Blackmagic ATEM Switcher Product Lineup: Comprehensive Guide to Live Production Tools

Choose the right full Blackmagic ATEM switcher, including the ATEM Mini, SDI, Television Studio, Constellation, and Advanced Panels. Tailored insights for every live production need.

Introduction to Blackmagic ATEM Switcher Lineup and Which One Should I Choose

Blackmagic Design’s ATEM lineup offers a range of live production switchers ideal for content creators, broadcasters, and video professionals looking to produce live events with professional quality. Each product in the ATEM family addresses different production needs, whether for simple live-streaming setups or complex multi-camera broadcasts. Here are the Main Atem Switcher Family categories

• ATEM Mini Family
• ATEM SDI Family
• ATEM Television Studio Family
• ATEM Constellation HD/4K/8k Family
• ATEM Advance Panel
• Others Atem Supporting Gear

Let’s look at each Family product Line closely

ATEM Mini Family

The ATEM Mini Family is Blackmagic’s answer to the demand for compact, powerful switchers for smaller productions, such as online streaming, remote work presentations, and live webinars. Here’s a closer look at the options within the Mini lineup.

ATEM Mini Pro

The ATEM Mini Pro is a 4-input HDMI switcher designed to simplify live streaming. It features:

• Streaming Engine: Built-in hardware encoder for direct live streaming via Ethernet.
• Recording Capability: Records directly to USB disks in H.264 format.
• USB Webcam Output: Enables a direct feed into video software on a computer.
• 2D Digital Video Effects (DVE): Adds effects such as picture-in-picture.

ATEM Mini Extreme

The ATEM Mini Extreme brings greater versatility with:

• 8 HDMI Inputs: Twice as many as the Mini Pro, ideal for multi-camera setups.
• 4 Advanced Chroma Keyers: Enhanced chroma keying capability for green screen effects.
• Dual HDMI Outputs and USB Ports: More flexibility for display and control.
• SuperSource: Adds 4 extra DVEs for complex layered compositions.

ATEM Mini Pro ISO

The ATEM Mini Pro ISO includes everything from the Mini Pro but with added ISO recording, capturing each input’s clean feed separately for later editing. It also supports a DaVinci Resolve project file export.

ATEM Mini Extreme ISO

For users who need extensive recording capability, the ATEM Mini Extreme ISO records up to 9 separate streams, making it easy to isolate each input and produce a fully editable DaVinci project.

ATEM SDI Family

The ATEM SDI Family is tailored for users who work with SDI instead of HDMI, providing broadcast-quality switchers with advanced features for seamless production.

ATEM SDI

The ATEM SDI includes

• 4 SDI inputs: Standards-converted 3G-SDI inputs.
• Built-In USB Webcam Out: streams directly to platforms like Zoom.
• DVE and Transitions: Picture-in-picture and professional transitions.
• Media Pool: Holds 20 stills for on-screen graphics.

ATEM SDI Pro ISO

The ATEM SDI Pro ISO model adds to the base model with:

• Hardware Streaming Engine: Built-in live streaming to popular platforms.
• Multiview and Media Player: Monitor all feeds at once and play back stored media.
• ISO Recording: Isolates all input feeds for post-production flexibility.

ATEM SDI Extreme ISO

The ATEM SDI Extreme ISO offers:

• 8 SDI Inputs: Doubling the inputs from the Pro ISO.
• Four SDI Outputs: Customizable program outputs for multiple external feeds.
• ISO Recording for 9 Streams: Records each input plus program output, creating an adaptable DaVinci Resolve project.

ATEM Television Studio Family

The ATEM Television Studio Family is a powerful lineup aimed at higher-end live production environments, balancing compact size with pro-level capabilities.

ATEM Television Studio HD8

The ATEM Television Studio HD8 model includes:

• 8 x 3G-SDI Inputs: Compatible with a range of broadcast sources.
• Built-In Broadcast Control Panel: Hands-on control of live production.
• DVE and Keyers: Adds advanced transition and overlay effects.
• Optional Cloud Storage Integration: Store and access media directly online.

