(Some) Frequently Asked Questions about the ATEM Switchers from Blackmagic Design
Q: How many ATEM switcher models are there?
A: There are three different ATEM switcher models, the Television Studio ($995.00) the 1 M/E Production Switcher ($2,495.00) and the 2 M/E Production Switcher ($4,995.00).
Q: How many video inputs does the Television Studio offer?
A: Six video inputs . . . you select which of the four SDI and four HDMI available inputs are active . . . say four SDI and two HDMI or three of each, etc.
Q: How do the three ATEM switcher models basically differ from each other?
A: The Television Studio is a six-input video switcher while the 1 M/E Production Switcher offers 8 video inputs and the 2 M/E Production Switcher offers 16 inputs. While the Television Studio lacks analog video/audio inputs and outputs, both the 1 M/E and 2 M/E Productions allow for one analog (composite, Y/C or component) video input plus analog video output. The Television Studio includes an H.264 encoder for producing web-friendly files for video-on-demand and other applications, while the 1 M/E and 2 M/E require the addition of an H.264 encoder such as the Blackmagic Design H.264 Pro Recorder to generate such files. The 2 M/E Production Switcher offers an additional layer of mixed-effects (one M/E bus feeds the other M/E bus) via the SuperSource technology, which is a separate multi-layer engine with four 2D picture-in-picture (PIP) DVEs.
Both the ATEM 1 M/E and 2 M/E input audio via a pair of XLR analog audio connectors. Any audio embedded in an incoming SDI or HDMI video feed is stripped away. Audio is then sent out via a pair of XLR analog audio connectors as well as being embedded in the HD SDI, SD SDI and HDMI program outputs.
The ATEM Television Studio lacks the analog audio inputs and outputs. You must bring audio into the Television Studio via the AES-EBU port on the back of the unit.
Q: How many rack units (RUs) does each unit require?
A: The Television Studio is 1 RU, the 1 M/E is 2 RUs and the 2 M/E is 3 RUs.
Q: Can video clips and still images be played-back from each ATEM switcher model?
A: All three ATEM models allow for still-store images to be displayed. The 1 M/E and 2 M/E also allow for video clips to be played-back.
Q: Does each ATEM switcher offer external device control?
A: Both the 1 M/E and 2 M/E include RS-422 control for triggering external devices. In the future, it should be possible to trigger the Blackmagic Design HyperDeck Studio for seamlessly playing-back extended-length video clips as video sources to those ATEM models.
Q: Do the ATEM Television Studio, 1 M/E or 2 M/E Production Switchers allow real-time, live-streaming to the internet like the NewTek TriCaster?
A: Currently, no. You can create an H.264 internet file using the Television Studio, or add an encoder to the 1 M/E or 2 M/E Production Switchers to create such a file, but you would need to add a web-streaming appliance and encoder like the Viewcast Niagara to stream in real-time while you live-switching a program. OR YOU COULD A Blackmagic-Design SDI input card on a PC running Telestream's Wirecaster software and encode the program output from the ATEM switcher and stream the program live to the internet.
In the future software solutions should be available to allow real-time streaming from any of the ATEM models.
Q: Does each ATEM switcher model require an external control panel to operate the unit?
A: No, each model can be operated via software installed on a Mac or Windows PC. Alternatively, two external control panels for available, the 1 M/E Broadcast Panel at $4,995.00 and the 2 M/E Broadcast Panel at $14,995.00.
Q: Can a Television Studio be connected downstream of either the 1 M/E or 2 M/E Productions and used to create a web-friendly H.264 file for VOD and other applications?
A: Yes! Or you can connect a Streaming Media Appliance such as Viewcast Osprey or Niagara solutions, or wait for software solutions that will work with Blackmagic-Design switchers to produce a web-streaming file.
Q: The ATEM software, for Windows, currently only works with Vista?
A: Both Windows 7 and Vista are supported by the ATEM control software.
Q: What other system requirements are known about the host PC?
A: The ATEM Software Control Panel (the software installed on a laptop or desktop Mac or Windows PC that controls the hardware switcher unit) requires a computer display with a minimum resolution of 1440 by 900 pixels to view the application interface.
