Live Stream Your Wedding Like a Pro With This Simple Setup (Complete Yolobox Guide)

Live Stream Your Wedding Like a Pro With This Simple Setup (Complete Yolobox Guide)

Live streaming wedding ceremonies is one of the best ways to provide a killer service to your couples, grow your business, and make significantly more income from every wedding you film. Seriously, if you’re not doing this yet, it’s time to consider it.

I want to walk you through the easiest way to live stream an entire wedding ceremony. I’ll show you the tools and equipment you need, how to set them up from start to finish, and share professional advice from my 15+ years of filming weddings.

To save you time, I’ve put together a cheat sheet of all the gear you’ll need for live streaming.

What Equipment Do You Need for a Wedding Live Stream?

Let’s start with the basics.

Cameras: You need at least one, but for a more professional look, two or three cameras can make your live stream much more dynamic. For this example, I’m using three.

Audio: You absolutely need a wireless microphone system. I recommend putting it on the officiant—it guarantees clear, high-quality audio that captures the ceremony and the couple’s vows perfectly.

Switcher & Laptop (or not): Traditionally, you’d need a switcher to handle multiple cameras, which would then feed into a laptop connected to Wi-Fi or a long Ethernet cable. It works, but it’s a lot of gear to carry and set up.

But what if you could simplify all that into one device? That’s where the YoloBox Extreme comes in. It replaces the switcher, the laptop, and even handles your internet connection. Live streaming a wedding becomes dramatically easier.

Setting Up Your Wedding Live Stream

Set up your YoloBox in a central, accessible spot. Unlike traditional setups with tables of gear, the YoloBox is compact enough to mount on a tripod or light stand. If you’re only using one camera, you can even attach it to your camera tripod. The device comes with a hot shoe mount adapter, but given its size, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re mounting it on a camera cage.

Use HDMI cables to connect your cameras to the YoloBox. The shorter the cable, the less chance of signal issues. If you’re using multiple cameras, the YoloBox acts as a switcher, letting you easily change angles during the live stream.

Pro tip: Passive HDMI cables have length limits. For 4K, stick to 10–15 feet; for 1080p, you can go 25–50 feet. Want longer runs? Fiber optic HDMI cables can extend hundreds of feet, but they’re pricier.

Positioning Your Cameras

Position your cameras wisely. Place one camera to the side for close-ups of the couple and officiant, and another in the back for a wider shot down the aisle. For a three-camera setup, add a mobile camera on a gimbal using a wireless transmission system like the Accsoon CineView. You can follow the bride walking down the aisle or capture the guests in action. All cameras feed into the YoloBox for seamless switching.

Using the YoloBox Extreme

Once your cameras are connected, turn them on along with the YoloBox. Set cameras to 30fps (I find this works best for live streaming). Connect cameras to HDMI inputs 4–8 on the YoloBox Extreme—these inputs are optimized for 4K and will work more reliably. Tap Live Streaming, create a new stream, title it, and optionally schedule it. Add a thumbnail if you like—keep it generic, like “Wedding Ceremony Live Stream,” rather than showing the couple.

The interface is intuitive: preview window on top left, input selection bottom left, settings on the right. Change the video transition from “cut” to “fade” for smoother live switching. Set resolution to 1080p, 30fps, and a bitrate of 4 Mbps for reliable streaming. You can also record the stream in 4K at 30fps with H.265 encoding, either internally or on an SD card/USB. Enable Generate Timeline FCPXML to automatically create a pre-edited timeline for Premiere Pro, Final Cut, or DaVinci Resolve—perfect for delivering a polished video after the wedding.

Audio Setup

Plug the wireless microphone receiver directly into the YoloBox mic input. In the audio menu, keep only the mic and program inputs enabled for streaming. Optional: multiple mics can be controlled individually. Auto switch based on audio: the YoloBox can detect who is speaking and automatically switch camera angles, staying on the officiant until the bride or groom speaks. Don’t forget to monitor audio through the headphone jack.

Streaming Platforms & Internet

The YoloBox supports YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, or any platform that accepts RTMP or SRT streaming. Simply add your account and select your platform.

