Blackmagic ATEM Converters User Manual Getting Started with ATEM Converters User Manual
Introducing ATEM Converters
ATEM Camera Converter, ATEM Studio Converter and ATEM Talkback Converter 4K connect to switchers, such as ATEM and provide a complete studio talkback and tally solution, including the option of connecting over long distances using low cost fiber optic cable.
ATEM Camera Converter
ATEM Camera Converter is a portable converter that connects to any SDI or HDMI camera. The ATEM Camera Converter sends video, audio, tally and talkback signals via bi-directional optical fiber between itself and a remote unit, for example an ATEM Studio Converter, which then sends the signal to a switcher. ATEM Camera Converter supports SD, HD and 3G-SDI formats and can be powered using the internal rechargeable battery or by using mains power.
When paired with another ATEM Camera Converter, ATEM Studio Converter or ATEM Talkback Converter 4K you get a complete talkback solution for live production. Tally lights are also enabled when connected to ATEM switchers.
ATEM Camera Converter.
ATEM Studio Converter
ATEM Studio Converter can be partnered with ATEM Camera Converters via optical fiber for talkback support with any SDI or HDMI cameras. This lets you convert up to 4 cameras to optical fiber SDI when you need to run video over long cable lengths.
Single mode optical fiber cable with LC connectors are used to connect ATEM Camera Converter to ATEM Studio Converter. If you are using Blackmagic Studio Cameras, you can plug your video in directly via optical fiber. The SDI connections, including the fiber optic inputs, support SD, HD and 6G-SDI video.
You can easily connect your camera audio outputs to an external mixing desk by plugging into the balanced XLR analog outputs on the ATEM Studio Converter’s rear panel.
When more than 4 cameras are required, you can loop multiple ATEM Studio Converters and ATEM Talkback Converter 4Ks together.
ATEM Studio Converter.
ATEM Talkback Converter 4K
ATEM Talkback Converter 4K is used to connect up to 8 cameras to a switcher via coaxial cable up to 12G-SDI. When connected to an ATEM switcher you also get tally, plus you can also connect to ATEM Camera Converters via optical fiber to add talkback.
Blackmagic Studio Camera can connect to your ATEM Talkback Converter 4K via BNC or optional optical fiber modules. You also get talkback and tally when connected to an ATEM switcher.
If you need to connect more cameras, additional ATEM Talkback Converter 4Ks can be looped together. ATEM Talkback Converter 4K supports SD, HD and Ultra HD video up to 2160p60.
ATEM Talkback Converter 4K with 8 optional SFP modules installed.
Connecting ATEM Camera Converter
The first thing you’ll want to do is power your ATEM Camera Converter, plug in your camera, headset and a monitor.
Plugging in your Power
ATEM Camera Converter features both an internal rechargeable battery which gives you mobility in the field, and a connector for plugging in the power adaptor supplied with ATEM Camera Converter. ATEM Camera Converter’s power connector supports an input range of 12V to 31V so you can even use an external camera battery. The internal battery will charge when a power source is connected.
Plug in your power source and charge the internal battery via the 12V to 31V power connector. Connect your camera via the SDI or HDMI input, and your monitor via the SDI or HDMI output. By default, ATEM Camera Converter uses embedded SDI or HDMI audio from your camera.
Plugging in your Camera
Plug your camera into your ATEM Camera Converter’s HDMI or SDI connector.
Make sure your camera output is set to a format supported by your live production switcher. If you’re connecting to an ATEM switcher, check the switcher video standard and then set the camera to the same video standard, e.g., 1080i59.94.
Plugging in your Headset
Plug your talkback headset into ATEM Camera Converter’s standard 3.5mm stereo analog microphone and headphone inputs. An iPhone or Android compatible headset can be connected using only the headphone jack. However, if you have an external microphone connected at the same time, only the external microphone will be used.
Connect your headset to ATEM Camera Converter via the standard 3.5mm headphone output and microphone input.
Plugging in your Monitor
Plug your monitor into ATEM Camera Converter’s SDI or HDMI output. Using a monitor lets you view the camera output or the program output from a switcher. If you are connecting to an ATEM Switcher, you’ll need to set the camera number on your ATEM Camera Converter so the tally light will illuminate when the camera is switched to the program output. For more information, refer to the ‘Using ATEM Camera Converter/Setting the Camera Number’ section.
