Blackmagic Design has announced ATEM 4 M/E Constellation IP, a family of production switchers built around native SMPTE ST 2110 connectivity. The design uses redundant 100G Ethernet rather than placing external gateways in front of an SDI switcher.
Two models provide 32 or 64 IP inputs, four mix/effects rows and ST 2022-7 network protection. Blackmagic lists prices starting at $7,995, putting the products into a segment where ST 2110 switching has often required substantially larger infrastructure budgets.
Why it matters
Native IP inputs simplify routing between the switcher and the broader fabric, and 2022-7 is essential for protected live operation. The price could make full-bandwidth IP switching relevant to smaller facilities and mobile units.
What still needs checking
A switcher list price does not include the 100G fabric, timing, gateways, control and engineering required for a resilient ST 2110 system. Format and multiviewer capacity must be checked in the final configuration.