Internet options: Wi-Fi (antennas boost signal), Ethernet (wired, reliable), or a cellular SIM card for remote locations. For maximum reliability, YoloBox offers Network Bonding (paid feature), which combines Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and cellular simultaneously. If one connection drops, the others take over automatically—perfect for critical events like weddings.

Wrapping It Up

Live streaming a wedding doesn’t have to be stressful or overly complicated. Using the right tools, like the YoloBox Extreme, you can save time, reduce gear, and deliver professional-quality streams that your couples will love.

Download my free Wedding Live Streaming Cheat Sheet to see all the gear I recommend. You can also check out the YoloBox Extreme I used, as well as smaller setups for simpler streams.

Thanks for reading! If this helped, make sure to share it with fellow filmmakers and subscribe for more tips on filmmaking and video editing.

I Operated Camera On A Real Music Video Set! Here’s The Gear Behind It

I Operated Camera On A Real Music Video Set! Here's The Gear Behind It

I want to show you something a little different today, because this wasn’t a YouTube setup, and it definitely wasn’t a controlled studio shoot.

This was a real music video set, with a real crew, real pressure, and absolutely no room to mess things up. This is not the first time I have pointed a camera at music. Back in 2016 I made an album teaser film for Josh Garrels.

I was brought on to operate camera, and I figured this was the perfect opportunity to show you what that actually looks like in the real world, plus the gear choices that matter when you’re no longer filming for yourself.

Because once you’re on a professional set, things change fast.

What a Real Music Video Set Actually Feels Like

Music video sets move quick. There’s energy, controlled chaos, and a whole lot of “cool, let’s go again” happening back to back.

You’re not standing around tweaking settings for ten minutes. You’re expected to show up ready, know your job, and execute. When the director calls action, everything needs to work.

And honestly, that’s one of the reasons I love this kind of work.

There’s pressure, but it’s the good kind.

My Role on Set

On this shoot, my job was simple on paper and demanding in reality.

Hit the framing.
Stay smooth.
Stay in sync with the movement.
Do it again.
And again.
And again.

As an operator, you’re not thinking about specs. You’re thinking about rhythm, motion, and consistency. If your framing drifts or your movement feels off, it sticks out immediately.

This is where experience matters way more than gear hype.

The Camera Setup

The camera choice for this project wasn’t about what’s new or trendy. It was about reliability.

On a set like this, the camera has to:

  • Hold up under long takes
  • Handle quick lighting changes
  • Give you confidence in what you’re seeing
  • Just work

When you’re operating, the last thing you want is to wonder if the camera is going to do something weird. You want to focus on the shot, not the menu system.

And this setup delivered exactly that.

Lens Choices and Why They Matter

Lens choice on a music video is everything.

Compression, depth, and subject separation can completely change the emotional impact of a shot. We weren’t just picking lenses because they were sharp. We were picking them because of how they feel.

I’ve always loved lenses that give you separation without feeling artificial, and on this shoot, that look really came together. The background falls away, the subject pops, and suddenly the frame feels intentional instead of busy.

That stuff matters way more than people realize.

Rigging and Camera Support

If you’re operating all day, ergonomics are not optional.

This rig needed to be balanced, comfortable, and predictable. Small issues turn into big problems after hours of shooting. When everything is dialed in, you stop thinking about the rig and start thinking about the shot.

That’s exactly where you want to be.

Monitoring, Power, and Set Reality

Clear monitoring is non-negotiable. Period.

If you can’t trust what you’re seeing, you’re guessing, and guessing on a professional set is how mistakes happen. Focus, exposure, framing, it all needs to be obvious at a glance.

Power was another big factor. Nothing kills momentum faster than stopping a set because a battery died at the wrong time. Everything needs to be thought through before the first take.

Why Shoots Like This Matter

This is the kind of experience you can’t get from reading spec sheets or watching highlight reels.

You learn:

  • What gear actually holds up
  • What slows you down
  • What you can trust when things get hectic

And maybe most importantly, you learn how to work as part of a team instead of just as a solo creator.

That’s the jump a lot of filmmakers want to make, and this is what it actually looks like.