Connecting via Optical Fiber
You’ll now want to connect your ATEM Camera Converter to either a second Camera Converter, an ATEM Talkback Converter 4K, or an ATEM Studio Converter, via duplex single mode optical fiber cables with LC connectors. A pair of optical fiber cables are typically known as a patch cord.
ATEM Camera Converter’s optical fiber SFP module.
Plugging in Optical Fiber LC Connectors
To plug optical fiber connectors into your ATEM Converters:
Plug one end of the patch cord to your ATEM Camera Converter’s SFP module.
Plug the other end of your patch cord to the SFP module on the second ATEM Camera Converter. If you are connecting multiple cameras to an ATEM Talkback Converter 4K or ATEM Studio Converter, choose SFP modules appropriate for each camera.
For example, when connecting camera 1, connect to the camera 1 SFP module.
Optical fiber patch cord with two LC connectors.
Plugging in your Audio
ATEM Camera Converter supports 2 channels of camera audio, which are carried on audio channels 1 & 2 of the optical fiber SDI connection. By default, ATEM Camera Converter uses the embedded audio from your camera’s microphone. However, if you want to plug in an external audio source, connect your audio equipment to ATEM Camera Converter’s two balanced 1/4” TRS inputs. When external audio is connected it will be used instead of the embedded camera audio.
The 1/4” TRS connectors accept stereo analog audio at microphone level and are carried on audio channels 1 & 2 of the optical fiber SDI connection.
Connect external audio equipment to ATEM Camera Converter via TRS connectors.
Confirming Your Video Signal
When your ATEM Camera Converter is powered, a camera is plugged in, and a valid SDI or HDMI signal is present, you’ll see the control panel ‘video’ status indicator illuminated.
Additionally, if you have your monitor connected and the PGM button set for camera video, your camera output will be displayed and you’ll know your ATEM Camera Converter is working.
When a valid video signal is detected via SDI or HDMI, you’ll see ATEM Camera Converter’s ‘video’ status indicator illuminated. The ‘optical’ indicator will illuminate when a valid SDI signal is detected via the optical fiber input.
Connecting ATEM Studio Converter
The first thing to do is plug in power, plug in your cameras, a headset, and connect to a switcher. You can also plug in an external microphone, such as a gooseneck microphone if you want to use talkback without using a headset. You can even output each camera’s audio to a mixer via balanced analog XLR connectors.
Plugging in Power
Plug in your power via your ATEM Converter’s mains power input using a standard IEC cable. You can also connect a power adaptor or external camera battery to the 12V to 31V power input.
2 power inputs give you the option of a redundant power connection in case one supply fails or is accidentally disconnected.
Plug in power via the mains power, or the 12V power connector.
Plugging in Cameras
On the back panel of your ATEM Studio Converter, you’ll see 4 groups of connectors numbered 1 to 4.
Plug your cameras into each optical fiber SFP module.
The second LC connector plugged into the SFP module is used to connect the program video back to your Blackmagic Studio Camera or ATEM Camera Converter.
Plug each camera SDI output from your ATEM Studio Converter to the corresponding camera inputs in your switcher.
Plug your cameras into ATEM Studio Converter’s optical fiber inputs.
Plugging in the Program Feed from your Switcher
Connect the program output from your switcher to your ATEM Studio Converter’s ‘PGM SDI in’ connector. When connecting the program output from an ATEM switcher, tally is also embedded in the SDI signal. This will enable tally lights when connected to ATEM Camera Converters via optical fiber and Blackmagic Studio Cameras.
Plug the program SDI output from your switcher into your ATEM Studio Converter’s ‘PGM SDI’ input.
Plugging in your Headset
Your ATEM Studio Converter uses aviation headsets that plug in via the 1/4” TRS headphone and 0.206” microphone jacks. If both a headset and an external microphone are plugged in, only the headset will be used. Talkback audio is embedded into audio channels 15 & 16 of the SDI signal.
Connect your aviation headset via your ATEM Studio Converter front panel TRS connectors. You can also plug in an external microphone via the balanced XLR analog input.
Plugging in your External Microphone
If you want to use an external microphone, plug in via the balanced XLR analog input on your ATEM Studio Converter’s front control panel.
Outputting Camera Audio
You can easily connect your camera audio outputs to an external mixing desk by plugging into the balanced XLR analog outputs on the rear panel.
