Blackmagic Design’s new hardware control 1 M/E Advanced Panels, built to improve users’ access to the functionality of the ATEM Constellation HD and 4K switcher models, have the same design as the 2 M/E and 4 M/E Advanced Panels, but in a size compact enough to fit into most broadcast studios. The new 1 M/E panels, available in 20-button and 30-button versions, include system control LCDs for menus, upstream and downstream keyers, a DVE joystick, T-bar fader and other features.
Precise Control, Multiple Options
This range of physical, broadcast quality controls give users a very high level of control and options to set up more complex effects, with access to all features in the switcher, all at the same time.
ATEM Advanced Panels are built in a standard, familiar M/E style layout. All rows of M/E buttons include integrated LCDs for dynamic input button labelling, and the illumination colour of each button’s light is customisable. The 1 M/E Advanced Panel 20 features 20 input buttons and two system control LCDs, and the larger 1 M/E Advanced Panel 30 has 30 input buttons with three system control LCDs. Both models have buttons controlling four upstream keyers, four downstream keyers and four M/E rows.
Internally, ATEM Constellation switchers have separate program and preview buses designed for accuracy. When selecting transition types, a system control LCD screen displays the options for that transition, allowing its parameters to be changed instantly without navigating through complex menus. Users have multiple ways to switch, and can also cut directly on the program bus.
1 M/E Advanced Panel 20
Transitions
Regarding transition styles, standard SMPTE wipes are included with options such as edge softening for smooth dreamy transitions, or dip transitions that dip to colour or to any video source for unusual innovative effects. DVE transitions use the DVE to create extreme moves in which the whole foreground image moves. With the t-bar fader, users can position and control the transition manually.
You can also transform wipes into exciting effects by accessing their parameters, selecting a wipe pattern directly on the LCD, adding customisation to suit the production style and using the joystick to set precise pattern positioning.
The DVE can be setup to fly graphics into frame or select any of the pre-programmed push and squeeze transitions. The t-bar control has an ergonomic design allowing operators to ride transitions as part of the live performance, feeling and syncing a transition precisely in line with the camera operators, talent and the emotion of a live event. Like a conductor, their ATEM Constellation is part of the performance and drives the mood as the production unfolds.
Joystick, LCDs and Macros
It’s also possible to move elements around the screen using the joystick. Full 3-axis control means users can adjust X, Y and Z positions of wipe patterns and DVEs, and enter start and end keyframe screen positions for their own customised, animated DVE moves. The joystick control will also position live video over video, scale the size, position up/down or left/right for a customised picture in picture effect.
1 M/E Advanced Panel 30
Each system control LCD has a direct access keypad with a button for each function, and LCD and soft knobs and buttons. Hundreds of switcher parameters are available for keyers, transition selection, DVE and colour generators. Other parameters control the switcher video standard, multiview set-up and input-button remapping. A user can even save and recall 10 individual panel set ups and store them in the panel.
Operators can use the ATEM Advanced Panel to record custom macros and trigger them to playback with the push of a button, which makes it unnecessary to use a computer to work with macros. A different macro can be triggered under each button and labelled on the thin strip LCD below it.
The ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Panels 20 and 30 were demonstrated at IBC 2023 in September and will be available in October from Blackmagic Design resellers from US$3,899. www.blackmagicdesign.com
