The Switchblade M9 can also pair with a variety of handy accessories and cameras provided by Switchblade Systems. One of the best offerings is the Air Fly Control Surface which gives the user a button interface like what you would find with other hardware-based video mixing systems.
A new product to market, the Switchblade M9 and M9 Pro aim to be a new solution for churches who are already using or interested in using vMix video switching software for their broadcast or streaming solution. vMix is already one of the most popular mixing software among churches and this powerful, portable computer system comes fully spec’d, right out of the box. Gone are the days of trying to piece together a powerful gaming PC in a time when computer components can be hard to come by.
The M9 provides four HDMI or 3G-SDI inputs with the possibility of adding four additional 3G-SDI inputs. You can also connect to NDI-compatible equipment with the M9 through the Ethernet port.
Switchblade Systems is a US-based company, and the M9, which is also built in the US, offers a variety of connection types in addition to two different product levels --- the base M9 and the M9 Pro. The M9 comes with a 6-core Intel i5 and the pro model jumps up to an 8-core Intel i7. The M9 and M9 Pro also have an NVIDIA GeForce GPU, a required component to run optimally run vMix. The computer also includes many of your standard connection ports such as DisplayPort and HDMI outputs, USB 3.0, USB C, and Ethernet. In addition, the M9 also provides four HDMI or 3G-SDI inputs with the possibility of adding four additional 3G-SDI inputs. You can also connect to NDI compatible equipment with the M9 through the Ethernet port.
While the two systems do vary in some specs, they also have several in common. With either system, you can utilize three RTMP streaming outputs for Facebook, YouTube and other custom URLs. They also both can handle virtual sets with chroma key setups and both feature titling software for animated titles, overlays and other graphics. Each system also features a video playback solution and provides color correcting tools for video inputs.
The M9 could also be a great option for portable church setups or ministries that need to move gear around on a normal basis.
While I’ve yet to lay hands on the M9, it is simple to see just what the unit is capable of with the details provided on the product page and this helpful video walkthrough. I can see the M9 being a great option for a church that’s currently using vMix but may be needing a little more computing power. It may also be a great option for a church that has limited space in the broadcast booth preventing them from using a larger video switcher and controller.
The M9 could also be a great option for portable church setups or ministries that need to move gear around on a normal basis. Typically, software-based video mixing solutions require bulky computers that are hard to move around, but the small form factor of the M9 paired with the handy top handle makes this a much more feasible option. If you go the extra step and run your video, power and other necessary cables through some wire loom for easy cable management, the M9 could really be a powerful machine with quick setup and tear-down times.
While the M9 does come in a little lower on price at $3,995, the M9 Pro seems like the better choice in most cases. In addition to increased processing power and a better GPU, the Pro model offers 4K resolutions, multi-channel recording, three additional NDI and external outputs and the ability to have up to four virtual “call-in” guests. While this does come at the increased price point of $5,995, this additional feature set brings a big benefit if your needs require these features.
The M9 can also pair with a variety of handy accessories and cameras provided by Switchblade Systems. One of the best offerings is the Air Fly Control Surface which gives the user a button interface like what you would find with other hardware-based video mixing systems. In a fast-paced environment, it can be hard to follow the action with a mouse and keyboard, so a tactile button surface is a major upgrade.
We find ourselves in a time where there is no single right way to mix video and produce a video broadcast or stream. Instead, it all comes down to personal preference and the variables present for each church to decide which route to take. Traditionally, many have turned to hardware-based systems that have been around for some time. However, products like the Switchblade M9 are really changing the landscape of video systems where software-based switching has become a more viable option as they are more stable, have expanded I/O options and increased functionality.
