NAB 2022: Blackmagic’s new ATEM Constellation HD Switchers

A new family of HD live production switchers featuring 1 M/E, 2 M/E and 4 M/E models is billed as giving customers powerful broadcast features at an affordable price.

Blackmagic is definitely setting out its stall for the new ATEM Constellation HD Switchers that debuted on its booth at NAB. Not only does it say that they feature the latest electronics technology but that they are extremely (our italics) affordable. And given that they start from £995, the company might well have a point.

And certainly there is a lot to these units. Pitched at ATEM Mini customers who need to expand, or larger broadcasters who want to upgrade their studios to get a modern switcher, there are three now models in the series; a 1 M/E model with 10 x 3G‑SDI inputs, 2 M/E model with 20 x 3G‑SDI inputs and a 4 M/E model with 40 x 3G‑SDI inputs. All include full standards conversion on every SDI input, 4 ATEM advanced chroma keyers per M/E row, a DVE per M/E row, media players, larger media pool, and a significant amount of other features.

All also feature a compact rack mount design with a built in control panel. This allows direct operation of the switcher, critical during setup or for emergency use. Also included is a large LCD so customers can see program output and change switcher settings via on-screen menus. 

The front panel control buttons are the same premium type used on full sized panels for reliability, as well as giving access to controls governing keyers, media, and fade to black. Plus the front panel LCD and menu buttons also allow almost every single operational feature of the switcher to be accessed.

Connections for 3G-SDI inputs, 3G-SDI aux outputs, balanced audio and Ethernet for control are all housed at the rear, while the top 4 M/E model even boasts RS-422 for serial control and MADI digital audio connections.

Each 3G-SDI input features 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. There’s a very impressive number of fully independent 3G-SDI outputs across the range too. The entry levell 1 M/E model has 6 x 3G-SDI outputs, the 2 M/E model has 12 x 3G-SDI outputs, and the 4 M/E model has a massive 24 x 3G-SDI outputs. Customers 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.

Built-in multiview lets customers monitor multiple sources on a single monitor. The 1 M/E model includes 1 multiview, the 2 M/E model has 2 independent multiviews and the 4 M/E model has 4 independent multiviews — all as you’d expect. All external SDI inputs, plus all internal video sources can be routed to any view. All multiviews are also fully customizable and can be independently set to 4, 7, 10, 13 or 16 simultaneous views. Customers can add the tally border plus source label and VU meters as an overlay on each view. Plus a red and green border will show tally on each view, so customers know what sources are on air.

But wait, there's more

There are a lot of capabilities housed in the unit, so we’re going to bullet point the rest. But before we do that it is worth pointing out the range’s usefulness for virtual set work. A powerful chroma keyer features a color picker to sample background colors for automatic generation of the key parameters. Customers get precise controls for edge and flare, and there is a foreground color corrector so customers can match the "look" of the foreground layer to the background layer making seamless compositions possible. The keyer can also be used for pattern and DVE keying. 

Customers get 4 ATEM Advanced Keyers on the 1 M/E model, 8 ATEM Advanced Keyers on the 2 M/E model and 16 ATEM Advanced Keyers on the 4 M/E model. And with 4 upstream chroma keyers per M/E row, customers have a great fit for building virtual sets, and can even use a keyer per camera to create a seamless composition of the camera over the custom background. Even the 1 M/E model has enough keyers to generate a 4 camera virtual set. 

A quick round up of the rest of the features:

• Professional talkback compatible with ClearCom and RTS.
• Internal media for stills and motion graphics.
• Up to 4 independent DVEs.
• Multi rate 3G-SDI for all HD television standards including 720p, 1080i and 1080p.
• Built in 156 channel Fairlight audio mixer.
• Software control panel.
• Compatible with all ATEM hardware control panels.
• All features are included with no extra customer costs, unlocks etc

"We are excited to introduce these new live production switchers, as many high end broadcasters don't need Ultra HD, but they still need to upgrade their studios," said Grant Petty, Blackmagic Design CEO. "Plus a lot of our ATEM Mini customers have been growing and doing innovative work. They are now looking to upgrade and purchase more advanced switchers that can keep up with their work as their streaming channels grow. It’s a very exciting time!”

It is also a lot of bang for the buck. All models are available immediately. The 1 M/E ATEM Constellation HD is listed at $995, the 2 M/E at $1695, and the top end 4 M/E at $3695.