The future of live production is here, and it's called the Atomos Shogun AV-19! But is this all-in-one solution a game-changer or a compromise?
Atomos has just unveiled their latest innovation, the Shogun AV-19, a rack-mountable 4K HDR monitor, recorder, and switcher, designed to revolutionize live production and broadcasting. This 19-inch (48.26 cm) powerhouse is a significant shift from Atomos' traditional on-camera monitor-recorders, marking their entry into rack-based production setups.
The Display: At the heart of this beast is a stunning 19-inch panel with a 3840 x 2160 resolution and a brightness of 1200 nits. It covers an impressive 100% Rec.709 and 99% DCI-P3 color gamuts, supporting various Log and HDR formats. But here's where it gets technical: it uses 8+2 FRC instead of native 10-bit, which might spark some debates among enthusiasts.
Shared Monitoring Experience: The large screen transforms the way directors and technicians work. In a rack setup, the 19-inch display becomes a shared reference point, allowing multiple crew members to view the same image without huddling around a tiny screen. This is a game-changer for collaborative decision-making!
Multi-Camera Inputs and ISO Recording: The Shogun AV-19 is a multi-tasker, handling up to four SDI inputs in multi-ISO mode. It can simultaneously record four isolated feeds at 1080p60, along with a switched program output, ensuring you capture every camera angle and the live cut. But wait, there's more! It also supports higher resolutions outside ISO mode, up to 6Kp30 in RAW and 4Kp60.
Connectivity and Integration: This device goes beyond basic SDI and HDMI. It features an Ethernet port for NDI HX3 send and receive, enabling efficient video, audio, and metadata transfer over IP networks. This is a big deal for reducing bandwidth demands in setups with extensive network cabling. Additionally, it offers balanced XLR audio inputs and outputs, embedded audio over SDI and HDMI, and timecode support for seamless multi-camera synchronization.
Key Features:
- 19-inch 4K HDR touchscreen with 1200 nits brightness and wide color coverage
- Records up to 4 HD ISO feeds at 1080p60 plus a switched program output
- Captures up to 6Kp30 RAW via SDI and up to 4Kp60
- Supports ProRes, ProRes RAW, Avid DNx, and H.265 codecs
- NDI HX3 for efficient IP-based video transfer
- 12G-SDI and 3G-SDI inputs with HDMI and internal cross-conversion
- Balanced XLR audio with phantom power
- Records to CFexpress Type B or USB-C storage
- Advanced monitoring tools and a 7RU rack-mounted design with active cooling
Pricing and Availability: The Shogun AV-19 is available for preorder, shipping at the end of March 2026, with a price tag of $2,099 or €1,957.50.
Now, the big question: is this rack-based, all-in-one solution the future of live production, or do you prefer dedicated, separate devices for monitoring, recording, and switching? Share your thoughts in the comments! And remember, in the world of production technology, there's always room for debate and innovation.
