Blackmagic ATEM Converters User Manual Using ATEM Camera Converter

Front Control Panel

ATEM Camera Converter’s control panel features buttons for adjusting headset and microphone volume, activating talkback, program/camera monitoring, powering on and off, and setting the camera number. There are also 5 status indicators for battery level, optical signal, SDI or HDMI signal, and tally.

Status Indicators

Battery level

On the far left of the control panel are four green battery level indicators. The number of illuminated indicators decrease as the battery level decreases. When the remaining single indicator starts flashing, there’s approximately 10 minutes of battery power left, so you should plug in an external power source or switch to another charged ATEM Camera Converter. The battery will last for over 2 hours of continuous use and requires approximately 8 hours for a complete recharge.

Optical

Next to the battery level LEDs is the ‘optical’ indicator. This lights up when an optical fiber SDI video signal is detected by ATEM Camera Converter. Use this indicator to confirm a valid optical SDI signal is being sent or received.

Video

The ‘video’ indicator lights up when a valid SDI or HDMI video signal is detected by ATEM Camera Converter. Use this indicator to confirm that your camera input signal is present.

Tally lights

These lights illuminate when a tally signal is received from the program output of an ATEM switcher. By watching the two red tally lights on opposite sides of ATEM Camera Converter, your talent and camera operator can see when they are on air.

Battery level, optical, and video signal status indicators.

The tally lights on each side of the ATEM Camera Converter glow red when your camera is live on the program output of an ATEM switcher.

Control Panel Buttons

PGM

Pressing the PGM button toggles between the program video signal and the camera input signal. The program input is the signal connected via optical fiber.

PGM button and microphone volume level buttons. The buttons will illuminate when pressed or activated.

Microphone Volume Down/Up

The microphone volume buttons provide a quick way to adjust external audio levels. Each press of the microphone volume buttons provide a smooth increase or decrease in volume over 1 second. When maximum or minimum microphone volume is reached, or if at maximum or minimum volume at power up, the relevant button will illuminate for 3 seconds. These buttons do not affect embedded SDI and HDMI audio levels received directly from the camera.

Power On/Off

Press and release to instantly power on. Hold for 1 second to power off.

Camera Number

This button is used to set the camera number on your ATEM Camera Converter so your tally lights function correctly. Refer to the ‘setting the camera number’ section in this manual for a detailed description.

Talkback Headphone Volume

Press this button to increase the volume of the talkback headphones. When maximum volume is reached, or if at maximum volume at power up, the button will illuminate for 3 seconds. The next press will reduce the volume to minimum before the volume is increased again.

PTT

Press to talk allows camera operators to talk to the switcher operator. Hold the button down while talking. If the PTT button is pressed twice in quick succession, it will stay on to allow hands free communication. If PTT is pressed again, it will revert to normal press to talk behavior.

The power button will illuminate when ATEM Camera Converter is powered on. Press the PTT button to engage talkback with another ATEM Camera Converter, ATEM Talkback Converter 4K, or ATEM Studio Converter. Press the talkback headphone button to adjust the talkback volume.

Setting the Camera Number

If you want your ATEM Camera Converter to receive tally signals from an ATEM switcher, you’ll need to set the camera number on your ATEM Camera Converter. This ensures the switcher sends the tally signal to the correct ATEM Camera Converter. The camera number can be set from 1 to 99.

To set the camera number with the camera number button, press and hold the button until its button light flashes 3 times. This will reset the camera number to camera 1. Each subsequent press of the button will increment the camera number by 1. For example, if you want to set your ATEM Camera Converter to camera number 5, reset the camera number to 1 and then add 4 button presses.

To test if camera number 5 is set correctly, have the ATEM switcher operator switch camera number 5 to the program output. If your camera number is set correctly, the tally lights will illuminate on your ATEM Camera Converter.

Similarly, if you want to test what camera number your ATEM Camera Converter is set to, ask the ATEM switcher operator to switch camera inputs to the program output until your tally lights illuminate. The switcher operator can then confirm your camera number.

‘Camera number’ button.

Mounting ATEM Camera Converter

When your camera needs to be mobile, connect your cables to ATEM Camera Converter and then snap the integrated belt clip on to your belt. For stationary shots, ATEM Camera Converter can be mounted on a tripod arm with either of its standard 3/8” or 1/4” thread inserts. If you want to sit ATEM Camera Converter on a desk using its rubber feet, undo the two 2.5 hex socket screws and remove the belt clip.

ATEM Camera Converter can be clipped to your belt, mounted on a tripod arm, or placed on its rubber feet on a desk.