Blackmagic Design ATEM Television Studio HD8 Live Production Switcher

Description

A Pro TV Studio on the Go

Live production video switching in locations of all sizes is made simpler with the all-in-one Blackmagic ATEM Television Studio HD8 compact switcher and control panel. A total of eight standard converted 3G-SDI inputs and outputs with embedded audio capture and send stunning camera quality, while four chroma keyers, SuperSourcing, media players, and more back up your footage with a professional-grade visual sheen. The intuitive array of buttons enables comprehensive previewing, transitioning, audio processing, and beyond, keeping all of your controls at hand. City Music production aces love the endless effects and organizational features offered by the HD8, including real-time DVE scaling and resizing multiple feeds. And the included ATEM Software Control unlocks remote access to the onboard Fairlight audio mixer for more equalization and compression capabilities to balance the right audio signal every time. From news broadcasts to music venues and online courses to football games, the Blackmagic HD8 is the compact and capable tool for any TV studio-scale production!

All the connections you need

The rear panel of the HD8 may look a little complex at first glance, but it comprehensively displays a home for just about any connection you need in the field. Eight 3G-SDI inputs/outputs boasting embedded audio allow you to easily interface with up to eight video cameras. A pair of Aux outputs, SDI and HDMI/SDI Multiview connections, and a Main SDI Program Outfit enable projector usage, multi-source monitoring, and simplified recording and transmission of your feeds, respectively. In terms of audio connections, you’ve got quite the selection to choose from! There are inputs and outputs for control room monitoring, studio speakers, talkback/headset connection, hi-fi stereo gear-to-music syncing, and pair of balanced XLR audio inputs for analog mixing and more.

On the left side of the rear panel, a Talkback expansion port allows for conjunctive usage with Clear-Com and RTS systems. Also included are serial Remote control, a 4-port Ethernet bank for computer and internet-based connections, inputs and outputs for Timecode connections, and MADI Audio microphone expansions. Dual USB-C jacks enable USB flash disk recording and mobile phone streams. And for quickly syncing to broadcast systems and operating with classic broadcast-style DC Power, there are respective inputs/outputs, a 4-pin 12V power connection, and a standard IEC 100-240V AC power connection.

Broadcast entirely on your terms

The HD8’s control layout tells a similar tale of complexity and comprehension. Starting in the center at the top of the panel, just to the right of the status display screen, a series of buttons let you adjust program settings for all features across the switcher. To the right of the screen is a numeric keypad, allowing users to enter appropriate parameters for the effect at hand, including transition duration and more.

Moving to the left, an audio control module gives you total control over leveling and processing for each camera source in your feed, with selection controls for speakers and headsets just above the meters. Below the audio section are bus selections for setting inputs to processing for keyers and DVEs. In the bottom left corner are program and preview buttons, allowing you to double-check footage before immediately outputting the result.

Your visual effects command center is in the bottom right corner of the HD8. Here, you’ll find a transition controller for applying to your captured feed once it’s ready to be sent on the air. Beside it to the right is a sizable T-bar fader that allows users to manually control the selected transition at hand. For green screen keys, on-screen graphics, and post-transition graphic cueing, dedicated button grids wait on standby to deliver precisely what you need at just the right time. And finally, a nearby fade-to-black switch allows you to end the show with a classic fade-out!

Built-in Fairlight audio mixer

Thanks to an onboard Fairlight audio mixer, the HD8 can level and sculpt the exact signal you need for a successful-sounding broadcast every time. Switch between a parametric EQ, compressor, limiter, expander, noise gate, and panning controls to dial in the right sound, then set video feeds to “audio-follow-video” as you see fit. It’s all controllable from the control panel of the HD8 but can also be remotely refined from a computer or laptop via the included ATEM Software Control program.

Create your standout look

What would a pro-grade switcher and control panel be without some stellar effects to back it up? Let’s start with transitions because there are quite a few! Fade, Dip, Wipe, DVE Push/Squeeze, and Graphic Wipe are among some of our favorites here at City Music, all set to give your broadcasts a professional feel. There are also plenty of other shape- and angle-based transitions to choose from, and they can all be customized by duration, border color/width, position, and direction! Remember: when working in Auto mode, you can set the duration of each transition with the numeric keypad, but the high-grade T-bar lets you manually adjust the transition speed to your liking.

