Page 1 of 3 >>
Video Review: Blackmagic Design Atem Production Switcher
The new Atem switcher produces excellent video with minimal latency. It functioned flawlessly while we used it.
In late spring of 2010, Echolab-the original maker of the Atem switcher-closed its doors. A few months later, Blackmagic Design announced that it had purchased the rights to the Atem line, and those of us who were huge fans of the original Atem wondered what they would do with it.
Our questions were answered in the spring of 2011 at NAB when Blackmagic introduced the new Atem collection. Spoiler alert: The new Atem is nothing like the old Atem. Other than a passing resemblance to the control panel, there is virtually nothing carried over from the Echolab version. If you were hoping for a lower-cost version of the original Atem, you will be disappointed. However, if your needs line up with what the new Atem offers, there might be something here for you.
The new Atem line consists of a very low-cost Television Studio version, a 1 M/E and 2 M/E version, and a choice of two hardware control surfaces. The Television Studio version is a very basic, single-rack-space switcher with six video inputs and four video (one program, three aux) outputs. The 1 M/E version is a two-rack-space frame that adds two additional inputs and a wider selection of outputs, including down-converted SDI and analog out. The 2 M/E version is a three-rack-space unit that adds another eight inputs, supports six aux outs, has two multi-viewer outputs (up from one in the other models), significantly more keyers and, of course, adds a second M/E bus.
There are two control surfaces available; a single M/E surface has 10 source-selection buttons, a T-bar and controls for the four upstream and two downstream keyers. The 2 M/E panel builds on that with more source selection buttons, the second M/E controls, as well as all the additional keying controls.
The Television Studio, 1 M/E switcher and 1 M/E Control Panel, are shipping now with pricing set at $995, $2,495 and $4,995 respectively. The 2 M/E switcher and surface are said to be shipping in Q4 of 2011 with pricing of $4,995 and $14,995 respectively.
The 1 ME version
I was given a 1 M/E version along with the hardware control panel to evaluate. The switch I received was loaded with software version 1, meaning it would only operate in HD mode. To enable SD, I needed to update to the recently released v. 2 software. Connection was made by the USB 3.0/2.0 port on the switch. The update went smoothly, and after assigning an IP address in a different range from my in-house network, I was able to connect via Ethernet.
The control surface also needed to be updated. Again, this update is performed via USB, though I found it curious that the port on the control surface is a mini-USB. After fishing around for a cable, the update proceeded flawlessly and I was up and running.
It should be noted that to do any configuration of the switcher, you will need a PC or Mac running the Atem software. This includes selecting input sources, configuring the multi-viewer, adding graphics to the media pool, or setting the operating mode (SD or HD in 720P or 1,080i).
Page 1 of 3 next page >>
Mike Sessler is the technical director at Coast Hills Community Church in Aliso Viejo, Calif. He has been involved in live production for over 20 years and is the author of the blog http://www.ChurchTechArts.org. He also hosts a weekly podcast called Church Tech Weekly on http://www.TechArtsNetwork.com.
Post a Comment
ADD NEW COMMENT