The Rodecaster Video could help podcasters become broadcasters

Audio tech company Rode is joining the podcast industry’s pivot to video by releasing its own all-in-one video and audio production console for livestreaming and broadcasting.

The Rodecaster Video mimics the design of more professional video switchers: six video inputs (four HDMI and two USB-C), two HDMI outputs, two combo XLR/1/4” jack inputs, 20 possible audio sources (nine stereo channels simultaneously), and seven customizable scene buttons. 

The new console enables users to operate a near-full video production: from audio mixing to video monitoring to graphics triggering, scene building, recording, and chroma keying (green or blue screen!) for $1,199 USD. The price is steep for someone getting into video production, but Rode is on its way to becoming the go-to podcasting brand, which may convince creators to trust this machine. 

Rode has experimented with video interfaces before with their Streamer X ($249 USD) under their streamer-focused “Rode X” line of products, but many have found the Streamer X to be buggy and nonresponsive at unpredictable times (I had trouble getting it recognized on my computers in many instances) and it was limited to only one video input. Their other flagship console, the Rodecaster Pro II ($699 USD), has advanced audio mixing functions but is only limited to audio production. 

Rode claims the Rodecaster Video features a new video engine and “an extremely powerful and flexible CPU” which “allows for an innovative scene-based switching architecture that simply isn’t possible on a traditional FPGA-based system used by other video switchers.” The Rodecaster Video can be controlled and configured via the updated Rode Central app on a computer but also can stream directly from the device via a network connection. This could potentially compete well with A/V consoles from Roland and Blackmagic, sitting below the $2,000+ pro models (but FYI there’s no built-in video monitor, and only 1080p output).  

The Rodecaster Video is also compatible with a bunch of its other podcasting products like Rode’s USB microphones and wireless mic systems, and could be the final piece of the puzzle for podcasters and producers looking to polish their video feed. 

As an A/V professional, I have not fully committed to Rode’s products that have integrated computers, so with the price, it’s a tough sell for me to commit to. I have found the Rodecaster Pro’s inputs can be noisy compared to my other audio interfaces, and the Streamer X was so buggy I had to stop using it. However, I am giddy about the potential to update my home studio with something about half the size of the Rodecaster Pro (about 5.21 inches long, 12.04 inches wide, and 2.4 inches high) with a ton more functionality. Live chroma keying alone is a great sell for something in the consumer space, and I am excited to try it out.