ATEM Television Studio HD8 ISO

An upgrade to the HD8, the HD8 ISO records all 8 SDI inputs as separate files, allowing for post-production adjustments. It also supports up to 8 remote cameras with control and tally capabilities.

ATEM Television Studio 4K8

The Television Studio 4K8 brings Ultra HD capabilities to the lineup with 8 x 12G-SDI inputs, providing full 4K resolution switching and recording, making it an excellent choice for large, high-quality productions.

ATEM Constellation HD/4K/8K Family

The ATEM Constellation series is designed for top-tier productions, offering advanced processing power, high input/output options, and flexible configurations in HD, 4K, and 8K resolutions.

ATEM 1 M/E Constellation HD and 4K

Both HD and 4K versions offer:

• 10 x SDI Inputs: HD (3G) or 4K (12G) versions for compatibility with high-end sources.
• 4 Chroma Keyers and Multiview Options: Integrated keying and multiview monitoring.
• Talkback and USB Webcam Output: Facilitates team communication and computer integration.

ATEM 2 M/E Constellation HD and 4K

The 2 M/E models double input/output capacity:

• 20 SDI Inputs: For even larger production setups.
• 2 Multiviews and 8 Keyers: Flexible layering and effects capabilities.

ATEM 4 M/E Constellation HD and 4K

For ultimate control, the 4 M/E model offers:

• 40 SDI Inputs and 24 SDI Outputs: Supports complex multi-camera environments.
• 16 Keyers and 4 Multiviews: Full customization for on-screen effects.

ATEM Constellation 8K

At the pinnacle, the ATEM Constellation 8K supports

• 8K resolution: industry-leading for UHD broadcasts.
• 12 DVEs and 2 SuperSource Inputs: For intricate visual setups.

ATEM Advanced Panels

The ATEM Advanced Panels provide tactile control over the ATEM switchers, ideal for high-paced, multi-input productions.

ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panel

The 1 M/E Advanced Panel offers:

• 10 Input Buttons and Joystick Control: Easy to switch between cameras and add effects.

ATEM 2 M/E Advanced Panel

With 2 M/E rows and 20 buttons per row, the 2 M/E Advanced Panel expands control for more complex setups, making it ideal for medium to large productions.

ATEM 4 M/E Advanced Panel

The 4 M/E Advanced Panel provides ultimate control with 40 input buttons per row and LCD screens for customizable labels, enhancing speed and precision.

Other ATEM Supporting Gear

These additional ATEM tools provide enhanced functionality for multi-camera productions, especially useful in broadcast settings.

ATEM Camera Control Panel

The ATEM Camera Control Panel allows control over multiple cameras from a single location, providing adjustment capabilities for focus, color, gain, and more.

ATEM Talkback Converter 4K

The Talkback Converter supports communication with up to 8 cameras, ensuring crew synchronization through 12G-SDI connections, with audio interfaces on the front panel.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between ATEM Mini and ATEM SDI?
The ATEM Mini-series uses HDMI inputs, ideal for consumer-grade cameras and devices, while ATEM SDI models use SDI inputs, preferred in professional broadcasting.
2. Which ATEM model is best for multi-camera live streaming?
For high flexibility and functionality, the ATEM Mini Extreme ISO or ATEM SDI Extreme ISO is ideal, supporting up to 8 cameras.
3. Does ATEM Television Studio 4K8 support Ultra HD?
Yes, the ATEM Television Studio 4K8 supports Ultra HD with 12G-SDI inputs, suitable for 4K live production.
4. How does the ATEM Constellation series differ in HD, 4K, and 8K models?
The primary difference lies in resolution support: HD models handle up to 1080p, 4K models support UHD, and the 8K model is designed for ultra-high-resolution broadcasts.
5. Can I use ATEM switchers for online streaming?
Yes, most ATEM models, particularly the Mini, SDI, and Television Studio families, offer built-in streaming or USB webcam out for online platforms.

Indhu-post-07Nov2024