The Blackmagic Design ATEM 2 M/E Production Switcher is a 3 RU-high, 16-source switcher that accepts 16 10-bit HD/SD-SDI inputs and one HDMI input for a total of 16 simultaneous inputs, each with a frame synchronizer. The ATEM 2 M/E Switcher comes with a software control panel, and it's also compatible with the 1 M/E & 2 M/E Broadcast Panels from Blackmagic (not included).
For serious live productions of all kinds, the ATEM 1 M/E represents an extremely affordable way to juggle a large number of sources with aplomb, switching HD and SD sources such as cameras with HDMI or SDI output, VTRs/DDRs, etc., and adding keys and graphics while enjoying the multi-layer processing power of the SuperSource Compositing Engine for multi-box compositions. Whether you'll operate via mouse & laptop or you're ready to switch your sources from a control panel, you're still operating at a very high level, with a 10-bit signal path throughout (depending on your video system, of course).
Program outputs come in the form of SDI, analog, and HDMI, and there are six auxiliary SDI outputs. There's also USB 3.0 output for Windows systems, for directly capturing a 10-bit master to your computer. The switcher features DVE transitions, 13 keyers, two built-in media players for clips and stills, and two independent multi-view outputs, which eliminate the need for separate monitors for each source.
| Connectivity | |
|---|---|
| Video Inputs |
16x Total simultaneous 16x SDI 10-bit (HD/SD switchable) 1x HDMI 1.4a (10-bit HD/SD switchable) |
| Audio Input | 2-channel analog balanced XLR via breakout cable |
| Sync Input | Tri-Sync or black burst |
| Built-in TBC/Frame Sync | 16 internal frame synchronizers (all inputs) |
| Total Outputs | 18 |
| Program Output |
2x SDI (10-bit HD/SD switchable) 1x SDI M/E 2 (10-bit HD/SD switchable) 1x HDMI 1.4a (10-bit HD/SD switchable) 1x permanently downconverted Composite NTSC/PAL 1x downconverted 10-bit SDI |
| Preview (PVW) Output | 1x SDI 10-bit (HD/SD switchable) |
| Auxiliary Output | 6x SDI 10-bit (HD/SD switchable) |
| Computer Outputs | 1x USB 3.0 from Aux. 1 output. Media Express for Windows included |
| Quantity of Multi-Views | 2 |
| Outputs per Multi-View |
1x HD-SDI 1x HDMI |
| SDI Audio Output | 2 channels embedded into SDI output |
| Analog Audio Output | 2 channels balanced XLR via breakout cable |
| Ethernet | 1x 10/100/1000 BaseT input. Allows direct connection between control panel and chassis, or via network |
| Control Panel | ATEM Software Control Panel included free for Mac OS X and Windows. ATEM 2 M/E Broadcast Panel preferred (not included); compatible with ATME 1 M/E Broadcast Panel (not included) |
| Serial Communication | 1x RS-422 output |
| Tally Output | Added via Ethernet connection; GPI and Tally Interface product (not included) |
| GPI | Added via Ethernet connection; GPI and Tally Interface product (not included) |
| Software Update | Using USB connection directly connected to Mac OS X or Windows computers. Includes ATEM Switcher Utility |
| Configuration | Set via ATEM Software Control Panel, excluding ATEM chassis IP address, which is set via the ATEM Switcher Utility connected via USB to chassis |
| Processing | |
|---|---|
| Color Space Conversion | Hardware-based, real-time |
| Processing Delay | 1 line |
| HD Down Conversion | Built-in, high-quality hardware downconverter always outputs to SD-SDI and composite outputs when working in HD video formats. Component output can be switched between HD or SD. Selectable between letterbox, anamorphic 16:9, and center-cut 4:3 styles |
| Standards | |
|---|---|
| HD Format Support | 1080i50, 1080i59.94, 720p50, 720p59.94 |
| SD Format Support | 625/25 PAL, 525/29.97 NTSC |
| SDI Compliance | SMPTE 259M, 292M |
| HDMI Resolutions | Input resolutions for computers: 720 x 480 59.94 Hz, 720 x 576 50 Hz, 1280 x 720 59.94/50 Hz, and 1920 x 1080 59.94/50 Hz |
| Video Sampling | 4:2:2 |
| Color Precision | 10-bit |
| Color Space | 4:2:2 YUV |
| Media Player | |
|---|---|
| Quantity | 2 |
| Channels | 2x for key and fill |
| Still Image Capacity | 32 with fill and key |
| Clip Capacity | 2 with fill and key |
| Maximum Clip Length |
1080i: 180 frames 720p: 360 frames NTSC/PAL: 900 frames |
| Image Format | PNG, TGA, BMP, GIF, JPEG and TIFF |
| Video Format | TGA sequence |
| Audio Format | WAV, MP3, AIFF |
| Multi-View Monitoring | |
|---|---|
| Number of Windows | 2 x 10 |
| Routable Windows | 16 |
| Tally | Red for program and green for preview indication |
| Window Source Labels | Yes |
| Extras | |
|---|---|
| Keyers |
16x Total Layers 4x Upstream (2x per M/E) 2x Downstream 8x Linear/Luma 4x Chroma 2x Transition (Stinger/DVE) 4x SuperSource |
| Generators |
6x Pattern 2x Color 4x SuperSource Box |
| DVE | 1x DVE with 3D borders & drop shadow |
| Power | |
|---|---|
| Redundant Power | Yes |
| Input Voltage | 12V |
| Power Consumption | 75W |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 5.25 x 19 x 2" (132 x 482 x 48mm) |
| Weight | 7 lb (3.2 kg) |