Four Switchers In One. The major selling points of the ATEM 4 M/E Broadcast Studio 4K is that it features four multi-layer engines and 12G-SDI input. The simplest way to explain that is to say it works like four switchers in one box. It’s helpful for sending completely difference mixes to separate destinations such as a projector and separate recorded output or streamed video. 12G-SDI connectors allow for UHD 4K/59.94p video ingestion.

Powerful Mix Effects Engines. From broadcast quality transitions to live video scaling, positioning, and multi-layered video, the ATEM 4 ME has powerful tools for manipulating many layers with borders and transitions in real time. This switcher features four mix-effects buses for a total of 16 upstream keyers. Two downstream keyers allow for bugs, logos, and lower thirds to be applied.

Media Pool. This ATEM allows the banking of up to 32 UHD still frames, 180 frames of UHD video, or 720 frames of 1920 × 1080 video. Stills can be formatted as PNG, TGA, BMP, GIF, JPEG, and TIFF while video sequences must be formatted to TGA.

Twenty Simultaneous Video Inputs. You can connect up to 20 video sources to this switcher via 20 12G-SDI inputs. UHD 4K video will be limited to a frame rate of 59.94p. This switcher does not feature any HDMI compatibility.

Program & Multi View Outputs. Options for your program feed include 3 switchable SDI outputs and one downconverted HD-SDI output. Another SDI port is included for dedicated preview output. Multi-view output is best optimized for two monitors from two SDI outputs with a total available view of 16 video feeds.

Control Via Software or Hardware. A computer with an ethernet port will be required to make adjustments to many ATEM settings and, once connected, can control switching via a software panel. You can also use the Blackmagic Design ATEM 1 M/E Advanced Control Panel for tactile hardware control of this switcher.

Audio Inputs & Outputs. Audio input is handled by two balanced XLR ports or stereo RCA ports. Output options include two XLR program outputs as well as two XLR monitor outputs. Additionally, the switcher offers XLR talkback and timecode with inputs and outputs for each.