As recently posted by Blackmagic-Design the minimum system requirements are:
• Microsoft Windows Vista with Service Pack 1. • Microsoft Windows Vista 64-bit with Service Pack 1. • Microsoft Windows 7 32-bit • Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit • Display with a resolution of 1440 x 900 or larger. • A free USB 1 or USB 2 port. • A free Ethernet port.
Q: What are the minimum system requirements for the Mac?
• Mac OS X 10.6.4 Snow Leopard. • Mac OS x 10.5.8 Leopard. • Display with a resolution of 1440 x 900 or larger. • A free USB 1 or USB 2 port. • A free Ethernet port.
Q: The Blackmagic-Design HyperDeck Studio with its two SSD (solid-state drives) for video playback . . . is that a 1RU or 2RU unit?
A: The HyperDeck Studio is a 1RU device.
Q: In fifty words or less, what is the significance of the Television Studio?
A: For under $1,000.00 you can purchase a high-quality HD-SDI switcher with frame- sync inputs and multiviewer outputs that is controlled by either a Mac or Windows laptop or desktop computer. Using a $189 24-inch monitor, the multiviewer allows you to see your live switch output and preview channels plus individual live inputs.
Q: Do the ATEM switchers have a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port?
A: The Television Studio has a USB 2.0 port while the 1 M/E and 2 M/E Production Switchers have a USB 3.0 port.
Q: What is the significance of having a USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port on the ATEM switcher and host PC?
A: The USB 2.0 port on the Television Studio can be used to capture H.264 encoded video using the included Blackmagic Media Express software and pass the file to an external computer.
While the USB 3.0 port on the 1 M/E and 2 M/E Production Switchers allows either a Mac or Windows PC to configure and control it with a software control panel, the USB 3.0 connection can also be used to capture uncompressed video to a supported Windows PC.
If the host computer is a Windows PC with USB 3.0, then you can capture the uncompressed video output of the ATEM Television Studio just as if you were capturing with a DeckLink card. Alternatively you can use the Blackmagic UltraScope software for realtime waveform monitoring of the uncompressed video output of the ATEM Television Studio. The video capture and waveform monitoring functions only work on Windows as isochronous USB 3.0 support only exists on Windows at this time.
Q: How does the Photoshop plug-in work with the ATEM switchers?
A: The Photoshop plug-in is used to send images directly from the Photoshop interface to the ATEM media pool over Ethernet.
To install the Photoshop plug-in, Adobe Photoshop CS5 must be installed before running the ATEM software installer.
Q: Which version of Photoshop works with the ATEM switchers:
A: CS5.0 or higher . . . .
Q: What is the significance of using a TCP-IP interface to control the ATEM switcher units"
A: Among other things, it means the switcher can be controlled remotely. The switcher can be located in one location and operated by someone in a different state or country.
Q: Has Blackmagic-Design posted the ATEM switcher manual at their website yet?
A: Yes! Go to the Support area of their website and you will find the manual.
Q: Which SSDs does Blackmagic-Design recommend for the HyperDeck Shuttle and HyperDeck Studio?
A: Use Blackmagic Disk Speed Test to accurately measure whether your SSD will be able to handle uncompressed video capture and playback. Blackmagic Disk Speed Test uses data to simulate the storage of video so you get results similar to what you’ll see when capturing video to a disk.
During Blackmagic testing, it was found that found newer and larger models of SSD and larger capacity SSDs are generally faster.
The following SSDs are certified for use with HyperDeck Shuttle include:
OCZ 240GB Vertex 3, Crucial 256GB C300, Kingston 64GB SSDNow V+ and Kingston 128GB SSDNow V+. Check the tech notes on the Blackmagic Design web site for more information. More disk brands will be listed as they are certified.
Q: What is the purpose of the Ethernet port on the ATEM switchers?
A: The Ethernet port is used to transfer video clips, graphics and titles from the host-PC to the ATEM switcher for use during live switching.
Q: As of June 27th, 2011, how is the USB 3.0 port used with the ATEM 1 M/E and 2 M/E Production Switchers:
A: Currently the USB 3.0 port is only used to update the Network I/P address of the switcher and it is used to upgrade the switcher software. Using a USB 2.0 port on the host PC that is connected to the USB 3.0 port on the ATEM switcher is okay.
