Add live streaming to the internet to your video production setup using the Web Presenter HD from Blackmagic Design. The Web Presenter HD is a compact desktop device that allows you to connect any SDI video input and stream it live onto the Internet using Ethernet or tethering via USB to your smartphone using a 5G or 4G connection. The SDI and HDMI monitor outputs allow you to see a wide range of live status information along with your broadcast.
Add live streaming to the internet to your video production setup using the Web Presenter HD from Blackmagic Design. The Web Presenter HD is a compact desktop device that allows you to connect any SDI video input and stream it live onto the Internet using Ethernet or tethering via USB to your smartphone using a 5G or 4G connection. The SDI and HDMI monitor outputs allow you to see a wide range of live status information along with your broadcast.
The USB Type-C port allows you to connect any USB video source such as a webcam or computer, so it's capable of broadcasting video and audio on any webcam-compatible platform and software such as Skype, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Twitch, Periscope, Teams, and more on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chrome OS systems. It supports the H.264 codec and streams via RTMP and SRT, and it can stream in resolutions up to 1080p60.
The SDI and HDMI monitor ports provide detailed status information on your feed, so you can monitor whether you are ON AIR as well as input status such as bit depth and stream quality, embedded audio input status, video and audio history, trend graphs, and video and audio meters. You can also see basic status information on the bright LCD screen on the front of the unit. There is also an SDI loop output for monitoring the original feed and sending it to a switcher or router.
Input any SDI Signal
The Web Presenter allows you to input any 12G/6G/3G/HD-SDI video source up to UHD 4K.
Live Streaming Options
You can stream H.264 video via RTMP streaming protocols to the internet via Ethernet or tether a 5G or 4G phone to use mobile data.
Monitor Outputs
Send program output in 1080p to an HDMI or SDI monitor, or send the original video via an SDI loop output to a monitor or switcher.
USB Source as Webcam
The built-in USB Type-C input works like a webcam, so you can connect a computer and use any streaming software, or even Skype or Zoom.
Feature-Rich Program Status
The graphics-based monitoring output includes a video view, audio meters with accurate ballistics, trend graphs for codec data rates and cache fill, plus a summary of the streaming settings and detailed SDI technical information.
Streaming Status
There's a very-large ON AIR indicator on the top left of the monitor output, so it's always clear when you are online and streaming. Plus all your current streaming settings are displayed clearly.
Video Input Status
The SDI input technical details are displayed, such as video standard and ancillary data. The bit activity indicators let you see the quality and bit depth of video before H.264 encoding.
Audio Input Status
Audio is de-embedded from the SDI input and the channel status is displayed. The bit activity indicator lets you check for 16, 20, or 24 bit audio. You can even see which audio channels are present.
Video and Audio History
The audio and video technical displays also include a 6-second history display, so you can see the recent video input history. This ensures you can instantly see what's been happening.
Trend Graphs
The trend graphs below the video display let you see the last 60 seconds of codec data rate and cache fill. Plus codec data rate is critical for ensuring you have enough internet speed from your ISP.
Video and Audio Meters
A large area is dedicated to the video input display, and the large multi-segment audio meter with accurate ballistics. You can even change the type of audio meter from VU, PPM, and more.
Blackmagic Design Web Presenter HD Specs
Key Specs
IP Video
H.264: 1280 x 720 to 1920 x 1080 at 23.98p, 24p, 25p, 29.97p, 30p, 50p, 59.94p, 60p Encoding
DOA, then lots of issues, bad documentation, weak features
By Tom
Rated 2 out of 5
Date: 2024-05-17
When it arrived it was dead-on-arrival. It would not power-on via the AC outlet. Contacted B&H for a replacement but they would not help. Contacted BlackMagic and they would do a warranty repair/replace, but I had to ship it to them AT MY OWN COST. I gave in and paid for the warranty fix rather than have a $500 doorstop.