Final Thoughts

Operating camera on this music video was a blast, and it was a great reminder that filmmaking at this level is less about having the “perfect” setup and more about being prepared.

Gear matters, but confidence and consistency matter more.

If you’re aiming to work on higher-end productions, start thinking less about what’s impressive on paper and more about what works every single time when the pressure is on.

That’s the difference.

BenQ VideoVue PV3200U Review: MADE For Editing

BenQ VideoVue PV3200U Review: MADE For Editing

In a world where computer monitors try to do everything, productivity, web browsing, gaming, and content creation, it is refreshing to see a monitor that specializes in one thing. The BenQ VideoVue PV3200U is clearly designed with video editing in mind, and almost every feature reflects that focus.

This is a 31.5 inch 4K monitor aimed squarely at video editors, and in this review I am looking at it from the perspective of someone who edits YouTube content, corporate videos, and commercial projects.

For transparency, this review is not paid or sponsored by BenQ. They did send the monitor for review, but they had no input on the content or conclusions.

Screen Size and Build Quality

At 31.5 inches, this monitor sits right in the sweet spot for video editing. You get plenty of room for a full timeline, scopes, and a large preview window without feeling cramped. Once you work on a screen this size, it is hard to go back.

The build quality is excellent. BenQ clearly knows what they are doing when it comes to professional displays. The stand is easy to assemble and offers height adjustment, tilt, swivel, and even vertical rotation. It feels solid and well designed for long editing sessions.

Ports and Connectivity

This is where things get a little unusual. The PV3200U includes three HDMI ports and one USB C port that delivers up to 65 watts of power. However, there is no DisplayPort input, which is surprising, especially for desktop PC users. DisplayPort is extremely common on modern graphics cards.

The monitor also does not include an HDMI cable in the box, only a USB C cable. Combined with some Mac focused features like a Mac color mode, it feels like BenQ expects many users to connect this monitor to a MacBook.

There is also a built in USB hub with three USB A ports and one USB C port, along with a headphone jack. These are handy for connecting peripherals directly to the monitor.

Surprisingly Good Built In Speakers

One of the first things you notice about the VideoVue is the large speaker grills on the front. Most monitors technically have speakers, but they are usually terrible. BenQ took a very different approach here.

The PV3200U features a 2.1 speaker system with two front facing speakers and a small built in subwoofer on the back. This is easily the best built in audio I have ever heard from a monitor.

Out of the box, the speakers are set to a Studio preset, which is relatively flat and neutral. That is ideal for editing and light audio work. Switching to Cinema mode makes a dramatic difference, adding more low end and overall presence.

These speakers will not replace proper studio monitors, but if you are used to editing on laptop speakers, this is a massive upgrade and a genuinely useful feature.

Monitor Controls and Software

The physical controls for the monitor are located underneath the center of the display. There is a power button, a customizable function button, and a joystick for navigating menus. While I generally prefer front facing controls, BenQ offers a better solution.

The VideoVue includes a wireless control puck that lets you adjust volume, switch inputs, change color modes, and more without touching the monitor. It is one of the best monitor control systems available.

You can even use one puck to control up to three BenQ monitors, which is great for multi monitor setups.

If you prefer software controls, BenQ also offers Display Pilot 2. This app lets you adjust all monitor settings using your mouse, which is my preferred way to manage a display.

Display Performance and Color Accuracy

The PV3200U features a 3840×2160 UHD 4K IPS panel with a maximum refresh rate of 60 Hz. While that would be limiting for gaming, it is perfectly fine for video editing.

There is one important limitation to be aware of. When connected to a MacBook via USB C at 60 Hz, the USB hub is limited to USB 2.0 speeds. To access faster USB 3.2 speeds, you must drop the refresh rate to 30 Hz. This is frustrating, but if you edit primarily at 24 or 30 frames per second, it may not be a dealbreaker.

The panel itself is very color accurate. It comes factory calibrated, Calman verified, and includes a calibration report specific to your unit. Using my Spyder X2 Ultra, I measured 100 percent Rec.709 coverage and approximately 93 percent DCI P3 coverage. BenQ rates it at 95 percent P3, so this result is well within expected variance.

