Live streaming and broadcasting over the internet is currently booming. People rely on streaming technologies to run their businesses, sell products, present political content, and even report news. Internet streaming is challenging traditional media, especially television broadcasts, in ways that were barely imaginable just a few years ago.

The live streaming scene is also driving the rapid development of new technologies that allow people to broadcast to the world from their bedroom or attic. Streaming has opened up so many possibilities and has certainly driven the development of tools that are shaping a whole new media landscape.

Obsbot is a company that specializes in AI-powered webcams and PTZ cameras for live streaming. I’ve featured their products here before and the brand is building a reputation for producing high-quality and affordable live streaming equipment. Obsbot’s latest product is called Talent and it packs a range of live streaming tools into one handy and portable box.

Talent is a multifunctional live video stream production tool that combines a video and audio encoder, camera switcher, video recorder, monitor and controller in one portable device. According to Obsbot, Talent offers a seamless way to connect with Obsbot cameras and webcams such as Tail Air and Tiny 2 Lite 4K.

Obsbot Talent is about the size of a paperback book and features a 5.44-inch AMOLED touchscreen to control all functions. The body is made of aluminum alloy and has a built-in fan to prevent the device from getting too hot. The screen can be used in landscape or portrait mode, whichever is most suitable for the content you are creating, such as YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, TikTok and other social platforms.

Obsbot Talent features a choice of inputs as well as live stream outputs to two separate destinations or services simultaneously. The device also includes some powerful video editing tools for creating professional quality live video content.

In addition to the Obsbot Talent module, the package also includes a power supply with adapters for all major international sockets, making it ideal for use worldwide, which will please news gatherers. The device can also be powered by two optional NP-F750 and NP-F970 battery packs, which can be hot-swapped and individually replaced with fully charged cells to enable longer outdoor broadcasts when mains power is not available.

Obsbot Talent can act as a control center for the Obsbot ecosystem of webcams and PTZ cameras, allowing content producers to monitor, manage and record video in real time. Think of it as a production desk for outside broadcasts that used to require an entire truck but can now be carried in a backpack.

With the ability to connect to all Obsbot webcams and cameras via the internal control panel. It is possible to take control of a camera’s PTZ gimbal directly from the Talent interface, as well as select AI Auto Tracking and other camera features that can make a live stream even better. A single Talent device can record the video and control up to three Obsbot Tail Air shots, allowing for the simultaneous recording of multiple camera angles that can be edited offline after the live streaming session.

The Obsbot Talent offers a selection of interfaces including HDMI, USB-C, SD cards as well as Ethernet ports for video recording. The device also features a 3.5mm audio input and output for monitoring. Video input support includes HDMI, USB, NDI, SRT and RTMP streams.

As for outputs, Obsbot Talent offers the ability to send live streaming to a maximum of six destinations via WiFi, 4G LTE or Ethernet using RTMP or SRT protocols. The audio and video content can be mixed directly on the Talent, incorporating video inserts and other sources such as PDF files stored on an SD card. There is also an option for instant replays and simultaneous streams on multiple platforms.

Advanced video features allow automatic switching between different video sources. There is also a built-in chroma key feature for inserting backgrounds with blue or green screens. In addition, there are GFX effects such as picture-in-picture, scoreboard, countdown times, commentary overlay, logos and a time code for synchronizing streams.

Thanks to Advanced Video Coding (AVC) and High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) (H.264 and H.265), Obsbot Talent can deliver exceptional video quality while reducing bandwidth requirements by over 50% with HEVC. This is especially useful when live streaming with 4G connectivity for a live and two-way news report, for example.

Verdict: Obsbot Talent is a fascinating device, especially when used with Obsbot’s excellent PTZ cameras and webcams. With a wide range of inputs and built-in production tools such as graphics and other on-screen effects like Chroma Key, Talent is an incredibly versatile device. When used with Obsbot cameras, you even get full remote control of the gimbal and image settings. Feeds from up to three cameras can be recorded to the SD card slot and edited later. There are so many tools and options available with Talent that it takes a little getting used to, but anyone used to directing broadcasts and live streams will quickly get the hang of it. Obsbot Talent enables remote video production and professional live streaming to reach many more people and is completely portable.

Prices and availability: Obsbot Talent is now available and costs $1,099.

More info:

OBSBOT – The best webcam with automatic trackingOBSBOT – Connecting you to the future (official)