Blackmagic Design ATEM Constellation 8K SWATEMSCN4/1ME4/8K

ATEM Constellation 8K Overview

The new ATEM Constellation 8K is an Ultra HD live production switcher with so many features, customers can combine them all to make an incredibly powerful 8K switcher. Customers get:

• 4 M/Es
• 40 x 12G-SDI inputs
• 24 x 12G-SDI aux outputs
• 4 DVEs
• 16 Keyers
• 4 media players
• 4 multi viewers
• 2 SuperSource
• Standards conversion on every SDI input

When switched to 8K, all these features combine to make a powerful 8K switcher.

Design and Control

ATEM Constellation 8K features a compact 2RU rack mount design with a built-in control panel. This allows operation of the switcher, critical during setup or for emergency use. Also included is a large LCD so customers can see program output and change switcher settings via on-screen menus. Although only 2RU size, the rear of the switcher has a massive:

• 40 x 12G-SDI inputs
• 24 x 12G-SDI aux outputs
• Plus balanced audio, Ethernet, RS-422 control, and MADI digital audio extra inputs to the internal Fairlight audio mixer.

Control Features

With a built-in control panel, customers can simply walk up and take full control of ATEM Constellation at any time. Customers get incredible power with both PGM/PVW or cut-bus style operation. The buttons are the same premium type used on full-sized panels, allowing control of:

• Transitions
• Upstream/downstream keyers
• Media players
• Fade to black

Users are never limited, as the LCD menus also allow every single operational feature of the switcher to be accessed.

Input and Output Capabilities

Customers get 40 independent 12G-SDI inputs, with each input featuring its own dedicated up and cross converter. This means it's possible to convert 1080p and Ultra HD sources to stunning 8K for use in their 8K programs. When used in HD or Ultra HD, customers can connect up to 40 different sources in all formats up to 2160p60. When running 8K formats, connect 10 Quad Link 12G-SDI 8K sources in all formats up to 4320p60.

Output Features

ATEM Constellation 8K features 24 independently routable 12G-SDI outputs that can be fully customized. All of these outputs are similar to aux outputs, however, they are more powerful because customers can route any external SDI input and all internal sources to any of these 12G-SDI outputs. All 12G-SDI outputs contain embedded program audio, plus customers get:

• Mix minus support
• RP-188 embedded timecode
• SDI camera control
• Tally and talkback

Multi View Monitoring

The built-in multi views let customers monitor multiple sources on a single monitor. Customers get 4 independent multiview outputs that can each be individually customized or transformed into a single full resolution 8K multiview when customers switch to 8K. Plus, all external inputs and all internal sources can be routed to any view. Each multiview can be independently set to:

• 4, 7, 10, 13, or 16 simultaneous views

Each view also has on-screen status including a custom label, VU meters, and tally.

Transitions and Effects

ATEM Constellation 8K includes a wide range of broadcast quality 8K native transitions such as mix, dip, wipe, and more. All transitions can be customized by adjusting parameters such as:

• Duration
• Border color
• Border width
• Position and direction

Transitions are even fully 8K native. Customers also get exciting DVE transitions, perfect for graphic wipes and even stingers when used with the internal media players.

Audio Features

To keep crews working as a single creative team, ATEM Constellation features built-in talkback. Talkback supports a front 5 pin XLR headset connector, as well as a rear RJ12 talkback expansion connector for interfacing with industry standard systems such as ClearCom or RTS. Customers get full talkback control including:

• Program and engineering loops
• Sidetone control for hearing the headset mic into the headphones
• Program mix

ATEM Constellation also supports SDI talkback that uses SDI channels 15 and 16 for 2-way communication with Blackmagic Design cameras. Customers can even use channels 13 and 14 for engineering talkback.

Media Pool and Keying

The built-in media pool stores broadcast quality RGBA graphics and animations that can be played back instantly by the two media players. For the highest quality, the media pool can hold up to:

• 24 full resolution 8K stills
• 64 Ultra HD or HD stills

Motion graphics clips for use in animations and stingers can be up to:

• 100 8K RGBA frames
• 400 frames in Ultra HD
• 1,600 frames in 1080HD

For news or virtual set work, the ATEM Constellation is the perfect choice as it features 16 ATEM Advanced Keyers for high quality chroma or luminance keying. The chroma keyer is incredibly powerful and features a color picker to sample background colors for automatic generation of the key parameters. Customers get precise controls for edge and flare, and there is even a foreground color corrector so customers can match the look of the foreground layer to the background layer, making seamless compositions possible. The keyer can also be used for pattern and DVE keying, allowing incredible versatility. When customers switch to 8K, they still get four independent full resolution 8K ATEM Advanced Keyers.

Audio Mixing

With a built-in Fairlight audio mixer, the ATEM Constellation makes it possible to do extremely complex live sound mixing. The internal mixer features a massive:

• 156 channels, for the biggest audio mixer in a live production switcher
• 80 mixer channels are de-embedded from the SDI inputs
• 64 audio channels are input via MADI in

Each input channel features the highest quality 6 band parametric EQ and compressor, limiter, expander, and noise gate as well as full panning. Customers get extra channels for the analog input, talkback microphone, and media players. All this audio power can be controlled via the ATEM Software Control, a Mackie compatible panel, or Fairlight Audio Console.