Q: Down the road, what other applications will the USB 3.0 port be used for on the ATEM 1 M/E and 2 M/E switchers?
A: The Blackmagic Design Media Express software will let you capture the program feed from the ATEM switcher and save it as a file to hard drive using a compatible PC with USB 3.0. In the current version of ATEM software USB 3.0 capture is not supported, however will be added in a free software update that is coming soon.
Also, the ATEM 1 M/E production switchers can use UltraScope waveform monitoring when used on a PC with USB 3.0. This is not currently supported, however, but will be included with the forthcoming USB 3.0 software update for your ATEM switcher.
As of 07 03 11 . . . Q: Can you input HDMI outputs from a PC into the ATEM switchers?
A: Yes, you can. Simply connect an HDMI cable between the PC and one of the HDMI ports on the ATEM switcher and the PC will appear as a video source that you can live switch.
Q: What PC resolutions can you feed into an ATEM switcher via HDMI from a PC?
A: According to Blackmagic Design, 720 x 480 59.94Hz, 720 x 576 50Hz, 1280 x 720 59.94Hz 50Hz and 1920 x 1080 59.94Hz 50Hz
Q: What PC resolutions via HDMI have you personally used with your dealer demo 1 M/E?
A: The following resolutions all worked with the 1 M/E with the switcher set at 1080i 59.94 resolution: 1024 by 768 at 59Hz, 1680 by 1050 at 59Hz, 1440 by 900 at 59Hz, 1280 by 1024 at 59Hz, 1280 by 800 at 59Hz, 1280 by 720 at 30Hz, and even 800 by 600 at 30Hz.
Q: Did any resolutions not work with the 1 M/E at the 1080i 59.94 setting?
A: Yes, 1280 by 720 at 59Hz or 800 by 600 at 59Hz would not work with the 1 M/E but simply appeared as vertical lines.
Q: Does the ATEM 1 M/E have a scalar or do frame-rate conversion?
A: No, it but it can input data from HDMI, DVI or a display port and then "scan convert" the output to a resolution that the 1 M/E can work with.
As of 07 06 11 . . . Q: How does the ATEM 1 M/E work with analog audio?
A: The unit includes a breakout cable for analog audio and time code that connects to the back of the unit. Six XLR type audio connectors are provided. Two of those connectors are for the left and right analog audio inputs. Two are for the left and right analog audio outputs. The final pair of connectors are for time code in and time code out.
Audio brought in via the XLR analog audio inputs is sent out via the XLR analog audio outputs as well as being embedded into the HD and SD SDI program output connectors on the back of the 1 M/E. The analog audio is also embedded into the HDMI program, which can be sent out as HD or SD.
Q: Does the ATEM 1 M/E bring in embedded SDI audio?
A: No, any embedded audio is stripped from the SDI video feeds. You need to bring audio into the 1 M/E via the XLR analog audio connectors. It turn, that audio is send out via the XLR analog audio outputs as well as being embedded into the HD and SD SDI program output AND the HDMI output. The HDMI can be programmed to send out HD or SD.
Q: Does the ATEM 1 M/E bring in embedded HDMI audio?
A: No, it doesn't.
Q: Does the 1 M/E have any way of monitoring the incoming and outgoing audio signals such as a VU meter via the Software Control Panel?
A: No, it doesn't.
Q: Does the 1 M/E have any way of adjusting the incoming and outgoing audio levels via a sofware mixer found with the Software Control Panel?
A: No, it doesn't. You will need to adjust the audio level going into the 1 M/E using an external audio mixer or other audio amplifying device. Using an external mixer is a must if you want to do any mixing of multiple audio sources going into the 1 M/E.
Q: Will there be a way to monitor the incoming audio level going into the 1 M/E?
A: Yes, once the Blackmagic Design UltraScope software (not currently supported) works with the 1 M/E, you can monitor your levels via the included VU meters. Again, remember that the audio is only embedded and level adjustments must be made prior to sending it to the XLR analog audio inputs via the breakout cable.
