Atomos announces Zato Connect all-in-one monitor/recorder and streaming device

Atomos has just announced another new monitor/recorder device to add to its stable of products. The Zato Connect is focussed on live streaming and connectivity.

The Zato Connect has been designed to focus on the live streaming sector. The 5" monitor eschews HDR and raw recording, and instead stacks its cards firmly in the SDR Rec.709 camp.

With the Zato, connectivity is the name of the game, and it would appear to have this in abundance. It can take an 1080/30/60p HDMI input from any device and live stream the signal to any of the popular streaming services via Atomos Cloud, such as YouTube and Twitch, although C2C won't be supported on launch.

Atomos Zato Connect specifications

The Zato supports WiFi 5 so that it can connect to a cellular hotspot as well as to a standard network router. Wired ethernet is supported via a supplied USB-C to ethernet cable, and video input/output up to 1080/30p is supported via USB-C as well. In fact the USB out can be used as a UVC webcam source, so you could use the Zato as your intermediary for a larger camera to be used as a webcam. Power can be supplied by a Sony style NP-F style battery, or you can connect any PD capable smartphone charger/cable and power the device over USB-C. The low 10W power draw means that the Zato can be powered with a USB power bank, too.

The rear of the Atomos Zato Connect showing connectivity. Image: Atomos.

Because the Zato is focussed mainly on SDR you won't find the 2000+ nit capability of the Shogun. However it will still reach a solidly bright 1000 nits, making it usable in outside locations, even in bright daylight. The Zato runs a new AtomOS Lite operating system, which simplifies things over the standard software. This makes the interface easier to use, and ditches many of the functions that aren't necessary for the type of users who will be making use of the device.

The simplified AtomOS interface. Image: Atomos.

Whilst streaming, the Zato can perform a simultaneous record at the same bitrate as the livestream. However, when it is being used as a local recording device without streaming, it can record H.264 at up to 80Mbps to an SD card. Graphic overlays, such as lower thirds, can also be loaded into the device, and Picture in Picture is also supported, although both functions cannot be used at the same time. Frame guides can also be used for popular aspect ratios such as 16:9 and 9:16 vertical formats, although 2.35:1 isn't here due to the fact it will never be used for a live-stream. Lastly, there's a three-source audio mixer (mic/line, HDMI, USB-C).

The Zato Connect will retail for £390 inc VAT ($399) and will begin shipping this month. There's also a pre-order promo running, giving three-months free subscription to Atomos Cloud Studio along with a free NDI HX license worth $99.