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Atomos Sumo 19SE — The All-in-One 19″ Monitor, Recorder & Switcher for Professional Video Production
When you need a professional-grade monitor that does more than just monitor, the Atomos Sumo 19SE stands out. Combining a bright 19″ HDR screen, RAW recording capabilities, and live multi-cam switching, this unit brings powerful flexibility to film sets, live productions, and studio shoots.
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What Is the Atomos Sumo 19SE?
The Sumo 19SE is a “monitor-recorder-switcher”—a 19-inch touchscreen monitor, built-in recorder, and live-switching switcher all in one device. Designed to serve as the central hub for capturing, monitoring, and switching multiple camera feeds in real time, it's ideal for video villages, multi-camera shoots, music videos, live events, and controlled studio environments.
Key Features That Make Sumo 19SE a Must-Have
19″ HDR touchscreen with 1200 nit brightness & DCI-P3 color gamut — The display is vibrant, daylight-viewable, and color-accurate for critical monitoring, whether on set or outdoors.
RAW recording (up to 6Kp30 ProRes RAW) — Capture uncompressed sensor data directly from compatible cameras for maximum flexibility and quality in post-production.
Live multi-camera switching + 4× ISO + Program recording — Simultaneously record up to four separate ISO feeds plus a program feed, with live switching for real-time production workflows. Especially useful for live events, interviews, and multicam shoots.
Flexible input/output: HDMI 2.0 & 12G-SDI — Works with a wide range of cinema cameras, DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and other video sources. Supports signal cross-conversion (SDI → HDMI and vice versa).
Professional audio support — Includes two full-size XLR inputs with 48V phantom power, enabling connection of external mics, mixers, or preamps. Great for synchronizing high-quality audio directly during recording.
Rugged, field-ready build — The aluminum chassis, dual rear mounting points (plus optional rack-mount ears), and robust mounting options make it suitable for continuous use on set, studio, or remote locations.
Who Should Use It?
The Sumo 19SE is an excellent fit for:
Independent filmmakers and cinematographers working on multicam productions
Studio crews and production houses doing music videos, interviews, live events, or documentaries
DIT (Digital Imaging Technicians) and video villages needing reliable on-set monitoring + recording
Content creators wanting a high-quality monitor + recorder combo rather than juggling multiple separate devices
Pros & Considerations
Pros:
Combines multiple tools (monitor, recorder, switcher) in one device, saving space and simplifying workflows
High-quality RAW recording plus HDR monitoring — ideal for cinematic and professional work
Multi-camera live-switching with ISO recording — simplifies multicam shoots and live events
Wide camera compatibility, flexible inputs (HDMI & SDI), and pro-audio support
Considerations:
At 19″ and ~6.2 kg, it's fairly bulky — not ideal if you need ultra-compact gear for handheld or gimbal work.
Requires SDI-equipped cameras for RAW workflow, so not all mirrorless/DSLR setups may be compatible without adapters or additional hardware.
As a professional-grade toolset, it might be overkill for simple single-camera shoots or casual video creation.
Real-World Use — Example Workflow
Imagine you’re shooting a small live concert or panel discussion with 3–4 cameras:
Connect each camera to the Sumo 19SE via SDI.
On the Sumo monitor, you can simultaneously view all inputs (multi-ISO mode), and switch live between feeds — ideal for real-time production or streaming.
While switching, record all camera feeds as separate ISOs plus a program feed — useful for editorial flexibility in post-production.
If using cinema cameras that support RAW output, record in ProRes RAW (up to 6Kp30), giving you maximum dynamic range and post flexibility.
Monitor accurate color and exposure with the 1200 nit HDR screen, even under difficult lighting, and ensure audio captured via XLR is clean and synchronized.
This streamlined workflow replaces carrying separate recorder, monitor, and switcher — saving time, money, and reducing chaos on set.
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