For SDR video work like YouTube, corporate, and commercial projects, this monitor performs extremely well.

HDR Limitations

The VideoVue is HDR certified, but only up to 400 nits of brightness. That means it can display accurate HDR color, but it will not deliver the high brightness levels needed for serious HDR grading. If HDR is a major part of your workflow, you will want to look at a higher end display.

Price and Value

At the time of recording, the BenQ VideoVue PV3200U has an MSRP of $800, but it is often discounted to around $650.

In this price range, competition is fierce. QD OLED monitors offer much better contrast if you have closer to a $1000 budget. On the lower end, the ASUS PA329CRV offers similar color accuracy for around $600.

That puts the VideoVue right in the middle. Whether it is worth the extra cost comes down to how much you value the built in speakers and control options.

Personally, I wish it were slightly cheaper, which would make it an easy recommendation over the ASUS. Still, if you find it on sale, it becomes a very compelling option for video editors.

Final Thoughts

The BenQ VideoVue PV3200U feels like a thoughtfully designed monitor for video editors. The color accuracy is excellent, the controls are some of the best available, and the built in speakers are genuinely useful rather than an afterthought.

If you are editing SDR video and want a monitor that focuses on the actual needs of video editors, this is a strong contender. Be sure to check current pricing, as sales can make it an even better value.

Thanks for reading, and if you have thoughts on this monitor, I would love to hear them.

The SURPRISE 1-Minute Wedding Film That Blows Couples’ Minds 🤯

The SURPRISE 1-Minute Wedding Film That Blows Couples' Minds 🤯

I’m about to show you a wedding film editing and marketing technique that can genuinely change how couples experience your work, and how often you get booked.

It’s called a same-day edit. But if that phrase already makes your stress level spike, stay with me, because what I’m about to explain is very different from the traditional version you’re probably picturing.

Most wedding filmmakers hear “same-day edit” and immediately imagine filming an entire wedding with a full crew, racing against the clock, and somehow delivering a polished film on a projector during the reception. That version exists, but it’s not what I’m talking about here.

This approach is simpler, lower stress, and something almost any wedding filmmaker can realistically pull off, even if you’re working solo.

Why Same-Day Edits Have a Bad Reputation

When I started filming weddings around 2010, a same-day edit was a massive production. It usually required multiple shooters capturing the day while a dedicated editor worked nonstop to assemble a full wedding film before the reception.

Footage had to be copied quickly. Audio had to be synced. Music had to be chosen and cut perfectly. And everything had to be finished by a hard deadline, because at some point during the reception, the entire room would stop to watch the film.

It was stressful, risky, and honestly not worth it for most filmmakers. That’s why you don’t see many people doing traditional same-day edits anymore.

There is one person doing them though, and if you want to be inspired, check out the work of Jason Magbanua!

Reframing the Same-Day Edit

The key shift is realizing that a same-day edit does not need to be a full wedding film.

Instead of creating something long, emotional, and audio-driven, you’re going to make something short, visual, and intentionally simple. The goal is not perfection. The goal is impact.

This updated approach has been used and talked about by filmmakers like Matthew Reid, 31films, and White In Revery, and it completely changes how achievable a same-day edit becomes.

Step One: Make It a Surprise

The first rule is simple: Do not tell the couple you’re doing this.

When couples know a same-day edit is coming, it becomes an expectation, which adds pressure. By keeping it a surprise, you give yourself freedom. If something goes wrong or time gets tight, you can stop without anyone knowing.

Worst case scenario, the work you’ve done becomes a head start on the final edit.

Step Two: Ignore Audio Completely

This is the biggest time-saver.

No vows. No letters. No speeches. And most importantly, no music while you’re editing at the wedding.

The edit is going to play at a loud reception where music is already blasting. Audio doesn’t matter. Removing it entirely lets you work incredibly fast.

Without music dictating your cuts, you’re free to simply choose great-looking shots and move on.

Step Three: Only Choose the Prettiest Clips

This edit is about visual impact. You’re not telling a story. You’re showing your creative eye.

Scroll through your cards quickly and grab only the clips that make you stop and say, “That looks incredible.” Portraits of the couple, beautiful movement, strong light, and clean compositions should make up most of the edit.

