The TC 850 CS (control surface) is the main human-user interface for the 850 Extreme, although almost every click and selection can be mimicked with a mouse on the screen. The pieces comprising the TriCaster TCXD850X are a computer and up to two human-user interface (HUI) devices. Let's look at a few key physical features of the TCXD850 Extreme: Physical device The ability to record each input simultaneously and in isolation is helpful for a number of use case scenarios, including: surveillance, multi-camera shoots where later editing might be required, and sporting events where one camera tracks a particular player. This extended ability to record both inputs and outputs means that 850 Extreme can perform isolation recording of up to 8 simultaneous camera inputs with its proprietary IsoCorder software. The Extreme version provides a number of enhancements over the original TCXD850 including full HD recording treatment, with the ability to record 1080p30 of any discrete input as well as the program or AUX outputs (the TCXD850 could record only outputs). For those who want the SMPTE specs, that would be SMPTE 292M (HD-SDI) and SMPTE 259M/ITU-R BT.656 (SD-SDI). The eight simultaneous video inputs can use any combination of, HD-SDI, HD Component, SD-SDI, SD Component, Y/C (BNC), or Composite. Like the TCXD850, the 850 Extreme has 4:4:4:4 video processing and uses a 32-bit Floating Point processor functionality. With 8 simultaneous video inputs and 3 simultaneous video outputs, the TriCaster 850 Extreme is itself a souped-up version of the TriCaster TCXD850, which Newtek launched in 2010.

Looking more like a four-rack-unit (4 RU) computer server than a traditional TriCaster, this is a TriCaster geared toward studio or broadcast facility integration rather than field production.

Newtek's long history in video production switchers-starting with the Amiga-based Video Toaster and more recent portable TriCaster units-takes an extreme leap forward with the rackmountable TriCaster 850 Extreme.

Video toaster transitions