The replaced unit worked, but once I got into it I found it was less spectacular than advertised. Stream destinations are fixed. To add a custom one, you must upload an XML file in an unclear and mostly undocumented format (but similar to the ATEM one with a few tweaks). This XML must have your stream key/password/credentials in it in plain text. The video output from this shows all this information including the credentials unobscured in plain text for everyone to see.
I could stream to Youtube for maybe 20-30 minutes before it would just die. It works better as a USB webcam input to a computer that does the streaming.
I originally bought this with the idea I could use the 4-pin 12V DC input and a V-lock battery powering it and a camera to do some live mobile streaming. The 12v input is undocumented and BlackMagic does not sell an adapter. Searching the web finds many people with the same problem. I even risked frying it with a d-tap to 4-pin converter; it did not kill it but it did not work either. I could never get the USB tethering function to work with any iPhone or Android phones either.
There is no external audio input to the WPHD. It must rely on SDI audio and only on channels 1 and 2. My camera outputs its built-in (cheap) microphone on SDI channels 1 and 2. Plugging in a high quality mic into the camera to send the audio over SDI sends it on channels 3 and 4, so the WPHD will never use it. I had to use a Decimator MD-HX inline to rectify this; worked but added unnecessary complexity and cost.
Other than the warranty repair of the first DOA unit, support questions and feature requests to BlackMagic to fix many problems with this device were completely ignored.
As a final insult, the 4K version was released while I was waiting on my warranty repair, at only a slightly higher price than the HD version.
Does the Job
By Daniel
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2023-01-12
Generally not a fan of Blackmagic Design. Yes.. cost effective price, but not always reliable. In this case, their Web Presenter Pro (and UHD version) are excellent inexpensive choices for streaming. The nice thing is that BMD stays up on firmware so it connects with most providers with no problem. I usually run a BMD in conjunction with an AJA in case one of them has an issue connecting.
See any errors on this page?
What will the CALL button do in future firmware ...
What will the CALL button do in future firmware versions?
Asked by: Branko
Once we implement that feature we'll announce the functionality for it on the website, in the description section of the firmware update download.
Answered by: BMD Product Specialist
Date published: 2021-04-09
can i use it as a stand alone streaming device? ...
can i use it as a stand alone streaming device? (without PC/Laptop)
if so, how can i input the Stream Key?
or should i set the stream key on a PC/Laptop so i can use it as a stand alone?
Asked by: Aaron
The Web Presenter HD can stream without being connected to the computer, however, it does first need to first be configured using the computer. Once it is configured, the computer no longer needs to be connected, only a video source and internet connection, either by Ethernet or your mobile phone for cellular service.
Answered by: Raymond B
Date published: 2021-10-29
Is there a maximum length of time this can be up ...
Is there a maximum length of time this can be up or could I potentially use this as a 24/7 stream box?
Asked by: Eric
You can run the Blackmagic Design Web Presenter HD 24/7 without issue.
Answered by: Paige K
Date published: 2022-06-10
Does this have the color issue the 4K does when ...
Does this have the color issue the 4K does when connected to an 8K Constellation?
Asked by: Hunter
At this moment Black Magic says that the Blackmagic Design Web Presenter HD will have a color issue when used with the Atem 8K Constellation switcher.
Answered by: Chris H
Date published: 2023-03-31
What USB-C does this use? 2.0 or 3.0?
What USB-C does this use? 2.0 or 3.0?
Asked by: Zebediah
The USB-C port on the Web Presenter HD will work on USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports.
Answered by: BMD Product Specialist
Date published: 2021-03-31
Can this encode the H264 Baseline profile?
Can this encode the H264 Baseline profile?
Asked by: Maggie
This does create an H.264 signal for streaming.
Answered by: Joe P
Date published: 2022-02-16
Can this unit stream to Castr service for ...
Can this unit stream to Castr service for multiplatform streaming? Thanks!
Asked by: Eleazar
Yes, this uint can stream to Castr.
Answered by: BMD Product Specialist
Date published: 2021-05-05
Can I use an HDMI to SDI adapter to use my HDMI ...
Can I use an HDMI to SDI adapter to use my HDMI only camera?
