Constellation 4ME HD Camera Control

Questions about ATEM Switchers, Camera Converter and everything live!
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robertsmu

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Constellation 4ME HD Camera Control

PostFri Jun 02, 2023 10:37 pm

So, we replaced an older Broadcast Studio 4K with the Constellation 4ME HD switcher. Updated the firmware to the current version (9.01). We have no camera control whatsover. Not through the Studio Converters to the Studio Cams, not to the Micro Studio Cams via direct connection via SDI.

We have two other production lines up for this event using Constellation 8K’s and we confirmed that the cameras do receive camera control from those switchers.

All cameras have been numbered correctly. Tally works. It’s just the CCU. And we tried it from the software as well as the Camera Control Panel. With multiple ouputs from the switcher.

The switcher seemingly works perfectly fine otherwise.

Our workaround is to shade the 4ME cameras from the 8K switchers, and that works fine using companion to help.

But, what the heck. Has anyone been able to control cameras using the 4ME Constellation HD? And if you did, what’s the secret sauce? This is the third or fourth Constellation HD we’ve purchased and they have all been returned for one issue or another.

By comparison, the 8k’s have been super reliable. And we would have bought a third, but they are way more expensive than the HD one, and we never stream in anything over 1080p.

So, if you have any tips, tricks or voodoo, let me know!
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notrobbo

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Re: Constellation 4ME HD Camera Control

PostMon Jun 05, 2023 5:46 am

Ive a similar issue with a Constellation 4ME HD, where we have working CCU control on all URSA/Studio Cams with any Cam ID, but no tally after Camera ID 8. (Tally for Cam ID 1-8 works, ID 9+ Doesn't work)

I feel like there is something funny going on with the PGM output on the switcher?
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pcowles128

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Re: Constellation 4ME HD Camera Control

PostMon Jun 05, 2023 11:50 am

I was able to downgrade to 9.0 and got control back... Did notice the firmware on the switcher went back to 8.1
Peter Cowles
Media Systems Specialist
City of Westfield MA
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Tobias Dieterich

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Re: Constellation 4ME HD Camera Control

PostMon Jun 05, 2023 3:35 pm

notrobbo wrote:Ive a similar issue with a Constellation 4ME HD, where we have working CCU control on all URSA/Studio Cams with any Cam ID, but no tally after Camera ID 8. (Tally for Cam ID 1-8 works, ID 9+ Doesn't work)

This should be fixed with the current firmware version.

pcowles128 wrote:I was able to downgrade to 9.0 and got control back... Did notice the firmware on the switcher went back to 8.1

That's intereseting. Will try to check that with my 4 M/E Constellation HD...

Had my unit working over 4 days without any issues using the current firmware, however I did not use its camera control....
Tobias Dieterich | T.D. Video Engineering | www.tdvideo.de

video and embedded software engineer
ready for SMPTE ST 2110
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robertsmu

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Re: Constellation 4ME HD Camera Control

PostFri Jun 09, 2023 5:21 pm

Here's an update on our camera control problem.

We are onto our next show, so we had time during set up to test the switcher more thoroughly.

We downgraded to 9.0 and the camera control came back. Tally, however doesn't work above input 8, which others have noticed as well. We then upgraded back to 9.01 (just to rule out connectivity issues) and indeed, tally function is correct and camera control is gone.

So Blackmagic giveth and Blackmagic taketh away.

Hopefully update 9.1 will correct all problems and it will be released in a timely manner.

Edit. Ultimately we decided upon using 9.01 because the supersource was dropping fames in 9.0.
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robertsmu

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Re: Constellation 4ME HD Camera Control

PostMon Jun 19, 2023 6:01 pm

Here's an additional update.

We (yet again) returned a Constellation 4ME HD switcher and shelled out the coins for another 8K Constellation. It's infuriating that we have to do this, but we need gear that works. Our live events are important and we need the gear to work out of the box and not have to wait for "updates" to the software for the hardware to function as we need it (and as it is designed and marketed).

While we are happy that 9.01 fixed a whole host of issues on the 4ME, it BROKE camera control and this is unconscionable. Doesn't Blackmagic have any beta testers? (BM send me a Constellation and I will beta test the snot out of it for you).

We already get a bunch of static from freelance TD's and directors who look down upon Blackmagic products and wonder why an operation of our size hasn't switched over to Ross products. Providing these operators equipment with workarounds due to faulty software makes us look unprofessional and further erodes the Blackmagic brand (in their eyes, at least).

I suspect in the near future we will also have to dump our videohubs, since a 40x40 max router is just too little i/o for our needs (and the Universal Videohubs are relics).

I don't know, you guys tell me. Is there a point where due to the limitations of the Blackmagic platform, one does move on to a more end-to-end solution (like Ross)?
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Ben Harper

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Re: Constellation 4ME HD Camera Control

PostTue Jun 20, 2023 1:40 pm

Can confirm we are seeing the same issue on 9.0.1 - it fixes some issues but it breaks camera control.
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robertsmu

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Re: Constellation 4ME HD Camera Control

PostTue Jun 27, 2023 11:28 am

ATEM 9.02 software released today and no mention of a fix for the loss of camera control on the Constellation HD switcher.

Unbelievable.
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robertsmu

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Re: Constellation 4ME HD Camera Control

PostThu Jun 29, 2023 2:47 am

And to add insult to injury, the new Constellation 8K we purchased (since the HD models have no camera control) was doa. Doa!! Luckily we found a local company that had one to rent and that saved the day for this multi day event.

At this point, it is almost comical
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Joe Cassara

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Re: Constellation 4ME HD Camera Control

PostThu Aug 17, 2023 1:31 pm

We had the same issue with 4ME HD and camera control, it turns out the Firmware in the newer switchers differed from the Cameras. Make sure to update the camera, Fiber back, Studio Fiber box etc. See if that helps you. It fixed our issue

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