Blackmagic Design announces ATEM Constellation IP, 2 new models of live production switchers that are fully SMPTE-2110 native. These new models retain the features of the existing ATEM Constellation SDI based switchers, allowing a seamless transition between SMPTE-2110 and SDI based switchers when using both. Designed for high end broadcast and live production, the new design features front-to-back cooling, extensive redundancy, support for SMPTE-2022-7 on all 100G video ports, redundant PTP clock connections, 2 x 10G Ethernet for control ports and redundant AC power supplies. ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP will be available in June from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide from $7,995.
The ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP will be demonstrated on the Blackmagic Design NAB 2026 booth #N2502.
“The ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP has a dramatically different design to other models because it is designed for high end broadcasters,” the announcement states. “The new design features front to back cooling with 4 fans that are extremely quiet. All connections feature full redundancy with SMPTE-2022-7 on all video ports, plus additional redundancy on the control and PTP Ethernet ports. A built in LCD displays all standard ATEM Constellation status information and provides access to settings menus. The front panel even includes a headphone connection and built-in speaker for local program monitoring.”
The standard 4 M/E model has 32 standards converted SMPTE-2022-7 inputs using 4 sets of dual redundant 100G Ethernet connections. Customers also get 24 SMPTE-2110 outputs, 16 ATEM Advanced Keys, 4 multi-views and 2 SuperSource for a total of 12 DVEs.
The large 4 M/E Plus model has 64 standards converted SMPTE-2022-7 inputs using 8 sets of dual redundant 100G Ethernet connections. Customers also get 48 SMPTE-2022-7 outputs, 16 ATEM Advanced Keys, 4 multi-views and 2 SuperSource for a total of 12 DVEs.
ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP features multiple SMPTE-2110 connections using 100G Ethernet, supporting 8 input and 8 output video channels on each connection. The switcher then maps inputs and outputs across its multiple 100G Ethernet connections. Each 100G Ethernet connection has two separate connectors, supporting SMPTE-2110 redundancy, so customers can connect each port to a separate network switch. SMPTE 2022-7 Seamless Protection Switching sends two identical video and audio copies across connections, then on the receive side, it compares incoming RTP packets by sequence number and reconstructs the video frame from the first arriving packet of pixels. The switcher is totally seamless.
“One of the advantages of SMPTE-2110 video is normally all network video sources use the same video standard,” the announcement explains. “However live production isn’t always as straightforward as theory, as the real world is often chaotic. Sometimes customers need to handle video sources that are not operating in the same video standard that their ATEM switcher is set to. ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP solves this problem because each input video channel has a dedicated standards converter. This means all video sources will be standards converted to the switcher standard automatically. Customers can simply route any video source into the ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP and then get a stable video source. Everything just works.”
ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP supports all popular broadcast video standards. The standards converters on all switcher input channels allow customers to work with different video standards all at the same time. ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP can be switched to different HD and Ultra HD television standards, including 720p, 1080i, 1080p and 2160p up to 60p. This is necessary when customers need to instantly adapt to the needs of the job customers are doing anywhere in the world. Also, customers can still send talkback, tally and control to SDI equipment if customers connect a Blackmagic SDI Expander 8x12G. Then customers can connect these SDI switcher outputs back to a camera for program return, camera control and talkback.
“Fairlight Live is the world’s most powerful 2110 software audio mixer designed for broadcast and live events,” the announcement states. “It supports routing audio to and from ATEM Constellation switchers via USB. Unlike hardware mixers, it natively supports stereo, surround and immersive audio. It includes powerful features such as 3rd party plug-in support, AFL/PFL Solo, talkback and advanced input controls such as remote gain and dual inputs. Customers also get a cue player, snapshots, internal matrix and more. Plus, customers can run more than one system for multiple simultaneous users or full redundancy.”
All ATEM 4 M/E Constellation switchers have built-in talkback that uses audio channels 15 and 16 for 2-way communication with Blackmagic Design cameras. Fairlight Live has multiple talkback busses as well as full audio channel routing on the ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP, so this means customers can have as many talkback busses as needed.
“So customers get even better talkback, including camera and engineering loops, commentator busses, and separate mixes for everyone, right from the Fairlight Live software. All customers need to do is route the talkback bus to channels 15 and 16 of any special ATEM output and then send that output to the cameras or commentators customers want on that talkback bus,” the release continues.
The ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP’s broadcast style design features front-to-back cooling so there is limited space for front panel controls. To solve this problem customers can add an ATEM Monitoring Panel into their rack. It has the same controls as regular ATEM Constellation SDI models, but it’s an independent monitoring converter and control panel combination. It features a rack mount design with premium buttons for operating their ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP switcher. There’s also a dedicated Ethernet control port. It’s also a redundant 10G Ethernet SMPTE-2022-7 to 12G-SDI and HDMI converter so customers can connect to local video monitoring. There’s also a 5-pin talkback interface on the front panel.
"ATEM Constellation switchers are powerful and offer advanced features, but we have customers who are doing SMPTE-2110 workflows, and need a native 2110 IP switcher rather than SDI," says Grant Petty, CEO Blackmagic Design. "Rather than just adding a lot of 10G Ethernet connections, we realized we needed a whole new design. Not only does front to back cooling mean they are quiet, but using bi-directional 100G Ethernet means each port can handle 8 video inputs and outputs, so 4 cables replaces 60 separate BNC cables on an SDI switcher, it’s amazing! We can’t wait to see this switcher in action at large live broadcasts."
ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP Features
- Native SMPTE-2110 live production switcher.
- Up to 64 inputs using 8 sets of redundant 100G Ethernet connections.
- Works with 12G-SDI or SMPTE-2110 IP video.
- Redundant 100G Ethernet for full SMPTE-2022-7 compliance.
- Operates in cut-bus or professional mix effects switching styles.
- Full standards conversion and re-sync on all inputs.
- USB output operates as a webcam and supports all video software.
- Supports all ATEM hardware and software control panels.
- Includes up to 4 independent customizable multi-views.
- Includes mix, wipe, DVE and stinger transitions.
- Includes up to 4 DVEs.
- Internal media for stills and motion graphics.
- Includes 4 ATEM Advanced Chroma Key per M/E row.
- Includes up to 2 SuperSource each with 4 DVEs.
- Support for Fairlight Live audio mixing.
- Professional talkback compatible with ClearCom and RTS.
- Includes free ATEM Software Control for Mac and Windows.
- Compatible with ATEM Monitoring Panel.
- Compatible with ATEM Camera Control panel.
- All features are included with no extra customer usage charges.
Availability and Price
ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP will be available in June from $7,995, excluding duties, from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.