Don’t copy entire cards. Just grab what you need and keep moving.

If assembling this takes more than 15 minutes, you’re overthinking it.

How Long the Edit Should Be

Aim for one minute to one minute and thirty seconds.

Anything longer and people won’t stand around to watch it. Shorter is completely fine too. Even 30 seconds can have a huge impact.

Once the clips are on the timeline, apply a quick color grade, export in 1080p, and move on. Speed matters more than resolution here.

When and Where to Edit

Most filmmakers who use this approach carve out time during cocktail hour or during reception downtime, like after formal dances.

If you’re solo, this might mean stepping away for short bursts with your laptop near the reception. It’s doable, it just requires intention.

The entire process should take around 30 minutes once you get comfortable with it.

How to Show the Edit at the Reception

Forget projectors and TVs.

Take your laptop, place it on a table, turn the brightness up, and call the couple over. Tell them you have a surprise.

This moment never fails. Couples don’t expect to see an edit of their wedding on the same day. The reactions are emotional, genuine, and incredibly rewarding.

After they’ve watched it, set the video to loop, make it full screen, and leave it playing.

Guests will naturally gather. People notice when couples are reacting to something special.

Why This Is Incredible Marketing

Instead of forcing everyone to stop and watch a video once, you let the edit play passively throughout the reception.

Guests can watch it on their own terms. And those guests are a perfect audience. They’re the same age as the couple, many are engaged, and they’ll be at the reception for hours.

This often results in far more real engagement than posting the same video online and hoping an algorithm shows it to future couples.

Three Extra Marketing Wins

First, add your logo and website at the end of the edit. Make it easy for people to find you.

Second, place a few business cards near your laptop. Older guests especially will grab them and follow up later.

Third, don’t let this edit live only at the wedding.

Send it to the couple and post it on social media the very next day. Add music, polish it slightly, and ride the excitement while it’s still fresh.

Why Couples Love This

Even if your full wedding film takes months to deliver, couples already have something beautiful to watch and share.

It builds trust. It buys you time. And it reminds them why they hired you in the first place.

The Big Takeaway

You don’t need a big team, a projector, or a stressful timeline.

You need about 30 minutes, a laptop, and the willingness to keep things simple.

This version of a same-day edit is low stress, incredibly effective, and one of the strongest marketing moves you can make as a wedding filmmaker.

Want to learn more about editing? Check out my free Edit Videos Like A Pro guide!

Panasonic S1 II Menu Setup Guide: Best Fast Filmmaking Settings For Video

Panasonic S1 II Camera Menu

The Panasonic S1 II is one of the most powerful hybrid cameras Panasonic has ever released. It is absolutely loaded with professional video features. The downside is that it ships with hundreds of menu options that are not optimized for real-world filmmaking out of the box.

If you want to get the best image quality, best autofocus performance, and the smoothest shooting experience possible, you need to customize the camera heavily.

This guide walks you through how I set up the Panasonic S1 II for video. These are the same settings I use for client work, YouTube, and paid productions.

If you want to save a ton of time, I also provide a free downloadable S1 II preset file that applies all of these settings automatically, including button layouts, custom menus, and quick menu shortcuts. You can download that here and follow along if you want the fastest setup possible.

I also teach all of this in much more depth inside my Panasonic S1 II Pro Video Guide course, where I break down why these settings work, how to adjust them for different shooting scenarios, and how to get the most out of the camera long term.

Now, it’s time to dive into the menus!


Start With a Full Camera Reset

Before changing any settings, I recommend resetting the camera back to factory defaults. This ensures we are starting from the same baseline.

To reset the S1 II:

  1. Turn the camera on
  2. Go to the menu
  3. Navigate to the blue wrench icon
  4. Go to the gear submenu
  5. Select Reset
  6. Reset all settings, network settings, and custom setup settings

Once this is done, your camera will behave exactly like it did when you first took it out of the box.


Set the Physical Camera Controls First

Before touching the menus, make sure the camera is physically set up correctly.

