Blackmagic Design manufactures broadcast and cinema hardware — most notably high-end digital movie cameras. The company also develops video editing and color correction software, such as DaVinci Resolve and Blackmagic Fusion applications. At NAB 2022, the company announced a variety of new products, including a new line of ATEM Constellation HD switchers.
These new switchers are designed to provide a much-needed, professional upgrade for ATEM Mini customers or broadcasters wishing to get a more modern switcher for their studio. Let’s take a look at what we know so far about the announcement.
Key Features ATEM Constellation Switcher:
- Advanced design with built-in front panel controls
- Up to 40 standards converted 3G-SDI inputs, 24 customizable
- Up to four independent multiviews with multiple layout options
- Four independent DVE and stinger transitions
- Professional talkback compatible with ClearCom and RTS
- New ATEM Advanced Chroma Key
- Multi-rate 3G-SDI for all HD television standards including 720p, 1080i and 1080p
- Built-in 156 channel Fairlight audio mixer
- Compatible with all ATEM hardware control panels
ATEM Constellation HD switchers are the world’s most powerful HD live production switchers. The lineup includes a 1ME model with 10x3GSDI inputs, a 2ME model with 20x3GSDI inputs, and a 4ME model with 40x3GSDI inputs. All models feature full standards conversion on every SDI input, four advanced chroma keyers, one DVE, media players, and a larger media pool.
Design and Control
They have a rack mount design and a built-in control panel, allowing the switcher to operate during setup or emergency situations. In addition, a large LCD screen lets customers view program output and change settings on the switcher via on-screen menus. Portable live production is easy with the switcher’s compact design. This includes connections for 3G-SDI inputs, 3G-SDI outputs, balanced audio, and Ethernet control.
Each model includes full standards conversion for every SDI input, four ATEM advanced chroma keyers per M/E row, a DVE per M/E row, media players, a larger media pool, and SuperSource processors. An ATEM Advanced Panel can be added to the 1M/E, 2M/E, or 4M/E models:
Customers have total control over their switcher with the free ATEM Software Control. The panel features an intuitive interface with a visual switcher and parameter palette for making quick adjustments. Users of the ATEM Software Control can also control cameras, audio mixing, media, macro programming, and even control HyperDeck disk recorders. Additionally, all media from the media pool is backed up and can be saved as XML files.
Built-In Fairlight Mixer
An integrated Fairlight audio mixer in the ATEM Constellation allows for complex live sound mixing. The internal mixer can handle up to 156 input channels. This makes it the largest audio mixer in a live production switcher ever. The audio is disembedded from all SDI video inputs and passed to the audio mixer. Also, the 4 M/E model has additional audio mixer input channels for MADI audio inputs. The input channels feature six bands of parametric EQ and a compressor, limiter, expander, noise gate, and full panning. Extra channels are available for analog input, talkback microphones, and media players.
Blackmagic Cloud Storage and HyperDeck
Blackmagic also announced a series of additional products that are sure to improve your content quality. These include:
Blackmagic Cloud Store
Designed for Hollywood feature films, the Blackmagic Cloud Store is an extremely fast and high-capacity network disk. Advanced flash memory lets it support many users simultaneously.
Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini 8TB
With the Blackmagic Cloud Store Mini, you get a fast network storage solution in a compact rack-mount design. The system features a high-speed 10G Ethernet connection and four internal M.2 flash memory cards that operate in parallel RAID 0 for incredibly fast file access.
Blackmagic Cloud Pod
You can turn any USB-C disk into a network storage device with the Blackmagic Cloud Pod. It’s the ideal solution for sharing a media disk recorded on a camera with multiple users on your network. Fast file access is enabled by a 10G Ethernet connection.
HyperDeck Shuttle HD
The HyperDeck Shuttle HD recorder and player enables easy desktop use. In other words, it’s more than a master recorder since you can also use it as a clip player. Using the large search dial, you can scroll through a variety of media files and find the clip you’re looking for. Its HDMI connections let you connect monitors, cameras, and switchers. It even has a teleprompter built-in.
HyperDeck Extreme 4K Ultra HDR
HyperDeck Extreme 4K HDR offers the same trusted reliability as HyperDeck, plus new innovations such as H.265 files, optional internal cache, 3D LUTs, and HDR support. Recording up to native 4K in H.265 results in reduced storage costs and great image quality. You can control all deck settings using the large touch screen as well as see your recording clearly.
Wrapping Up
The price of these ATEM Constellation HD switchers includes everything upfront — unlike other products on the market. This means users can take advantage of all features immediately after purchase. Blackmagic Design continues groundbreaking innovations including 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI products and stereoscopic 3D and Ultra HD workflows.
