When you dabble in the world of podcasting, it’s essential to have good equipment that makes recording simple and easy. When the podcasts were audio-only, I didn’t have to think much about what I was using as long as I sounded good. A nice pair of headphones and a microphone that made me sound like a broadcaster for NPR, and I was set. Video podcasting is entirely different, with many more factors to consider whether you’re pre-recording and editing or live-streaming. You need a good camera too. What platform for recording will be best? Is your internet spotty? If so, you probably need a direct line to your hard drive. Believe me, all of these questions and scenarios are real examples from my life as we’ve tried to bring quality to our videos, and it isn’t easy in the slightest. But OBSBOT is looking to change how streaming and podcasts are done with their OBSBOT Talent, a new piece of equipment that might just revolutionize streaming.
OBSBOT began its technology journey back in April 2016, using artificial intelligence to change how web cameras function for people. While webcams are still this company’s bread and butter, OBSBOT is looking to expand its offerings with technological innovations, making streaming and podcasting easier for all. Is the OBSBOT Talent the right piece of equipment for you? Continue as we break down the specs and usage of the Talent!
[Note: while I am reviewing this item independently and honestly, it should be noted that I received the OBSBOT Talent for free from OBSBOT for the purpose of this review.]
A full studio in a small package with the new OBSBOT Talent
When the company asked us to review the OBSBOT Talent, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when it arrived. At that point, there was almost no information about it online other than an initial press release of sorts, which had a picture of the Talent. Having read some of our other product reviews, they seemed excited to share it with us, but I was nervous. The OBSBOT Talent seemed like some serious technology, and we weren’t utilizing more than the basics for the podcast we’ve been producing.
It’s not that the basics weren’t working, our podcasts and videos are fine, but it seemed like having something like the OBSBOT Talent helping us produce shows was nothing short of a game-changer. It felt like we were being thrust into the big leagues, vastly different from just our little podcasts of friends talking about comics and Broadway. This feeling settled in even more when the package arrived, and I began to unwrap it.
The first thing I noticed about the OBSBOT Talent was its hefty and sturdy nature. Its surface is not much bigger than an iPhone Max, with a 5.44” AMOLED screen, and it is easily a few cell phones in height. It’s deceptively heavy compared to the small package, but it makes perfect sense once you see what the Talent can do.
It is no exaggeration to say that the OBSBOT Talent is an entire studio in a small, convenient package, as there isn’t much you can’t do with it. From start to finish, you can produce an entire show right from the screen without having much necessity for a more extensive computer setup. As you boot up the machine, you can easily navigate through a screen of options, such as webcam, streaming, and show.
Once you get it set up, the Talent is intuitive, and it makes recording a video podcast easy. With the NDI connection, you can control and record on up to three OBSBOT Tail Airs, which cuts down on production time, as you can capture all the people and angles needed for your show.
On the Talent, you can also add in effects, such as graphics and timers, which help to build a more cohesive and enjoyable show for both the audience and those recording, with all the bits and gags that keep people laughing and coming back for more. As a creator, you can edit the video right on the screen thanks to ISO recording, H.264 encoding, and built-in Chroma Key.
But the biggest draw is that it reduces bandwidth by 50% with AVC and HEVC technologies. As someone who has struggled with bandwidth in the attempt to get the best video and audio output for my recordings, this was almost a miracle. I no longer need to stress about shoddy videos that won’t look great across our platforms, as the Talent eases this issue and allows for high-quality video. The Talent can utilize a variety of output connections, such as Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, and Ethernet.
With the Talent, you can stream to 6 platforms, which is just another way that OBSBOT is looking to revolutionize the streaming game. While the streaming feature doesn’t necessarily apply to the projects we’re producing, I can see how having that feature built right into the machine will make the Talent a must-have.
Difficulty setting up could impact this streaming and podcasting technology
As I stated above, once the Talent is set up, it’s pretty smooth sailing, but getting the system synced to my computer and the camera proved challenging. After fiddling with it myself for a few days with no luck, I had to call in my IT friend to see if he could figure it out for me. He’s always been my speed dial for any technological issue I have and can usually fix them quickly, something he prides himself on. However, with the Talent and Tail Air, he was stumped for a while on how to get everything interconnected and working.
Our running theory was that the OBSBOT Talent didn’t interface well with my Mac Desktop, as my podcast co-host didn’t struggle nearly as much connecting his Tail Air to a Microsoft Surface. That being said, after a lot of time Google searching for answers and downloading a few different apps, my friend and I were able to connect the Talent and Tail Air to my computer; it just took a few frustrating days and an excessive amount of coffee to do so.
The OBSBOT Talent is an incredible piece of technology for a very specific audience
There’s no denying the power behind the OBSBOT Talent, as it’s a processor unlike anything else in the field. You can control and produce an entire show from a screen no bigger than your phone, revolutionizing streaming for those looking to take their channels to the next level.
However, for someone producing a podcast that isn’t streaming live to an audience like we’re doing, the OBSBOT Talent might not be necessary. Yes, it’s cool, but I didn’t find myself utilizing it as much as I initially thought I would, as the function it’s made for is something we don’t need for our particular brand at this time. That being said, I’ve spoken with a few streamers who are beyond excited to get their hands on the OBSBOT Talent and discuss how much this will change their lives because it makes creating live streams much easier.
The OBSBOT Talent is available now for purchase! Is this something you’ll be checking out for your streaming? Let us know on social media @mycosmiccircus or in The Cosmic Circus Discord!
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