Multiple Stream Deck Studio interfaces can be stacked as needed, creating a unified control surface for seamless broadcast operations.

Elgato, a brand of CORSAIR, has teamed up with Bitfocus to create Stream Deck Studio, a modern control surface designed for professional broadcasters. It features a sleek 19-inch console with 32 LCD keys and two rotary dials, fitting seamlessly into universal studio racks. This new tool consolidates controls for various hardware and software, offering both ease of use and advanced broadcast functionality.

The collaboration between Elgato and Bitfocus began when Bitfocus developed Companion, custom software that repurposed Elgato’s Stream Deck for traditional broadcast settings after observing its success among content creators. This led to the development of Stream Deck Studio, a tailored solution for professional broadcasting.

Julian Fest, General Manager of Elgato, expressed the importance of their relationship with Bitfocus, highlighting Bitfocus’ expertise in the broadcast industry and their ability to create powerful software. He emphasized that Stream Deck Studio is unique as it is specifically built to meet the demands of professional broadcasting, incorporating Bitfocus’ expertise into its design.

Stream Deck Studio is compatible with Bitfocus’ Companion software. However, the latest Buttons software from the same developer offers an even better user experience and advanced features tailored for Stream Deck Studio. It allows for complete customization of the interface, enabling users to create personalized layouts with custom icons and text labels for easy navigation. The integration with the software provides immediate visual feedback on the device’s LCD keys, confirming actions and system status in real-time. Additionally, it includes two rotary LED encoders for swift navigation and dynamic control, along with an onboard RFID/NFC reader for user authentication and access control.

For larger systems requiring extensive control, multiple Stream Deck Studio devices can be connected and configured in Buttons to function as a unified control surface.

Buttons also has verified integrations, ensuring broad compatibility with a wide range of hardware and software from major industry vendors. Its main features include automatic device identification using mDNS Discovery, tag-based routing for NMOS and legacy baseband equipment, support for IP-based broadcasting with modern protocols, real-time infrastructure monitoring, and an intuitive Web GUI for remote operation.

“Stream Deck Studio and Buttons completely streamline the way broadcast systems operate,” said Bitfocus CTO William Viker, “Until now, managing complex configurations of equipment has been anything but easy. The flexibility of Buttons paired with the intuitive interface of Stream Deck Studio allows users to, for example, quickly and easily route signals without the need for physical cable switching. This not only reduces errors but also significantly cuts down on the time required for setup and adjustments. Operators and technicians can now focus on creative problem-solving and high production quality, rather than getting bogged down by tedious manual processes.”