Blackmagic Design ATEM 4 M/E Constellation HD

ATEM 4 M/E Constellation HD is a professional 4 M/E live production switcher for HD productions. It offers 40 3G-SDI inputs with standards conversion on every input, 24 independently routable 3G-SDI outputs, 16 ATEM Advanced Chroma keyers, 4 multiviews, 4 media players, talkback and a Fairlight mixer with 156 channels. It is operated from the front panel, with ATEM Software Control or with ATEM panels.

4 M/E switcher with 40 3G-SDI inputs and MADI

ATEM 4 M/E Constellation HD combines 4 M/E, 40 3G-SDI inputs with standards conversion and re-sync and 24 independently routable 3G-SDI outputs. It works in program/preview mode like a television control room: you set up the source on preview and take it to air with the CUT or AUTO button.

40× 3G-SDI input24× 3G-SDI output4 M/E · 12× DVE16× Advanced Chroma4× multiview2 RU

Broadcast-style talkback

The front panel has a 5-pin XLR headset connector and the rear an RJ45 for talkback systems such as ClearCom or RTS. You get production and engineering loops, sidetone and program mix, plus two-way communication with Blackmagic Design cameras over SDI channels 15 and 16.

USB-C webcam

The program goes to the computer as a 720p or 1080p webcam at the program frame rate – for Zoom, Teams, OBS and XSplit.

Outputs for everyone

Each of the 24 3G-SDI outputs can be independently routed to any input or internal source. They carry program audio, RP-188 timecode, camera control, tally and talkback.

For concerts, sport and houses of worship

With 40 inputs you can place cameras all around the stage and build multi-layer compositions from many sources and DVEs. Internal graphics and ATEM Advanced Chroma keyers handle demanding programs, yet operation is simple enough for a trained volunteer crew.

Control panel right on the front

The front panel has source buttons, CUT and AUTO, controls for keyers, media players and fade to black, a 5" LCD for preview and menus and a 5-pin XLR headset connector with talkback buttons. The switcher can be set up and used for emergency switching without a computer; the buttons are the same type as on large ATEM panels.

4 independent multiviews

The built-in multiview shows sources on a single monitor. The model has four independent multiviews for up to 64 views on four monitors. Each multiview can be set to 4, 7, 10, 13 or 16 views, and every view can have a tally border, source label and VU meters.

Transitions, DVEs and stingers

You get broadcast mix, dip, wipe, DVE and stinger transitions with adjustable duration, border color and width, position and direction. 4 independent DVE processors allow picture in picture with 3D borders, shadows and lighting in real time as well as squeeze and swoosh transitions. Transitions can be previewed before going to air.

ATEM Advanced Chroma Key

16 ATEM Advanced Chroma keyers – four per M/E row – handle high quality chroma and luma keying. A color picker samples the background color and sets the key parameters, with precise edge controls and a foreground color corrector to match the foreground to the background. Even a single M/E row is enough for a four camera virtual set.

Two SuperSource processors

In addition to the DVEs in the M/E rows, the model has two completely independent SuperSource processors with four extra DVE layers and a background layer from the media pool. The switcher sees it as another input – ideal for picture in picture interviews while the main DVEs stay free. In total the model offers 12 DVEs.

Fairlight audio mixer

The built-in mixer handles 156 channels; every SDI input has a 6-band parametric EQ, compressor, limiter, noise gate and expander, and the mixer also takes the analog input and the talkback microphone. Two MADI outputs break out channels 1–4 of the first 30 SDI inputs to an external audio engineer and a MADI input adds another 32 mixer channels. Audio can be sent over USB-C to Fairlight Live, a software mixer for stereo, surround and immersive audio.

Software and hardware panels

ATEM Software Control for Mac and Windows is included: over Ethernet or USB it controls the switcher, media, audio, macros, cameras and HyperDeck recorders, and several people can work in it at once. For hands-on control you can add an ATEM Advanced Panel, ATEM Micro Panel or ATEM Camera Control Panel; the ATEM SDK allows custom automation. All features are included with no license fees.

Control panel and connections

The rear panel has 40 3G-SDI inputs, 24 3G-SDI outputs, 4 multiview outputs, a reference input, Ethernet for control, RJ45 for talkback, USB-C and two balanced 6.35 mm analog inputs with a pair of outputs, 1 MADI input and 2 MADI outputs and an RS-422 port for remote control. It is powered by two internal 100–240 V supplies.

Dimensions and weight

482 × 231.3 × 88.4 mm (width × depth × height), 5.23 kg (preliminary figure). It takes 2 RU in a 19" rack.