What appeals to me as a YouTube video creator is the ability to combine multiple devices into one and eliminate all friction in my recordings. Right now I have a Rodecaster Duo that handles audio, a capture card for my main camera, and I swap that camera for a smaller one when I’m shooting from above or need a second point of view. This means I have multiple devices on my desk and constantly have to unplug them and juggle different media or recordings before I have everything ready to edit.
With the RCV-S, I can do without my separate capture card and keep multiple cameras permanently connected to the Rodecaster so they’re ready to go at a moment’s notice. I can also open and close the Rodecaster Duo when I need more direct control over multiple audio sources (which happens sometimes, but not often). The advantage in my case is that I have fewer devices on my desk and I can record video with multiple cameras without having to set up each frame every time. This saves me a lot of time, which I can then use to get more work done.
Of course there are some limitations. Last but not least, 4K is missing. I still tend to shoot primary footage in-camera to ensure I always have a 4K copy for YouTube and then use the Rodecaster Video S for everything else, but since this is a small version, the convenience and flexibility is very appealing. For streamers and live video production, Rodecaster Video S is a very powerful tool that offers a wide range of features at an affordable price and will undoubtedly become the central hub for many YouTubers.
The real issue here is the price. Let’s be clear: $500 is still a significant amount of money. But at less than half the price of the original Rodecaster, with great connectivity and basically the same features, it’s an easy recommendation for those who were hesitant based on price alone. If you’re new to content creation and need something with solid video and audio capabilities, Rode is a good case in point with the Rodecaster Video S.