4 May 2025

Best camera monitor for multi-camera filming

Learn how Atomos monitor-recorders can help you simplify multi-camera filming and save time in post-production.

By The Atomos Team
Multiple Ninja Ultra monitor-recorders on set of 'Goblin Mode'

Using multiple cameras simultaneously to capture different perspectives and angles of a scene, event, or performance creates a more dynamic and engaging viewing experience. Different angles can capture subtle expressions, reactions, or body language to boost a scene’s emotional depth, also helping editors to manage the scene’s pace and rhythm.

There are two typical multi-camera setups. For scripted productions, including movies and drama, the director may want to review shots on set. For unscripted work, such as live events, concerts, reality TV, etc., multiple cameras are left rolling, but are synchronised to make post-production easier. Of course, there can also be variations or combinations of these two methods.

Behind the scenes of 'The Last of Us' season two
Sumo 19SE on 'The Last of Us' season two

Why you should use a monitor-recorder in your production

If you want to improve your workflow in any kind of production, a high-performance recorder monitor is a must-have.

Traditional in-camera monitors give a basic visual reference, but a monitor-recorder goes beyond simple monitoring, allowing you to capture high-quality footage directly from the source, as well as better visibility, playback and synchronization.

A monitor-recorder also provides a sharp, high-resolution display to check framing, exposure, and focus across multiple angles. Monitor-recorders also provide direct recording in professional formats like ProRes RAW, DNx, and H.265 for greater post-production flexibility, better color accuracy and a more efficient workflow for editing and grading.

 

Multicam for scripted productions

Atomos manufactures two monitor-recorders that can display and record up to four video sources, and switch between them.

Sumo 19SE is a 19-inch, 1200nit HDR monitor-recorder designed for set, studio and video village use. With four independent video inputs and full-size XLR audio connections, it can record four ISO feeds in addition to the program output.

Shogun Classic is a 7-inch, 3000nit 4K HDR monitor-recorder that can also record 4 SDI streams simultaneously.

For smaller productions, like webcasts, Atomos has a multi-cam add-on, AtomX Cast, for its popular Ninja range of HDMI monitor-recorders. This module turns a Ninja, Ninja Ultra, Ninja V, or Ninja V+, into a powerful compact live switcher. It can switch four HDMI sources, eliminating the need for complex setups, making multi-camera production more manageable.

Ninja on the production of 'The Snail'

Multicam for unscripted productions

For most unscripted, live events, cameras record throughout the event. This is another reason why Atomos monitor-recorders are so popular: they record to removable, large-capacity, inexpensive SSD drives and can record for much longer periods than cameras.

But with so much footage being recorded simultaneously, precise alignment is crucial for efficient post-production. Without timecode synchronization, manually adjusting footage and audio sources can be an arduous and time-consuming process.

Atomos solves this problem in two ways. Shogun Ultra has timecode synchronization built-in- it’s called AirGlu™. Shogun Ultra is a 7-inch, 2000nit HDR monitor-recorder with both SDI and HDMI input and output.

AirGlu can be added to the 5-inch, HDMI-based Ninja monitor-recorder with a simple module, Atomos Connect.

For other Atomos monitors without AirGlu, or for compatible audio devices being used in the production workflow, UltraSync One wirelessly and frame accurately synchronizes all recording devices to ensure that every camera angle and audio track remains in perfect sync throughout the shoot.

Ninja used to capture a live recording at the Wieskirche

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