Beyond The Stars. With the Blackmagic Design ATEM 4 M/E Constellation 4K, you have access to an abundance of 12G-SDI inputs and outputs that deliver video at resolutions of up to 10-bit UHD 4K60. There are 40 12G-SDI inputs and 24 12G-SDI outputs, to be exact. Additionally, the switcher features four multiview outputs with up to 16 routable windows that display inputs, keyed video, graphics, and stills from the media pool, as well as the program output. Each input connects to a built-in Fairlight audio mixer supporting up to 156 channels of audio.

Advanced Broadcast Power. The 4 M/E Constellation 4K boasts a compact rack mount design and a built-in control panel. On the front panel, you’ll find a large LCD display that allows you to see program output, and allows you to change switcher settings via on-screen menus. This compact design is a perfect choice to portable live production, and you to mix and match cameras that do not have genlock capabilities.

Inputs and Outputs. As for all of the ports on this thing, this 4 M/E model Constellation offers 12G-SDI inputs, aux outputs, balanced audio, and Ethernet for control. For serial control, RS-422 and MADI digital audio connections are available. Even with all this power, the switcher is extremely quiet with its innovative high-efficiency thermal system.

Built-In DVE. This switcher features four integrated digital video effects (DVE) that allows you to reposition graphics and create picture-in-picture compositions with impressive results. These DVEs let you create effects such as customizable 3D borders, transitions, shadows, and lighting.

SuperSource Super Power. In addition to the DVEs in the M/E rows, this model includes powerful SuperSource multilayer processors with eight extra DVE layers, plus a background layer, all appearing to the switcher as an added input source. Any switcher video input can be used for each SuperSource DVE, then it’s all layered together over a media pool custom background. SuperSource is just like having an extra multilayer visual effects (VFX) switcher built in. This addition to the this model of the Constellation is perfect for doing picture-in-picture displays for interviews because you can set up the effect while keeping the main DVEs free for other tasks.

Multiview and Talkback. This unit features four multiview outputs that are configurable to 16, 13, 10, 7, or 4 up view, which includes monitoring of program, preview, inputs, media players, DSK, and clean feed with optional labels and audio meters. Built-in talkback is included to support a 5-pin XLR headset connector, but it also gives you full talkback control like program and engineering loops, sidetone control for hearing the headset mic into the headphones, and program mix. Additionally, this switched also supports SDI talkback that uses SDI channels 15 and 16 for 2-way communication with Blackmagic Design cameras. You can even use channels 13 and 14 for engineering talkback, and mix the talkback mic into the program audio for voiceovers!

Media Pool. Dive right in to the pool of media storage that this device has to offer. This media pool stores graphics and animations that can be played back instantly by the four media players. Media players appear as additional input sources on the ATEM Constellation HD, eliminating the need for extra SDI inputs for graphics. The 4 M/E model can hold 60 stills and 1200 frame animations, with four video clips up to 1080p60. You can easily manage all your media using the included ATEM Software Control or download directly from Photoshop using the ATEM Photoshop plug-in.

Chroma Keyers. For high-quality chroma or luminance keying, this switcher features a 16 ATEM advanced keyers that work well in settings like a newsroom or virtual set work. The chroma keyer is incredibly powerful and features a color picker to sample background colors for the automatic generation of the key parameters, but can also be used for pattern and DVE keying. You get precise controls for edge and flare, and there is even a foreground color corrector so you can match the “look” of the foreground layer to the background layer making seamless compositions possible. Additionally, four upstream chroma keyers offer the perfect solution for building virtual sets. With so many ATEM Advanced chroma keyers, you can use a keyer per camera to create a seamless composition of the camera over the custom background.

Control Panel. The integrated front control panel gives you total control over your switcher and features a beautifully designed interface with a visual switcher and parameter palettes for making quick adjustments. This unit allows multiple users to connect to the switcher via Ethernet, and all work on different parts of the event at the same time. The ATEM Software Control also lets you access camera control, audio mixing, media, macro programming, and even control of HyperDeck disk recorders. You can run the software on both macOS and Windows.