Blackmagic Design - ATEM 2 M/E Constellation 4K

The ATEM 2 M/E Constellation 4K is a powerful 2 M/E Ultra HD live production switcher featuring 20 standards-converted 12G-SDI inputs, 12 independent 12G-SD outputs to which you can route any SDI input and internal source, 2 DVE, 8 advanced ATEM keyers for chroma key, 2 x 16 way multiview, media player, Talkback and SuperSource. The 12G-SDI outputs also work in conjunction with the ISO recorders, so that each receives a resynchronized switcher input with its time code.

For live streaming, the switcher's USB-C connection operates as a webcam source. In fact, the software sees the device as a webcam with a resolution of 720 or 1080p.

The front panel buttons are of high quality and extremely reliable. With these buttons you can control keys, files and fade-out directly from the front panel, and from here you can also access a professional 5-pin connector for Talkback and related controls.

The menus to access any function of the switcher are available on the front panel 2.2" LCD display. The screen can be customized and composed with 4, 7, 10, 13 or 16 views of your choice, each with its own Tally indicator, source label and overlay VU meter. The unit also boasts 2 DVE that allows you to position graphics and create compositions with PiP, professional effects, 2D borders, customizable shadows and highlights etc.

The switcher's internal media library contains broadcast-quality RGBA graphics and animations for use with the two media players, which play them instantly. Even for news and virtual sets, this switcher is the ideal solution, because it offers 8 different advanced ATEM keyers to create high-quality chroma and luminance keys. Thanks to these chromatic keys and the powerful internal graphics, it represents the complete solution for even complex productions. You can use external image processors, or set up virtual sets with fixed cameras, loading backgrounds with pre-rendered images from multimedia players and from the Media Pool archive with support for TGA Sequence and WAV, MP3 and AIFF video and audio formats.

In addition to the DVEs in the M/E effects banks, this model offers 2 powerful SuperSource processors with 4 additional DVE layers and a background layer, selectable from the ATEM Constellation as normal sources. The switcher's video inputs can be used for each of the SuperSource DVEs, to overlay them on a custom background saved in the archive. SuperSource, for example, is perfect for creating PiP effects during interviews, leaving the main DVEs available for other tasks. The SDI inputs also handle the integrated audio and audio mix of all video inputs.

By connecting any SDI output of the switcher to the camera, you have access to program return, camera control and Talkback. Audio is separated from all SDI video inputs and routed to the mixer. In this regard, this switcher integrates a Fairlight mixer capable of managing up to 48 channels! Each input channel includes 6-band parametric EQ, compressor, limiter, expander, noise gate and of course pan-pot.

ATEM 2 M/E Constellation 4K is ideal for managing multi-camera coverage at music festivals, large concerts and for live productions in general.

Technical characteristics

Connections

• Total video inputs: 20
• Total video outputs: 12
• SDI rates: 1.5G, 3G, 6G, 12G
• Total audio inputs: 2 x balanced 1/4" jack, 1 x 5-pin XLR Talkback
• Total audio outputs: 1 x 5-pin XLR Talkback
• Time Code connections: none
• Reference input: Tri-Sync or Black Burst
• Video input Re-Sync: on all 20 inputs
• Frame rate and format converters: on all 20 inputs
• SDI audio inputs: 16 CH embedded audio on all SDI inputs
• SDI audio outputs: 16 CH embedded audio on all SDI outputs
• SDI aux outputs: any of the 12 SDI outputs
• SDI preview outputs: any of the 12 SDI outputs
• SDI program outputs: any of the 12 SDI outputs
• Down converted SDI program output: 1
• Webcam output: 1 x USB-C supporting 720p or 1080p at PGM frame rate
• Total multi views: 2 x 12G-SDI
• Control panel connection: Ethernet; direct connection between panel and chassis, or via network
• Internal Time Code generator: yes
• Talkback: RJ45 for 3rd party talkback systems
• Tally output: added via ethernet connection to Blackmagic Design GPI and Tally Interface product (not included)
• Ethernet: supports 10/100/1000 BASE-T
• Computer interface: 1 x USB-C supports USB 2.0

