Blackmagic Design ATEM 1 M/E Constellation HD

The ATEM 1 M/E Constellation HD from Blackmagic design is a high-performance HD video mixer with ten 3G-SDI inputs, six 3G-SDI outputs, DVE, four chroma keyers, a multiview configurable to 16, 13, 10, 7, or 4 views, media players, talkback, tally, and a USB webcam output. Just like the live production switchers used by major broadcasters, this device uses a professional program/preview style of operation, allowing the user to select and review the source before it subsequently goes "on air". Each of the ATEM 1 M/E Constellation HD's SDI inputs is equipped with a dedicated standards converter and can independently route any SDI input or internal source to any desired SDI output - e.g. in order to send separate feeds to on-stage displays or to recording or streaming equipment. The internal Fairlight audio mixer in turn provides a compressor, limiter, six-band EQ, and more for every input.

The 1 M/E version of Blackmagic Design's ATEM Constellation HD represents an extremely easy-to-handle standalone unit which can of course be integrated into a rack assembly. Thanks to its integrated control interface, the image mixer can be operated solely via the front panel - including the keyers, media, and fades. The program output can be monitored via the LC display and settings adjusted via on-screen menus. Alongside the SDI sockets, the rear panel also houses the connections for balanced audio and an Ethernet port each for external control and talkback. A standard five-pin talkback mic socket with the relevant controls adjacent is in turn found on the front of the device. Regardless of which HD formats the Blackmagic Design ATEM 1 M/E Constellation HD is handling, every source is automatically converted into the desired output format (up to a maximum of 1080p/60) thanks to its up-conversion and cross-conversion options.

The compact design of the Blackmagic Design ATEM 1 M/E Constellation HD makes it virtually predestined for use in mobile live setups - from concerts, festivals, religious services, esports events, and conventional sports competitions - and despite being the "little brother" of the Constellation series, this budget-friendly unit with its ten 3G-SDI inputs is ideally suited to small and medium-scale professional productions. Thanks to its DVE processors for multi-level compositing, its built-in media pool memory, and its numerous ATEM advanced chroma keyers, users can handle even more complex broadcasting tasks, and the two-stage program/preview process means that fewer mistakes will find their way into a live broadcast. An added bonus is that it doesn't take a trained event technician to operate the ATEM 1 M/E Constellation HD, though users should still be ready to spend the necessary time getting to grips with it.

While it doesn't feature an integrated streaming engine, the Blackmagic Design ATEM 1 M/E Constellation HD can still be used in conjunction with software solutions like Open Broadcaster, XSplit Broadcaster, and others via its USB-C webcam output, and the webcam feature also delivers full-HD quality when combined with popular programs including Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Companies that have suitable SDI devices available can also use the ATEM Constellation HD for multi-camera views during professional presentations, keynote speeches, etc. And to allow users to get the best out of this device, Blackmagic Design offers the ATEM Advanced Panel operator panels as well as a camera control panel for controlling compatible cameras, and even an ATEM Developer SDK is available which allows developers to program their own automatic control solutions.