Blackmagic’s new update brings Visca over IP control for PTZ cameras for all ATEM Constellation models, audio mapping on HD models, and wider format support for broadcast.
Blackmagic Design’s ATEM Switchers have now been updated to support Visca over IP camera control on all ATEM Constellation models. In the most recent Blackmagic 9.6.2 update, audio output mapping is added for all Constellation HD models, as well as new multi-view and SuperSource features for HD and 4K models. Users will also have support for 30 and 60 fps formats in all HD, Ultra HD and 8K standards for the ATEM Constellation 8K.
The ATEM Switchers 9.6.2 update was demonstrated at IBC 2024, and will be available soon as a free download from the Blackmagic Design website.
Visca Control over IP
Developed by Sony, the Visca protocol can be used over IP to control the zoom, pan, tilt, focus and other settings on PTZ cameras and other video equipment over a network, using the IP address of the camera. It now allows ATEM Constellation users to control up to 100 third party PTZ cameras via a network through either serial port or the camera’s IP address, making it easier, for example, to track talent walking on a stage, zooming in on speakers at town hall meetings or adjusting cameras used for security and surveillance.
Once IP addreses are added to the new Camera Control tab in the ATEM software control settings, the switcher will remember the IP address of each camera, speeding up camera source set-up for each production.
Multi-view for ATEM Constellation HD
Other features in the ATEM 9.6.2 update include the ability to customize the built-in multi-view for ATEM Constellation HD models. This ability was added to the 4K and 8K models earlier on, and means users can customize border colours or remove them, and enable or disable individual labels.
The built in multi-view feature is quite flexible and can be used to monitor multiple sources on a single monitor. The 1 M/E models include one multi-view, the 2 M/E models have two independent multiviews and the 4 M/E models have four independent multiviews. All external SDI inputs, plus all internal video sources can be routed to any view. All multiviews can be independently set to 4, 7, 10, 13 or 16 simultaneous views. All together this adds up to 32 views in total on the 2 M/E models, and 64 views across four monitors when using the 4 M/E models.
Audio Mapping
ATEM Constellation HD models now also feature audio mapping, making it possible to manually route audio channels from all SDI inputs to embedded audio channels in the SDI video outputs. Users can connect a range of audio sources such as microphones and cameras, send them to various embedded audio outputs and record them on a HyperDeck.
Then, by setting the HyperDeck to multi channel audio recording, these recordings will have all the source audio required for an audio engineer to completely remix the audio in post production. Now that audio mapping has been added to the ATEM Constellation HD models via this update, it is now available on all Constellation models.
Super Source Extensions
Following this update, users will be able to customize the SuperSource border colours on ATEM Constellation HD and 4K models. SuperSource multi layer processors are available on 2 M/E, 4M/E and 8K models, supplying four extra DVE layers plus a background layer, all of which are visible to the ATEM Constellation as an extra input source.
Any switcher video input can be used for each SuperSource DVE, layering everything together over a media pool custom background. SuperSource is useful for picture in picture displays for interviews, for instance - the effect can be set up, while the main DVEs remains free for other tasks. The ATEM 4 M/E Constellation and 8K models also have two completely independent SuperSource processors.
Format Support
With up to 40 multi rate SDI input connections, depending on the model, ATEM Constellation is compatible with a huge range of video source types. Users can connect equipment in HD or Ultra HD television standards including 720p, 1080i,1080p and 2160p formats. The 9.6.2 update now brings support for 30 and 60 fps formats for HD, Ultra HD and 8K to ATEM Constellation 8K. The SDI inputs will also handle embedded audio and mix audio from all video inputs. The program outputs include talkback, tally and camera control information. www.blackmagicdesign.com