Standards

• SD video standards: none
• HD video standards: 720p 50, 720p 59.94, 720p 60, 1080i 50, 1080i 59.94, 1080i 60; 1080p 23.98, 1080p 24, 1080p 25, 1080p 29.97, 1080p 30, 1080p 50, 1080p 59.94, 1080p 60
• Ultra HD video standards: 2160p 23.98, 2160p 24, 2160p 25, 2160p 29.97, 2160p 30, 2160p 50, 2160p 59.94, 2160p 60
• SDI compliance: SMPTE 292M, SMPTE 296M, SMPTE 424M, SMPTE 425M level A and B, SMPTE 2081‑1, SMPTE 2081‑10, SMPTE 2082‑1 and SMPTE 2082‑10 
• Video sampling: 4:2:2
• Color precision: 10 bit
• Color space: REC 709, REC 2020
• SDI auto switching: automatically detects between 1.5G-SDI, level A and level B 3G‑SDI, 6G‑SDI and 12G‑SDI

Product specifics

• Upstream keyers: 8
• Downstream keyers: 2
• Advanced chroma keyers: 8
• Talkback support: yes
• Mix-minus support: yes
• Linear / Luma keyers: 11
• Transition keyer (stinger / DVE): 2 stinger, 2 DVE
• Total number of layers: 15
• Pattern generators: 11
• Color generators: 2
• DVE: 2
• Control panel: front fascia emergency switching, software or optional hardware panel
• Routable windows: 32
• Tally: red for program and green for preview indication
• Windows source labels: yes

Multi view monitoring

• Multi view monitoring: 2 x multi view configurable to 16, 13, 10, 7 or 4 up views. Includes monitoring of Program, Preview, Inputs, Media Players, Key Masks, Clean Feed with optional labels and audio meters
• Multi view video standard: HD or Ultra HD

Media player

• Media players: 2
• Channels: fill and key for each media player
• Media Pool still image capacity: 40
• Media Pool clip capacity: 2 x up to 2160p 60
• Media player clip length in 720 HD: 3200 frames
• Media player clip length in 1080 HD: 1600 frames
• Media player clip length in 2160 UHD: 400 frames
• Media Pool still image format: PNG, TGA, BMP, GIF, JPEG and TIFF
• Media Pool video file format: TGA Sequence
• Media Pool audio file format: WAV, MP3 and AIFF

Display

• Front panel: built in 2.2" LCD monitor for video, 22 LED buttons for setup and emergency switching, 8 source buttons, 4 transition buttons, 6 Talkback selection and mix buttons, menu control knob and set button, front panel lock button

Processing

• Processing delay: < 10 lines
• Audio mixer: 48 channel mixer, selectable ON / OFF / Audio-Follow-Video, level and peak metering, master gain control, 6 band parametric EQ, dynamics including expander, gate, compressor and limiter
• Down conversion: 1 x selectable HD down converted output

Software

• Control panel included: ATEM Software Control included free for Mac 13.0 Ventura, Mac 14.0 Sonoma or later and Windows 10 or 11
• Software updates: using USB or Ethernet connection directly connected to Mac OS or Windows computers, includes ATEM setup utility
• Configuration: set via ATEM Software Control Panel, excluding ATEM chassis IP address which is set via the ATEM Setup Utility connected via USB to chassis

Operating systems

• Mac 13.0 Ventura, Mac 14.0 Sonoma or later, Windows 10 and 11

Power requirements

• Power supply: 1 x internal 100 - 240 V_AC 50/60 Hz
• Power usage: 140 W

Physical installation

• Physical installation: 1 RU size

Environmental specifications

• Operating temperature: 0 to 40° C  
• Storage temperature: -20 to 60 °C  
• Relative humidity: 0 to 90% non-condensing

Physical specifications

• Dimensions: 48.3 x 4.4 x 23.4 cm
• Weight: 2.9 kg

What's included

• ATEM 2 M/E Constellation 4K
• Welcome wallet with QR code for software download