  • Set the top mode dial to M (Manual)’
  • Set the left-side dial to the video camera icon
  • Set the focus switch to C (Continuous AF)

This ensures the camera is fully in manual video mode and ready for menu customization.


Image Quality Settings (Red Video Menu)

Photo Style

Set your Photo Style to V-Log.

V-Log is the profile I recommend using for about 99 percent of video work on the S1 II. It gives you maximum dynamic range and flexibility in post.

There are separate lessons in my course that go deep into V-Log settings and color grading, but for now, just make sure it is selected.

Metering Mode

Leave this set to the default multi-metering option. This tells the camera to measure exposure across the entire frame.

Dynamic Range Boost

Turn this off.

While Dynamic Range Boost can increase highlight retention, it limits you to 30p, increases rolling shutter, and disables slow motion. For most filmmaking scenarios, it is not worth the trade-offs.

Dual Native ISO

Leave this set to Auto. I will show a more precise way to control ISO manually later.

Synchro Scan

Leave this off unless you are dealing with flickering lights.

If you ever shoot under problematic LED lighting and cannot eliminate flicker by adjusting shutter speed normally, Synchro Scan allows extremely fine shutter adjustments to match the light refresh rate.

Shutter Speed Limiter

Turn this off. This is only useful for auto shutter modes, which we are not using.


Shutter Speed and ISO Display

The S1 II lets you display exposure in multiple ways:

  • Shutter speed in fractions
  • Shutter angle
  • Gain in decibels

Unless you come from a broadcast background, I strongly recommend sticking with Seconds / ISO. It keeps things simple and predictable.

Shutter angle is useful in theory, but it adds unnecessary complexity for most shooters. If you ever feel overwhelmed, remember this rule:

Set your shutter speed to roughly double your frame rate, and you will be in good shape.


Lens Corrections and Filters

Turn off the following settings:

  • Vignetting Compensation
  • Color Shading Compensation
  • Diffraction Compensation
  • Filter Effects

These are all automatic corrections that can affect exposure or bake unwanted looks into your footage. Anything like this is better handled in post.


Recording Format and Resolution

File Format

Choose MOV, not MP4.

MP4 limits some of the camera’s higher-end features and reduces image quality. MOV gives you better codecs and more flexibility.

Image Area

Leave this set to Full most of the time.

Use APS-C mode if you need extra reach, such as filming from far away at an event. Pixel-by-pixel is rarely worth using.

If you want yours set up the way mine is, here’s Sony a7 IV Menu Setup Guide | Fast Filmmaking Settings For The Sony a7 IV Part 1, Sony FX30 Menu Setup Guide | Fast Filmmaking Settings For The Sony FX30 Part 1, and Sony a7 IV Custom Buttons Setup Guide | Fast Filmmaking Settings For The Sony a7 IV Part 2.

Recording Quality

For general filmmaking, I recommend 5.9K at 24p as a starting point.

This gives you excellent detail, flexibility for reframing, and strong image quality. I cover frame rates and resolutions in detail in my course so you know exactly when to use each option.

Recording Quality My List

Use this feature to save your favorite frame rates and resolutions so you do not have to scroll through the full list every time.


Proxy Recording

If your computer struggles with high-resolution footage, enable Proxy Recording.

The camera will record full-quality video to your CFexpress card and a low-resolution proxy to the SD card. I recommend setting proxy quality to Low for smooth playback.

There is also a Real-Time LUT Proxy option, which is useful if you want an easy-to-edit version of your footage while preserving a flat master file.


Autofocus Settings

The S1 II has dramatically improved autofocus, and these settings matter a lot if you want it to look smooth and natural.

Subject Detection

Turn this on.

  • Detection Subject: Human
  • Target Parts: Eye / Face / Body

Autofocus Custom Settings (Video)

These are critical:

  • AF Speed: -3
  • AF Sensitivity: -2

This slows the autofocus down and makes it look far more natural for video.

Turn off the AF assist light. You do not want a light turning on while filming.


Audio Settings

Audio Levels Display

Turn this on and set it to Small so your screen stays uncluttered.

Sound Recording Level

Set this to Low. This helps prevent clipping.

Recording Level Adjust

Aim for peaks around -12 dB.

