Talkback setup question

Our church is looking to upgrade our equipment and looking to get either an ATEM 2 M/E or 4 M/E Constellation HD switcher, 4 Blackmagic Studio Camera 6K Pros with the studio converters, so we can run just the ethernet cable to them. We will also be using non-BM cameras for roaming cameras, we will need separate talkback for that.

What I'm wanting to confirm is two things. First, do we plug in the headsets and just put the studio camera output from the switcher into the studio converter and the talkback will automatically be included on SDI channels 15 and 16, so essentially all we need is the headsets for the director and camera operators?

Second, for the roaming cameras, I'm assuming I would need a wireless talkback system, so could I plug an ethernet cable from the ATEM to the transmitter for the wireless system, and it will pass the talkback from the switcher to the transmitter, thus only needing one headset/microphone to control all the talkback? I'm not concerned with the camera operators actually being able to communicate back, but as long as they can hear, that is the most important part. I considered using BM studio cameras as roaming cameras as well, but wasn't sure how they would work in that case and really wanted to go completely wireless, but I'm opened to using them that way if anyone has successfully used them as roaming cameras with just the ethernet cable being attached.

Any feedback related to these two things would be greatly appreciated.
Marc

[Gary Adams]

Hello Marc. For the first question. Yes. All you need to do is connect Studio Converter (camera) SDI out to ATEM SDI In as you would for the video feed anyway. Plus connect ATEM SDI out to Studio Converter Return 1 In. This completes the Talkback loop. Headsets all around and you will have communication. For the second question. If you look at wireless intercom systems, I would find one with a 4 Wire Interface. This interface could connect to the ATEM Constellation RJ-45 Talkback connection for Third Party systems. This will bridge the two systems. I hope this helps.

Gary

Thanks for the information Gary. I have a similar question. We have three 6K Studio Pro cameras with three Studio Converters and an ATEM SDI Extreme ISO switcher. For the director to give one-way instructions to each of the three camera operators (no talkback necessary) how do I set it up? I understand SDI Out form the Studio Converters to the ATEM SDI In for each camera, and ATEM SDI out to Studio Converter Return 1. But do I need an RTS or Clear-Com Base Station, or does the Blackmagic gear handle the audio signal processing? If no base station is needed, what headsets do you reccomend?

[Gary Adams]

Hello Sean. This is a good question. The ATEM Mini or ATEM SDI (including Extremes) do not support the Blackmagic Talkback system so the cameras will not be interconnected in this way like they would with some of the larger ATEMs. You have a couple of choices. For complete Talkback, you could consider the Talkback Converter 4K running the camera SDI in/out before the ATEM side. That would give you a Director path and return Talkback as well. This might be a bit overkill if you only need to send the Director talk to the cameras and no return. If the Director's microphone is not needed as part of a larger intercom, meaning only talking to the cameras, a simple microphone and line level amplifier can be directly connected to the Talkback interface of each of the Studio Converters. The required audio level is +0 dBu balanced analog which should be easy to set up. One output could be easily wired to all three cameras using a "mult" type cable to 3 RJ-45s. PM me if you are interested in this an require more detail as I'm trying to keep the response simple. I can't recommend headsets, but any popular 5 pin intercom headset should work. Even 4 pin adapted to 5 pin. Or, since you don't need a microphone you could adapt a stereo headset of your choice to a 5 pin XLR. I hope this helps.

Gary

Thank you Gary. We started with the ATEM SDI Extreme ISO as a way to begin, but are planning on buying a larger switcher. Will the specs be listed on all BM Switcher specs? Should I be looking for something like "Supports Blackmagic Talkback system"?

Also, your other suggestions are helpful. For more detailed information of wiring instructions, how do I PM you?