At the 2022 NAB convention, Blackmagic Design launched a new family of live production switchers—the ATEM Constellation HD line that includes a 1 M/E model with 10 3G-SDI inputs, 2 M/E model with 20 3G-SDI inputs and a 4 M/E model with 40 3G-SDI inputs. ATEM switchers allow you to mix and apply effects to the outputs of multiple video inputs and to monitor multiple outputs simultaneously on a single multiview monitor. Here’s an overview of the ATEM Constellation HD Switchers.
All ATEM Constellation HD models include full standards conversion on every SDI input and the SDI inputs have built-in scaling. This is really helpful in live environments where there are times when you don’t know what feed you’re going to get. Whatever the output of the switcher is, is what the input will be converted to. The range also includes four ATEM advanced chroma keyers per M/E row, up to 4 DVEs depending on the model, media players, larger media pool, and much more. Thinks of this line as a Swiss Army knife type of solution for live concerts, broadcast, virtual production, and event work.
Compact Control
ATEM Constellation HD switchers feature a compact rack mount design with a built-in control panel. Also included is a large LCD screen so users can see program output and change switcher settings via on screen menus. The compact design is perfect for portable live production, with the rear of the switcher including the connections for 3G-SDI inputs, 3G-SDI aux outputs, balanced audio, and Ethernet for control. The top 4 M/E model even includes RS-422 for serial control and MADI digital audio connections.
With a control panel built into the front panel, users can simply walk up and operate the ATEM Constellation at any time. The front panel control buttons are the same type used on full sized panels, so they are extremely reliable. Users can even control keyers, media, and fade to black from the front panel. The front panel LCD and menu buttons also allow almost every single operational feature of the switcher to be accessed.
Inputs & Outputs
The ATEM Constellation HD family features models that have up to 40 independent 3G-SDI inputs, with each input featuring its own dedicated up and cross converter. That means it’s possible to convert any 1080p input source to the video standard of the switcher. That means users could have each switcher SDI input running a different television standard and all the inputs will just work.
The ATEM Constellation HD family have a large number of fully independent 3G-SDI outputs. Even the small 1 M/E model has six 3G-SDI outputs. Then the 2 M/E model has 12 3G-SDI outputs, and the 4 M/E model has 24 3G-SDI outputs. These SDI outputs are very powerful because users can independently route any SDI input or any internal source to each SDI output. Or use the SDI outputs for ISO recorders, where each deck will get a resynchronized switcher input with matching timecode. All SDI outputs contain program audio, RP-188 timecode, SDI camera control, tally, and talkback.
The built-in multiview lets users monitor multiple sources on a single monitor. The 1 M/E model includes one multiview, the 2 M/E model has two independent multiviews, and the 4 M/E model has four independent multiviews. All external SDI inputs, plus all internal video sources can be routed to any view.
Smooth Transitions
ATEM Constellation HD includes a wide range of broadcast quality native transitions such as mix, dip, wipe, and more. All transitions can be customized in the system control menus with adjustments for border color, border width, position, direction, and more. The ATEM Constellation switcher includes a digital video effects processor for DVE transitions, which can be used to squeeze the current picture off screen revealing a new video under it. The DVE can even be used to create graphic wipe transitions.
To keep crews working as a single creative team, ATEM Constellation features built-in talkback. Talkback supports a 5 pin XLR headset connector, plus a rear mounted RJ12 connector for interfacing with industry standard talkback systems such as Clear-Com or RTS. Users get full talkback control including program and engineering loops, sidetone control for hearing the headset mic into the headphones and program mix. ATEM Constellation HD also supports SDI talkback that uses SDI channels 15 and 16 for two-way communication with Blackmagic Design cameras. Users can even use channels 13 and 14 for engineering talkback.
Onboard Stills and Animations
The built-in media pool stores broadcast-quality RGBA graphics and animations that can be played back instantly by the two or four media players. The built-in media pool holds graphics for use with the media players and the 1 M/E model can hold 20 stills and 200 frame animations, the 2 M/E model can hold 40 stills and 400 frame animations, and the 4 M/E model can hold 60 stills and 600 frame animations.
In addition to the DVEs in the M/E rows, the 2 M/E and 4 M/E models include SuperSource multi-layer processors with four extra DVE layers plus a background layer, that all appear to ATEM Constellation HD as an additional input source. Any switcher video input can be used for each SuperSource DVE, then it’s all layered together over a media pool custom background. SuperSource is just like having an extra multi-layer VFX switcher built in. SuperSource is perfect for doing picture in picture displays because users can set up the effect while keeping the main DVEs free for other tasks. The ATEM 4 M/E Constellation even has two completely independent SuperSource processors.
Software & Hardware Control
The ATEM Software Control Panel gives users total control over their switcher and is included free. The ATEM Software Control Panel features a well-designed interface with a visual switcher and parameter palettes for making quick adjustments. What’s nice is that every switcher uses the same Blackmagic Design software interface, no matter which switcher you’re using. All of its software works the same; buttons are grayed out in the software interface if they’re not relevant to that particular switcher. This helps people who already have a familiarity with other Blackmagic Design switchers. The ATEM Software Control also lets users access camera control, audio mixing, media, macro programming and even control of HyperDeck disk recorders. Users can even save the full state of the switcher as XML files, plus all media is backed up from the media pool.
All rows of M/E buttons include integrated LCDs for dynamic input button labeling. The 1 M/E model features a single M/E row with 10 input buttons. The 2 M/E model features 2 M/E rows with 20 input buttons. The massive 4 M/E model features 4 M/E rows with 40 input buttons per row and 4 independent system control LCD screens.
Unlike other switchers, all features are included in the purchase price. That means users get all features fully enabled and always ready for use. There are no license fees to allow users to use features and no ongoing monthly costs. This means users will never experience a license expiring five minutes before their show starts. Advanced features such as multiview, SuperSource, DVEs, or the ATEM Advanced Keyers are always enabled and always ready to use.
Blackmagic Design is known for producing products that are budget friendly and reliable. The new Constellation HD switchers are yet another Blackmagic Design offering that provides a lot of bang for your production buck. They pack a lot of power and control in a compact and user-friendly package. We encourage you to get a demonstration and see if they are right for your application. You can learn more at www.blackmagicdesign.com.
Online Tech Specs
On the Blackmagic Design website, there’s a comprehensive tech specification section, which is helpful for people to find out more in-depth information about the company’s products. You can see and compare the features of the different Constellation HD Switchers, see the MSRP for each, and find the right switcher for your application.
- ATEM 1 M/E Constellation HD: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/atemconstellationhd/techspecs/W-APS-25
- ATEM 2 M/E Constellation HD: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/atemconstellationhd/techspecs/W-APS-26
- ATEM 4 M/E Constellation HD: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/atemconstellationhd/techspecs/W-APS-27