Wind Noise Cancel

Turn this off. Handle noise reduction in post for more control.

Mic Power

Leave this set to Mic + Power for most external microphones.


Display and Monitoring Tools

Histogram

Optional, but not my preferred exposure tool.

Grid Lines

If you use them, stick to the simple 3×3 grid.

Level Gauge

Turn this off by default. You can assign it to a custom button if needed.

Luminance Spot Meter

This is one of the most useful exposure tools on the S1 II.

It lets you check exposure at a specific point in your frame. I recommend enabling it and learning how to use it properly, especially when shooting log.


Custom Buttons and Controls

The S1 II allows deep customization of nearly every button and dial.

I do not recommend randomly changing these without a plan. In my course, I walk through:

  • Which buttons to customize
  • What to assign to each one
  • How to build an efficient shooting layout

If you want a shortcut, the free preset download applies all of my recommended button mappings automatically.


Final Thoughts

The Panasonic S1 II is not a camera you can just turn on and expect to get the best results from. But once it is set up correctly, it is an absolute powerhouse for video.

If you want the fastest setup possible, download the free S1 II preset file and load it onto your camera. It applies all of these settings in seconds.

If you want to truly master the S1 II, understand why these settings matter, and learn how to adapt them for different types of shoots, check out my full Panasonic S1 II Pro Video Guide. It goes far deeper than a single blog post ever could.

Is The M5 MacBook Pro Better For Video Editing? (Buyer’s Guide)

Matt Johnson holding an M5 Macbook for Video Editing

M5 MacBook Pro Buyer’s Guide for Video Editors: Should You Buy It and What Specs Actually Make Sense?

The new 14 inch Apple MacBook Pro with the M5 chip is finally here, and if you are a video editor who has been thinking about buying a new laptop, you are probably asking yourself two very specific questions:

  1. Should you even buy this new M5 MacBook Pro at all?
  2. If you do decide to buy one, what specs actually make sense for video editing without wasting a ton of money.

In this buyer’s guide I want to help you answer both of those questions clearly and honestly, because not every new Apple release is automatically the best choice for video editors.

At the time of writing this, Apple is only offering one version of the M5 MacBook, which is the 14 inch MacBook Pro. There is no MacBook Air with M5, no 16 inch MacBook Pro, and no M5 Pro or M5 Max chips available yet. If you want an M5 laptop today, this single configuration is your only option.

Should Video Editors Buy the M5 MacBook Pro?

The short answer for most video editors is: probably not (at least not right now).

Based on everything we know so far, the M5 is a fairly incremental upgrade when it comes to video editing performance, and until we see an M5 Pro or M5 Max, it is hard to justify choosing this over discounted previous generation models.

That said, there are some real improvements with the M5 that can matter depending on how you work, so let’s walk through those before writing it off completely.

Faster Storage and Larger SSD Options

One of the most noticeable upgrades with the M5 MacBook Pro is the internal storage speed. Apple has moved to PCIe Gen 4 SSDs, which support transfer speeds up to roughly 6800 megabytes per second. That is nearly double the roughly 3500 megabytes per second we saw on the previous generation, and in some real world tests it can be even faster depending on the workload.

If you regularly copy large video files to and from your internal drive, especially if you shoot in 4K, 6K, or 8K resolutions, this faster storage can genuinely save you time over the course of a project. It is not the kind of upgrade that makes headlines, but it is absolutely something working editors will feel day to day.

Along with the speed increase, Apple has also expanded the maximum internal storage option on the 14 inch model to 4 TB, up from 2 TB on previous base models. As always, Apple’s storage pricing is extremely expensive, so this is more about what is technically possible rather than what I would actually recommend most people buy.

GPU and AI Performance Improvements

When it comes to raw performance, the CPU improvements in the M5 appear to be fairly modest, roughly around a 10 percent increase compared to the previous generation. For video editors, though, the more interesting change is the GPU, which has seen a much larger jump, with Apple claiming around a 34 percent increase in GPU performance.

This matters because modern video editing software, especially DaVinci Resolve, relies heavily on the GPU for playback, rendering, and effects processing. A stronger GPU can lead to smoother timelines and faster exports in many situations.