Monitoring your Audio
If you want to monitor your program or talkback audio on external audio equipment such as a Blackmagic Audio Monitor, connect via the RCA outputs on your ATEM Studio Converter’s rear panel. Plus, you can easily connect your camera’s audio to a mixer using the XLR analog audio outputs.
Monitor your program or talkback audio on external equipment by connecting to ATEM Studio Converter’s RCA outputs.
Connecting ATEM Talkback Converter 4K
The first thing to do is plug in power, your cameras, a headset and connect to a switcher. You can also plug in an external microphone, such as a gooseneck microphone if you want to use talkback without using a headset.
Plugging in Power
Plug in your power via your ATEM Talkback Converter 4K’s mains power input using a standard IEC cable. You can also connect a power adaptor or external camera battery to the 12V to 31V power input. 2 power inputs give you the option of a redundant power connection in case one supply fails or is accidentally disconnected.
Plug in power via the mains power, or the 12V or 31V power connector.
Plugging in Cameras
On the back panel of your ATEM Talkback Converter 4K, you’ll see 8 groups of connectors that are assigned to camera numbers 1 to 8.
Plug your cameras into each ‘Cam SDI in’ connector.
Plug your ATEM Talkback Converter 4K’s ‘Cam SDI out’ into your camera’s program SDI input. When using ATEM Camera Converters with ATEM Talkback Converter 4K, it is important to note that talkback and tally are embedded in the SDI signal via optical fiber only.
Plug the numbered SDI outputs, for example ‘SDI 1 Out’, to the corresponding camera inputs in your switcher.
Plug your cameras into ATEM Talkback Converter 4K’s camera SDI inputs. When optical fiber SFP modules are installed, you can also plug cameras into your ATEM Talkback Converter 4K via optical fiber. Plug your ATEM Talkback Converter 4K’s ‘SDI out’ into your switcher.
Plugging in the Program Feed from your Switcher
Connect the program output from your switcher to your ATEM Talkback Converter 4K’s ‘PGM SDI in’ connector. When connecting the program output from an ATEM switcher, tally is also embedded in the SDI signal. This will enable tally lights when connected to ATEM Camera Converters, Blackmagic Studio Cameras and Blackmagic URSA Broadcast Cameras.
Plug the program SDI output from your switcher into your ATEM Talkback Converter 4K’s ‘PGM SDI’ input.
Plugging in your Headset
Your ATEM Talkback Converter 4K uses aviation headsets that plug in via the 1/4” TRS headphone and 0.206” microphone jacks.
If both a headset and an external microphone are plugged in, only the headset will be used.
Talkback audio is embedded into audio channels 15 & 16 of the SDI signal.
Connect your aviation headset via your ATEM Talkback Converter 4K front panel TRS connectors. You can also plug in an external microphone via the balanced XLR analog input if you want to use talkback without a headset.
Plugging in your External Microphone
If you want to use an external microphone, plug in via the balanced XLR analog input on your ATEM Converter’s front control panel.
Monitoring your Audio
If you want to monitor your program or talkback audio on external audio equipment such as a Blackmagic Audio Monitor, connect via the RCA outputs on your ATEM Talkback Converter 4K or ATEM Studio Converter’s rear panel.
Confirming your ATEM Converter Set Up
After connecting your ATEM Converters to a live production switcher you’ll want to confirm that everything is working.
Check the switcher is getting a valid signal from your cameras by having the switcher operator switch each camera to the preview or program output. If all your camera signals can be seen on the switcher’s preview or program output, you’ll know your ATEM Converters are working.
Next, check your talkback. Have the switcher operator and camera operators speak to each other using their ‘press to talk’ buttons and headsets.
If you are using an ATEM switcher, tally signals are sent over the SDI connection. To make sure tally is working, check the camera number on ATEM Camera Converters and make sure they match the camera numbers on the ATEM switcher. For more information, refer to the ‘Using ATEM Camera Converter/Setting the Camera number’ section of this manual.
If you experience any trouble setting up your ATEM Converters, please visit the Blackmagic Design support center at www.blackmagicdesign.com/support where you can often find answers quickly by browsing the Blackmagic Forum. Here you can read information and comments from other experienced users and Blackmagic Design staff. You can also find contact information for your local Blackmagic Design support team.
Refer to the ‘Connection Diagrams’ section for more information on how to connect your ATEM Converters.
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