In addition to transitions, there are plenty of onboard DVEs to take advantage of within the HD8! Picture-in-picture graphic compositions with real time positioning, resizing, and scaling mean that live video calls can be adjusted at a moment’s notice. Complete with custom shadows, lighting, 3D borders, and graphics, making your broadcast as personalized as you want is simple. The HD8 backs internal media, supplying 20 HD stills and 400-frame 720HD/200-frame 1080HD motion graphics to add some animated appeal — even download direct graphics from Photoshop via the free ATEM Photoshop plug-in.

Create fixed-camera virtual sets with four ATEM advanced chroma keyers and explore the convenience of on hand professional background generation, flaring, edging, and color matching. Once your background is established, use the HD8’s SuperSourcing capabilities to layer in four additional DVE layers, including live video. Perfect for interviews, multi-view games, and events with some pizazz, this is an essential feature that’s merely routine for the HD8!

Streams, recording, and smart connections

Also within the HD8 lies a powerful hardware streaming engine that enables your captured feeds to reach a global audience quickly and with as few snags as possible. You can stream via Ethernet or 4G and 5G smartphones to popular platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, Twitter, Vimeo, and more. Plus, when you tether your phone to the USB port, it not only charges but also unlocks a new and ultra-convenient world of mobile production that perfectly accompanies the mobile nature of the HD8. Devices can even be detected as a backup Internet connection if the Ethernet connection is interrupted. And are you looking to record your feeds and streams to multiple USB flash disks or even directly to internal cloud storage? It’s no problem at all for the HD8!

Blackmagic ATEM Television Studio HD8 Features:

• Live production compact video switcher and control panel
• 8x embedded audio 3G-SDI inputs/outputs for up to 8 video cameras
• 2x 3G-SDI Aux outputs connect projectors and presenting monitors
• SDI and HDMI/SDI Multiview connections allow for multi-source monitoring
• Main SDI Program Outfit simplifies the recording and transmission of video feeds
• Audio connections include control room and studio speaker in/out, Talkback/headset, hi-fi stereo, and balanced XLR analog audio
• Talkback expansion port is compatible with Clear-Com and RTS systems
• 4-port Ethernet bank for computer-/internet-based connections
• Microphone expansion availability with MADI Audio ports
• Easily Timecode with dedicated inputs and outputs
• 2x USB-C jacks allow for flash disk recording and mobile phone streaming
• Broadcast system sync-ability with classic 4-pin 12V DC power and standard IEC 100-240V AC power connections
• Large status display screen with nearby master settings controls
• Numeric keypad allows for parameter entering for transition duration adjustments, etc.
• Audio control module powered by onboard Fairlight mixer with EQ, compression, limiting, expanding, noise gating, panning, and AFV
• Bus selections set inputs to processing for keyers and DVEs
• Preview/Program buttons let you view feeds and transitions before airing them
• Transition controls with large T-bar fader to automatically and manually manipulate transition speed, respectively
• Dedicated grid controls for green screen keys and graphic cueing
• Fade-to-black switch ends program feeds with a classic fade
• Transitions include Fade, Dip, Wipe, DVE Push/Squeeze, Graphic wipe, and more, with customizable parameters
• Picture-in-picture graphics enhance video calls with real time resizing, scaling, custom borders, and more
• Support for internal media, including 20 HD stills, 400-frame 720HD/200-frame 1080HD motion graphics
• 4 chroma keyers with background generation, color matching, and more
• SuperSourcing integrates up to 4 additional live video layers for interviews and multiview games and events
• Hardware streaming engine reaches a global audience on popular platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch via Ethernet or 4G and 5G smartphones
• Easily record to multiple USB flash disks and even directly to internal cloud storage
• ATEM Software Control program included for effortless remote monitoring

 

Specifications:

Type	Live Production Video Switcher
Channels	8 Video, 36 Audio
Video Format	1080p/60fps
Video Inputs	8 x BNC (SDI)
Video Outputs	8 x BNC (SDI), 2 x BNC (AUX), 1 x BNC (multiview), 1 x BNC (program), 1 x HDMI (multiview)
Audio Inputs	2 x XLR, 1 x Dual RCA Stereo, 1 x BNC (MADI)
Audio Outputs	4 x 1/4″, 1 x BNC (MADI)
Sync	2 x BNC (ref I/O), 2 x BNC (timecode I/O)
Headphones	1 x 5-pin (talkback)
USB	2 x USB-C (2.0)
Other I/O	4 x RJ45 (ethernet), 1 x RJ45 (talkback), 1 x RJ12 (remote, supports RS-422)
Software	ATEM Software Control Panel
Power Source	Standard IEC AC, 4-pin XLR DC
Height	6.35″
Width	23″
Depth	14.8″
Weight	14.9 lbs