Q: Knowing that the XLR analog audio signal going into the 1 M/E via the included breakout cable is embedded in the HD and SD SDI program outputs (as well as the HDMI program output), how can you record or stream the live switch or program output from the 1 M/E?
A: Via the USB 3.0 port on the back of the 1 M/E, you can connect a USB 3.0 cable to the USB 3.0 port on your Windows host-PC and record the the live switch as a file to hard drive.
You can also monitor the live switch or program output via the UltraScope software(currently not working with the 1 M/E) to monitor your production via the included waveform, vectorscope and VU displays.
Finally, via the USB 3.0 port, when encoding software is used you can produce a live streaming file of the live switch.
Q: Can you select what comes out of the USB 3.0 port?
A: Yes . . . the USB 3.0 port is connected to the Aux 1 output. Using the Software Control Panel you can select what feed you want to send to the USB 3.0 including the live switch complete with titles and other graphics plus transitions or simply send out a clean feed.
As of August 9th, 2011:
Q: Does the ATEM 1 M/E Production Switcher work with standard-definition video yet?
A: Yes. As of August 8th, 2011, the 2.0 software update was released for the ATEM switchers including the 1 M/E. The 2.0 software update includes support for standard-definition video.
As of August 22nd, 2011:
Q: When will the ATEM Television Studio ship?
A: The latest word from Blackmagic-Design is September.
Q: When will the ATEM 2 M/E ship?
A: The latest word from Blackmagic-Design is 4th quarter, 2011.
Q: Is the USB 3.0 port on the 1 M/E enabled yet?
A: The port still works as a USB 2.0 port but not yet as a USB 3.0 port.
As of August 25th, 2011:
Q: What about the workflow when using just a computer to run the ATEM 1 M/E switcher?
A: You can perform live video switching between all of your video sources plus add upstream and downstream keys, playback titles and short video clips, etc. using just a Windows PC or Mac running the Software Control Panel on a single computer. You can select which graphic, title or video clip from the two Media Players to use when live-switching in the Switcher module of the Software Control Panel. But you must pre-load any graphics, titles and video clips ahead of time from the Media module into the Media Players to access them from the Switcher module.
However, if you need to load new graphics, titles or video clips into the Media Players during a live switch you will need to leave the Switcher module and go into the Media module. Once you leave the Switcher module you can no longer use the keyboard or mouse to perform live switching. Whatever video camera, computer or other source that you had selected on the program bus will continue to be output by the 1 M/E switcher, but you won't be able to transition to another camera or other video source or put up a new key, etc. You must have to return to the Switcher module to change the output, etc.
Blackmagic-Design would probably like you to purchase one of their $5,000.00 1 M/E Control Panels so that you can use the Control Panel to continue with your live switching and still give you the ability to access and load new graphics, titles and video clips from your computer into the internal memory of the 1 M/E switcher. Once loaded into internal memory, you can access those files from the the two Media Players inside the Switcher module.
If you don't want to spend $5K on a control panel, you can connect two computers to the 1 M/E at the same time and use one computer to do your live switching and use the second computer to load new graphics, titles and video clips into the Media Players while you continue to perform live switching from the first computer.
To do this, you will need to insert a $30.00 computer network switch between the 1 M/E switcher and the two computers. The 1 M/E software needs to be installed on both computers. The trick to getting both computers talking to the 1 M/E at the same time is to set-up static addresses on both computers that are only one digit apart (100 100 100 1 on one computer and 100 100 100 2 on the other computer, etc.)
Once you do this both computers will have control over the 1 M/E. Either computer can be used to run the Switcher module or the Media module, meaning you can perform live switching and load new graphics, titles and video clips into the 1 M/E's internal memory. I successfully tried this with my dealer demo system and it works!
Q. Are you saying that you can cue up graphics while live switching using the Switcher module?
A: Yes! You need to pre-load any graphics, titles and short video clips into the 1 M/E's internal memory before you do any live switching, but once those files have been loaded into the 1 M/E's internal memory, you can access and use those files while live switching.
Q: How much video delay does the 1 M/E add when working with live video sources?