Software Control

The ATEM Software Control Panel gives customers total control over their switcher and is included free. The ATEM Software Control Panel features a beautifully designed interface with a visual switcher and parameter palettes for making quick adjustments. The ATEM Software Control also lets customers access:

• Camera control
• Audio mixing
• Media
• Macro programming
• Control of HyperDeck disk recorders

Customers can even save the full state of the switcher as XML files, plus all media is backed up from the media pool.

Licensing and Features

Unlike other switchers, all features are included in the purchase price. This means customers get all features fully enabled and always ready for use. There are no license fees to allow customers to use features and no ongoing monthly costs. This means users will never experience a license expiry 5 minutes before their program starts. Advanced features such as multi view, SuperSource, DVEs, or the ATEM Advanced Keyers are always enabled and always ready to use.

Connections

• Total Video Inputs: 40 x up to Ultra HD / 10 x in 8K
• Total Video Outputs: 28 x up to Ultra HD / 7 x in 8K
• Total Aux Outputs: 24 x up to Ultra HD / 6 x in 8K
• SDI Rates: 1.5G, 3G, 6G, 12G
• Total Audio Inputs: 2 x balanced 1/4 inch Jack, 1 x 32 stereo channel BNC MADI in
• Total Audio Outputs: 2 x balanced 1/4 inch Jack, 2 x 32 stereo channel BNC MADI out
• Timecode Connections: None
• Reference Input: Tri-Sync or BlackBurst
• Video Input Re-sync: On all 40 inputs
• Frame rate and format converters: On all 40 inputs
• SDI Video Inputs: 40 x 10-bit 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 2160p and 10 x 4320p switchable
• Extra Audio Outputs: 1 x 5 pin XLR Talkback
• SDI Audio Outputs: 2 Ch embedded into SDI output on all outputs
• Extra Audio Inputs: 1 x 5 pin XLR Talkback
• SDI Program Outputs: Any of the 24 SDI outputs
• Down Converted SDI Program Output: None
• SDI Preview Outputs: Any of the 24 SDI outputs
• Total Multi Views: 4 x up to Ultra HD / 1 x in 8K
• SDI Multi View Outputs: 4
• HDMI Multi View Outputs: None
• Control Panel Connection: Ethernet supports 10/100/1000 BaseT
• Internal Timecode Generator: Yes
• Tally Output: Added via ethernet connection to Blackmagic Design GPI and Tally Interface product (Not included)
• Computer Interface: 1 x USB 2.0 port

Standards

• SD Video Standards: None
• HD Video Standards: 720p50, 720p59.94, 1080i50, 1080i59.94, 1080p23.98, 1080p24, 1080p25, 1080p29.97, 1080p50, 1080p59.94
• Ultra HD Video Standards: 2160p23.98, 2160p24, 2160p25, 2160p29.97, 2160p50, 2160p59.94
• 8K Video Standards: 4320p23.98, 4320p24, 4320p25, 4320p29.97, 4320p50, 4320p59.94
• SDI Compliance: SMPTE292M, SMPTE296M, SMPTE424M, SMPTE425M Level A and B, SMPTE 2081-1, SMPTE 2081-10, SMPTE 2082-1, SMPTE 2082-10, SMPTE 2082-12
• Video Sampling: 422
• Color Precision: 10-bit
• Color Space: REC 601, REC 709, REC 2020
• SDI Auto Switching: Automatically detects between level A and level B 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI, and 12G-SDI. Requires 2SI in 8K mode

Product Specifics

• Upstream Keyers: 16 x up to Ultra HD / 4 x in 8K with Chroma/Linear/Lumakey
• Downstream Keyers: 4 x up to Ultra HD / 2 x in 8K
• Advanced Chroma Keyers: 16 x up to Ultra HD / 4 x in 8K
• Talkback Support: Yes
• Mix Minus Support: Yes
• Linear/Luma Keyers: 21 x up to Ultra HD / 7 x in 8K
• Transition Keyer (Stinger/DVE): 4 Stinger, 4 DVE
• Total Number of Layers: 28 x up to Ultra HD / 7 x in 8K
• Pattern Generators: 21 x up to Ultra HD / 9 x in 8K
• Color Generators: 2
• DVE with 3D Borders & Drop Shadow: 4 x up to Ultra HD / 1 x in 8K
• Control Panel: Front fascia emergency switching, software or optional hardware panel
• Routable Windows: 64 x up to Ultra HD / 16 x in 8K
• Tally: Red for program and green for preview indication
• Windows Source Labels: Yes

Multi View Monitoring

• Multi View Monitoring: 4 x 16 Multi View pattern options for up to 64 total views
• Multi View Video Standard: Select HD, Ultra HD or 8K

Media Player

• Media Players: 4 x up to Ultra HD / 1 x in 8K
• Channels: Fill and key for each media player
• Media Pool Still Image Capacity: 64 x up to Ultra HD / 24 x in 8K with fill and key
• Media Pool Clip Capacity: 4 x up to Ultra HD / 2 x in 8K with fill and key
• Media Player Clip Length in 720HD: 3200 frames
• Media Player Clip Length in 1080HD: 1600 frames
• Media Player Clip Length in Ultra HD: 400 frames
• Media Player Clip Length in 8K: 100 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

• Interface: Minimum monitor resolution of 1366 x 768
• Front panel: Built-in HD LCD monitor for video, 42 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: < 7 lines in up to Ultra HD / in 10 lines in 8K
• Audio Mixer: 156 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: None

Software

• Control Panel Included: ATEM Software Control Panel included free for Mac 10.13 High Sierra, Mac 10.14 Mojave or later and Windows 8.1 64-bit or Windows 10 64-bit