The last part of an M/E style switcher is the select bus. This is above the program row and
simply allows sources to be selected for effects processing and other purposes, and there is a
label above this to show what you’re switching. The select bus is commonly used to select key
inputs, and outputs. It’s a clean switch, so when used to select outputs, you get a clean cut.
As you can see by this quick overview, M/E style of operation allows confident live production
with good feedback on what’s going on and the state of your switcher and programming at any
point in your production. Once you learn the M/E style of operation, you can move between
models of production switchers with little retraining as they all work the same!
What is an A/B Direct Switcher?
If you have been using video switchers for a long time, then you might be used to older-style
A/B direct switchers and you can easily set your ATEM switcher to A/B direct switching in the
ATEM software preferences. See the Transition Control section of this instruction manual for
details about where to change this setting.
A/B direct switchers have an A bus and a B bus. One bus is the program bus which shows a red
button for the current program output. The other is the preview bus which has a green button
for the preview video. As you move the fader bar up and down, the buses switch so that the red
program button follows the fader handle. This is where A/B direct switching is really easy to use
as the buttons stay lit in the same positions and just switch color between green and red.
A/B direct switching becomes a little more confusing when the fader bar is not used to make
the switch. If you use a cut or auto transition button to bring your preview source on air, or if you
use more than one control panel connected to your switcher, the fader bar won’t have moved
on the control panel that you are using. The red program output always follows the fader bar
handle and, as you haven’t moved it, the red program light has to move to another button on
the same row and the green preview light has to move to another button in its row.
This can become quite confusing when sometimes using the fader bar to make switches, and
sometimes not, as the rows containing your preview and program buttons will sometimes switch
and sometimes stay where they are which has the potential to lead to mistakes.
This is why modern M/E style switching is preferable because you’ll always find your green
preview button in the row labeled Preview, and the red program button in the row labeled
Program. It’s always consistent and there are no surprises with M/E style switching.
Understanding the ATEM Switcher
The ATEM switcher provides all the video processing as well as all video input and output
connectors, connection for control panels and power connections. You use the switcher by
connecting and using various types of control panels. This allows the switcher to be located
remotely, such as in machine rooms where it’s closer to the connected video devices, while the
control panel can be placed in a location from where it is easier to run production.
ATEM Constellation HD switchers are SDI based switchers designed to fit into your HD
production workflow. Featuring 3G-SDI inputs for switching up to 1080p60 and talkback, you
can switch your production via the front panel or use ATEM Software Control to access all the
settings available.
Each switcher features multiple outputs that can have any source routed to them, multiview
outputs capable of displaying up to 16 views at one time and a webcam output for streaming.
8Introducing ATEM Constellation HD
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