The ATEM Constellation 8K is a 2RU live production switcher that runs as a 4 M/E Ultra HD switcher, then reallocates its processing to work as a native 8K switcher. In Ultra HD mode it carries 40 12G-SDI inputs, 24 12G-SDI aux outputs, 4 DVEs, 16 ATEM Advanced Chroma Keyers, 4 media players, 4 independent Ultra HD multiviews, 2 SuperSource processors and standards conversion on every input — switching to 8K changes those counts throughout, so both modes are given below.

Every input synced and converted, outputs that scale with the mode

All 40 SDI inputs carry their own re-sync plus frame rate and format conversion, so sources running at different standards plug straight in without outboard converters. Inputs are 10-bit and support 1.5G, 3G, 6G and 12G-SDI rates, with automatic detection between level A and level B on 3G-SDI, 6G-SDI and 12G-SDI, and ten of the 40 inputs switch to 4320p for 8K work, running 2 sample interleave. Outputs run to 28 up to Ultra HD — 24 aux plus 4 multiview — dropping to 7 in 8K, being 6 aux and 1 multiview, and any of the 24 SDI outputs can be assigned as programme or preview.

Keying, SuperSource and media players that scale by mode

Keying runs to 16 upstream and 4 downstream keyers in Ultra HD, dropping to 4 and 2 in 8K, and every upstream keyer is an ATEM Advanced Chroma Keyer. Two SuperSource processors handle multi-box layouts alongside 21 linear and luma keyers and 28 total layers up to Ultra HD, or 7 of each in 8K. Four DVEs with 3D borders and drop shadow run up to Ultra HD, one in 8K, and four media players draw on a pool holding 64 Ultra HD stills with fill and key in Ultra HD, or 24 in 8K, from PNG, TGA, BMP, GIF, JPEG and TIFF files.

Multiviews, talkback and a broadcast-grade audio mixer

Four independent multiviews run in Ultra HD, or one in 8K, giving up to 64 routable windows — 16 in 8K — with custom source labels and red and green tally, each window selectable to HD, Ultra HD or 8K. Built-in talkback pairs with a 156-channel Fairlight audio mixer with 6-band parametric EQ and dynamics, two balanced 1/4 inch (6.35mm) jacks in and two out, one 32-stereo-channel MADI input and two 32-stereo-channel MADI outputs on BNC, a 5-pin XLR talkback connection and an RJ45 for third-party talkback systems.

Reference, timing, power and control

A Tri-Sync or Black Burst reference input feeds an internal timecode generator, and the switcher runs 10-bit 4:2:2 in Rec. 709 and Rec. 2020. Two internal 100 to 240V AC power supplies draw 300W, and ATEM Software Control for Mac and Windows is included free.