Elgato, a brand of Corsair, today announced the launch of Stream Deck Studio in collaboration with Bitfocus, pioneers in professional broadcast software. A truly modern, hyper-customizable control surface that’s set to redefine how pro broadcasters interact with their tools, Stream Deck Studio takes the form of a sleek 19-inch console with 32 LCD keys and two rotary dials. Slotting seamlessly into universal studio racks, it consolidates the controls of legions of hardware and software in ways that ensure remarkable ease of use without sacrificing advanced broadcast functionality.
Elgato launched Stream Deck in 2017. Shortly after, seeing how it simplified content creator workflows, Bitfocus developed Companion, custom software that repurposed Stream Deck for use in traditional broadcast settings. Both companies observed wide adoption of Stream Deck and Companion, validating the potential for a more tailored solution. Subsequently, Elgato and Bitfocus co-developed Stream Deck Studio.
“Our growing relationship with Bitfocus has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life,” said Julian Fest, General Manager of Elgato, “They are experts in the pro broadcast industry who also happen to be capable of building great software. Their responsiveness to community feedback has already made our Stream Deck devices powerful tools that continue to evolve in the broadcast space, despite being originally designed for individual content creators. Stream Deck Studio is unique because it contains Bitfocus’ DNA—it’s built from the ground up to meet the rigorous demands of professional broadcasting.”
Stream Deck Studio will run on Bitfocus’ acclaimed Companion software. However, the developer’s latest software, Buttons, offers a superior user experience with advanced functionalities built especially for Stream Deck Studio. The interface is fully customizable through the software, allowing users to define layouts with personalized icons and text labels for quick identification, making navigation fast and intuitive. The software integration also enables instant visual feedback on the device’s LCD keys, confirming actions and system statuses in real-time. In addition, the two rotary LED encoders enable quick navigation and dynamic control. An onboard RFID/NFC reader works in conjunction with the software to manage user authentication and permission-based access control. For larger systems that require even more control, multiple Stream Deck Studio devices can be linked and configured in Buttons to function as a unified control surface.
Buttons operates with verified integrations, ensuring wide compatibility with a vast and growing library of hardware and software from major industry vendors. The software’s core features include automatic device identification with mDNS Discovery, tag-based routing for NMOS and legacy baseband equipment, support for IP-based broadcasting with modern protocols, real-time infrastructure monitoring, and an intuitive Web GUI for remote operation.
“Stream Deck Studio and Buttons completely streamline the way broadcast systems operate,” said Bitfocus CTO William Viker, “Until now, managing complex configurations of equipment has been anything but easy. The flexibility of Buttons paired with the intuitive interface of Stream Deck Studio allows users to, for example, quickly and easily route signals without the need for physical cable switching. This not only reduces errors but also significantly cuts down on the time required for setup and adjustments. Operators and technicians can now focus on creative problem-solving and high production quality, rather than getting bogged down by tedious manual processes.”
Stream Deck Studio and Buttons represent a significant leap in broadcast control technology, offering several advantages over competing systems. Complete customizability allows operators to tailor the interface to their specific workflows, while an intuitive design reduces the learning curve for new users. Support for legacy and modern protocols ensures seamless operation across diverse broadcast environments, and smooth scalability allows for evolving and growing production needs. Additional third-party software integrations are planned, notably one with Nevion’s VideoIPath, which will turn Stream Deck Studio into a dedicated console for users of the leading media orchestration platform.
Stream Deck Studio is available for direct purchase from the Elgato webstore for $899.99. All of this and more makes Stream Deck Studio an accessible, groundbreaking, future-proof solution for the ever-demanding broadcast environment.