A: The switcher has a one-line video delay. If you don't genlock the 1 M/E and your video sources to a master sync source, you add one frame of delay. When performing a DVE between two video sources, you add another frame of delay. And if you use an external converter to change analog video into SDI, etc. that adds another frame of delay.
So, if you genlock your video cameras and the 1 M/E to a master sync source, there is only one video line of delay (which is nothing). Only perform cuts and dissolves when switching and there is no added delay. Bring in all of your video inputs at the same resolution and frame rate and again there is no delay.
As of September 01, 2011:
Q: Running the ATEM 1 M/E via the Software Control Panel version 2.0, are there proc amp controls to adjust the brightness, contrast and color balance of video cameras and other live video sources feeding the 1 M/E switcher?
A: No.
Q: What video resolutions does the ATEM 1 M/E currently operate at under the 2.0 software?
A: 525i at 59.94 NTSC, 625i at 50 PAL, 720p at 50, 720p at 59.94, 1080i at 50 and 1080i at 59.94
Q: Running the ATEM 1 M/E Production Switcher with the 2.0 Software Control Panel, with a second monitor connected to see the Multiviewer output, can you change what each of the 8 preview monitors is displaying?
A: Yes, you can. You will always have larger windows for both the program and preview busses, but you also have 8 smaller windows that by default show you what is connected to the switcher's eight camera inputs (four SDI and four HDMI inputs with one of the HDMI inputs selectable between HDMI and an analog video input), but you don't always have to show what your camera inputs are doing. Each of the eight camera inputs on the Multiviewer can be changed to show either of the two media players, what the clean feeds look like, what the two color background generators looks like (which color they are outputting), etc.
Q: Can you take the hi-def component video output from a blu-ray player and directly feed the component analog video input on the ATEM 1 M/E switcher?
A: Yes, you can . . . you don't have to add a converter from the component analog video output of a blu-ray player to feed the ATEM 1 M/E switcher.
As of September 6th, 2011:
Q: Can you perform scaling with a video layer? In other words, take a live camera feed, scale down quarter-screen size and place it over another full video layer?
A: Yes, you can.
Q: Can you scale two or more video cameras at the same time using the DVE?
A: No, you can't. You can only use the DVE at a time via the upstream keyers. Each upstream keyer includes Luma, Chroma, Pattern and DVE . . . you can use the other types of keyers (Luma, Chroma or Pattern) at the same time with each of the four upstream keyers, but only the DVE keyer with one upstream keyer at a time.
As of Sept. 9th, 2011:
Q: Has Blackmagic Design released a new software update for the ATEM switchers yet?
A: Yes . . . Blackmagic Design has released the 2.5 software build for the ATEM 1 M/E Production Switcher and the ATEM Television STUDIO. The software allows for H.264 capture on the Television Studio's USB 2.0 port and also includes Blackmagic Design's Media Express software for the 1 M/E and Television Studio.
As of Sept. 19th, 2011:
Q: Did Blackmagic Design recently drop the price on several of their mini-converters?
A: Yes, they did. The SDI to HDMI, HDMI to SDI, Analog to SDI and the SDI to Analog mini-converters dropped from $495.00 MSRP to $295.00 MSRP.
Q: What is the significance of this price drop for ATEM 1 M/E users?
A: Lower-priced Analog to SDI and SDI to Analog Mini Converters at only $295.00. This is extremely welcome for Blackmagic Design ATEM 1 M/E users . . . the Analog to SDI converter lets you bring in older analog video cameras, VCRs and DVD players as live video sources to the 1 M/E switcher. The SDI to Analog converters means you can break out analog audio from digital sources and feed them to the ATEM 1 M/E switcher. The 1 M/E strips away any embedded audio with SDI video sources. Click here for details.
As of Nov. 30th, 2011:
Q: Blackmagic Design just released the 2.7 software update for their ATEM switchers . . . what need features are included?
A: • Custom button mapping on the ATEM Broadcast Panel.
• Custom button mapping with ATEM Software Control.
• Save switcher startup state.
• Multi view labels are now partially transparent.
• ATEM Software Control now runs on lower screen resolutions down to 1366 by 768.
• General performance and stability improvements.
(More to come as time permits . . . .)
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