On top of that, Apple has added neural accelerators directly into each GPU core, and this is where things start to get more interesting for editors who use AI powered tools. Every major editing platform is adding more AI features with every update, including things like AI music editing, animated subtitles, multicam switching, voice isolation, upscaling, and denoising.

Apple specifically calls out tools like Enhance Speech in Premiere Pro, claiming it runs over four times faster than on an M1 MacBook Pro and nearly three times faster than on an M4 MacBook Pro. They also tested Topaz Video AI, where the M5 reportedly performs over seven times faster than an M1 and more than three times faster than an M4.

If your workflow leans heavily into AI based tools, these improvements can actually be meaningful.

Hardware Encoders, Decoders, and Real World Editing

Another important area for video editors is hardware encoding and decoding. These dedicated media engines are one of the biggest factors in how fast your laptop can play back and export video, especially when working with codecs like H.264 and H.265.

With the M5, these encoders and decoders do appear to be faster than on the M4 and earlier M series chips, so if you frequently export client videos in H.264 or H.265, you should see some speed improvements.

However, things change once you move into RAW workflows. Formats like RED RAW, ProRes RAW, and Blackmagic RAW still benefit from hardware acceleration, but they also rely very heavily on GPU performance. The important thing to remember here is that the M5 only has a base level GPU. It does not have the extra cores and performance you would get from an M5 Pro or M5 Max chip.

Because of that, editors who spend most of their time working with high bitrate or RAW footage may actually see better overall performance from an older MacBook Pro with a Pro or Max chip, even if it is technically a generation behind.

So, Who Should Buy the M5 MacBook Pro?

If you regularly use AI powered effects in your editing software, do work in Fusion or After Effects, and want to be somewhat future proofed as these tools continue to evolve, then the M5 MacBook Pro can make sense if you specifically want the newest Apple laptop available right now.

Speaking of which, Video Editing Macbook Buyer’s Guide in 2022, Video Editing Macbook Buyer’s Guide 2024, and Video Editing Macbook Buyer’s Guide in 2023 are worth a look too.

On the other hand, if you mostly edit RAW footage or want a more powerful machine overall that excels at heavier timelines, I would strongly recommend skipping the M5 for now and looking at an M4 MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro chip. With current discounts, those machines are often priced very close to a base M5 and offer significantly more sustained performance for professional video work.

The M5 MacBook Pro Specs I Would Actually Buy

If you do decide that the M5 MacBook Pro is the right choice for you, my recommendation is surprisingly simple. I would go with the base configuration, which includes the base M5 chip, 16 GB of memory, and a 512 GB SSD.

If you have a little extra budget, I would consider upgrading to the faster charger, which is a relatively small cost, and if you often edit in bright environments like coffee shops or near windows, the nano texture display is absolutely worth the upgrade in my opinion.

What I would not recommend is upgrading the memory or storage. The moment you do that, you are pushing the price to around $2000, and at that point you are much better off buying an M4 Pro MacBook or waiting for the inevitable M5 Pro and M5 Max models, which will almost certainly be significantly faster for video editing.

Should You Wait?

If you can wait, history suggests that the M5 Pro and M5 Max models will arrive sometime in early 2026, likely around the $2000 price point, and they should be a massive upgrade over the base M5. There are also rumors that Apple may introduce OLED displays in future MacBooks, possibly in 2026 or 2027, which would be a truly meaningful upgrade for video editors.

If you cannot wait, the M4 Pro MacBook Pro currently offers the best balance of price and performance for most editors.

No matter which route you go, choosing the right laptop comes down to understanding your workflow and not just buying the newest thing because it exists. Hopefully this guide helped you make a more confident decision.

If you want to dive deeper into editing techniques themselves, I also have a free “Edit Videos Like a Pro” guide that covers some of the most important lessons I learned over years of professional editing, and it applies regardless of which software or computer you use.

Thanks for reading, and I hope this helped you choose the right MacBook for your video editing workflow.

Interested in building your own PC instead? Check out my buyer’s guides.

Please note: Some of the Amazon and B&H links in this article are affiliate links and I earn a commission from them.