Blackmagic Design ATEM 1 M/E Constellation 4K

Blackmagic Design ATEM 1 M/E Constellation 4K

The Blackmagic Design ATEM 1 M/E Constellation 4K is a compact, 1RU live production switcher designed for professional Ultra HD broadcasting. It acts as the entry point into the high-performance Constellation 4K family, offering a single Mix Effects (M/E) bank and a high density of standards-converted inputs in a portable form factor.

Core Functionality

• 10 Standards-Converted Inputs: Features 10 independent 12G-SDI inputs. Each input has its own dedicated standards converter, allowing you to mix any combination of HD and Ultra HD resolutions (up to 2160p60) and frame rates without external hardware.

• 6 Fully Assignable Outputs: Includes 6 12G-SDI aux outputs that can be routed to any internal source, program feed, or preview bus—effectively functioning like a built-in SDI router for feeding monitors, recorders, or streamers.

• Broadcast-Grade Multiview: A single 12G-SDI multiview output supports 4, 7, 10, 13, or 16 simultaneous views. You can monitor any input, media player, preview, or program bus with custom labels and audio meters.

Technical Features

• Advanced Keying: Equipped with 4 ATEM Advanced Chroma Keyers for high-end virtual set work and 1 downstream keyer for station IDs and graphics.

• Integrated DVE & Stinger: Includes a built-in DVE for picture-in-picture effects and professional transitions. It also supports "Stinger" transitions using the internal media players for broadcast-quality graphic wipes.

• Fairlight Audio Mixer: Features a massive 28-channel internal audio mixer. Each input includes a 6-band parametric EQ, compressor, limiter, expander, and noise gate.

• USB Webcam Output: The USB-C port allows the switcher to be seen by a computer as a standard 1080p webcam, making it instantly compatible with Zoom, OBS, or Microsoft Teams.

Technical Specifications

Operational Insight

This unit is specifically designed for mobile production and fly-packs. Despite its small 1RU size, it provides enough inputs for a typical 4-camera shoot plus graphics and playback. The front panel features a 2.2-inch LCD and 10 LED buttons, which act as a critical safety feature for "emergency switching" directly from the rack if your software control or hardware panel loses connection.

For users moving up from the ATEM Mini series, the Constellation 4K provides significantly more robust SDI connections and the ability to handle high-bandwidth 4K60 video over long cable runs using 12G-SDI infrastructure.